2010 Graduate, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Fall intern with Genex Cooperative Based in Shawano, Wisconsin Background Q. In what area did you obtain a degree? I have a bachelor's degree of dairy science in management with an associate's degree in agricultural business. Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up on a Stewardship Dairy, which is owned by my parents, where we milk about 42 cows. The farm is located north of Glenwood City, Wisconsin. Q. What previous internship positions have you held? I had an internship during the summer of 2010 working on Me-Pa-Ni-Tro Inc., where I was interning as a herd manager. The farm is located in Plum City, Wisconsin.

Senior, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Fall intern with Genex Cooperative Based in Shawano, Wisconsin Background Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I'm studying animal science with a dairy emphasis and an agri-business minor. Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up on an 80-cow family dairy farm outside of Argyle, Wisconsin. When the farm was sold in 2000, I began to help with relief milking with my dad, and this lead to a part-time position at Bru-Hill Dairy in Argyle. I worked here throughout high school and continued to be involved in the industry during college where I worked at Berning Livestock in Cuba City, Wisconsin.

Hometown: Wendell, Idaho My dairy background: My grandpa started dairying 45 years ago in Southern California. My family has been dairying in Idaho since 1987. We then moved to Idaho in 1992. Year in school and area of study: I'm currently a second year dairy science major with concentrations in processing and husbandry. If I wasn't studying dairy, I would be ... most likely would be working on my family’s dairy, but I also wanted to be an engineer when I was younger.

This article was #1 of the Top 25 most well-read articles on www.progressivedairy.com in 2012. to jump to the article. It was published in the November 21, 2011 issue. Click here for the full list of the Top 25. When we put Leontien VandeLaar on the cover of our 2011 “Women in dairy” issue, we knew she had a powerful story – but we were blown away by just how many connected with the Indiana dairywoman.

For Progressive Dairyman's Women in Dairy issue (November 21), I asked members of the dairy blogging community to describe their female icons of the dairy industry. Below were the responses we received. I couldn't resist also giving a shoutout to my own female dairy hero, my mom. She's pictured at right with, from left, my sister-in-law Kelly, me (can you tell I'm her daughter?) and my younger sister Sarah. The photo was taken at the 2010 Women in Dairy Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

(Click here to listen to the online exclusive audio interview with past intern Jackie Florent.) Golden Oaks Farm in Wauconda, Illinois, is known for a high-quality genetics program – including work in embryo transfer – in both the Holstein and Red and White breeds. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the herd is registered, which is fairly atypical for a dairy of its size. The milking herd consists of about 625 animals with an additional 600 youngstock raised at the farm. Located on the outskirts of Chicago, the farm also regularly hosts tours, not only for cow family enthusiasts but also for the general public, including local schools.

Farmers in the southwest, particularly Texas and Oklahoma, are experiencing the worst drought recorded since the 1930s. Beef and dairy producers have been forced to cut herd sizes, and many won't be able to remain in business.

Longtime A.I. industry leaders Doug Speicher and Nate Cossaboom recently conducted a three-day training workshop on embryo transfer at Red Knob Dairy in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania. The five students varied in their backgrounds, but all said the most valuable aspect of the training was practicing palpation.