Animal Sciences Faculty

Clint A. Loest

Clint A. Löest

Title: Associate Professor of Animal Science

Major Field of Interest: Ruminant Nutrition

Education:

B.S., Animal Science, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 1993
M.S., Ruminant Nutrition, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 1995
Ph.D., Ruminant Nutrition, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 1999

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 304 - Feeds and Feeding
Animal Science 501 - Advanced Animal Nutrition
Animal Science 520 - Advanced Nutritional Management I: Feedlot

Research:

Dietary protein and amino acid utilization by cattle and sheep fed forage- and byproduct-based diets.
Specific interests are in nutrient metabolism of ruminants.

Representative Publications:

Waggoner, J. W., C. A. Loest, J. L. Turner, C. P. Mathis, K. K. Kane, D. M. Hallford, and M. K. Petersen. 2007. Effects of endotoxin and dietary protein on N metabolism, and serum cortisol and haptoglobin in growing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):235.
Waterman, R. C., C. A. Loest, W. D. Bryant, M. K. Petersen. 2007. Supplemental methionine and urea for gestating beef cows consuming low quality forage diets. J. Anim. Sci. 85:731-736.
Kuykendall, S., and C. A. Loest. 2006. Effects of energy level on post-ruminal valine utilization by sheep. Proc. Wes. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 57:346-349.
Thelen, T. M., C. A. Loest, S. Wang, G. S. Lewis, and J. B. Taylor. 2005. Supplemental methionine and uterine infection alters essential amino acid metabolism in nulliparous ewes. Proc. Wes. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:52-55.
Nolte, J. van E., C. A. Loest, A. V. Ferreira, N. K. Nolte, M. K. Petersen, and D. M. Hallford. 2004. Methionine, and at least one branched-chain amino acid, are limiting in lambs. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 55:421-423.
Munn, V. A., C. A. Loest, C. P. Mathis, M. K. Petersen, P. J. Defoor, J. E. Sawyer, and C. A. Rogers. 2003. Undegradable true protein, and not ruminally-protected methionine, increases nutrient utilization by growing beef heifers. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 54:57-59.
Loest, C. A., E. C. Titgemeyer, G. St-Jean, D. C. Van Metre, and J. S. Smith. 2002. Methionine as a methyl group donor in growing cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 80:2197-2206.
Loest, C. A., E. C. Titgemeyer, B. D. Lambert, and A. M. Trater. 2001. Branched-chain amino acids for growing cattle limit-fed soybean hull-based diets. J. Anim. Sci. 79:2747-2753.

Other:

Supervisor, Nutrition Laboratory
Supervisor, Chromatography Laboratory
Safety Officer, Animal and Range Sciences Safety Committee
Advisor, Animal and Range Sciences' Graduate Student Association
Mentor, Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program.
Mentor, Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program for Minority Students
Mentor, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Animal and Range Sciences Farm Operations Committee
Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Advising and Coordinating Committee
Editorial Board, Journal of Animal Science

Honors and Awards:

Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, 2007
Scientific Paper Awards, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science, 2005 & 2006

Email Address: cloest@nmsu.edu Office Phone:505-646-1714

Timothy Ross

Timothy T. Ross

Title: Interim Department Head, Professor Animal Science

Major Fields of Interest:

Applied Animal Science, Sheep Production
Reproductive Physiology, and Toxicology

Education:

B.S., Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1973
M.S., Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1977
Ph.D., Reproductive Physiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1982

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 100 - Introductory Animal Science
Animal Science 414 - Sheep and Wool Production
Animal Science 417 - Dairy Production
Animal Science 480 - Environmental Physiology

Research:

Range and farm flock research directed at increasing ewe productivity. Investigating methods to increase embryonic and neonatal lamb survival.

Other:

Chair, Department Department Promotion and Tenure
Chair, College Promotion and Tenure
President, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science, 2006-2007
Coach, Wool Judging Team

Honors and Awards:

FFA Distinguished Service Award
Honorary State FFA Degree
Gamma Sigma Delta - "Distinguished Graduate Teaching/Advisement Award"
National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit
Western Section, American Society of Animal Science "Distinguished Teacher Award", 2003
College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Distinguished Teaching Award" - 2005
College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Outstanding Professor" - 2005
University of Arkansas, Department of Animal Science, "Graduate of Distinction" - 2006

Email Address:tross@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-3402

Jack Thomas

Jack D. Thomas

Title: Professor of Animal Science

Major Field of Interest: Meat Science

Education:

B.S., Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1974
M.S., Animal Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 1976
Ph.D., Food Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 1980

