Land O’Lakes Foundation Awards 2015
Land O’Lakes Foundation Awards 2015ARDEN HILLS, Minn., July 22, 2015 The 2015 winners of John Brandt Memorial Scholarship are Tawny Chandler, Haley Larson and Sara Stoakes. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Land O’Lakes Foundation to graduate students who have shown exceptional aptitude in dairy related research of animal science or food science.
Chandler, a doctoral student from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is studying nutritional physiology. The focus of her study is improving the nutrition strategies for transition cows that are more susceptible to disease and metabolic disorders such as ketosis. The more advanced application of this research will be able to evaluate an individual cow’s genetic risk of getting ketosis. This research will help impact a farmer’s bottom line by saving time, labor and money and increase animal health and farm productivity.
Larson, a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, is studying ruminant nutrition. She will measure the omega-3 fatty acid content in grain-fed and grass-fed ruminants. Larson’s study will try to increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in grain fed cattle. If successful, this increase in omega-3 fatty acids can provide health benefits to consumers and increase farmers’ profitability.
Stoakes is a doctoral student studying nutritional and environmental physiology at Iowa State University. Her studies examine the relationship between animal nutrition and the immune system. Stoakes’ research is measuring an animal’s energetic requirements during illness. This information will help farmers be more aware of the nutrition requirements for sick livestock.
“The John Brandt Memorial Scholarship is a great program to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of our first president by equipping students who are innovating in the dairy industry,” says Lydia Botham, vice president of community relations and executive director of the Land O’Lakes Foundation.
The John Brandt Memorial Foundation scholarship program supports graduate students pursuing work in dairy animal, food science or agribusiness at one of four eligible institutions: Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and University of Wisconsin–Madison. The scholarships started in 1952 and are awarded each year in memory of John Brandt, an industry organizer who founded and remained president of Land O’Lakes from 1921 until his death in 1953.
Those interested in applying for the John Brandt Scholarship for the 2015-2016 school year can find more information at http://www.landolakesinc.com/company/corporateresponsibility/foundation/johnbrandt/default.aspx.
Applications for the 2016-2017 school year will be due by May 13, 2016.
About Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2014 annual sales of $15 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 203 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 93 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including LAND O LAKES® Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition and WinField Solutions. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.
