Agriculture & Dairy

Researchers look for a taste of success

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Megan Hinderman

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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

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Megan Hinderman

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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

Authored on: Oct 10, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Oct 10, 2020, Written by: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub program manager

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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

Authored on: Aug 08, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Jul 07, 2020, Written by: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub program manager

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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

Authored on: Jul 07, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Jul 07, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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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

Authored on: Jun 06, 2020, Written by: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub program manager

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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

Authored on: Jun 06, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Apr 04, 2020, Written by: Megan Hinderman

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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

Authored on: Dec 12, 2019, Written by: Garrison Ledbury

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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

Authored on: Nov 11, 2019, Written by: Roger Higgs

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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

Authored on: Nov 11, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Nov 11, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Roger Higgs

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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

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Dr. Chris Baxter

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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

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: UW System

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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

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Garrison Ledbury

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

UW-Platteville students make a big hit at Miller Park

Authored on: Sep 09, 2019, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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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

Authored on: Sep 09, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Aug 08, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Jul 07, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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

Authored on: Jul 07, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

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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.