Witter Center’s dairy herd ranked fourth in the nation, best in New England

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

January 19, 2021 News

The herd of Holsteins at the University of Maine’s J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Center was ranked fourth among U.S. colleges and universities by the Holstein Association for its 2020 Top Breed Age Average. The designation places the Witter Center’s herd at the top among New England colleges and universities.

Breed Age Average compares the characteristics of an animal or herd to the breed’s average for an animal of similar age and stage of lactation. The Witter Center’s ranking is a product of careful stewardship of the herd’s breeding program, which has led to new additions that increase the center’s score as they mature into milking age.