Stephen Babcock: Agriculture’s MVP
Special | 5m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Stephen Babcock invented the Babcock Test at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Stephen Babcock was an agricultural chemist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He invented the Babcock Test, which enabled people to accurately and efficiently find the amount of butterfat in milk. His invention revolutionized the dairy industry around the world and helped Wisconsin gain the nickname--“America’s Dairyland.”
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Wisconsin Biographies is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Timothy William Trout Education Fund, a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout.
Stephen Babcock: Agriculture’s MVP
Special | 5m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Stephen Babcock was an agricultural chemist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He invented the Babcock Test, which enabled people to accurately and efficiently find the amount of butterfat in milk. His invention revolutionized the dairy industry around the world and helped Wisconsin gain the nickname--“America’s Dairyland.”
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[lively string music] [Musical Fanfare] - Narrator: Welcome back to the 1890 Dairy Bowl, presented by the Wisconsin consumers.
We're here in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin.
The future of the world's dairy industry is on the line.
We're gearing up to watch the final minutes of this epic battle between the Wisconsin Honest Farmers and the Cheaters.
Let's take a moment to look at the action from the game so far.
In the first two quarters, Wisconsin Honest Dairy Farmers were controlling the field, but they've been losing ground ever since the game-changing play in the third quarter when they were stuffed at the production line.
That really changed this game's momentum.
The Cheaters had been watering down their milk and selling it like the real thing!
[crowd gasps] Real sneaky play.
The problem is the refs, or anyone for that matter, just can't see the foul.
Thin milk and the good stuff look the same until it's too late and it turns into a dairy disaster.
Things need to turn around real quick for the Honest Farmers.
If they can't find a way to catch the Cheaters, the dairy industry may never be the same.
[whistle blowing] Wisconsin Honest Farmers have called a time out.
Wait, will you look at that!
They're bringing out a new player, a true agricultural chemist from the University of Wisconsin, Stephen Babcock!
The original Dairy Dominator.
Not one for the spotlight, but don't let that fool you.
He has the skills to turn this whole game around.
This is a wise move by the dean, a legend in his own right.
Let's see what Babcock's first play will be.
He's got the line in an "I" formation.
Babcock appears to be looking for a method to separate the fat from the whey so people can know which is the better milk.
This play would be huge for the Honest Farmers, but seems like a Hail Mary.
How will he do it?
[flask bubbling] Babcock takes a flask of milk from sample A and readies his machine.
[crowd cheering] There's Sylvia, ready for the assist.
[cow mooing] What a dependable Jersey.
And it's off!
Babcock sets the play in motion.
Look at it spin!
Those puffy fat molecules are in for a heck of a ride.
There they go, separating right out of the liquid of the milk.
[crowd cheering] Spinning the milk reveals the cream.
Farmers can now tell the amount of butter fat in the milk.
There's no more hiding the thin milk now.
1st and 10, Wisconsin!
[marching band fanfare] But the game's not over yet.
There's still a little time left on the clock, and Babcock needs to move his team quick.
He has to make that same play for every type of dairy cow to clinch this game.
He better hurry.
The longer he waits, the worse it is getting out there for the Honest Farmers.
Fans are losing faith in dairy as we speak.
The clock is ticking.
Uh-oh, looks like the dean is calling for a hurry-up offense.
Babcock's not going to like that.
The dean is pushing Babcock to get his test out onto the field.
That's a risky move.
If Babcock's test isn't foolproof, those Cheaters could regain control of the game.
And with more dairies popping up in Wisconsin and across the globe, the results of this game are more important than ever.
Looks like the dean is giving Babcock one more shot to call the play.
Sylvia's the only cow left!
Can they do it?
Babcock is pulling out the stops.
He has all his tools in place.
Here comes the snap.
The machine is off!
It's spinning, spinning, spinning, spinning!
The cream is headed straight for the flask's end zone!
I can't believe it!
Babcock in for the score!
What an amazing play!
[marching band fanfare] [fireworks exploding] That is one for the history books.
The dairy industry will never be the same.
The crowd is going wild.
Babcock created a machine that efficiently and accurately finds the amount of butter fat in milk.
That play will forever be known as the Babcock test.
A true team player, Babcock works not for praise, but for the good of humanity.
[crowd cheering] But wow!
What a list of accomplishments!
Confidence in the dairy industry has been restored for years to come.
[upbeat folk music]
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Wisconsin Biographies is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Timothy William Trout Education Fund, a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout.