Agriculture & Dairy

Collegiate Crops Team takes first place at regional contest

The UW-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team placed first overall at the Regional Crops Contest held in Brookings, South Dakota on Oct. 19.

Burp science: How UW-Platteville is turning cow gas into research gold

School of Agriculture is milking innovation and setting the bar high with cutting-edge dairy technology at Pioneer Farm

UW-Platteville's Pioneer Farm is revolutionizing dairy management with cutting-edge technologies that measure cow emissions (burps) and monitor feed intake, setting new standards in sustainability and precision. These advancements offer students unparalleled hands-on experiences and position the university as a leader in agricultural innovation within the tri-state area.

NSF-funded Plant Biotechnology Boot Camp brings high school students to campus

Eight high school students from the tri-state area recently participated in the Plant Biotechnology Boot Camp held at UW-Platteville. The week-long residential camp offered hands-on learning opportunities in the areas of plant biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, plant pathology and microbiology.

UW-Platteville announces five faculty fellowships funded by state-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub

UW-Platteville recently awarded five faculty research fellowships to increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative.

UW-Platteville School of Agriculture receives grant from CHS Foundation to enhance precision agriculture curriculum

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture has been awarded a significant grant from the CHS Foundation to advance the university's precision agriculture initiatives.

Daugherty recognized with academic staff award

UW-Platteville will recognize Justin Daugherty, animal care manager at Pioneer Farm, with the 2024 Academic Staff Award for Excellence.

Kadjo selected for Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program

Dr. Lucie Kadjo, associate professor of agribusiness, is one of two UW-Platteville faculty members selected for the 2024-2025 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program.

Students compete in crops judging contest

The UW-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team recently competed in the National Association of College Teachers in Agriculture crops contest, hosted by the University of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Students compete in National Agri-Marketing Association competition

The National Agri-Marketing Association Club at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture recently traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to compete in the National Agri-Marketing Association Student Competition.

Collegiate Soils Team places among top teams at national contests

The UW-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team recently competed in two national contests, where students describe and scientifically classify soils and landforms using tools and techniques employed by professional soil scientists.

Adams awarded Barry Goldwater Scholarship

UW-Platteville junior Olivia Adams was recently named a recipient of the 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholarship. She is one of only 438 students nationwide to receive the 2024 scholarship.

Students compete in American Society of Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon

Four UW-Platteville animal and dairy science students competed in the American Society of Animal Science Midwest Section Academic Quadrathlon. 

UW-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team earns top placings at national contests

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team earned honors in the 89th annual National American Royal Kansas City Collegiate Crops Contest and the 94th annual National Chicago Collegiate Crops Contest earlier this month.

Christenson takes top honors at regional soils contest

The Collegiate Soils Team competed in the 66th annual Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest, with UW-Platteville student Jackson Christenson scoring highest in the individual contest.

Students pull ahead in quarter-scale tractor design competition

A team of five students recently competed in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, taking home first place in the Maneuverability category.

Five faculty fellowships funded by state-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub

UW-Platteville recently awarded five faculty research fellowships to help increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative. Known as the Dairy Industry Impact Innovation Faculty Fellowships, or “DI3 faculty fellowships”, the selected faculty members will tackle research projects in the Hub’s four priority areas.

Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America pledges $1 million

The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America has made the largest grant commitment in its history, pledging $1 million towards the building of the Dairy Pilot Plant and Training Center at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm.

Ward marks his last year of teaching with planned gift to university

Forty-seven years after graduating from UW-Platteville, David Ward has continued to support the university in a number of ways, including teaching, creating a scholarship, and most recently, adding an estate gift to his plans.

Ag-Water Nexus field trip explores water challenges, solutions in Southwest Wisconsin

UW-Platteville recently hosted students from across the state for the second Wisconsin Agriculture-Water Nexus Network field trip, funded by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, where students explored critical issues related to the connections between agriculture and water management.

Students place seventh in North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging Conference

The UW-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team took seventh place overall in the NACTA Judging Conference. UW-Platteville team members also placed individually at the contest.

UW-Platteville student awarded teaching scholarship

Abby Kucken, an agriculture education major, has been awarded a selective $10,000 GROW Scholarship for fall 2022/spring 2023. The GROW Cooperative offers these scholarships with the goal of helping rural schools attract and retain teachers.

