Fricke P.M.

Paul Fricke was raised on his family's row crop and dairy farm located near Papillion, Nebraska where his father and uncle continue to farm today. After receiving a B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1988 from the University of Nebraska, Paul went on to complete a 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. 

Paul worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison from 1995 to 1998 and then joined the faculty on July 1, 1998. Dr. Fricke was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2004 and to Full Professor in 2009. His current position 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 of dairy cattle. Dr. Fricke has authored or co‐authored 80 peer‐reviewed scientific publications, 112 abstracts, and 5 book chapters. He has mentored 12 M.S. and 4 Ph.D. students, and his research program has attracted over $3 million in research funding. 

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 scientific research to develop practical management strategies and assess new reproductive technologies. 

Dr. Fricke has spoken to over 500 audiences in Wisconsin since 1998. In addition, Paul has presented at conferences in 34 U.S. states and 6 Canadian provinces and has been an invited speaker for international meetings in 25 countries spanning 5 continents around the world. 

Dr. Fricke is the recipient of several campus and national awards recognizing his innovative applied research and extension programs including the Midwest Section ADSA Outstanding Young Extension Specialist Award (2006), the University of Wisconsin‐Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Pound Extension Award (2006), the ADSA DeLaval Dairy Extension Award (2008), and the Wisconsin Association of County Agriculture Agents Second Mile Award (2010).