UW-Madison Animal and Dairy Science

Congratulations to Professor Mark Richards and collaborators at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on their plasma–liquid mixing innovation featured on the final front cover of Materials Advances (Royal Society of Chemistry), advancing the efficiency and uniformity of cold atmospheric plasma treatment in chemical and biological systems.

Congratulations to Dr. Sofia Ortega, on receiving the 2026 IETS Foundation Early Career Achievement Award. This honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to advancing embryo transfer and reproductive technologies in animal and dairy science.

Dr. Sofia Ortega Receives 2026 IETS Foundation Early Career Achievement Award Dr. Sofia Ortega, Assistant Professor of Reproductive Physiology in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been named the recipient of the 2026 International Embryo […]

The 4th Smart Calf Rearing Conference brought a global audience to UW–Madison, uniting nearly 250 attendees from North and South America, Europe, and Asia to advance calf health, welfare, and management.

Following two days of research-focused sessions, the conference concluded with a Producer Day at Arlington Agricultural Research Station, connecting science to practice through producer panels and tours of UW’s recently renovated calf-rearing facilities.

By hosting this international event, UW–Madison continues to lead innovation and collaboration in dairy research and industry advancement.

Visit our website to read more about the conference.

Badger Dairy Club students proudly represented UW–Madison at the 2026 Midwest ADSA-USD Regional Meeting, hosted by UW–Platteville from January 23–25. Alongside students from eight other universities, 14 UW–Madison students spent the weekend networking with fellow dairy students, competing in hands-on contests, and exploring the dairy industry in Southwest Wisconsin.

The conference featured industry presentations, Skill-A-Thon, Dairy Products Evaluation, and Dairy Bowl competitions, as well as tours of the UW–Platteville Dairy Research and Teaching Unit and local dairy operations. UW–Madison students earned top placements throughout the weekend, highlighting the value of experiential learning, professional development, and strong industry connections.

Visit our website to read the full article.

Dairy Science 375: Dairy Nutrition Experience wrapped up another impactful year of hands-on learning and industry engagement. This January, UW–Madison students joined peers from UW–Platteville and UW–River Falls for a five-day immersive program focused on dairy nutrition, herd management, and real-world problem solving.

Through farm visits, industry-led discussions, and collaboration with dairy professionals, UW–Madison students gained valuable insight into the dairy industry while building skills and connections that will support their future careers. Experiences like this highlight the strength of experiential learning and the dedication of UW–Madison students to growing as industry-ready professionals.

Read more: https://andysci.wisc.edu/2026/02/05/dairy-science-375-dairy-nutrition-experience-marks-another-year-of-hands-on-learning-2/

Congratulations to Michel Wattiaux on being named a national recipient of the USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching Award for Food and Agricultural Sciences! This highly competitive honor is a testament to his outstanding dedication to teaching and student success.

We are proud to congratulate Dairy Science student Maryann Gudenkauf on her upcoming graduation! She was recently featured in an article highlighting her experiences and growth as a CALS student. Maryann’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence have been truly outstanding, and we are excited to celebrate her achievements and continue to watch her succeed in her future endeavors.

Meet Maryann Gudenkauf! Maryann grew up on a dairy farm, which drew her to CALS. "Having farmed my entire life, I often went through the motions without fully understanding the science behind our practices," she says. "Studying dairy science has given me a deeper appreciation for why we do what we do on the farm."

Learn more about Maryann at https://cals.wisc.edu/alumni/recent-alumni/winter-2025-grad-maryann-gudenkauf/

UW-Madison Animal and Dairy Science

https://cals.wisc.edu/alumni/recent-alumni/winter-2025-grad-maryann-gudenkauf/

Winter 2025 Grad: Maryann Gudenkauf Maryann Gudenkauf continues her families dairy farm Maryann Gudenkauf, who grew up in Watertown, Wisconsin, is graduating this winter with a bachelor’s in dairy science. In this Q&A, she talks about her involvement in student organizations and the hands-on experiences she gained throughout her und...

The Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences is excited to welcome prospective students who have applied into the Dairy & Food Animal Management major on December 9th!
Visitors will meet current students and faculty, learn more about life in our department, and sit in on our Seniors’ Capstone presentations - a highlight of our dairy curriculum.
📧 Questions? Reach out to [email protected]
🔗 Sign up and view the schedule here: https://forms.gle/Q1z2A4jWMYJFQHmr8
Registration closes December 3rd

Interested in dairy or livestock production? Join us on November 7th for the Dairy and Food Animal Management Visit Day at UW–Madison. This is a great opportunity for prospective students to explore career paths in animal agriculture, connect with professionals and students, and learn more about the programs and resources available to support your future in the industry. Use the link below to register today to reserve your spot.
https://apps.admissions.wisc.edu/visitbucky/event_view.php?eid=21908

The National 4-H Dairy Conference is a premier event for 4-H youth, providing an opportunity to learn about the dairy industry, explore potential careers, and participate in technical workshops. This year, UW–Madison Animal and Dairy Sciences faculty member Dr. Jimena Laporta and her graduate students contributed to the event by facilitating a session on udder health and development. Their involvement reflects the department’s commitment to supporting youth education, leadership development, and the continued growth of the dairy industry.

Dairy and Food Animal Management (DFAM) is one of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's newest majors. Housed in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), DFAM focuses on the biology, business, and management of farm animals and agriculture.

Students study dairy science, meat science, and animals alongside business, economics, and management — the DFAM program is designed to effectively prepare student's for today's job market. DFAM builds on UW–Madison's 159-year dairy legacy and ensures that our students are ready to tackle today's challenges and embrace tomorrow's opportunities.

Learn more about DFAM at cals.wisc.edu/majors/dairy-food-animal-management/
https://youtu.be/Nc8mfKaV2iU?si=P8GANC0wa5JQDLT3

Learn about the Dairy and Food Animal Management major at UW–Madison Dairy and Food Animal Management (DFAM) is one of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's newest majors. Housed in the College of Agricultural and Life Science...