Wilber A. Cochel papers

Wilber A. Cochel was born in Tipton, Missouri, on August 7, 1877. He was reared in Tipton where his father was a hardware merchant and also a farmer. After graduating from Tipton High School, he entered the academic department of the University of Missouri. Cochel graduated in 1897 with a Bachelor of Art's degree.

After graduating from the University of Missouri, Prof. Cochel was mainly engaged in farming, stockraising, and feeding and dealing in cattle. Desiring to further his education, he entered the agricultural department of the University of Missouri and graduated in 1905 with a Bachelor of Science.

During the St. Louis Exposition in 1904 he was superintendent of the Holstein-Fersian exhibit. From 1905 to 1909 Professor Cochel was connected with the Agricultural Experiment Station at Purdue University. He was the introducer of the silo, which has revolutionized the system of feeding cattle. He developed a system for the management of feeding beef cattle at a profit, and many of his other ideas have been embodied in modern work along this line.

Professor Cochel left Purdue to join the Pennsylvania State College, where he was in charge of the animal husbandry department. In July, 1912, he accepted a position at Kansas State College of Agriculture. He was the second head of Animal Husbandry Department at Kansas State College.

Cochel was President of the American Society of Animal Production in 1916. He joined the Shorthorn Breeders' Association as their southwestern representative. Professor Cochel was also known for his sponsorship and work with the Future Farmers of America. He later became editor of the weekly Kansas City Star and served in this capacity for 20 years.