AHA names Croney to Scientific Advisory Committee

DENVER, Colo. — The American Humane Assoc. (AHA) announced that Candace Croney, Ph.D. has been named to the Scientific Advisory Committee of the American Humane Certified program.
Croney is a renowned expert in applied animal behavior, with an emphasis on animal learning and welfare. She works as an associate professor of animal behavior and bioethics in the department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine at The Ohio State University.

Croney’s research on farm animal cognition has been featured in national and international broadcast programs by National Geographic and the BBC, among others. She has served as an animal welfare advisor to the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, Bob Evans Farms, the Animal Agriculture Alliance, the Northwest Sustainable Dairy Program and the American Zoo and Aquarium Assoc. She is the U.S. Regional Secretary of the International Society of Applied Ethology.

Illinois PDCA honors outstanding members

URBANA, Ill. — More than 200 dairy enthusiasts gathered for the Illinois Purebred Dairy Cattle Association’s (PDCA) fifth annual banquet and awards program on Dec. 10, 2010. The PDCA Service Award recipient was Evonne Hausman of the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences. Since 2001, she has provided support for PDCA, IL TRAILL, DairyNet, Illinois Dairy Days, Illinois Dairy Report, the Animal Systems Extension Team and the Food Security Initiative.

Gene McCoy of Tiskilwa received the Ayrshire Award. While at UoI, he managed the oldest Ayrshire herd (1906) in Illinois until his retirement in 2002. He continues to coach the UoI collegiate dairy judging team and supervises the Illini Dairy Club.

The Brown Swiss Award Winner, Terry Ellis, comes from a long line of Brown Swiss breeders. He resides in Gifford. His family began raising registered Brown Swiss in 1942.

The Guernsey Award went to the late Audrey Wagner of Marissa. For more than 50 years, he combined teaching high school agriculture and managing his own Guernsey herd, Wagners Guernsey Farm. Doug and Jane Wagner continue to operate the family farm.

Neal and Connie Turley were honored with the Holstein Award. Their third-generation dairy farm is located near Greenville. The “Rolling Lawns” prefix and their quality Holstein cattle are well known throughout the dairy industry.
The Jersey Award Winner was the Ropp Family of Normal. Ropps’ Jerseys debuted in 1904 and have competed at every Illinois State Fair since 1944. In 2006, they began making all-natural Jersey cheese on their farm.

George and Ruth Ann Baxter of Newman were named the winners of the Milking Shorthorn Award. Baxter’s Nev’r Idle Farm was established in 1935 with just two heifers. Their son, Mark, and grandsons, Matthew and Brandon, continue operations today.

The Red and White Master Breeder Award was given to Brian and Sue Crull of Briar Holsteins of Poplar Grove. They own 250 head of Red and White, and Black and White Holsteins.

GROMARK names two Missouri grads as managers

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Keith Hufendick has been named general manager of Two Rivers FS, Inc. in Rushville, Ill. He succeeds Ron Tomhave, who retired. Hufendick holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.

He has held various positions in the GROWMARK System, including assistant controller, controller and area marketing manager.

He served as general manager of Woodford FS, Inc. and Livingston Service Co. prior to being named general manager of Lincoln Land FS, Inc. in 2005.
Mike Turner has been named manager of the Illini FS Division of GROWMARK in Urbana, Ill.  He succeeds Roger Read, who retired. Turner holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Truman State University, and earned a CPA designation.

He has held various positions in the GROWMARK System, including assistant controller, controller, Central Region administrative director, Northern Region business manager and Madison Service Co. general manager, which he had held since 2006.