UW-Platteville places fifth, Nollen is second highest individual in national soils competition

The UW-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team competed in the 61st Soil Science Society of America National Collegiate Soils Contest March 26-31, where they placed fifth overall.

Animal and dairy science students compete at regional Academic Quadrathlon Competition

Four University of Wisconsin-Platteville animal and dairy science students recently competed in the regional American Society of Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon competition

Students to present research on reducing ammonia emissions and odors

Three students are looking at biochar as a way to reduce ammonia emissions and odors off of manure storages, which many farms in Wisconsin use. They will showcase their research at the 19th annual Research in the Rotunda on March 8.

UW-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team places at two national contests

The UW-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team took fourth place overall in the 88th annual National American Royal Kansas City Collegiate Crops Contest and third place overall in the 93rd annual National Chicago Collegiate Crops Contest last month.

DATCP, UW-Platteville announce new meat programming

UW-Platteville and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced the Beginning a Career in the Meat Industry programming, a half-day course designed for college and high school students who want to learn more about careers in the meat sector.

UW-Platteville wins 65th Region 3 Soils Contest

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team took first place overall in the 65th annual Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest, held Oct. 18-21. The event was held in Champaign, Piatt and McClean counties in Illinois and was hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Two from UW-Platteville selected as student ambassadors for national conference

Two UW-Platteville environmental horticulture students, Kassidy Kleeber and Braden Meyers, attended the ELEVATE conference last month in Orlando, Florida, as student ambassadors.

UW-Platteville, NICC sign three new transfer agreements for students pursuing agriculture

UW-Platteville and Northeast Iowa Community College recently signed three new articulation agreements that will streamline transfer opportunities for students pursuing agriculture. 

State-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub funds third round of research grants at UW-Platteville

UW-Platteville recently awarded five faculty research fellowships to help increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative. Selected faculty members will tackle research projects in the Hub’s four priority areas: stewarding land and water resources; enriching human health and nutrition; ensuring animal health and welfare; and growing farm business and communities.

UW-Platteville's Nollen part of U.S. soil judging team taking first place at world contest

University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior Isaac Nollen was on the four-person American soil judging team that took first place at last month’s International Soil Judging Competition, hosted by the 20th World Congress of Soil Science in Glasgow, Scotland.

Recent grads set to make an impact in growing field of plant breeding and biotechnology

Garrett Larsen had a passion for plant biotechnology even before he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Pioneers attend National Agri-Marketing Association student competition

The National Agri-Marketing Association Club traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to compete in the National Agri-Marketing Student Competition, where they presented their pitch for an agricultural product, FilaMilk, not yet on the market.

School of Agriculture students present research posters at UW System Symposium

Two students from the School of Agriculture, Kimberly Van Donsel and Hannah Lemke, presented research posters at the University of Wisconsin System Symposium at UW-Whitewater last month. 

UW-Platteville places third in national soils contest, Nollen qualifies for Team USA

The Collegiate Soils Team competed in the 60th Soil Science Society of America National Collegiate Soils Contest April 18-23, where they took home third place overall. Isaac Nollen placed in the top four and was chosen to be part of a four-member team representing the United States at the International Soils Competition in Scotland in June.

Rehberg excels at Corteva Agriscience, UW-Platteville’s newest corporate sponsor

Growing up on a small dairy farm in Northeast Wisconsin, Liz Rehberg, a 2010 graduate, always knew she would be involved in agriculture. Now, in her eighth year with Pioneer, Corteva Agriscience’s flagship seed brand, she has found her own way to help farmers.

Students compete in national agriculture judging contest

Four members of the Agribusiness Club at UW-Platteville recently participated in the 2022 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging Conference in North Platte, Nebraska.

Student researchers explore solutions for phosphorous run-off

Phosphorous concentrations are at an almost dangerously high level in Wisconsin, says senior Olivia Kozlowska – an environmental engineering major from Chicago, Illinois – and it’s a problem she hopes her research will address. Kozlowska will present her project, “Evaluation of Filter Media for Phosphorous Removal Systems” at next month’s annual Research in the Rotunda event in Madison, Wisconsin.

UW-Platteville Dairy Judging Team wins big in Texas

UW-Platteville's Dairy Judging Team traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest, held on Jan. 16, where they took home top honors.

