Students, faculty and staff from NDSU’s Department of Animal Sciences were recognized at the Midwest meetings of the American Society of Animal Science/Dairy Science March 14-16 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Members of the NDSU Quadrathlon team (Beth Hendrickx from Bowman, N.D., Nathan Hayes from Big Lake, Minn., Quynn Larson from Brandon, S.D., and Phil Steichen from Ulen, Minn.) placed first in oral presentation and written exam and second place overall. The squad competed against 15 teams from universities throughout the Midwest. The team’s adviser is Kasey Carlin, assistant professor of animal sciences.
Kimberly Vonnahme, associate professor of animal sciences, was named Outstanding Young Animal Scientist in the research category. She was recognized for her achievements in developing a nationally recognized research program in the area of reproductive physiology.
Sarah Wagner, associate professor of animal sciences, was named as the Outstanding Young Animal Scientist in the teaching category. She was recognized for her achievements in developing the large animal minor in the veterinary technology program.
The Outstanding Young Scientist awards recognize scientists with 10 years or less of service in their professional careers.
Graduate student Allison Meyer and Bryan Neville, assistant animal scientist, were recognized as Animal Science Young Scholars. This award recognizes students who are in the process of completing their doctoral program or who have recently completed their degree. They are invited to give a 30-minute presentation that highlights their doctoral program.
Senior Phil Steichen also presented a paper, “Effect of feeding high sulfur vs. high crude protein diets on heifer growth and performance,” in the undergraduate oral competition.
J.W. Schroeder, associate professor and Extension dairy specialist, chaired the graduate student poster competition and Eric Berg, associate professor of animal sciences, chaired the Growth, Development, Muscle Biology and Meat Science Section.
Greg Lardy, department head and professor, was recognized for his service as Midwest ASAS ADSA director. His term on the board ended at the conclusion of the meeting.
David Buchanan, professor of animal sciences, and Lardy also presented invited papers. Buchanan’s paper was titled “Teaching techniques for enhancing the learning experience of today’s students: Engaging Students” and was presented in the Teaching Symposium. Lardy’s paper was titled “You got the interview, now what? Part 1: Tips on interviewing for a graduate assistantship successfully,” which was presented in the Graduate Student Symposium.
Animal sciences students, staff and faculty wrote or co-wrote six poster presentations and seven oral presentations at the meetings.