Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville earned recognition at the 17th annual World Beef Expo held in Milwaukee Sept. 24-27. LR Cash, an Angus bull owned by the UWP Pioneer Farm, was named the Champion Red Angus Bull. LR Cash was part of the Supreme Grand Champion Drive, a showcase of champions from each breed where the top three overall animals are selected. In addition to receiving recognition for the quality of the Angus bull, UWP was named Premier Exhibitor in the Red Angus division for the third time and Premier Breeder in the division for the second time in school history.

Cash was purchased from Lindner's Red Angus, a Red Angus breeder located in Platteville. The animal was taken to the WBE last year as a calf. The animal was purchased more for breeding purposes than as a show animal, explained Alicia Prill-Adams, assistant farm director at the Pioneer Farm. Prill-Adams added that students and faculty are anticipating the arrival of the award-winning animal's first calves in the spring of 2010.

Laurel Ballweg, a sophomore animal science major from Lodi, was responsible for leading Cash through the shows. "I had the chance to work with him and get him ready as well as show him." said Ballweg. "Showing Cash in the Supreme Drive gave us a great sense of accomplishment."

Prill-Adams said that Ballweg, who was the lead student in preparing Cash for the show, received assistance from Kristin Taylor, an agricultural education and animal science double major from Morris, Ill.; Andrew Condon, an animal science major from Watertown; Heather Dykstra, an animal science and elementary education double major from Morrison, Ill.; Matt Storlie, an agricultural business major from Fall Creek; and Tammy Wiedenbeck, an animal science major from Lancaster.

Prill-Adams said that preparing animals for the WBE offers a great opportunity for students. "It gives them some hands-on opportunities to learn about the performance and pedigree of the cattle as well as network with other breeders," she said. "It is great that the students have the animals available to work with as it gives many of them a sense of responsibility."

Anyone with further questions regarding UWP's participation in the World Beef Expo may contact Prill-Adams at (608) 342-1326 or prillada@uwplatt.edu.