Students conduct feeding trials to explore use for hazelnuts, donate to local food pantries

A group of animal science students spent a portion of this semester designing and conducting a feeding trial in broiler chickens, with the goal of helping Wisconsin growers better understand how to use and market hazelnuts. When the trial ends next week, they will donate the 60 processed chickens to local food pantries across the Driftless region.

Industry experts volunteer time to teach students, help save historic tree on campus

When a champion tree on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus was damaged in a storm last summer, faculty teamed up with an industry partner to turn the chance to save it into a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for students. 

UW-Platteville to contribute to $10 million #DiverseCornBelt project

Dr. Pete Lammers, associate professor in the School of Agriculture, is contributing to a $10 million project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by Purdue University, to make Midwestern agriculture more resilient by diversifying farms, marketing and the agricultural landscape.

UW-Platteville wins Region 3 Soils Contest, Strobel takes top individual honors

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team took first place in the 64th annual Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest, held Oct. 5-8. The event was held in McLean and Tazewell counties in Illinois and was hosted by Illinois State University.

REC major brings diverse job opportunities, alumni reflect on program and industry experiences

Reclamation, environment and conservation (REC) is a growing field continuing to bring professional opportunities to UW-Platteville students. The REC program is led by Dr.

Dairy Innovation Hub funds second round of research grants

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently awarded six faculty research fellowships to help increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative.

Newest 3+1 program benefits students pursuing veterinary school

Caitlin Warren had a plan to become a veterinarian from a young age, and now having just completed her junior year at UW-Platteville, she is enrolling in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at UW-Madison this fall, thanks to a new articulation program created by UW-Platteville. 

Robotic milkers bring new opportunities for research, outreach and education

UW-Platteville's Pioneer Farm is now home to two new state-of-the-art robotic milkers, enabling more opportunities for research and engagement across campus and the tri-state region.

Compeer Financial grants $10,000 to UW-Platteville Dairy Pilot Plant at Pioneer Farm

UW-Platteville is one step closer to launching the new Dairy Pilot Plant, thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Compeer Financial. The proposed plant, which will be located at Pioneer Farm, will provide research and education on dairy food product development while also giving students an opportunity to learn about rural economic development, entrepreneurship and sustainability. 

Support from the Growmark Foundation enhances hands-on learning for students

Dr. Krista Hardyman, associate professor of animal science, was awarded $1,500 from the Glenn Webb Education Fund/The Growmark Foundation, which assisted in delivering a quality experience to students who completed coursework virtually this year.

Undergrads team up to unravel the molecular basis of plant-microbe symbioses

Often reserved for upperclass students at many universities, research has been a part of Kaylee Finseth’s college experience since nearly the time she first stepped foot on campus at UW-Platteville. Now a junior, Finseth has been engaged in several research projects involving plant-microbe symbioses for the past three years. 

A love of dairy brings families together

Alumni TJ and Katie Roth are partners in Banner Ridge Farms LLC, and witness, firsthand, the benefits the new Dairy Innovation Hub is bringing to the region.

Researchers look for a taste of success

Wisconsin is known worldwide for its dairy products, and ice cream is an almost universal favorite. Yet what we love about it can often be hard to describe. Now, mechanical engineering professors Dr. Thomas Zolper and Dr. Bidhan Roy are looking at the science behind one of the world’s most popular treats as part of their research for the UW-Platteville Dairy Innovation Hub.

Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Weigel

Throughout his career, Ryan Weigel has felt the influence of UW-Platteville. From the time he graduated as an animal science major, to his own role as an educator today, Weigel acknowledges the friends, family and mentors that have helped him along the way.

Mumma presents research marking 19th amendment anniversary

Kaley Mumma, a senior from Byron, Illinois, was selected to present at the 2020 Red River Women’s Studies Conference, hosted by North Dakota State University last week. The conference’s theme, “Imperfect History,” marked the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment.

Dairy Innovation Hub releases first annual report

The Dairy Innovation Hub has released its first annual report that reflects progress and activities from initial funding approval by the Wisconsin Legislature in early October 2019 through June 2020.

Student takes top prize in state research competition

Joseph Creanza, a junior soil and crop science major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, scored first place at the recent 2020 Student Research and Innovation Showcase for his project, “Plant Essential Oils as Natural and Safe Pesticides for the Control of Soybean White Mold Disease.”

