Beef Cattle Extension Team: Genetics
Significant Activities
University of Kentucky Ag Faculty Council
University of Kentucky Beef Integrated Resource Management Committee, Member
eBEEF.org Team member
National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium, Member of Scientific Council and Coordinator of Educational Programs
Beef Improvement Federation, East Region Secretary and Board of Director
International Committee for Animal Recording Beef Group, former U.S. representative
Southern Section American Society of Animal Sciences Extension Committee Chair (past)
Invited Presentations
Invited speaker for meetings and symposia in Alabama, Arkansas, Australia, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Italy, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, South Africa, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming
Awards
2018 Fellow Award, American Society of Animal Sciences
2017 Animal Industry Service Award, American Society of Animal Science
2015 Extension Award, American Society of Animal Science
2010 M. D. Whiteker Award of Excellence in Extension, KASEP
2003 Southern Section Extension Award, American Society of Animal Science
2002 Outstanding Extension Project Award - Association of Kentucky Extension Specialists (Co-recipient)
1996 Outstanding New Extension Specialist - Association of Kentucky Extension Specialists
1996 Outstanding Extension Project Award - Association of Kentucky Extension Specialists (Co-recipient)
1997 Outstanding Educational Material Award - American Agronomy Society (Co-recipient)
Professional Organization Memberships
American Society of Animal Science
Kentucky Cattlemen's Association
Kentucky Association of State Extension Professionals
Gamma Sigma Delta
Current Program Emphasis
Beef Systems Analyzer
Developing an online program based on a logic model to assess aspects of a farms beef operation based on producers’ inputs. Best management practices recommendations will be made to improve the beef operation along with resources to help them make the change.
Beef Cattle Breeding Management
Providing Kentucky’s beef producers with the necessary tools to maximize profits from their operation. The primary focus is to encourage sound crossbreeding programs to take advantage of heterosis and educate producers on the use of Expected Progeny Differences in their selection practices.
Beef Integrated Resource Management (IRM)
Member of the multi-discipline coordinating committee that oversees the statewide IRM program. The effort of the beef IRM coordinating committee is to implement a state-wide educational program based on integrated concepts. The overall goal of the committee is for Specialists, Ag Agents and ultimately producer to apply holistic concepts to management and problem solving, based on predetermined goals.
Beef Quality and Care Assurance
Coordinate the educational videos for the BQCA program. This program encourages the best management practices in the proper treatment of cattle. This is Kentucky’s version of the national BQA program with additional emphasis on handling and care.
Master Cattleman Program
Develop and present educational materials on beef breeding management. This is a four hour course that covers assessment, crossbreeding and selection.
Beef Genetic Improvement Program
Developed a bull selection process for beef producers to qualify for cost-share dollars from the Kentucky Ag Development Fund. The process involves an educational program on matching genetics to management and crossbreeding, the producer identifies the category of bull that best fits their situation and then purchases a bull that meets the Expected Progeny Differences guidelines within that category.
Associated Departments