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 262 - Livestock Slaughter & Processing
Animal Science 301 - Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation
Animal Science 303 - Livestock, Meat & Wool Evaluation
Animal Science 363 - Meat Technology
Animal Science 351G - Agricultural Animals of the World

Extension:

State Meat Specialist

Research:

Microbiology of Confined Animal Feeding Operations along the U.S. and Mexico border

Other:

Faculty Athletic Representative
Faculty advisor to Farm House
Co-chair of Steering Committee for University Accreditation

Honors and Awards:

Ag/Home Week - "Outstanding Teacher Award"
Collegiate FFA "Teacher of the Year"
College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Distinguished Teaching Award", 2001
Donald C. Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2001
FarmHouse Fraternity - Daryl Snyder Alumni Award for Outstanding Service
Who's Who Among American Teachers
Faculty Senate Chair, 2004-2005
Farm House Fraternity Master Builder Award, 2006

Jason Turner

Jason L. Turner

Title: Extension Horse Specialist

Major Field of Interest: Extension and Research

Education:

A.S., Pre-Veterinary Science, Eastern Oklahoma State College, 1992, Wilburton, OK.
B.S., Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, 1994, Stillwater, OK.
M.S., Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University, 1996 (Equine Reproduction), Manhattan, KS.
Ph.D., Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University, 2001 (Monogastric Nutrition/Immunology), Manhattan, KS.

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 103 - Introductory Horse Science
Animal Science 265 - Horse Evaluation
Animal Science 288 - Horse Fitting and Selling
Animal Science 289 - Management of Equine Operations
Animal Science 320 - Applied Horsemanship
Animal Science 321 - Applied Horsemanship II
Animal Science 355 - Advanced Horse Evaluation
Animal Science 383 - Equine Reproductive Management
Animal Science 415 - Horse Production

Extension:

25% of my time is allocated to serve as the Equine Resource/Information Specialist for the Cooperative Extension Service in New Mexico

Other:

Supervisor of NMSU Horse Center
Interested in Equine & Food Animal Health Management and Applied Equine Production and Management

Email Address: jlturner@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-1242

L. Neil Burcham

L. Neil Burcham

Title: Associate Professor of Animal Science

Major Field of Interest: Animal Production

Education:

B.S., Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1963
M.S., Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1971

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 200 - Introduction to Meat Animal Production
Animal Science 303 - Livestock Evaluation
Animal Science 310 - Exhibiting Livestock
Animal Science 314 - Swine Production
Animal Science 353 - Advanced Livestock Evaluation
Animal Science 390 - Internship

Honors and Awards:

Honorary FFA Degree
College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Distinguished Teaching Award"
Donald C. Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching

Extension:

State Swine Specialist (25 percent)

Other:

Coach of Livestock Judging Team; Supervisor of Swine Unit and Angus Cattle

Email Address: burcham@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-2309

Dennis Hallford

Dennis Hallford

Title: Regents Professor of Animal Science

Major Field of Interest: Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology

Education:

B.S., General Agriculture, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, 1970
M.S., Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1973
Ph.D., Animal Breeding/Physiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1975

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 370 - Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals
Animal Science 504 - Animal Physiology Techniques
Animal Science 509 - Endocrinology of Domestic Animals
Animal Science 603 - Cardiovascular and Neural Physiology
Animal Science 606 - Endocrinology of Pregnancy, Parturition and Lacation

Research:

Evaluation of endocrine influences on reproductive function in domestic animals. Particular interest is in characterizing endocrine changes before puberty and during the early postpartum period in sheep.

Other:

Supervisor of West Sheep Unit
Supervisor of Endocrinology Laboratory
Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Chair, Radiation Safety Committee
Animal Production Division Editor - Journal of Animal Science
Western Director, American Society of Animal Science 2004 - 2007

Honors and Awards:

NMSU Cardinal Key Honor Society "Outstanding Teacher of the Year"
College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Distinguished Teaching Award"
Gamma Sigma Delta "Distinguished Graduate Teaching/Advisement Award"
Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching
Western Section, American Society of Animal Science "Distinguished Teaching Award"
Robert L. Westhafer Award for Excellence in Teaching (NMSU highest award)
Outstanding Alumni from College of Agriculture at Tarleton State University
Who's Who Among American Teachers
Donald C. Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching
NMSU University Research Council's "Outstanding Researcher" lecture series
College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Distinguished Research Award"
Western Section, American Society of Animal Science "Distinguished Service Award"
Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science "Advanced Degree Graduate of Distinction"
NMSU Regents Professorship
College of Agriculture and Home Economics "Outstanding Club Advisor" - 2005
New Mexico Wool Growers "Amigo Award"

