Phone
608-263-4596Office Location
1675 Observatory Dr
278 Animal Sciences
Madison, WI 53706
Dr. Paul M. Fricke was raised on his family’s row crop and dairy farm located near Papillion, Nebraska where his family continues to farm today. After receiving a B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1988 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Paul went on to complete an M.S. degree in 1992 and a Ph.D. degree in 1996 in Reproductive Physiology from the Department of Animal Sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1996, Paul accepted a position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Dairy Science and the Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Paul joined the faculty in the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on July 1, 1998, and he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2004 and to Full Professor in 2009. His current position in the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences includes 70% Extension and 30% research appointments in dairy cattle reproduction.
Dr. Fricke’s research program focuses on understanding the biology underlying the many reproductive problems presented by modern dairy cattle. Dr. Fricke has authored or co-authored 97 peer-reviewed journal publications, 121 abstracts, and 6 book chapters. He has mentored 15 M.S. and 5 Ph.D. students, and his research program has attracted more than $4 million in extramural research grants, contracts, and gifts. Dr. Fricke has twice been invited to serve as a USDA NRI Reproduction Study Section Panel Member. In 2014, Dr. Fricke was awarded a six-month research sabbatical as a visiting scientist at the Teagasc Moorepark Animal & Grassland Research Innovation Centre in Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
The goal of Dr. Fricke’s extension program is to improve reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle by applying knowledge gained through scientific research to develop practical management strategies and assess new reproductive technologies, and to disseminate that information throughout Wisconsin, the United States, and the world. Dr. Fricke is a sought after speaker for dairy farmer, industry, and veterinary audiences. Since 1997, Paul has spoken to over 500 audiences in Wisconsin and has presented talks at conferences in 34 U.S. states and 6 Canadian provinces. In addition, Paul has been an invited speaker for international meetings in 27 foreign countries spanning 6 continents around the world.
Dr. Fricke is the recipient of several campus and national awards in recognition of his innovative applied dairy research and extension programs. In 2006, Dr. Fricke received the Midwest Section ASAS/ADSA Outstanding Young Extension Specialist Award and the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Pound Extension Award. In 2008, Paul received the DeLaval Dairy Extension Award from the National American Dairy Science Association honoring the top dairy extension specialist in the United States. In 2010, Paul received the Wisconsin Association of County Agriculture Agents Second Mile Award in recognition of his work with county agricultural extension agents in Wisconsin. In 2011, Paul was inducted into the Papillion – La Vista Schools (Nebraska) Foundation Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles
P. M. Fricke, M. C. Wiltbank, and J. R. Pursley. 2022. Minireview: The high fertility cycle. JDS Communications (accepted).
P. M. Fricke and M. C. Wiltbank. 2022. Symposium Review: The implications of spontaneous versus induced ovulations on the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy
Sci. 105:4679–4689.
Borchardt, S., C. M. Tippenhauer, P. M. Fricke, and W. Heuwieser. 2021. Economic impact of adding a second prostaglandin F2α treatment during an Ovsynch protocol using a meta-analytical assessment and a stochastic simulation model. J. Dairy Sci. (accepted).
Cabrera, E. M., M. R. Lauber, T. Valdes, M. S. El Azzi, J. P. N. Martins, T. R. Bilby, and P. M. Fricke. 2021. Replacing the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment of an Ovsynch protocol with human chorionic gonadotropin decreased pregnancies per AI in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. J. Dairy Sci. 104:8290–8300.
Cabrera, V. E., and P. M. Fricke. 2021. Review: Economics of twin pregnancies in dairy cattle. Animals 11:552-566.
Cabrera, E. M., M. R. Lauber, E. M. Peralta, T. R. Bilby, and P. M. Fricke. 2021. Short communication: human chorionic gonadotropin dose response for induction of ovulation 7 days after a synchronized ovulation in lactating Holstein cows. JDS Communications 2:35-40.
Tippenhauer, C. M., I. Steinmetz, W. Heuweizer, P. M. Fricke, M. R. Lauber, E. M. Cabrera, and S. Borchardt. 2021. Effect of dose and timing of prostaglandin F2α treatments during a 7-d Ovsynch protocol on progesterone concentration at the end of the protocol and pregnancy outcomes in lactating Holstein cows. Theriogenology 162:49-58.
Lauber, M. R., B. McMullen, J. J. Parrish, and P. M. Fricke. 2020. Hot topic: Short Communication: Effect of timing of induction of ovulation relative to timed artificial insemination using sexed semen on pregnancy outcomes in primiparous Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 103:10856-10861.
