BRIEFS ROUNDUP
An article by sheep unit manager Steven “Skip” Anderson was published in the August issue of North Dakota Stockman. It was titled “Picture perfect: marketing images could yield value difference in livestock.”
Associate Professor Kasey Carlin had an article in the September issue of North Dakota Stockman titled “U.S. Department of Agriculture makes changes in beef grading.”
Mikayla Faust, new ag research technician, received the Spirit, Pep, and Motivation Award, commonly known as the SPAM Award, in September. She was recognized for going above and beyond at the swine barn while the staff was down a person.
Senior lecturer Tara Swanson, ag research technician Ron Johnson, and department head Guillermo Scaglia all received the Core Value Award during Fall Semester. The award is a peer-to-peer traveling award given to those who reflect NDSU Agriculture’s core values – Community Driven, Student Focused, Stakeholder Driven, Integrity, Impact and Innovation. Associate professor Miranda Meehan was a previous recipient.
Veselina Valkov, assistant manager of the Nutrition Lab, received a Campus Kudos award in October. Campus Kudos is a certificate of appreciation for NDSU employees, issued as a heartfelt thanks for contributions to campus and the people on campus. She was nominated by nutrition lab manager Yssi Entzie.
Professors Lawrence Reynolds and Joel Caton and Emeritus Professor Dale Redmer all landed among the top 2 percent of scientists in the world for last year, according to the annual list of most influential researchers released Sept. 16. Drs. Redmer and Reynolds were also cited on the list of top researchers over a career. The list pulls from citation metrics such as h-index, co-authorship and adjusted citation counts.
Graduate student Omowumi Olatinwo participated in the “Communicating Agriculture Beyond Academia Program” Conference in October, which was held in Sioux Falls, S.D. The program focuses on “enhancing graduate student communication skills with non-academic audiences and providing direct exposure to commercial livestock production.” Omowumi successfully presented on her M.S. thesis project, which focuses on practical methods for reducing pain and improving wound healing following surgical castration in piglets.
Dr. Joel Caton is serving as past president of the national American Society of Animal Science after being the president for 2023-2024. He is also a member of the national ASAS board of directors and on other ASAS committees.
Four members of the department were recognized by NDSU Agriculture at the 2024 Faculty and Staff Awards in November. Dr. Erika Berg won the Celebrate, Integrate and Embrace the Power of Diversity Award. Dr. Travis Hoffman won the Excellence in Extension Early Career Award. Ron Johnson was awarded the Rick and Jody Burgum Staff Award, and Tara Swanson received the H. Roald and Janet Lund Excellence in Teaching Award.
Alex Huber, a senior in Animal Science, won the North Dakota Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet in November. The win qualifies him for the national meet in March.
