Award Winner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2014

For more information contact:
Joe Cassady, executive director, Beef Improvement Federation, South Dakota State University; 605-688-5165; www.BIFconference.com; www.beefimprovement.org

For a high-resolution photo of the winner, click here.

 

Larry Kuehn Awarded BIF Continuing Service Award

LINCOLN, Neb. (June 19, 2014) — The Beef Improvement Federation honored Dr. Larry Kuehn with the Continuing Service Award during the organization’s 46^th Annual Meeting and Research Symposium in Lincoln, Neb., June 18-21.

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 keeps BIF moving forward.

Kuehn is a research geneticist for the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, Neb., and is well-known throughout the industry for his work on the Germplasm Evaluation Program with emphases on genetics of bovine respiratory disease susceptibility and feed efficiency.

At the USMARC, Kuehn conducts studies that focus on genetic improvement of cattle through genetic selection on phenotypic and genetic marker data. He is responsible for the analysis of marker data to determine whether they are a useful indicator of genetic merit for multiple traits.

Kuehn is also involved with software development for statistical genetics applications and evaluation of analysis methods through simulation. In addition, he is responsible for annual updates to the across-breed expected progeny difference (AB-EPD) adjustment factors used to compare genetic predictions of growth and carcass traits across breeds of beef cattle.

Kuehn’s contributions to the industry go beyond his scientific research. He is a strong leader within the trade and volunteers to help advance genetic progress throughout many areas in the beef cattle business. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska, a master’s degree in animal breeding from Colorado State University and a doctoral degree in animal breeding from Virginia Tech.

Kuehn was presented the BIF Continuing Service Award at a luncheon Thursday, June 19. Also receiving Continuing Service Awards were Warren Snelling of USMARC; Susan Willmon of the American Gelbvieh Association, Westminster, Colo.; and Wade Shafer of the American Simmental Association, Bozeman, Mont.

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.

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About BIF:

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production. The organization was initiated almost 70 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle. Continuing the tradition, BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for recording of performance data for all traits, from birth weights to carcass traits. Its three-leaf-clover logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension and research.

About www.BIFconference.com:

The www.BIFconference.com website is an event coverage site compiled by the Angus Journal staff as a service to its subscribers and the beef industry at large. The Angus Journal’s coverage of this event is made possible through the collaboration of BIF; host organizations including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, and the Nebraska Cattlemen; and LiveAuctions.tv, which provided live-streaming video during the event and video for archival purposes. The Angus Journal encourages reprinting of the articles by those who adhere to the reprint guidelines available on the site.

About Angus Journal:

The Angus Journal is the flagship publication of the American Angus Association and a primary means of communication with its membership. Published 12 times each year, the magazine communicates important information about Association programs and services; reports news from shows, events and sales; and provides production, marketing and management information that seedstock breeders need to be successful. The publication also serves an effective vehicle for producers to use in marketing their herds to other members around the country. Advertisements are offered in a variety of sizes at rates to match most budgets, and a creative staff is available to help design an eye-catching layout.