Ricci, A., M. Li, P. M. Fricke, and V. E. Cabrera. 2020. Short Communication: Economic impact among 7 reproductive programs for lactating dairy cows including a sensitivity analysis of the cost of hormonal treatments. J. Dairy Sci. 103:5654-5661.
Carvalho, P. D., V. G. Santos, H. P. Fricke, L. L. Hernandez, and P. M. Fricke. 2019. Effect of manipulating progesterone before timed artificial insemination on reproductive and endocrine outcomes in high-producing multiparous Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 102:7509-7521.
Niles, A. M., H. P. Fricke, P. D. Carvalho, M. C. Wiltbank, L. L. Hernandez, and P. M. Fricke. 2019. Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin 7 days after artificial insemination or at the time of embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes in nulliparous Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 102:2593-2606.
Borchardt, S., A. Pohl, P. D. Carvalho, P. M. Fricke, and W. Heuwieser. 2018. Short communication: Effect of adding a second prostaglandin F2α injection during the Ovsynch protocol on luteal regression and fertility in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis. J. Dairy Sci. 101:8566-8571.
Mur-Novales, R., F. Lopez-Gatius, P. M. Fricke, and V. E. Cabrera. 2018. An economic evaluation of management strategies to mitigate the negative impact of twinning in dairy herds. J. Dairy Sci. 101:8335-8349.
Carvalho, P. D., V. G. Santos, J. O. Giordano, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2018. Development of fertility programs to achieve high 21-day pregnancy rates in high-producing dairy cows. Theriogenology 114:165-172.
Barletta, R. V., P. D. Carvalho, V. G. Santos, L. F. Mello, C. E. Consentini, A. S. Netto, and P. M. Fricke. 2018. Effect of dose and timing of prostaglandin F2α treatments during a Resynch protocol on luteal regression and fertility in lactating Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 101:1730-1736.
Selected Book Chapters
Fricke, P. M. 2020. Chapter 15: Methods for pregnancy diagnosis. In: Dairy Cattle Fertility, W. D. Hoard and Sons Company, Fort Atkinson, WI, pp. 87-93.
Fricke, P. M. 2017. Reproductive programs to maximize fertility in dairy cows. In: Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd Ed.) D. K. Beede (Ed.). Elsevier Inc., Philadelphia, PA, pp. 503-519.
Giordano, J. O. and P. M. Fricke. 2017. Automated detection and prediction of estrus as a complimentary technology for reproductive management. In: Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd Ed.) D. K. Beede (Ed.). Elsevier Inc., Philadelphia, PA, pp. 1265-1277.
Fricke, P. M., A. Ricci, J. O. Giordano, and P. D. Carvalho. 2016. Methods for and implementation of pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows. Vet. Clin. Food Anim. 32:165-180.
Fricke, P. M. and G. C. Lamb. 2005. Potential applications and pitfalls of reproductive ultrasonography in bovine practice. Vet. Clin. Food Anim. 21:419-436.
Fricke, P. M. 2003. Heifer reproduction. In: Raising Dairy Replacements. Midwest Plan Service. Ames, IA, pp. 77-83.
DY SCI 233 – Dairy Herd Management I (3 credits, Fall)
Course Description: Overview of practical dairy herd management with components of reproduction, nutrition, milk quality, raising dairy replacements, facilities and records. Laboratories emphasize practical applications, analyses of alternatives and decision making. Includes farm visits and analysis.
Requirements: DY SCI/AN SCI 101
*Dr. Fricke teaches a two-week module including two lectures and two labs on reproductive management of dairy cattle.
Chair – Dairy Science Matt Akins mentor committee
Chair – Dairy Science Extension Committee
Dairy Science Budget Committee
Chair – Dairy Science Awards Committee
Vice Shaver Search & Screen Committee
CALS Extension Consultative committee
World Dairy Expo National Jersey Show volunteer
World Dairy Expo Education Committee
Journal of Dairy Science Editorial Board
Western Dairy Management Conference planning committee
Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Board of Directors advisor
National Dairy Cattle Research Council (DCRC) Board Member
Dr. Fricke is the recipient of several campus and national awards in recognition of his innovative applied dairy research and extension programs. In 2006, Dr. Fricke received the Midwest Section ASAS/ADSA Outstanding Young Extension Specialist Award and the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Pound Extension Award. In 2008, Paul received the DeLaval Dairy Extension Award from the National American Dairy Science Association honoring the top dairy extension specialist in the United States. In 2010, Paul received the Wisconsin Association of County Agriculture Agents Second Mile Award in recognition of his work with county agricultural extension agents in Wisconsin. In 2011, Paul was inducted into the Papillion –La Vista Schools (Nebraska) Foundation Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.