Dairy Beef Short Course

Taylor Leach-Hildebrandt currently serves as the associate editor for Dairy Herd Management and MILK Business Quarterly, where she blends her passion for storytelling with her deep-rooted connection to the dairy industry. She also leads the publication's beef-on-dairy coverage, providing in-depth insights into this evolving

sector. Growing up immersed in dairy farming, Taylor understands both the rewards and challenges that come with life on the farm. This firsthand experience shapes her approach to journalism—one that is practical, relatable, and committed to elevating

the voices of dairy producers. A fifth-generation dairy farmer from Hustisford, Wisconsin, Taylor remains actively involved in her family’s dairy operation where she assists with milking, feeding calves and promoting the farm's small cheese business, Prairie Pure Cheese.

Dr. Jennifer Spencer is an Assistant Professor and Extension and Research Dairy Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife, specializing in dairy cattle reproduction, management, and calf and heifer health. With a strong background in applied research and producer education, Dr. Spencer is dedicated to improving herd productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare through science based management practices. Dr. Spencer earned her B.S. in Animal Science, M.S., and Ph.D. in Dairy Cattle Reproduction from the University of Idaho. Her current research focuses on enhancing reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle, optimizing disease prevention protocols, and improving calf and heifer management strategies. She has also conducted welfare-focused research, including investigating non-invasive disbudding protocols and other methods to reduce stress and improve calf welfare. In addition to her research, Dr. Spencer plays a key role in extension programming, working closely with cattle producers to implement practical, science-based solutions

that enhance animal health, performance, and profitability. She is also passionate about youth and community engagement, promoting awareness of the dairy industry’s vital role in food production and agricultural sustainability.

Garland has been employed with the Iowa Beef Center of Iowa State

University since 2003 and occupies his day with software support and

development, ruminant nutrition and production consultation,

troubleshooting nutrition issues with cattle, and small ruminants and

research. Garland’s education, apart from lessons learned in the school of hard knocks include a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin River Falls (Animal Science and Agronomy), a Master’s degree in Animal Production from Iowa State University and a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from Iowa State University. Prior to the ISU Beef Center tour, Garland had been (and is

still) involved in his family’s farm in central Wisconsin and worked in the feed industry in East-Central Wisconsin.

Sarah Erickson is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy

(Biomedical Sciences) through Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Sarah received her Master of Science (2023) from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and her Bachelor of Science (2018) from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. The area of focus for Sarah's MSc thesis was the epidemiology of hoof related lameness in western Canadian feedlot cattle. Sarah became part of the Feedlot Health Management Services team in 2018. In 2020, Sarah became part of the TELUS Agriculture team and currently works on the Animal Health Support Team as a data advisor.