The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Matt Spangler, Lincoln, Nebraska, a BIF Continuing Service Award June 2 during the group’s annual meeting and symposium in Athens, Georgia.
Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to the BIF organization. This includes serving on the board of directors, speaking at BIF conventions, working on BIF guidelines and other behind-the-scenes activities. As BIF is a volunteer organization, it is this contribution of time and passion for the beef cattle industry that moves BIF forward.
Spangler grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Kansas. He received his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, a master’s degree from Iowa State University and his doctorate from the University of Georgia. He is currently an associate professor and extension beef genetics specialist at the University of Nebraska.
He works as part of a team with colleagues at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) at Clay Center, Neb., to improve genetic/genomic selection tools and methods and is currently part of an effort funded by the USDA to develop genomic predictors for feed efficiency in beef cattle.
His nationally recognized extension program has resulted in 19 extension publications and industry reports, as well as 220 invited presentations at state, regional, national or international meetings. He has also authored or co-authored 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, 35 meeting proceedings, 46 abstracts and five book chapters.
More than 350 beef producers, academia and industry representatives were in attendance at the organization’s 49th annual convention. BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.
For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit www.BIFconference.com. For more information about BIF, visit www.Beefimprovement.org.
