Animal Science Department's Vision
"Serving animal agriculture through dynamic networks of discovery and education."
Animal Science Department's Mission
"To promote world-wide leadership in animal research and education in support of sustainable use of domestic animals for food, fiber, work and recreation, and to educate students for careers in the animal sciences."
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First row: Kyle Kohout, Emily Tschida, Spencer Eisenmenger, Meredith Jordan Second row: Shantille Kruse, Jennifer Schuckman Third row: Kathryn Farris Fourth row: Brian Petersen, Paul Schmid Fifth row: Joshua VanDeWalle, Jacob Geis, Lance Dahlquist Sixth row: Kassandra Ketteler, Brigham Scott, Jeremy Haack Seventh row: Ajak Majak Kuai |
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Dr. Bryan Reiling, Receives the NACTA Teacher Fellow Award
Dr. Bryan Reiling, Associate Professor of Animal Science, received the 2009 Teacher Fellow Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) at their 55th Annual Conference held at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, on June 17-20, 2009.
Dr. Reiling was raised on a grain and livestock farm in northeast Iowa, attended Iowa State University and received a BS in Animal Science (1987). After working with industry, Dr. Reiling returned to Iowa State where he received an MS in Meat Science (1991), and in 1996, he earned a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from the University of Illinois. Dr. Reiling then accepted a faculty position in Animal Science at the University of Florida where he developed an experiential learning livestock management practicum designed to provide urban-backgrounded students hands-on animal experience. In 2000, Dr. Reiling accepted a teaching/extension position in Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he teaches undergraduate courses in Fundamentals of Animal Biology and Industry, Animal Production Skills, Animal Management, and Animal and Carcass Evaluation. He coaches the UNL Meat Animal Evaluation Team and advises approximately 35 undergraduates. Dr. Reiling has been recognized by the UNL Parents' Association and Teaching Council for contributions to students, received the Nebraska Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award of Merit, the CASNR Outstanding Teaching Award, the UNL Student Government Outstanding Teacher Award for small classes, and the Midwest ASAS Young Teacher Award.
Dr. Chris Calkins Receives NAMP's Educator Award
PRESS RELEASE
For Release on Monday, March 30, 2009
Contact: Phil Kimball, pkimball@namp.com
University of Nebraska’s Chris Calkins Receives NAMP’s Educator Award
(WASHINGTON, DC Monday, March 30, 2009) University of Nebraska’s Dr. Chris Calkins received the Educator of the Year Award from the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) Saturday at its Meat Industry Management Conference in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Calkins is the Nebraska Beef Industry Professor of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE.
Dr. Calkins’ recent activities include development of new cutting procedures for the beef chuck and for veal. Many companies in the meat industry today are reaping the benefits on Dr. Calkins research in muscle utilization, by selling previously undervalued cuts from the carcass.
NAMP President Michael Strauss of the Colorado Boxed Beef Company presented the award at Saturday’s luncheon, saying,
“We present this award with grateful appreciation and recognition of Dr. Calkins’ untiring efforts and valuable contributions towards meat education, and for his deep loyalty in carrying out his responsibilities with enviable pride and professionalism that brings credit to both himself and the University of Nebraska.
“And for his friendship and his commitment to excellence in assisting the meat and other food industries, we hold in high honor and esteem Dr. Chris Calkins.”
In accepting the award, Dr. Calkins in turn praised NAMP for its leadership in helping the industry and its members.
In 2004, Dr. Calkins’ muscle profiling research team was awarded the International Meat Secretariat World Prize for Meat Science and Technology, the only time the prize has ever been awarded in the U.S.
Dr. Calkins has been on the Animal Science faculty of the University of Nebraska since 1981, and holds the rank of full professor. Dr. Calkins conducts research on muscle characterization, objective grading technology, meat quality, and the effects of feeding wet distiller’s grains on beef quality. He is active as a college advisor and teacher.
He is a past president of the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) and a teacher fellow of the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture.
A native of Washington State, Calkins received his B.S. and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Animal Science with an emphasis in meat science and muscle biology. He also earned the M.S. degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Tennessee.
Joining Dr. Calkins at the NAMP conference were his wife, Ellen, and daughter Christie.
NAMP awards the Harry L. Rudnick Educator of the Year Award each spring at its annual management conference to an educator who has made outstanding contributions in the field of meat science education. The award was established in 1969.
Galen Erickson Receives Young Outstanding Researcher Award
Galen Erickson Receives Regional Award.
Each year, the Midwestern Section of the American Society of Animal Science and Midwest Branch of the American Dairy Science Association offer awards for young animal science leaders. Dr. Galen E. Erickson, Associate Professor of Animal Science, is recipient of this year’s Young Outstanding Researcher Award which was presented at the awards reception during the organizations’ annual meeting held March 16-18 in Des Moines.
Dr. Galen Erickson received his B.S. degree from Iowa State University in 1995 followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has been on faculty in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 2001 working in the feedlot cattle nutrition area. In 2006, he was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor.
