Katie Ballard

Katie grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with Honors in Undergraduate Research from the University of Vermont. As a recipient of the first graduate fellowship from Miner Institute/University of Vermont, she received her Master of Science degree in Animal Science investigating techniques for in-vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine oocytes. She has been working at Miner Institute since 1987 and is currently the Director of Research. In the early 1990s, Katie worked closely with Dr. Josie Davis and the UVM Morgan Horse Farm investigating methods to improve the storage of stallion semen. While the research program at Miner Institute focuses mainly on agronomy, ruminant nutrition and nutrient cycling, Katie has recently been spearheading research at Miner Institute evaluating the impact of heat stress on dairy cattle in the Northeast. In addition to her continued work at Miner Institute, Katie received a part-time faculty appointment as Extension Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at UVM in 2022 and serves as the Faculty Advisor for the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. Katie lives with her family on a bicentennial dairy farm in Georgia, Vermont.