One of the greatest agricultural and evolutionary puzzles is the origin of maize–and part of the answer may lie in a plot of corn on the western edge of Madison, where a hybrid crop gives new life to ancient genetic material.

As part of a new program to build relationships with prospective students, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Dairy Science Department held a raffle drawing during the Wisconsin State Fair junior dairy show. The Andis Company co-sponsored the program. Jordan Dorn of Green County and Trent Styczynski of Shawano County each won a set of Andis? Cattle Clippers. Other winners of UW-Madison Dairy Science apparel included Nick Jens, Sheboygan County; Tyler Jauquet, Kewaunee County; Nate Kringle, Barron County; Jacob Cramer, Jefferson County; Joel Barlow, Jefferson County; and Danielle Brown, Iowa County.

Prospective students have until Oct. 1 to register for the 2005-2006 Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Dane County, Wisconsin is home to more than 120,000 dairy cows and some of the most productive farmland in the state. It’s also home to some of the hottest house-building in the state, thanks to a thriving job market in and around Madison, the capital city. And it’s home to some thorny urban/rural problems, as dairy farmers try to manage manure in a countryside that’s filling up with houses and commuters.

David B. Hogg, executive associate dean in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, has been named interim dean while University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor John D. Wiley considers two finalists for the post.

Despite gains in the training of women scientists and the implementation of programs to help women overcome ingrained barriers, the career path of most women scientists at universities remains a difficult trek.

Junior dairy exhibitors showing the top producing cow in each of the six dairy breeds were recognized at the 2005 Wisconsin Junior State Fair. The breed production champion with the highest 305-day combined butterfat and protein production record received the award sponsored by AgSource Cooperative Services.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Dairy Science invites high school seniors and transfer students interested in exploring an education in dairy science to an open house on Monday, August 22, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attending seniors and their parents will gain a firsthand look into one of the nation”s most prestigious dairy science departments as they tour the UW-Madison campus and Dairy Cattle Center, attend workshops and learn about the many exciting opportunities available to Dairy Science majors. Faculty, current students and alumni also will be available for questions.

The College is meeting the demands of industry and society by implementing a new undergraduate leadership certificate program during the Fall 2005 semester.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association will hold its 30th annual Football Fire-Up at the Stock Pavilion. The Fire-Up will start at 8:30 a.m. and run to 10:30 a.m., prior to the 11 a.m. Badger football game against Temple. The WALSAA annual meeting will be held at 8 a.m.