Galen serves as Beef Feedlot Extension Specialist and his research areas are corn milling byproduct utilization, nutrition and environmental interactions, growth promotion, production systems, and decreasing E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot cattle. Dr. Erickson supervised 31 graduate students who have completed their degrees and currently supervises or co-supervises an additional 11 graduate students. Dr. Erickson published or has accepted for publication 18 manuscripts for which he served as lead or corresponding author describing work completed beyond his graduate studies, plus 17 co-authored articles. The quality of results led to major contributions on phosphorus requirement in feedlot cattle, a Council for Ag Science & Technology Issue Paper on improving fate of consumed nitrogen in feedlot cattle, a Board Invited Review on distillers grains, and numerous research symposium publications. A sentinel publication on use of ethanol manufacture by-products in feedlot formulations was co-produced with the Nebraska Corn Board. He is co-author of four book chapters. This is an outstanding record of accomplishment over a period of seven years, averaging five peer-reviewed publications per year. Galen is co-author of 124 abstracts presented at professional meetings and 142 peer-reviewed extension reports. Dr. Erickson has also established an exemplary record regarding acquisition of extramural support for his research and extension programs. Research funding acquired during the past seven years exceeds $2.8 million.
Outstanding motivation, dedication to excellence in fulfilling position responsibilities, and effective leadership are hallmarks of Galen’s performance. In recognition of his program excellence, Galen was selected the 2005 recipient of the Institute of Ag & Natural Resources Dinsdale Family Faculty Award that “awards outstanding teaching, research and outreach in IANR” and in 2007, he received the Wendall Burgher Award from the University.
Phil Miller Receives Holling Award
Phil Miller Receives Holling Award
Dr. Phillip S. Miller, Professor of Animal Science, is recipient of an IANR (Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources) Holling Senior Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence which is designed to recognize outstanding contributions by faculty in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Extension, and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Miller was recognized, along with the other Holling Award recipients, at an awards reception held March 11.
Phil Miller is one of the strongest advocates for students in Animal Science whether it be working directly for one of his advisees or for the greater student population. His impact is through the courses he teaches, through academic and club advising, and by serving on UNL committees concerned with student education and student welfare. Miller’s teaching style and goals are directed toward making all students critical thinkers and being able to solve real-world problems, especially those problems that will be part of students’ future professions.
The primary objective of the group project in ASCI 320, Animal Nutrition and Feeding, is to foster a group-based learning experience using the combined instruments of a poster presentation and an individual review paper. The students gain exposure to peer-reviewed literature by focusing on contemporary issues selected by the students. In this manner, students have greater ownership of the topic and the desire to expand their understanding–based on sound science–of a contemporary issue. The students soon realize that a great deal of “information” is available regarding nutritional issues facing livestock and companion animal industries which is not entirely “science based” but rather attributed to opinions, innuendos and political correctness. Student groups frequently pursue a project with an inherent bias (e.g., effects of nutrient intake on meat quality), and then upon completion of the project form a new conclusion or opinion based on the scientific and economical data uncovered during their discovery process. Although the course content does not deal formally with societal and economical issues, the group project does allow students to investigate and consider these in their analysis and conclusion formation.
Through this group project, students develop skills in finding and understanding scientific literature relating to a question, discuss findings with fellow students, formulate conclusions through these discussions, prepare written communication devices (paper plus the poster) to convey clearly the conclusions, and communicate orally to others the conclusions of the project. During the oral communication, answering questions while “on your feet” is another goal of the project. The exercise stimulates collaboration with others and teamwork. The broader goal is for students to build confidence in their own ability to find, read and understand scientific literature; to formulate conclusions to many of today’s and future questions; and, to communicate those finds to a lay audience.
Over the five years that Miller has used this teaching technique, over 350 students have benefitted. Engaging students to analyze a contemporary issue related to animal nutrition stimulates active participation and inherent interest, requires written and oral communication as well as working in a group setting. This activity aids students in their future endeavors by giving them a solid experience base to address an issue, collect and digest the pertinent scientific information, and then make an informed, defendable decision.
A native of Visalia, California, Miller obtained a B.S. in 1985, an M.S. in 1988 and a Ph.D. in 1990 from the University of California, Davis. He joined the faculty of the Animal Science Department in August 1990.
Mr. Homer Buell of Bassett, Nebraska Block and Bridle 2009 Honoree
Family: Wife: Darla Children: Chad, Tara
The Shovel Dot Ranch is a 1,400 head cow/calf and yearling operation that uses a cross of Hereford and Angus cattle. Homer informed Block & Bridle members that he looks at his role as a cattle producer - not just a rancher, but a grass farmer. By carefully managing the grass resources on the Shovel Dot, cattle can graze nearly year around and, thereby, consume less harvested forage.
Homer graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1971 with a degree in Business Administration. He went to college originally looking to become a lawyer, but decided that he wanted to return home to the family ranch. He credits much of his success on the ranch to the principles he learned in business management.
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