Animal Sciences >Faculty and Staff> David Thomas

	David Thomas, Professor and Extension Sheep Specialist                   40% Research, 35% Teaching, 25% Extension Department of Animal Science 438 Animal Science Bldg. 1675 Observatory Drive Madison, WI 53706 Telephone: 608.263.4306 Fax: 608.262.5157 email: dlthomas@wisc.edu PubMed citations

Education:
B.S.  University of Wisconsin-Madison, Meat and Animal Science 1971
M.S. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Animal Science 1975
Ph.D. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Animal Breeding 1977

Research Interests:
My research team and I have been involved in many areas in sheep breeding and management. While at the University of Illinois, we were the first group 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. We currently are engaged in a project to introgress the major gene for high ovulation rate of the Booroola Merino into a Rambouillet population at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station. In recent years, we have developed a research program in dairy sheep production at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station that serves this small but growing industry in North America.

Extension Activities: Extension/Outreach (http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/sheep/):

· Organize the annual Sheep Management ETN - five 1.5 hour educational programs presented over an interactive telephone line to every county in Wisconsin - held the 1st Thursday evening of each month from November through March

· Assist in organization of the annual Spooner Sheep Day and edit the proceedings - held annually since 1952 - held on the 4th Saturday in August

· Assist the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op in the organization of the Annual Wisconsin Sheep Industry Conference - one of the largest attended sheep educational events in the U.S., up to 1,100 people have attended the conference each year

· Assist in organization of the annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium and edit the proceedings - held annually since 1995

· Assist in the organization and conduct of the annual Beginning Shearing School held at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station

· Process data and publish results of the performance of rams in the Wisconsin Ram Test Station

· Make educational presentations at the Wisconsin Sheep Industry Conference, Spooner Sheep Day, Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium, Sheep Management ETN, other statewide events, and county and multi-county sheep meetings

· Answer questions of producers and potential producers by telephone, mail, and email            

• Animal Science 360: Principles of Animal Breeding, Spring Semester
• Animal Science 430: Sheep Production, Spring Semester
• Animal Science 101: Livestock Production - Genetics and Sheep Sections, Fall Semester
• Animal Science 370: Livestock Production and Health in Agricultural Development - Genetics Section, Fall Semester