Dairy Teaching Herd Endowment

Changing demographics (fewer farms, existing farms becoming larger) mean that there are fewer rural youngsters being recruited into the veterinary medical profession.  Yet the dairy industry continues to need veterinarians.

In hopes of sparking large animal interest among students with an urban background, the School of Veterinary Medicine established a dairy teaching herd in 2000.  The herd provides veterinary and pre-veterinary students a chance to “touch a cow” in a realistic milking herd environment.  By working with the herd, students gain experience with livestock handling, computerized dairy records, and everyday dairy management.

But it takes resources to maintain the dairy teaching herd, and financing has been an ongoing challenge.  The herd is charged with supporting itself, but milk sales don’t stretch to cover all expenses, due to the herd’s teaching mission, which sets it apart from a private dairy. 

 

Endow the Dairy Teaching Herd in Dr. Leland Allenstein’s Name

Because the herd’s needs are permanent, the School seeks to establish an endowment to fund the herd in perpetuity.  We need to raise $1 million to generate enough income to adequately supplement the herd’s milking revenues. 

We’re raising the money in Dr. Leland Allenstein’s name because he embodies what this herd means to the dairy industry.  Dr. Allenstein’s influence on students, veterinarians, and producers is legendary.  This compassionate man lived, taught, and loved cows. 

Many remember the prominent dairy practitioner from Whitewater, Wis. as THE veterinarian for World Dairy Expo – a position he held for over 25 years.  His reputation and compassion as a veterinarian was so great that competitors brought cows from as far away as Canada or Vermont, not to show, but so that Dr. Allenstein could take a look at them.

His mark on the dairy industry goes deep, ranging from 30 years of writing columns for Hoard’s Dairyman, to serving as president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and receiving their Practitioner of the Year award in 1982.  He also served on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, and helped teach at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine from 1987-1994. 

He received numerous teaching awards over the years, including Instructor of the Year, Clinician of the Year, and Norden Distinguished Teacher. 

“One of my greatest enjoyments in life has been teaching at the School of Veterinary Medicine,” Dr. Allenstein confirmed. 

His kind demeanor during patient care inspired not just students, but all who came in contact with him, to a new level of care when a cow needed attention.  Endowing the dairy teaching herd in his name effectively carries on the legacy. 

Endowment Both Honors Dr. Allenstein and Helps the Herd

An endowment to fund the herd in perpetuity not only honors Dr. Allenstein, it becomes an investment in the future of the dairy industry.  It ensures that veterinary medical students continue to gain positive experience that may influence them to choose a career in large animal practice. 

Your contribution to this endowment will make a big difference.  Already, the dairy teaching herd is used for 28 different courses within the veterinary medical curriculum.  More than 350 students have been hired to work with the herd since its inception, providing the students with both income and experience.  Production levels and milk quality are high, and a replacement herd has been established.  Students frequently comment on how valuable their experience with the herd has been.

You can help ensure that this positive experience continues.  Thank you for your support!