State-funded Dairy Innovation Hub hires first faculty members

Ryan Pralle and Joseph Sanford have been hired as faculty members by the UW-Platteville School of Agriculture, representing the first tenure-track faculty positions funded by the Dairy Innovation Hub.

Montgomery honored with Woman of the Year Award

Dr. Tera Montgomery, professor of dairy and animal science at UW-Platteville, was selected for the 2020 Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award.

Pioneer Farm cow takes grand champion at district show

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm took home the top honor of grand champion for its four-year-old cow Wiscit Defiant Maya at the Wisconsin District 3 Show in Lancaster, Wisconsin, on June 19. Registered dairy producers from Grant, Lafayette, Iowa, Richland and Crawford counties participated in the competition, which featured 187 cows.

Faculty fellowships funded by state-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently awarded seven faculty research fellowships to help increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Kevin Bernhardt

As a professor of agribusiness at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a UW-Extension farm management specialist, Dr. Kevin Bernhardt helps make an impact on both the current and future generations of the local agriculture industry.

Pioneer Spotlight: Krista Eiseman

Krista Eiseman has been interested in the field of animal science from a young age. While attending UW-Platteville, she developed a particular interest in meat science. After earning her master's degree from North Dakota State University, where she studied meat science and muscle biology, she returned to UW-Platteville as an assistant professor of animal science in 2017.

Soil and crop science major trades field work for hand sanitizer production

In early March, UW-Plattteville soil and crop science major Adam Mairs had been looking forward to spring break and working as the farm manager at Kennay Farms in Rochelle, Illinois. But when the COVID-19 pandemic forced students off campus and into alternative learning methods, Mairs had to shift his plans, fast. His employer opened a distillery about eight months ago, and seeing a need in their community, the staff converted the distillery to producing hand sanitizer.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Lucie Kadjo

Dr. Lucie Kadjo came to UW-Platteville in 2016. As an assistant professor of agribusiness in the School of Agriculture, Kadjo has spent the last four years promoting the importance of learning throughout an individual’s life – not just during a person’s time as an undergraduate or graduate student.

UW-Platteville Crops Team places second in nationals

The UW-Platteville Crops Team recently placed second in both the Kansas City (86th annual) and Chicago (91st annual) Collegiate Crops Contests.

Grant supports opening of Dairy Pilot Plant, student-run business

Ice cream will soon be the next product made and sold by students on the UW-Platteville campus. A recent grant from the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America will support the opening of UW-Platteville’s Dairy Pilot Plant and the creation of a student-run ice cream production business.

Screening of award-winning documentary to explore themes of innovation, inclusivity

UW-Platteville will present a screening of the award-winning documentary “Hearts of Glass,” followed by a discussion with the film director and producer, Jennifer Tennican, on Thursday, Dec. 5. The free event is open to the public and will be held in Room 103, Doudna Hall from 4-6 p.m.

Crops team wins Upper Midwest Regional

The UW-Platteville Crops Team won the Upper Midwest Regional contest on Oct. 26. Host UW-Platteville placed first over University of Minnesota-Crookston (second), South Dakota State (third) and UW-Madison (fourth).

Collegiate Soils Team takes top honors at recent competition

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team competed in the 63rd annual Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest Oct. 9–12. The event was held in Portage County, Wisconsin, and was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

UW Dairy Innovation Hub seeks solutions to challenges facing Wisconsin dairy industry

From improving human nutrition to assuring clean water to growing the farm economy while caring for animals, the Dairy Innovation Hub will harness the intellectual and creative power of three University of Wisconsin institutions to address the most complex challenges facing the state’s dairy industry.

Pioneers place high in dairy judging competitions

Students of the UW-Platteville Dairy Judging Team excelled in three recent competitions.

UW-Platteville students make a big hit at Miller Park

As Brewers fans make their way into Miller Park to watch their favorite player run out onto the field, they’ll notice the work created by three UW-Platteville students who interned with the Milwaukee Brewers ground crew. Together they experienced what it takes to uphold one of the best stadiums in major league baseball.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for new hydroponics student-managed business

Beginning this year, students will have access to fresh lettuce, grown on campus year-round through a new hydroponics student-managed business. Located in Glenview Commons, the 1,500-square-foot hydroponics space, built and operated solely by students, will supply nearly all lettuce used by UW-Platteville Dining Services.

