Cal Poly College of Ag Wins National Award for Dairy Herd

Aug. 16, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael B. Barr
(805) 756-2933

Cal Poly Dairy Herd Claims Historic National Title

SAN LUIS OBISPO - For the 50^thtime in the past 52 years, the national Holstein Association has named the Cal Poly College of Agriculture's Holstein dairy herd as the winner of the Progressive Breeders Registry Award.

According to Professor Les Ferreira, head of the Dairy Science Department, Cal Poly has won the award more times than any private commercial dairy or other university in the nation. Award recipients are recognized for achieving high standards of production and gene type.

Dean of Agriculture David Wehner said the Holstein herd is the perfect example of Cal Poly's learn-by-doing educational philosophy and coordination between faculty and students. "Ninety-three percent of the cows in our Holstein milking herd are campus-bred and homegrown," Wehner added.

Cal Poly, along with other award winners, will be featured in an upcoming issue of Holstein World magazine.

The university has 100 head of Holstein milking cows, which produce about 325,000 gallons of milk annually. The dairy herd is managed by 50 students per year under the direction of Anthony Reis, the College of Agriculture's herd manager.

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