ISU Dairy Extension Team Receives College Team Award

The Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Team Award was presented to the Iowa State University Dairy Extension Team. The Team develops plans and educational events to address issues in dairy production and herd management systems; dairy economics and finance management; crop, manure and energy systems; and human resource management. The team worked together on these priorities using extensive partnerships and resources to develop a successful dairy extension program for Iowa. "We did an educational series to help dairy producers deal with the economic decline in 2008-2010," said Leo Timms, Iowa State professor of animal science and team leader. The team developed and conducted workshops and produced publications outlining financial strategies to deal with the crisis, along with individual farm consultation. Two independent surveys regarding farm consultations (one six month post-consultation and the other using on-farm records), with more than 110 producers involved, indicated a positive economic impact of more than $2.3 million. Members of the team include: Leo Timms, team leader and professor of animal science; Lee Kilmer, professor of animal science and extension dairy specialist; Chris Mondak, extension dairy field specialist; Jennifer Bentley, extension dairy field specialist; Ron Lenth, Bremer County Extension coordinator; Larry Tranel, extension dairy field specialist; Kristen Schulte, extension farm management field specialist; Angela Rieck-Hinz, extension program specialist; Jan Shearer, professor and extension veterinarian; Melissa O'Rourke, extension farm and agribusiness management; and Brian Lang, extension agronomist.