June 30, 2011

UW beef cattle specialist receives animal society's regional Extension Award

 
University of Wyoming beef cattle specialist Steve Paisley received the Extension Award at the Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings June 21-23 in Miles City, Mont.

The award recognizes one individual from the Western U.S. for his or her extension programming and education and research efforts. 

Paisley, an associate professor in the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been the UW Cooperative Extension Service beef cattle specialist for 10 years. He works from the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle.

"Steve has done a fantastic job of fulfilling his duties as our UW extension beef specialist," said Doug Hixon, professor and head of the Department of Animal Science.

"He has been a tremendous resource for the beef producers, beef organizations and extension educators in Wyoming.  In addition, he provides the University of Wyoming with a beef extension presence both regionally and nationally."

   Paisley was recognized as one of the Top 10 Industry Leaders Under the Age of 40 in 2007 by Cattle Business Weekly and received the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Achievement Award in 2008 and its Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

He has completed four master's students and is currently advising two more. He has contributed 21 peer-reviewed publications, 11 abstracts and published 10 proceedings papers since coming to UW.

His formal research efforts have focused on using ultrasound to monitor muscle and adipose (fatty) tissue development throughout the feeding period of beef cattle while developing implant strategies to enhance the economics while producing a desirable beef end product, said Hixon.

Paisley provides training in the use of the ultrasound technology, is secretary/treasurer of the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association, administers its feedlot test and carcass evaluation program, and is UW's representative and past chair of the Four-state Range Beef Cow Symposium.  He serves as chair for the Profitable and Sustainable Ag Systems initiative team with UW CES.

Paisley was responsible for initial feedlot facility design planning and with the construction of the GrowSafe System to measure individual feed intake in group-fed cattle. He has coordinated GrowSafe, feedlot and bull evaluation studies at SAREC.

Since 2005, he has received as principal investigator or co-principal investigator nearly $2.18 million in grants and gifts to support his research and extension programs.

"Paisley is a major asset to our department in interacting with and meeting the needs of Wyoming's beef industry clientele," added Hixon. 

Paisley and his wife, Carrie, have three children, Ty, Todd and Hadley.  They live north of Wheatland in Platte County.

Story contact:
Steve Paisley
(307) 837-2000
spaisley@uwyo.edu

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwag/News/index.html