Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- University of Wisconsin-Platteville students gained farm experience by showing Pioneer Farm's beef cattle at the World Beef Expo and Badger Kickoff Classic. Cattle placed in the top six in both shows, which were held during the fall semester at State Fair Park in West Allis.

During these shows, judges look for factors such as soundness of the animal, straight muscular legs and a full deep body. They look for a clean feminine face and lean brisket in heifers. Students began preparing the animals so that these qualities stand out, months before the show. Cattle are switched from pasture to heavy grain feeding so they gain weight. They are also trained in halter breaking to get them used to walking around in different environments. Closer to the show, students carefully groom and clip the cattle.

"Alicia has been really supportive in letting me try new things with the beef herd at the farm and it has been really great. Hopefully, we will have more and more success as we continue to show," said Renee Sternhagen, a student employee at Pioneer Farm. She had no previous experience showing animals before the 2008 World Beef Expo and Badger Kickoff Classic, but now plans to pursue showing as part of her career.

"My future plans are to start up a herd of my own and get some really great genetics going, hopefully making a name for myself as a respected breeder that would be sought out to buy show cattle from," said Sternhagen.

At World Beef Expo two of UWP's heifers won reserve champion heifer calf and reserve champion junior heifer calf. Other cattle placed first in the get-of-sire (three animals of either or both genders) and best of five head (five head of either or both genders) classes. In the best of three head, heifer calved Jan. 1 through Feb. 29, 2008, and best pair of bulls classes, UWP placed second. UWP received a second and third-place award in the best pair of heifers, Red Angus heifer calved after March 1, 2008, and bull calved after Jan. 1, 2008 classes. UWP also received a fifth place award for Red Angus heifer calved after March 1, 2008 class.

"Our animals are a representation of what the breed is. Looking toward the future, I can see some great genetics coming from artificial insemination breeding and that could take us even further in terms of show quality animals. As of right now, taking our animals to shows in Wisconsin can only open up more doors for UWP's recognition of the beef cattle industry," Sternhagen said.

At the Badger Kickoff Classic, one of Pioneer Farm's heifers won her class of which she was the only animal. The other heifers placed fifth and sixth.

"This show has become extremely competitive. There are cattle from all over the country there," said Alicia Prill-Adams, assistant director of Pioneer Farm.

Anyone wanting more information about Pioneer Farm's beef herd may contact Prill-Adams at (608) 342-1119 or prillada@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Alicia Prill-Adams, assistant director, UWP Pioneer Farm, (608) 342-1119, prillada@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu