Hixon presented BIF Pioneer Award
Photo and caption available
Released: June 20, 2016
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Doug Hixon, Laramie, Wyoming, a BIF Pioneer Award June 16 during the group's annual meeting and symposium in Manhattan, Kansas. The award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle, and it honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.
A native of Donovan, Illinois, Hixon has been a nationally respected leader in bringing animal science research to cattle producers. He earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in animal science at the University of Illinois (U of I). He managed the U of I beef cattle teaching and research unit from 1970-1980 and served as an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee from 1980-1982.
He joined the University of Wyoming (UW) animal science faculty in 1982. He worked as a professor, researcher and extension beef cattle specialist for 19 years before being named department head in 2001. In that role, he oversaw an integrated program in teaching, research and extension.
Hixon's research interest was in the area of beef cattle production and management with emphasis on reproduction and nutrition and their interaction. More specifically, he focused on the effects of heifer development and management of 2-year-old first-calf heifers on future production under range conditions. In addition, applied research was directed toward the evaluation of the effects management and cow herd winter nutrition programs have on production and reproductive efficiency.
He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Western Section, American Society of Animal Science, and also received the UW President's Faculty Stewardship Award for building external relationships and promoting fundraising programs.
Hixon served as the BIF Western Region secretary from 1986-1994. He was a recipient of the BIF Continuing Service Award in 1996.
More than 600 beef producers, academia and industry representatives were in attendance at the organization's 48th annual convention. BIF's mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.
For more information about this year's symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of the meeting and tours, visit BIFconference.com. For more information about BIF, visit Beefimprovement.org.
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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.
Story by:
Angie Stump Denton, communication coordinator, Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry
785-562-6197 or angiedenton@ksu.edu
