Sponsored by Land O’Lakes Purina LLC
Robert L. Weaber
Kansas State University

Dr. Robert L. (Bob) Weaber grew up on a beef operation in Colorado and received a B.S. degree in Animal Science (1993), a Masters of Agriculture degree (1995) from Colorado State, and a Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Cornell (2004). Weaber was on faculty at University of Missouri until 2011, when he joined Kansas State University as Cow-Calf Extension Specialist. His extension programming has resulted in 21 extension publications and 98 invited symposium at meetings. He has authored or co-authored 16 journal articles and received over $13 million in funding for research and extension programming. Weaber has received the BIF Continuing Service Award, the J. W. Burch State Specialist Ag Extension Award, and the Provost Award for Creative Extension Programming.

Sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products Inc.

Juan Pedro Steibel
Michigan State University

Dr. Juan Pedro Steibel is emerging as an international authority regarding statistical methods that bridge the interface of molecular and quantitative genetics. Steibel’s program has focused on the development of statistical methods to improve the analysis of molecular genetic and genomic data to answer relevant questions challenging the livestock industry. Steibel has adapted or developed new methods to efficiently analyze and summarize the voluminous databases that arise from cutting edge molecular technologies that further unravel the mammalian genome. Since joining the MSU faculty in 2008, Steibel and his colleagues have published 19 refereed papers, 22 scientific abstracts and he has been an invited speaker at nine scientific meetings.

Sponsored by the ASAS Foundation

Jennifer Minick Bormann
Kansas State University

Dr. Jennifer Minick Bormann is a native of Muscatine, Iowa. She grew up with horses and Shorthorn cattle, and was active in 4-H and FFA. She attended Iowa State University and earned a B.S. in Animal Science in 1997. She earned her M.S. in Animal Science in 1999 from Oklahoma State University, and her Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics from Iowa State in 2004. She joined the faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University with a 75% teaching and 25% research appointment. She teaches 6 different on-campus classes at KSU, including Genetics, Animal Breeding and Intro to Equine lab, as well as 2 distance classes. She also advises 60 undergraduate students, and is primary advisor to the KSU Pre-Vet club.

Young Animal Scientist Teaching Award

Sponsored by the ASAS Foundation

Trista A. Strauch
University of Missouri

Dr. Trista A. Strauch grew up outside of Hamburg, Illinois. She received a B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Missouri in 1997. Strauch continued her education at MU completing a M.S. in ruminant nutrition and reproduction in 1999 and Ph.D. in reproductive physiology under Ronald Randel at Texas A&M University in 2002. In 2007 Strauch took a position as Assistant Professor of Resident Instruction and Coordinator of the Captive Wild Animal Management minor at the University of Missouri. Strauch is responsible for development, teaching and academic advising for the minor. She has received the MU Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award, MU Excellence in Advising Award, CAFNR Outstanding Advisor Award, Missouri Academic Advising Association Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award and the prestigious 2012 NACADA Excellence in Advising Award.

Sponsored by BASF Plant Science

Tim Loy
Adams Land and Cattle Co.

Dr. Tim Loy received his B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska in 1997, his M.S. from North Dakota State University in 2001, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Nebraska in 2003. Loy began his career as a nutritionist with Land O’Lakes, in Gothenburg, Nebraska.  In 2005, Loy went to work for Performance Plus in Palmer, Nebraska. In 2009, Loy took the position of Director of Nutrition and External Feeding with Adams Land and Cattle Company in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Loy is responsible for research and development efforts at Adams Land and Cattle Company in the areas of animal health, production efficiency, carcass optimization, food safety, and data analysis. He also oversees and directs the growth of cattle finishing operations and cattle backgrounding operations, and is responsible for nutrition and feeding programs at Adams Land and Cattle Company’s finishing lots.

Sponsored by the National Pork Board

Research:

Abstract P092: “Interactive effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and housing system on litter performance, sow productivity, and sow longevityover 3 reproductive cycles.”

By Xiaojing Li, Gerald C Shurson, Samuel K Baidoo, Yuzhi Li, Lee J Johnston

Abstract O187: “Genetic basis of host response to PRRVS infection.”

By Nicholas J. Boddicker, Joan K. Lunney, Bob R. R. Rowland, Dorian J. Garrick, James M. Reecy, Jack C. M. Dekkers

Education:

Abstract O174: “Student evaluations of a teamwork/leadership activity across two swine courses in animal science at Iowa State University.”

By Ken Stalder, Tom J. Baas, Jodi Sterle

Sponsored by the Stahly/Peo Memorial and Tribute Fund

Seth Monegue
University of Kentucky

Seth Monegue is from Lexington, Ky. Seth received both his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Kentucky and is now a PhD candidate studying swine nutrition under Dr. Merlin Lindemann’s supervision in the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky. Monegue’s masters research evaluated the effects of flavor compounds and salt in diets on growth performance in newly weaned pigs. Monegue’s PhD research focuses on the effects of vitamin K on growth performance of pigs from weaning to market, reproductive performance, and bone health. Monegue is expecting to complete his PhD program this year. He would like to thank Dr. Lindemann and Dr. Cromwell for their support and guidance and looks forward to making more significant contributions to the animal industry in general and swine nutrition in particular.

Innovation in Dairy Research Award

Sponsored by Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC.

Abstract O168: “Peripartal immunometabolic indices and hepatic transcriptomics in transition dairy cows in response to methionine supplementation.”

By Johan S Osorio, Erminio Trevisi, Peng Ji, Daniel Luchini, Sandra Rodriguez-Zas, Robin E Everts, Harris A Lewin, James K Drackley, Guiseppe Bertoni, Juan J Loor

Kansas State University students Chase Miller, Kiah Gourley, Angela Vesco and Analena Simmons

Young Dairy Scholars

Rosemarie Cabral
Kevin Herrick
Jill Anderson
Heather Tucker
Jaymelynn Farney
Dawn Koltes
Ezequias Castillo Lopez
Johan Osorio

Animal Science Young Scholars

Yanbin Shen
Laurie Mack
Ferdinando Almeida
Andrea Hanson
Elizabeth Bobeck
Adam Summers
Derek Brake
Nicholas Boddicker