Dr. LESLIE B. HANSEN

Founding ADVISOR

The majority of Dr. Hansen's research at this time focuses on the comparison of pure Holsteins versus crossbreds. The documented decline of health, fertility, and survival of pure Holsteins has resulted in tremendous global interest in crossbreeding of dairy cattle.

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy, Iowa State University, Animal Breeding, 1981
Master of Science, University of Minnesota, Animal Science, 1978
Bachelor of Science, University of Minnesota, Animal Science, 1973

Research Interests: Prior to graduate school, Dr. Hansen was employed in industry as a public relations specialist with a dairy cattle breeding organization. Therefore, much of his research has been closely tied to the dairy cattle breeding industry, and many of his former students are employed by the dairy cattle breeding organizations in the USA. Monitoring of genetic relationships and inbreeding of Holsteins has been an on-going area of interest and research.

Teaching:

ANSC 2011: Dairy Cattle Judging
ANSC 3141: Advanced Dairy Judging
ANSC 4011: Dairy Cattle Genetics
ANSC 4096: PEP Internship

Outreach:

Advisor, Gopher Dairy Club, the largest student organization on Twin Cities Campus
Coach, Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Team

Honors and Awards:

Hoard's Dairyman Youth Development Award, American Dairy Science Association, 2016
Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame Inductee, 2015
J.L. Lush Research Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics, American Dairy Science Association, 2014
Distinguished Graduate, Iowa State Dairy Science Club, 2011
Club Advisor of the Year, CFANS Student Board, 2009
Morse-Alumni Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, University of Minnesota, 1995
Purina Mills Outstanding Teaching Award, American Dairy Science Association, 1992
Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Agriculture, University of Minnesota, 1986
First Place, Graduate Student Paper Presentation, American Dairy Science Association, 1978