Animal Scientists at Iowa State University Honored

Iowa State University animal scientists have been honored with national awards from the American Society of Animal Science.

Anna Johnson (Credit: Iowa State University)

Anna Johnson and Kenneth Stalder, professors in the Department of Animal Science, were respectively presented the Animal Industry Service Award and ASAS Fellow in the extension category. The national designations were presented at the society’s annual meetingearly this month.

Ken Stalder (Credit: Iowa State University)

“Dr. Stalder and Dr. Johnson have contributed valuable research discoveries and applications that enhance animal productivity and well-being for the swine industry,” said Donald Beermann, chair of the animal science department. “Their extension programs effectively provide a positive impact to various segments of swine production and processing businesses.”

Johnson’s award recognized her work in animal welfare. She began her career at the National Pork Board as director of animal welfare. She was instrumental in the formulation and launch of the Swine Welfare Assurance Program, now part of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program.

She joined Iowa State in 2005. Johnson earned a doctorate degree from Texas Tech University in animal science, a master’s degree in applied animal behavior and animal welfare from Edinburgh University in Scotland and a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Reading University in England.

Stalder joined Iowa State as an extension swine specialist in 2003. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State in 1987 and a doctoral degree in 1995, in addition to a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University in 1992.

Stalder has helped the U.S. swine industry focus on sow longevity, joining with colleagues to develop spreadsheets to determine how long a sow has to remain in a herd to be cost effective and posters showing ideal replacement gilt traits.