Department of Dairy Science

Mikayla Bailey, a Spring 2017 graduate has been very active in the department and worked at the VT Dairy Farm during her time here.

The spotlights are written by Annemarie Bresson as part of a DASC Public Relations course.

Whitney Bowman is obtaining dual degrees in Dairy Science and Animal and Poultry Sciences. Throughout her career at Virginia Tech, Bowman has remained committed to sharing her passion for agriculture. During her internship at the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, D.C., Bowman developed education programs for AFBF members across the country. As a state officer for the Virginia FFA Association, she presented education workshops and attended Farmers’, Women’s, and other state-wide conferences. These experiences beyond Virginia Tech strengthened Bowman’s leadership skills and enabled her to excel as a Resident Advisor, Dairy Science Student Ambassador, and Missions Team Leader in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. After graduation, Bowman plans to continue her passion for teaching by working in agricultural education.  

Kari Estes, a fall 2016 graduate of the Department of Dairy Science, started her research studies as an undergraduate student volunteer. Her contributions to the laboratory resulted in several publications including one from her undergraduate work, another from her work between degrees, and two that she prepared from graduate work. She also has a popular press article drafted which will be submitted to a major trade publication after the scientific work is published. In 2016, Estes also presented her research at the International Symposium on Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition in Poland. She has also been active in Phi Sigma and served as a teaching assistant.

Adam Geiger, the 2017 Outstanding Graduate Student Award winner, began his graduate career in the Department of Dairy Science as a Pratt Fellow in 2013.

In addition to his course work and dissertation research, Geiger served in the Graduate Teaching Scholars program and assisted with course development, published articles in two peer-reviewed journals, co-authored articles for two more journals, presented his research domestically and internationally and even got married and had a son.

Through publications in the Dairy Pipeline and Virginia Dairyman as well as a presentation on basic cow nutrition to fourth graders, he contributed to the Extension mission of the department.

Geiger’s publication and scholarship record includes five refereed journal articles published or accepted, five journal articles in review or in preparation, 21 peer reviewed, published abstracts of presentation at professional meetings (most meetings of the American Dairy Science Association), and 19 extension, newsletter, or popular press articles. Interestingly, one of his articles, published in Hoard’s Dairyman was translated into Spanish for wider distribution.

Spotlight on ISC Alumna Carrie Ceh...

ISC alumna Carrie Ceh is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Dairy Science studying rumen development in calves with Dr. Kristy Daniels.  Read the interview here.

VT Challenge Team  wins 1st Place for Farm B at the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge & Academy in Visalia, CA! Pictured left to right:  Co-Coach, Dr. Alex White, Linda Beckett, Whitney Bowman, MK Jones, Daniel Comyn. Not pictured: Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira, co-coach.

Three Dairy Science Alumni were honored at the the 2017 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Awards program held Friday, March 31 at the Inn at Virginia Tech.   More...

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