ROBERT D. APPLEMAN

Dr. Appleman was an extension dairyman at the University of Minnesota from 1973 until his death in 1991. During his tenure, he was recognized as one of the significant scientific authorities on stray voltage, milking equipment, and mastitis. His research on stray voltage was ahead of its time and led to significant advances in animal behavior, milk production and improved dairy health. He made additional research contributions in high and low milk pipeline studies, housing systems, the effects of herd expansion on milk production, and assessment of herd management traits.

He began his work as an extension dairyman at the University of Maryland in 1957; spent time at the University of California and the University of Nebraska before coming to the U of M in 1973. Bob’s appointment was 75% extension and 25% research and he served for a number of years as the Animal Science Extension Leader in the department. His extension role gave him sensitivity to producer needs and his research role provided him with an avenue to quickly respond to the needs with new research knowledge.

Bob became recognized and respected nationally and internationally for his dairy management expertise. This is evidenced by his scientific publications, invited participation in regional, national, and international symposia, and consultations with five different milking machine manufacturers. Bob served for many years as the University of Minnesota representative to the North Central Regional Research Project. He chaired the project committee in 1977 and chaired other committees for the project. His publication, Stray Voltage Problems with Dairy Cows, NCR 125, had a distribution of over 150,000 copies. He was an invited speaker and/or been consulted by industry and producers in twenty-four states and Canada on the topic. He served on the North Central Regional Conference Task Force (1981) and on the organizing committee for the National Stray Voltage Symposium (1982). Bob was also an active contributor to the National Mastitis Council, having served as a member of the research committee, program committee and steering committee for an International Symposium on Machine Milking.

Bob’s expertise was frequently sought after in the construction of new dairy research facilities. He gave leadership to the design and building of several new facilities at the University of Minnesota; St. Paul dairy barn, St. Paul waste treatment center, Rosemount Experiment Station dairy barn, and Crookston Experiment Station dairy barn. He also served as a consultant to the design of new or remodeled dairy facilities at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls; Land O’ Lakes, Ft. Dodge, IA; Cargill, Elk River; and the Minnesota State Fair.

Bob was a member and involved with the American Dairy Science Association, the National Mastitis Council, the North Central Regional Research Project, the National Stray Voltage Research Council as well as various committees within the University of Minnesota. He also authored many scientific and technical articles throughout his career.

For his many contributions to the dairy industry, Bob is certainly a worthy inductee to the Minnesota Livestock Hall of Fame.