$250,000 swine education fund gift will enhance student experience

Dr. Charles Heidenreich first left his mark on UW-Platteville when he joined the university in 1966 to teach and help grow Pioneer Farm. Now, more than half a century later, his impact on the university’s agriculture programs is continuing to grow thanks to a $250,000 endowed gift.

Community-agriculture partnerships at root of new internship

From working with greenhouses and small businesses to vendors at the farmer’s market, Kaley Mumma’s summer internship is providing a variety of experiences, all grounded in the same goal: to build stronger relationships among the community and local green businesses and food producers. 

Students find success showing cattle at district show

Maddy Gwidt, a sophomore dairy science major from Pulaski, Wisconsin, showed two heifers and two cows. The highest ranking was earned by a cow in the Senior 3-Year-Old class, which ranked second in its class and went on to receive the title of Reserve Intermediate Champion, as well as Honorable Mention Grand Champion of the show.

Venkateshwaran receives prestigious NSF-CAREER award

Venkateshwaran’s research focuses on the symbiotic associations that exist between plants and microbes, such as rhizobia, a soil bacteria that associates with legumes to form root nodules, inside which the rhizobia fixes atmospheric nitrogen that is then used by the legume plant.

Dairy Innovation Hub moves closer to reality

The proposed Dairy Innovation Hub bill moved two steps closer to reality this week when the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate both passed the proposal that the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance originally recommended in the 2019-21 state budget. The budget now goes before Gov. Tony Evers.

School of Ag helps Sawyer pursue interest in water buffalo

Recent graduate Caroline Sawyer had the opportunity to take what she learned in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Dairy Science program and apply it to a lesser-known animal – the water buffalo.

Dairy program would grow under new bill

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville dairy program would grow significantly under a proposed University of Wisconsin Dairy Innovation Hub bill introduced this week to the state legislature.

Symposium offers pre-vet students chance to grow

The Pre-Veterinary Club at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently attended the annual American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Symposium at Pennsylvania State University, where students had the opportunity to attend various lectures and wet labs related to veterinary medicine, as well as meet and talk with specific veterinary colleg

Students hear from world’s most successful investors at Berkshire Hathaway

A “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity is how several University of Wisconsin-Platteville students described their recent trip to the annual Berkshire Hathaway investors meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.

Agribusiness Club finds success in national competition

Four members of the Agribusiness Club at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently attended the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging Conference in Murray, Kentucky. This national judging conference was hosted by Murray State University.

Students compete in two national soils competitions

The collegiate soils team at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently competed in national contests in Kentucky and California.

Dairy program would grow under new bill

The UW Dairy Innovation Hub was approved in the new state budget. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville dairy program would grow significantly under a proposed University of Wisconsin Dairy Innovation Hub bill introduced this week to the state legislature.

UW-Platteville team places fourth at Dairy Challenge

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Dairy Challenge Team recently placed fourth on their farm in the 2019 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, held in Tifton, Georgia. UW-Platteville was one of 44 universities competing in the event, totaling 240 students.

Student helps develop drone-based company

Seth Oren, a junior agriculture and technology education major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has helped to expand a branch of the agriculture technology company Crop Search into his hometown of Edgerton, Wisconsin.

Considine to present on factors influencing goat milk production

In her years growing up on her family’s farm near Portage, Wisconsin, Esther Considine, the fourth of 10 children, moved through many chores, from feeding chickens, to sheep, and then to goats. The farm’s 230 goats annually produce thousands of gallons of milk that is turned into goat cheese after being shipped to Illinois.

Pioneer Farm receives multiple dairy awards

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm is being awarded for its cattle and quality of milk.

School of Agriculture students gain experience abroad

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture offered three new short-term education abroad programs over the winter break, which allow students to take a course taught abroad by one or more UW-Platteville faculty members.

School of Agriculture, Business collaborate to offer networking opportunities

At the recent Wisconsin Bankers Association’s open house, co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s School of Agriculture and School of Business, students had the opportunity to learn firsthand about careers in community banking and agriculture lending.

Student designs Mars greenhouse concept for NASA

University of Wisconsin-Platteville student Eva Birtell’s research on agricultural production systems is – literally – out of this world.