David P. “Dr. Dave” Dickson

UW-Madison Professor of Dairy Science & UW-Extension 4-H Specialist

In Memoriam

Known worldwide for his knowledge and skill in dairy cattle judging, Dr. Dave was involved with the 4-H Dairy project in Wisconsin for three decades. He was a UW-Madison dairy science professor and UW-Extension dairy specialist for 31 years. Dr. Dave’s ability to teach students was recognized by the American Dairy Science Association in 1996, when he won the Purina Mills Teaching Award the first year he was nominated. Dave’s cartoon illustrations added humor to his teaching. He was the founding advisor of the Badger Dairy Club, a 20-year advisor to UW-Madison’s Alpha Gamma Rho, and supporter of the Association of Women in Agriculture.

As a youth, Dickson became the second person in the U.S. to earn high individual honors at both the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest and the Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. While at UW-Madison, Dickson authored a brochure, Dairy Cattle Judging Made Easy that was later made into a CD. The brochure and CD are still used today by 4-H and FFA dairy cattle judging teams.