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Sabrina Portner was selected as the 2017 Vita Plus summer calf intern. Based in the Madison, Wisconsin, Portner will work with Vita Plus field staff and dairy farms across the Midwest to perform a dairy cattle maternity management audit while gaining a greater understanding of the feed and livestock industry. The goals of her project are to identify the most important factors that lead to a smooth transition for the cow and a healthy start to life for the calf.

Portner is currently a student at Iowa State University (ISU) studying dairy science and international agriculture. At ISU, she has been an active member in the Dairy Science Club, Alpha Zeta Agriculture Honors Fraternity, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and in the American Dairy Science Association Student Affiliate Division. In addition to her undergraduate research and analysis on milk quality, Portner also has experience as a dairy farm assistant herd manager directing daily farm tasks, including routine herd management, employee training, and farm record keeping. She has also spent time in New Zealand analyzing the relationship between agriculture and the environment and as an intern on a pasture-based dairy farm.

Vita Plus Corporation is an employee-owned company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Vita Plus has been serving livestock producers since 1948. More than just a feed supplier, Vita Plus consultants offer the latest cutting-edge technology, nutrition and management information. For more information about the organization call 1-800-362-8334 or go online at www.vitaplus.com.