2000-2001 SHEEP MANAGEMENT ETN SERIES The University of Wisconsin-Madison Cooperative Extension and the Department of Animal Science

January 4th, 2001 7:30-8:50 p.m.
Commercial Market Lamb Production

Economical Feedlot Rations for Lambs  Dan Morrical--Sheep Extension Specialist, Iowa State University

Biographical Information: Dr. Morrical was born in Hartford City, Indiana. He joined the Iowa State University faculty in 1984 as Extension Sheep Specialist after completing his doctorate degree at New Mexico State University. He holds the rank of Full Professor.

At Iowa State University, he has been responsible for educational programs in all areas of sheep production, including reproduction, genetics, nutrition and marketing. In addition, Dr. Morrical has been the principal scientist for the sheep research flock located at the McNay Research Farm, Chariton, IA. The focus has been on applied research in the areas of lamb and ewe nutrition, forage utilization and lamb survival. He currently serves as Iowa State University representative to the NCR190 Project on Increasing the Efficiency of Sheep Production. Dr. Morrical was a co-developer of the National Sheep Improvement Program.

He has authored 12 articles in scientific journals, 28 extension publications, 26 experiment station reports and numerous Extension Handouts and News Releases. Popular press articles and news releases have been published throughout the United States in magazines such as Sheep Breeder and Sheepman, Sheep! and Shepherd. Dr. Morrical also serves as a reviewer for the Sheep and Goat Research Journal. He has also reviewed and co-authored various chapters of the ASI Sheep Production Handbook and North Central Regional Sheep Extension publications.

Daniel G. Morrical
Department of Animal Science
Iowa State University
337 Kildee Hall
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515-294-0847
Fax: 515-294-3795
Email: morrical@iastate.edu

Production of Yield Grade 2 of Market Lambs Dr. David L. Thomas, Professor of Sheep Genetics and Management, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Biographical Information: He grew up in the small rural community of Mineral Point, Wisconsin where he raised purebred Hampshire sheep. He obtained his B.S. degree in Meat and Animal Science in 1971 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His graduate degrees were obtained from Oklahoma State University - the M.S. degree in Animal Science in 1975 and the Ph.D. degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics in 1977. He served as a member of the faculties of the Departments of Animal Science at Oregon State University (1977-81) and the University of Illinois (1981-91) before returning to Wisconsin in 1991.

His research has involved many areas in sheep breeding and management. He is engaged in a project to introgress the major gene for high ovulation rate of the Booroola Merino into a Rambouillet population. He was the first to show that the severe skeletal deformity of Suffolk sheep (Spider Syndrome) was due to a recessive autosomal allele. A breed evaluation study conducted in southern Illinois showed the merit of hair sheep breed crosses over prolific wool breed crosses for lamb production and economic returns in hot, humid environments. In more recent years, he has developed a research program in dairy sheep production that serves this growing industry in North America. He has published over 300 articles in both peer-reviewed scientific journals and popular sheep industry magazines. His former graduate students hold both academic and industry positions in the U.S. and abroad.

Dr. Thomas teaches undergraduate courses in Sheep Production and Principles of Animal Breeding. He also serves as the Sheep Specialist for the Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service. Dr. Thomas has an interest in international animal agriculture. He served for two years as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, has worked on projects in Bulgaria, Kenya, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan, and currently serves as the Scientific Liaison Officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Thomas is a familiar speaker at sheep industry symposia throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Dave Thomas
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1675 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-4306
Fax: 608-262-5157
Email: dlthomas@facstaff.wisc.edu

Download Program Handouts from Daniel Morrical and Dave Thomas
Download January Program Evaluation
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Page updated on December 27, 2000.