“Bring everyone home safe” was the motto of agriculture’s most dynamic safety duo, Dr. Keith and Ruthie Bolsen. The two were memorialized at the International Silage Conference Monday night dinner event on July 21 in Gainesville for their contributions to the silage industry and their relentless efforts to teach silage safety. The Bolsen’s teaching has influenced thousands of dairy and beef farmers.
Dr. Hugo Ramirez Ramirez, Tecnologia Forrajera began by recounting Keith’s 32-year research and teaching tenure at Kansas State University. He focused on performance of growing cattle fed silage-based rations, agronomics of silage crops, silage fermentation and additives, storage losses, and the application of a team approach to silage management.
Keith also researched silage additives and the ensiling of tropical forages during Sabbatical leaves at the Grassland Research Institute in Hurley, England, in 1978, the Volcani Institute in Bet Dagan, Israel, in 1993, and the Dairy Training and Research Institute at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos in 1994. Keith lectured on silage technology in over 40 countries.
He taught two Principles of Livestock Feeding courses and a Silage Technology course, and he served as the major professor for 39 graduate students who earned 28 Masters and 19 Ph.D. degrees. Ron Kuber, Connor Agriscience, read letters from a few of those graduate students, filled with fond memories and respect for their advisor.
In 2017 Keith and Ruthie founded the Keith Bolsen Silage Safety Foundation, and he embraced his mission to make everyone aware of how to work safely around silage. They, along with board members developed a website and a library of silage safety resources. Keith was a sought-after presenter at industry meetings throughout the world.
Keith passed away on May 27, 2020, and Ruthie on May 6, 2024. Connie Kuber, Connor Agriscience, and co-founding foundation board member, read a heartfelt letter from their daughter, Krista. They were a much-loved part of their large family, including grand and great-grandchildren. Krista’s letter brought a personal perspective and warm memories to attendees.
“All funds collected by the Keith Bolsen Silage Safety Foundation have been transferred to Kansas State University to fund the Keith Bolsen Research Symposium and Graduate Competition, which is tentatively set for May 8, 2026 in Manhattan, Kansas,” notes Kuber. “Anyone interested in attending the event should contact Dr. Nicholas Dias at diasnw@ksu.edu.”
To support the event, make donation checks out to the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. Include in the memo line “Keith Bolsen Research Symposium and Graduate Competition”. Send it to the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, 1424 Claflin Road, Weber Hall 232, Manhattan, Kansas 66506.
A photograph of Keith was available for conference attendees to sign. It will be framed and hung in the Kansas State Animal Science office.
Be the first to comment