Roger W. Palmer, an associate professor of dairy science and dairy systems management extension specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, died of cancer Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, at his home. He was 62 years old.

Palmer joined the faculty of the Department of Dairy Science at the UW-Madison as an assistant professor in 1997 and was promoted to associate professor in 2003. He specialized in the business management of dairy farms, drawing on his many years of industry experience relating to herd expansion, computerized record keeping and personnel management issues.

As the department’s dairy systems management specialist, Palmer taught dairy herd management courses, and his extension activities focused on modernization of the dairy industry. His research efforts included the development of herd management monitoring systems. Palmer taught the dairy herd management class and the Farm and Industry Short Course on dairy herd management.

His work on behalf of dairy producers had local, national and international impact. His ”Dairy Modernization Planning Guide” has been adapted and referenced by extension and industry workers throughout the United States and in a number of foreign countries. Palmer wrote numerous articles for farm publications, including Hoard’s Dairyman Magazine, Midwest Dairy Business, Dairy Herd Management, Wisconsin Agriculturist and Wisconsin State Farmer. He wrote several booklets and co-authored articles for the Journal of Dairy Science.

Palmer received the 2004 Pound Extension Award from the UW-Madison”s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for his extension work.

Palmer presented papers at the European Animal Production meetings, first in Zurich, Switzerland in 1999 and in Rome in 2004; gave presentations in Canada, Panama and at the World Dairy Expo in Madison; and was a frequent speaker at conferences sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

As a co-leader of the UW-Extension Dairy Team, Palmer gave presentations to producers, lenders, farmers and county agents on everything from dairy modernization to animal handling procedures and business transactions between bankers and their farm customers. He was also a frequent guest on radio programs.
Palmer owned and managed a registered Holstein herd in Menomonie, Wisconsin from 1959 to 1964. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the UW-Madison in 1967 while in the U.S. Air Force, and served as programming manager at the North American Defense Command Center in Colorado Springs from 1967 to 1971.

Palmer earned his master’s degree in dairy science in 1975, and his doctorate in dairy science in 1982, both from the UW-Madison. He was director of data processing at Wisconsin Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative from 1971 to 1979, programming manager at American Breeders Service from 1984 to 1985, and senior dairy management consultant at Purina Mills, Inc., from 1985 to 1997. Palmer ran his own consulting business, Agricultural Computing and Consulting, from 1979 to 1997.

Palmer is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Madison; daughters Jonell Palmer of Menomonie and Jennifer Kolste of Schofield; five grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Bertrand of Wadsworth, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William; a sister, Florence Sorenson; and an infant brother, Ronald. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the United Methodist Church in Menomonie.