Education
Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas - 1970.
Master of Science, Dairy Science, Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas - 1973.
M.S. Thesis: A study and classification
of bovine cystic ovaries.
Doctor of Philosophy, Physiology, Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas - 1975.
Ph.D. Dissertation: Estrous synchronization
and factors affecting semen quality of beef cattle.
Extension Program Overview
George Heersche, Jr. has been Extension
Dairy Specialist at U.K. since June of 1978. His primary
responsibilities are to provide high quality extension educational
programs in dairy cattle reproductive management and 4-H.
His program has two foci: 1) making Kentucky dairymen aware
of the financial benefits which can be realized through
proper breeding and reproductive management, and teaching
them the skills necessary to those apply recommended practices,
and 2) conducting excellent 4-H dairy educational programs
and managing the statewide 4-H dairy educational programs
so they are conducted to be the greatest benefit to the
youth participants.
George is recognized nationally and
internationally as an expert in dairy youth development.
George is a teacher, coach, mentor, counselor, advocate
and role model. George is recognized statewide by youth,
parents, 4-H agents and local leaders as the ambassador
of Dairy Extension, the Animal Sciences department and the
University of Kentucky. George teaches youth skills in observation,
evaluation, logic, decision making and oral communication
through dairy cattle judging. George has coached three National
Championship 4-H dairy cattle judging teams which have participated
in international competition in Edinburgh, Scotland. He
also coached the high individual in four national competitions.
He conducts several annual statewide
and national 4-H dairy educational opportunities including
the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, Kentucky Youth Dairy Cow
Camp, the state 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, and the
Top-12 4-H Dairy Judging workshop. George was superintendent
of the 4-H Dairy Show at the Kentucky State Fair for 20
years, and for the past 12 years he has been superintendent
and co-superintendent of the Youth, Post-Secondary and Collegiate
Dairy Cattle Judging Contests at the North American International
Livestock Exposition. He is also chairman of the National
4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Management Committee.
George started the Kentucky 4-H Dairy
Quiz Bowl Program in 1979 and still conducts the State 4-H
Dairy Quiz Bowl. He is one of three people who started the
National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl which is held in conjunction
with the North American International Livestock Exposition
in Louisville.
Dr. Heersche is also recognized nationally
and internationally as an expert in dairy cattle reproduction.
He has worked closely with the allied industries to increase
the successful utilization of Artificial Insemination in
dairy herds. George is sought after as an educational and
humorous speaker, and he has been an invited speaker for
conferences in many states a well as Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
In 1996 he wrote the chapter on dairy cattle reproduction
for the new North Central Regional 4-H publication "Learning
About Dairy."
Involvement Beyond Program Thrusts
George has collaborated on many research
projects. Dr. Heersche team teaches ASC 462G, Artificial
Insemination of Farm Animals, and guest lectures in ASC
120, Introduction to Animal Science, and ASC 420G, Dairy
Cattle Science. He also serves as mentor to the graduate
student who teaches ASC 323, Advanced Dairy Cattle Evaluation.
George was a charter member of the faculty
teaching the distance learning class "Introduction
to Animal Science" which is broadcast from KET. He
was a primary collaborator on the teams which developed
the Gee Whiz in Agriculture shows "From Moo to You"
and "Chickens & Piglets & Lambs, Oh My!",
estimated to have about 100,000 viewers per year.
George has been a member of the American
Dairy Science Association for three decades and has served
as chairman of the ADSA Physiology Committee. He reviews
journal articles for the Journal of Dairy Science and Theriogenology.
Dr. Heersche is also a member of the National Dairy Shrine
Board of Directors.
