Dan Severson

I recently read an in the Northeast Dairy Business by Pro Dairy up in Cornell. I was very impressed with the information this organization is putting together. Any way the article discusses the future of dairy research while shedding light on twelve research projects. I understand that New York is a great Dairy state and seems to be very innovative in supporting the dairy industry. The article also mentions the 1-cent checkoff, implemented in Florida back in 1988, to fund research and education. I think this is a great idea and maybe every state should have a 1-cent checkoff to help support regional research and education. I understand the "messiness" this could cause but aren't universities, companies, and farmers better off if they come together, as a group, and work on the issues.

Have you ever noticed the how much instructors really know about the subject matter they teach. Most professors have performed research in a very niche area of a discipline but are expected to teach class that covers a whole industry. I dare say that teaching is usually not high on the priority list either. I can say that I do not have all the education in the world but I love to teach and I have also been very successful operating dairy farms. I owned and worked with dairy cattle since I was born. I have been involved in every aspect of the industry - jack of all trades master of none. Dairying is a very difficult business to begin with but if we do not proper arm our students for employment in the dairy industry how can we expect to grow as an industry.