Alumni News & Highlights

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Ranga worked as a postdoctoral associate at University of Guelph in Canada, and at the University of California-Davis. He has continued to excel in dairy research and has published research that has made significant contributions to the advancement of dairy science with respect to the environmental impact of dairy food production.

Ranga was joined the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University in 2017 as an assistant professor. His current research is focused on water and amino acid requirements of dairy cattle.

Ranga teaches the Principles of Nutrition class to undergraduates, and Ruminant Nutrition and Integrated Crop and Livestock Production Systems to graduate students at Iowa State.

Ranga is an ad hoc peer reviewer for the Journal of Dairy Science, and is currently being considered for the secretary position of the Midwest Branch of American Dairy Science Association.

Rachel is currently co-owner and herd manager of Stoney Run Farms, a 2,800 cow dairy farm with 45 employees. Through her management, the herd has increased production to a rolling herd average of nearly 30,000 pounds of milk per cow placing the herd in the top five for production in the state.

The farm has hosted the Virginia Dairy Expo showcasing their use of technology and management to dairy farmers throughout the state.

Rachel has donated countless hours educating the public including leading tours of their dairy facility for school groups and hosting 4-H and FFA groups for practice competitions.

She has supported the education of our current dairy science students by providing case study materials for classes, by providing financial materials for dairy challenge team practice, and by inviting the dairy challenge team to practice on-farm evaluation.

Geoffrey is the Harriet B. Weeks Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida, Gainesville
where he conducts applied and basic research with direct impact on dairy production.

He has been invited to present his research findings in 20 countries and has active Extension program efforts in developing countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

He previously served as Chair of the Department for 12 years, during which the department grew in faculty tenure track lines, increased from the bottom quartile to the top quartile in research funding, and increased undergraduate enrollment. In the most recent Center for World University Rankings, the University of Florida was #9 in the world for dairy and animal science.

Geoff served on the most recent departmental review of the Department of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech, and the report of that team was a catalyst for improvements in research capacity at the Kentland Farm.

David is the Southern Marketing Manager for Select Sires where he has worked extensively to educate the Select Sires' work force and customers so that customers could achieve high reproductive efficiency in their dairy herds. He has conducted over 1000 AI training sessions throughout the Southeast and presented numerous programs for the Select Sires sales staff. This dedication and initiative led to his recognition as Select Sires Reproductive Specialist of the year in 2006.

Dave has provided excellent service to the dairy industry serving as a board member and officer at regional and national levels for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge group.

Dave has also donated significant time to Virginia Tech conducting an annual artificial insemination training courses, giving lectures and leading reproductive management laboratories for students in our college and the College of Veterinary Medicine. He has also supported extension efforts through presentations and a number of Cow Colleges and state extension programs.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Ranga worked as a postdoctoral associate at University of Guelph in Canada, and at the University of California-Davis. He has continued to excel in dairy research and has published research that has made significant contributions to the advancement of dairy science with respect to the environmental impact of dairy food production.

Ranga was joined the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University in 2017 as an assistant professor. His current research is focused on water and amino acid requirements of dairy cattle.

Ranga teaches the Principles of Nutrition class to undergraduates, and Ruminant Nutrition and Integrated Crop and Livestock Production Systems to graduate students at Iowa State.

Ranga is an ad hoc peer reviewer for the Journal of Dairy Science, and is currently being considered for the secretary position of the Midwest Branch of American Dairy Science Association.

Rachel is currently co-owner and herd manager of Stoney Run Farms, a 2,800 cow dairy farm with 45 employees. Through her management, the herd has increased production to a rolling herd average of nearly 30,000 pounds of milk per cow placing the herd in the top five for production in the state.

The farm has hosted the Virginia Dairy Expo showcasing their use of technology and management to dairy farmers throughout the state.

Rachel has donated countless hours educating the public including leading tours of their dairy facility for school groups and hosting 4-H and FFA groups for practice competitions.

She has supported the education of our current dairy science students by providing case study materials for classes, by providing financial materials for dairy challenge team practice, and by inviting the dairy challenge team to practice on-farm evaluation.

Geoffrey is the Harriet B. Weeks Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida, Gainesville
where he conducts applied and basic research with direct impact on dairy production.

He has been invited to present his research findings in 20 countries and has active Extension program efforts in developing countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

He previously served as Chair of the Department for 12 years, during which the department grew in faculty tenure track lines, increased from the bottom quartile to the top quartile in research funding, and increased undergraduate enrollment. In the most recent Center for World University Rankings, the University of Florida was #9 in the world for dairy and animal science.

Geoff served on the most recent departmental review of the Department of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech, and the report of that team was a catalyst for improvements in research capacity at the Kentland Farm.

David is the Southern Marketing Manager for Select Sires where he has worked extensively to educate the Select Sires' work force and customers so that customers could achieve high reproductive efficiency in their dairy herds. He has conducted over 1000 AI training sessions throughout the Southeast and presented numerous programs for the Select Sires sales staff. This dedication and initiative led to his recognition as Select Sires Reproductive Specialist of the year in 2006.

Dave has provided excellent service to the dairy industry serving as a board member and officer at regional and national levels for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge group.

Dave has also donated significant time to Virginia Tech conducting an annual artificial insemination training courses, giving lectures and leading reproductive management laboratories for students in our college and the College of Veterinary Medicine. He has also supported extension efforts through presentations and a number of Cow Colleges and state extension programs.