Illinois Championship Show Dedication 2010
University of Illinois Dairy Extension Team
David Fisher
Dave Fisher, from Trenton, Ill., serves as an extension dairy educator for the University of Illinois and has been recognized nationally for his excellence in dairy-related youth activities during his 39-year career.
Dave has a long history with Holsteins, owning his first registered animal in March 1962. He’s been a national senior member for 40 years. Dave was raised on a dairy farm near Trenton, and participated in 4-H.
Dave graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a degree in Animal Science. While there, he was member of the SIU-C dairy judging team. He received his MS from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 1981.
Dave began his career with extension service in July 1971 as a county agriculture extension advisor with specialized dairy advisor responsibilities. In March 1992, he was appointed extension dairy educator.
Dave coordinates Illinois 4-H dairy judging activities, resulting in many “All-American” 4-H judges from his teams. Dave initiated the Illinois 4-H Dairy Quiz program, and he has coached the state team to four national titles. He developed the highly successful Illinois Superior Young Producer Award program, helped develop the Illinois Livestock E-Quiz interactive web site, has served as superintendent of the Illinois State Fair Junior Dairy Show for 31 years, and is a sought-after dairy cattle judge. Dave helped develop the Illinois 4-H/FFA Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification program for livestock exhibitors.
Dave is a member of the Clinton County Holstein Club and the current Promotions Chair for the Illinois Holstein Association. He received the Clinton County Distinguished Service award from both the juniors and seniors and was the 1998 Service Award winner for the Illinois Holstein Association.
Dave and his wife, Bonnie, have married sons and enjoy being grandparents to their young grandchildren.
Dr. Michael F. Hutjens
Dr. Mike Hutjens grew up on a Green Bay, Wis., farm and was dedicated to a life in FFA and 4-H. He graduated in 1967 at the top of his class from the University of Wisconsin and then went on to complete a PhD in dairy science and nutritional science with a minor in biochemistry also from the University of Wisconsin in 1971.
Leaving the farm fields of Wisconsin behind, he moved west, serving as the extension dairy specialist at the University of Minnesota for eight years where he coached the national champion dairy cattle judging team at the 1978
World Dairy Expo. For the past 29 years, Hutjens has been a member of the University of Illinois Dairy and Animal Sciences Departments where he is a sought after professor, speaker and writer.
Dr. Hutjens initiated several new programs that are now the backbone of the current Illinois Dairy Extension program. Particularly notable is his leadership role for the annual “Dairy Days” program, held each winter throughout the state.
Dairymen around the world are familiar with Dr. Hutjens’ articles in the top agricultural publications, including Hoard’s Dairyman, Dairy Today, Dairy Japan and others.
Dr. Hutjens has also been the speaker at numerous barn and annual meetings for the Illinois Holstein Association. Along with his wife Carol, he chaired the Youth Committee in the early 80’s and was also key in developing the annual Spring Thing event for Juniors.
Mike is an ever-present figure at the Illinois Championship Show, helping in the ring and particularly with picturing class and champion winners. His sense of humor and good nature always make for an enjoyable time!
Mike was honored as the Illinois Holstein Association Service Award winner in 1996.
Mike and Carol live in Savoy and five adult children.
Richard L. Wallace, DVM, MS
Dick Wallace grew up in central Ohio and attended The Ohio State University from 1976 through 1985, receiving dual Bachelor’s degrees in Wildlife Zoology from the College of Arts and Science (1980) and Dairy Science from the College of Agriculture (1981), then a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1985). After graduation, Dr. Wallace started his own mixed-animal veterinary practice in Centerburg, Ohio. Desiring more work with dairy cattle, he sold his practice in 1987 and joined a three person dairy practice in Door County, Wisconsin. In September 1993, Dr. Wallace returned to his alma mater to obtain a Master’s degree in Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
In 1995, Dr. Wallace joined the Continuing Education, Public Service/Extension unit at the University of Illinois as the Dairy Extension Veterinarian. In a cooperative role with the Department of Animal Sciences, Dr. Wallace served as the faculty coordinator and dairy farm manager for the Dairy Cattle Research Unit at the University of Illinois for six years. Dr. Wallace has been the faculty advisor for the veterinary student chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Production Medicine Club and the Animal Wellbeing Club at the College of Veterinary Medicine. He has also served as the faculty advisor for the Illini Dairy Club in the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Wallace is completing his terms on the Executive Board of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners as the Past President.
Dick, and his wife Carrie, married in 1981 and they have three children.
David Fischer
Dr. Michael Hutjens
Dr. Richard Wallace