1. Cross Country Dairy Texico, NM May 7 – August 8, 2007 Jesse Van Waardhuizen

2. Cross Country Dairy Background Located in Texico, New Mexico Family Owned Built in 2005 Employ 28 – 32 employees 6,890 head on site Milk 3200 head of Holstein and Holstein- Jersey cross Manager: Mike De Groot

3. Competitors Other Dairies The New Mexico Dairy industry is rapidly growing # 6 in the country in dairy cows 82 % increase in cow numbers in the last 10 years One of the few states where number of dairy farms is increasing Stats courtesy Dr. L. Kilmer

4. Expectations I had no prior dairy experience, so did not know what I was getting into. I secured the internship in mid-April, so I did not have much time to speak with my cooperator. I expected to work in close contact with my cooperator. I was promised a place to live, but I had no idea what it would be like.

5. Internship Experiences Had to learn Spanish Had 30 co-workers Heifer and springer health Treat hospital Maternity Assisted Dr. Eduardo with preg check, DA surgeries, fetotomies, and hard pulls

6. Internship Experiences A.I. Worked with Jeff Weisel our dairy consultant Fresh cow health Dry cow health Seminars Visited dairies in NM and CA Apartment on the dairy 10-12 hr work days

7. Professional Benefits Gained Communication skills Patience Networking Dr. John Hallberg-Pfizer Connor Jameson, DVM - DairyCOMP Management skills

8. Artificial Insemination I got the opportunity to learn from some of the best breeders in the New Mexico diary industry 28% pregnancy rate No Ov-sync program

9. Questions ? jessev@iastate.edu Mike De Groot – 505-389-0489