Dale R. ZoBell
2001 Extension Award
Donor: Fort Dodge Animal Health

Dale R. ZoBell is an Assistant professor in the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department at Utah State University and serves as Extension Beef Specialist for the state of Utah. He was raised on an irrigated mixed farm in Raymond, Alberta, Canada and received his B.S. degree in Animal Science from Utah State University in 1977, followed by an M.S. degree in Animal Science from Oregon State University in 1978. His Ph.D. was earned from Utah State University in 1997. He initially worked for Cargill Ltd but the last 20 years have been as an Extension Beef Specialist working in Alberta and at the Utah State University.

Dr. ZoBell’s extension efforts have primarily focused on an integrated approach to beef production, recognizing the importance of natural resources and economic considerations. This has involved collaboration with county agents and others to first identify needs and then to develop programs to address them. He has been instrumental in developing programs that are from ranch to plate. These have included Ranch to Rail and live animal and carcass evaluation workshops that provide the opportunity for ranchers and others to gain a broader understanding of the beef industry. He also serves as a resource for 4-H and FFA youth and co-chairs the state livestock judging competitions for these groups each year. He has expanded the use of ultrasound to include county fairs and field days to increase awareness and understanding of carcass traits not only for show calves but for commercial producers as well. Dr. ZoBell serves as co-chair of the nutrition section of the Cow/Calf Management Guide and Cattle Producers’ Library, which, along with the companion CD, is an excellent resource used by beef producers throughout the western states. He also serves on a number of other committees and producer advisory groups, including being the Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator for the state of Utah, working closely with the Utah Cattlemen’s Association and Utah Beef Council.

He has published, authored, or co-authored over 50 research-related reports, conference proceedings, or other publications; written over 200 articles for trade publications, newsletters, and the popular press; and spoken at over 275 conference presentations and seminars in the United States and Canada. Currently his beef newsletter goes out to over 3,800 individual ranch and farm families, primarily in Utah but also in the intermountain West. His research program is used to develop extension publications, field days, and other extension-related activities on various beef-related topics. Dr. ZoBell has also adopted new technologies, such as satellite broadcasts, to deliver and expedite beef extension programs throughout the state. County agents have found these to be very informative and timely and a tool that is very effective in Utah.

Dr. ZoBell is a member of the American Society of Animal Science and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.