Kent Weigel
Department Chair; Professor - Breeding and Genetics
30% Extension, 15% Instruction, 55% Research
Kent Weigel is Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at UW-Madison. He holds research, extension and teaching appointments and serves a technical consultant for numerous companies and organizations in the dairy genetics industry. His research focuses on genetic selection and genome-guided management programs to improve the productivity, health, fertility, and feed efficiency of dairy cattle using tools such as whole genome selection, advanced reproductive technologies, crossbreeding, electronic data capture systems, and artificial intelligence algorithms. Dr. Weigel has published approximately 200 peer-reviewed journal articles on various aspects of genetic improvement and management of dairy cattle and has given lectures to academic, industry, and producer audiences in more than thirty countries.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles
Li, B., P. M. VanRaden, E. Gunal, D. J. Null, E. E. Connor, M. J. VandeHaar, R. J. Tempelman, K. A. Weigel, and J. B. Cole. 2020. Genomic prediction of residual feed intake in U.S. Holstein dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 103:2477-2486.
Quick, A. E., T. L. Ollivett, B. W. Kirkpatrick, and K. A. Weigel. 2020. Genomic analysis of bovine respiratory disease and lung consolidation in pre-weaned Holstein calves using clinical scoring and lung ultrasound. Journal of Dairy Science 103:1632-1641.
Li, B., L. Fang, D. J. Null, J. L. Hutchison, E. E. Connor, P. M. VanRaden, M. J. VandeHaar, R. J. Tempelman, K. A. Weigel, and J. B. Cole. 2019. High-density genome-wide association study for residual feed intake in Holstein dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 102:11067-11080.
Schultz, N. E., and K. A. Weigel. 2019. Inclusion of herdmate data improves genomic prediction for milk production and feed efficiency traits within North American dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science 102:11081-11091.
Williams, K. T., K. A. Weigel, W. K. Coblentz, N. M. Esser, H. Schlesser, P. C. Hoffman, H. Su, and M. S. Akins. 2019. Effect of diet energy density and genomic residual feed intake on pre-bred dairy heifer feed efficiency, growth, and manure excretion. Journal of Dairy Science 102:4041-4050.
Abdalla, E. B., F. B. Lopes, T. M. Byrem, K. A. Weigel, and G. J. M. Rosa. 2019. Genomic prediction of bovine leukosis incidence in a US Holstein population. Livestock Science 225:73-77.
Weigel, K. A., and G. E. Shook. 2018. Genetic selection for mastitis resistance. Veterinary Clinics – Food Animal Practice 34:457-472.
Pralle, R. S., K. A. Weigel, and H. M. White. 2018. Predicting blood β-hydroxybutyrate in multiparous cows using milk Fourier transform infrared spectrum, milk composition, and producer-recorded variables with multiple linear regression, partial least squares regression, and artificial neural network. Journal of Dairy Science 101:4378-4387.
Lu, Y., M. J. VandeHaar, D. M. Spurlock, K. A. Weigel, L. E. Armentano, E. E. Connor, M. Coffey, R. F. Veerkamp, Y. de Haas, C. R. Staples, Z. Wang, M. D. Hanigan and R. J. Tempelman. 2018. Genome wide association analyses based on a multiple trait approach for modeling feed efficiency. Journal of Dairy Science 101:3140-3154.
Weigel, K. A., P. M. VanRaden, H. D. Norman, and H. Grosu. 2017. A 100-Year Review: Methods and impact of genetic selection in dairy cattle – From daughter-dam comparisons to deep learning algorithms. Journal of Dairy Science 100:10234-10250.
Hardie, L. C., M. J. VandeHaar, R. J. Tempelman, K. A. Weigel, L. E. Armentano, G. R. Wiggans, R. F. Veerkamp, Y. de Haas, M. P. Coffey, E. E. Connor, M. D. Hanigan, C. Staples, Z. Wang, J. C. M. Dekkers, and D. M. Spurlock. 2017. The genetic and biological basis of feed efficiency in mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 100:9061-9075.
Rathbun, F., R. Pralle, S. Bertics, L. Armentano, K-H. Cho, C. Do, K. Weigel, and H. White. 2017. Relationships between body condition score change, prior mid-lactation phenotypic residual feed intake, and hyperketonemia onset in transition dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 100:3685-3696.
Weigel, K. A., R. S. Pralle, H. Adams, K. Cho, C. Do, and H. M. White. 2017. Prediction of whole genome risk for selection and management of hyperketonemia in Holstein dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 134:275-285.
Yao, C., G. de los Campos, M. VandeHaar, D. Spurlock, L. Armentano, M. Coffey, Y. de Haas, R. Veerkamp, C. Staples, E. Connor, Z. Wang, M. Hanigan, R. Tempelman, and K. Weigel. 2017. Use of genotype x environment interaction model to accommodate genetic heterogeneity for residual feed intake, dry matter intake, net energy in milk, and metabolic body weight in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 100:2007-2016.
Mikshowsky, A. A., D. Gianola, and K. A. Weigel. 2017. Assessing genomic prediction accuracy for Holstein sires using bootstrap aggregation sampling and leave-one-out cross validation. Journal of Dairy Science 100:453-464.
Lu, Y., M. J. VandeHaar, D. M. Spurlock, K. A. Weigel, L. E. Armentano, C. R. Staples, E. E. Connor, Z. Wang, M. Coffey, R. F. Veerkamp, Y. de Haas and R. J. Tempelman. 2017. Modeling genetic and nongenetic variation of feed efficiency and its partial relationships between component traits as a function of management and environmental factors. Journal of Dairy Science 100:412-427.
Selected Conference Proceedings
Should I consider using genomics and IVF? 2019. Western Dairy Management Conference, Reno, NV (February 26-28).
Selected Popular Press Articles
Quick, A. E., and K. A. Weigel. 2018. Genetics could reduce respiratory disease. Hoard’s Dairyman (November).
Weigel, K. A. 2018. Reproductive technologies to consider – genomics, IVF. Progressive Dairyman – Canada Edition (June).
Undergraduate Courses
Inter-Ag 488 – Honors Research Seminar (1 credit, Spring)
Description: Development and evaluation of undergraduate research proposals, discussion of best practices for gaining admission to graduate programs and identifying effective mentors, exploration of career opportunities for research in the public and private sectors, and interaction with seniors who have successfully completed the CALS Honors in Research program.
Requirements: Declared in CALS College Honors and INTER-AG 388
An Sci 150/Dy Sci 272 – Animal & Dairy Sciences Undergraduate Seminar (1 credit, Spring)
Description: An introduction to resume preparation, student employment, internships, and graduate and professional school programs with presentations by numerous graduates who discuss their career path following a B.S. degree in Animal Science or Poultry Science.
Requirements: DY SCI/AN SCI 101
Advisory Council, Dairy Innovation Hub
Department Chair, Department of Dairy and Animal Sciences
Technical Advisor, National Association of Animal Breeders
Technical Advisor, American Jersey Cattle Association
UW-Madison Steering Committee, Dairy Innovation Hub
Robert G. F. and Hazel T. Spitze Land Grant Faculty Award for Excellence, College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, UW-Madison (2020)
Award for Meritorious Service, American Jersey Cattle Association. (2017)
Lush Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics, American Dairy Science Assn. (2010)
J.S. Donald Farm and Industry Short Course Teaching Award, UW-Madison (2009)
Pound Extension Award, College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, UW-Madison (2008)
Pound Research Award, College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, UW-Madison (2005)
Foundation Scholar Award, American Dairy Science Association (2003)
Agway Inc. Young Scientist Award, American Dairy Science Association (2003)