UW-Madison Department of Dairy Science

Dr. Weigel joined the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as assistant professor and extension specialist in dairy cattle breeding and genetics in 2001. He also serves as genetics program administrator for the National Association of Animal Breeders, which provides partial salary support and research funding for the position. As state extension specialist for dairy cattle genetics, Kent educates dairy producers, AI organizations, and other dairy industry participants with interests in animal breeding. He works with county-based extension faculty, along with the Wisconsin/Minnesota/Iowa/Illinois cooperative four-state extension program. He teaches the Farm and Industry Short Course, "Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle," and has developed a research program applicable to dairy cattle breeding systems. Prior to 2001, Dr. Weigel was a research scientist in the dairy science department and also served as genetic director of World-Wide Sires, Inc. His research has focused on international genetic comparisons, genotype by environment interactions, genetic evaluation of health and management traits, and strategies to control inbreeding. Kent holds a nine-month appointment in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and works three months per year with NAAB. Dr. Weigel earned his doctorate in dairy science at the UW-Madison, and master's degrees in animal science from Iowa State and biometry from UW-Madison. He earned a bachelor's degree in animal science and biologyfrom the UW-Platteville.