Email Address: dhallfor@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-1004

Shanna L. Ivey

Shanna L. Ivey

Title: Assistant Professor of Animal Science

Major Field of Interest: Ruminant Nutrition/Rumen Microbiology

**Education **

B.S., Animal Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1993
M.S., Ruminant Nutrition, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1995
Ph.D., Animal Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 2002

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 261 - Introduction to Animal Metabolism
Animal Science 285 - Companion Animal Management
Animal Science 422 - Animal Nutrition
Animal Science 560 - Rumen Microbiology

Research:

Investigation of novel means to assess nitrogen status of ruminants grazing native range. Development of strategies to detoxify plant and environmental toxin with the microbial population of the rumen.

Email Address: sivey@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-4650

Sergio A. Soto-Navarro

Sergio A. Soto-Navarro

Title: Assistant Professor of Animal Science Major Field of Interest: Ruminant Nutrition Education:

B.S., Animal Science, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, 1989
M.S., Animal Production Systems, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, 1993
Ph.D., Animal Science with emphasis in Ruminant Nutrition, NMSU, Las Cruces New Mexico, 1999
Post-Doctorate - Protein Metabolism of Rapidly Growing Goats, Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma, 1999-2002
Post-Doctorate - Metabolism of Selenium on Rapidly Growing Tissues, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, 2002-2004

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 422 - Animal Nutrition
Animal Science 626 - Nutrient Metabolism II: Carbohydrates, Lipids and Energetics

Research:

Beef cattle nutrition and management; forage utilization.

Representative Publications:

"Effects of cooked molasses blocks on forage utilization by beef steers consuming low-quality hay on characteristics of digestion and rumen fermentation"
"Effects of level of field pea supplementation on characteristics of digestion by beef steers consuming low-quality hay"
Effects of levels of corn concentrate distillers solubles on characteristics of digestion by beef steers consuming low-quality hay"

Email Address: ssoto@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-2016

Milton G. Thomas

Milton G. Thomas

Title: Professor of Animal Science Major Field of Interest: Physiological Genetics

Education:

B.S., Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 1988
M.S., Dairy Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 1990
Ph.D., Physiology of Reproduction, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1994

Post-Doctoral Studies:

Molecular Biology, University of Texas Institute of Biotechnology, San Antonio, Texas, 1994-1995
USDA-NRICGP, Growth and Development, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 1995-1997

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 416 - Beef Production and Management
Animal Science 417 - Dairy Production (Section on Genetics)
Animal Science 423 - Animal Breeding
Animal Science 450/550 - Advanced Animal Breeding

Research:

Investigation of the physiology and genetics that regulate growth and reproductive performance in ruminants.

Other:

Partial management responsibilities of the NMSU Angus, Brangus and Brahman herds at the Chihuahua Desert Rangeland Research Center.
Developing NMSU cattle DNA and performance record repository.

Honors and Awards:

College of Agriculture/Home Economics "Distinguished Research Award"

Email Address: milthoma@nmsu.edu

Office Phone:505-646-3427

WCC-1 web site

Web site

Joby R. Priest

Title: Instructor/Equine Science Major Field of Interest: Equine Science/ Horse Training and Management Email Address: priest@nmsu.edu

Office Phone:505-646-5595

Education:

B.S., Agricultural and Extension Education, New Mexico State University, 2005
Assoc Degree, Horse Training and Management, Lamar Community College, Colorado, 1997.

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 103, Introduction to Horse Science
Animal Science 190, Western Equitation
Animal Science 288, Horse Fitting and Selling
Animal Science 320, Applied Horsemanship
Animal Science 321, Applied Horsemanship II

Courses Taught:

Animal Science 191 - English Equitation I

Mark E. Wise

Mark E. Wise

Title: Professor of Animal Science Major Field of Interest: Reproductive Endocrinology

Education:

B.S., Animal Science, Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas, 1976
M.S., Animal Science, Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas, 1978
Ph.D., Animal Science, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska, 1981

Classes Taught:

Animal Science 402 - Animal Science Seminar

Other:

Professional Societies and Honors: American Society Animal Science, Endocrine Society, Society for the Study of Reproduction

Honors and Awards:

Western Section, American Society of Animal Science "Young Scientist Award"

Email Address: mawise@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-7135

Richard Dunlap

Title: Senior Research Assistant, Corona

Office Phone:575-849-1015
Email Address: mailto: ridunlap@nmsu.edu