Ronald L. Hathaway
2000 Distinguished Extension Award
Donor: Fort Dodge Animal Health

Ronald L. Hathaway is a Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Oregon State University and serves as livestock, natural resources agent and staff chair in Klamath County, Oregon. He was raised on a ranch in Shasta County, California and received a B.S. degree in Animal Science from California Polytechnic College, San Luis Obispo, in 1968, followed by an M.S. degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1972 and a Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 1987. Upon completion of his M.S. in 1972, Ron was hired by Oregon State University as the livestock agent for Klamath County. He has served his career with Oregon State University in Klamath working to improve the livestock industry and more recently to address water quality and public policy.

Dr. Hathaway’s extension programs are designed to solve problems facing the clientele in his area and involve a team approach from the various departments at Oregon State University and livestock professionals in his county. His programs have addressed areas that include mineral supplementation for livestock grazing in the Klamath Basin, beef winter feeding management, Oregon forage library, calf and lamb mortality survey, livestock grazing in forest seedling plantations, and facilitating water issues among the many users within the Klamath River basin. Once a program is completed, Dr. Hathaway not only shares the information with his local clientele, but also presents the results through publications and presentations at professional meetings. This sharing of information has resulted in adoption of his programs and recommendations by livestock producers and extension agents in northern California and northwest Nevada.

Dr. Hathaway is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents. He is also an exemplary citizen who has served on many church and civic boards in his community.