A distinguished veterinarian – Elmer Woelffer – was inducted into the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame (CPVHOF). The honor recognizes his exceptional contributions to the practice of veterinary medicine in the dairy cattle industry. CPVHOF was established in 2011 to recognize the rich traditions of production veterinary medicine and honor the distinguished individuals who have made lasting contributions to the profession.
It is sponsored by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC), Bovine Veterinarian, Merck Animal Health and Osborn Barr.
A second veterinarian, Dr. Don Williams, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the beef cattle industry. The new inductees were honored at the AABP Annual Conference and were selected by their peers, including members of AABP and AVC.
Honored posthumously, Woelffer was considered by many to be the father of bovine reproductive programs. He integrated sound scientific principles into reproductive programs and authored “Cowside Practice,” a herd-health column in Hoard’s Dairyman, for more than 30 years.
“Dr. Woelffer was a friend, colleague, mentor and truly a veterinarian’s veterinarian who had a great love of dairy cattle,” said Randy Pedersen, D.V.M., a private practitioner from Royal, Nebraska. “Our profession and the livestock industry have all benefited from his contributions. His legacy is truly remarkable and he has set the bar high for us to follow.”
Woelffer grew up on a family farm in rural Wisconsin and earned his veterinary medical degree from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, he worked as a farm manager and veterinarian for H.P. Hood & Sons and Pabst Farms. He then entered into private practice in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, focusing on theriogenology until his death in 1995.
Woelffer was one of only 14 professionals to be named an honorary member of the Klussendorf Association, considered to be the hall of fame of dairy cattle exhibitors. He was an honorary lifetime member of AABP and received numerous awards during his career, including the AABP Award for Excellence in Dairy Preventive Medicine and the Amstutz-Williams Award.
Greg Thomas, grandson of Woelffer from Beverly, Massachusetts, shared memories of his grandfather during the awards event, noting that he had followed in his footsteps by also earning a degree from Cornell University.
“I hope you are as inspired as I have been by Dr. Elmer A. Woelffer, affectionately known by family and friends as Daddy Doc,” Thomas said.
“He lived a very rich and full life, advanced the field of veterinary medicine and, even in his 80s and 90s, inspired a boy who, now a man with his own family, hopes to pass on a bit of his legacy.” PD
—From Merck Animal Health news release
PHOTO
Elmer Woelffer was posthumously inducted into the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame. He was represented by 18 family members at the awards ceremony. Photo courtesy of Merck.
