UNL Animal Scientist Klopfenstein Named One of Top 50 Beef Industry Leaders

Oct. 4, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. — Longtime University of Nebraska-Lincoln animal scientist Terry Klopfenstein has been named one of the 50 most influential beef industry leaders in the last 50 years by a leading industry magazine.

Klopfenstein was included on the list in Beef magazine's September issue.

Klopfenstein, the magazine noted, "is an internationally recognized authority in beef cattle nutrition and the first to develop beef cattle diets using distillers grains as both a protein and energy source.

"Discovering the synergy that occurs when wet distillers grains replace corn in cattle finishing diets, his research served as the foundation of the 'golden triangle' of corn, ethanol and cattle feeding industries in the state of Nebraska," the magazine continued.

Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, noted that Klopfenstein is one of five people on the list of 50 with Nebraska ties.

The others are Frank Baker, former NU faculty member; Nebraska native Paul Engler, NU graduate, Texas cattleman and benefactor of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources' Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program; Fred Johnson, whose far-flung cattle operation included interests in Nebraska; and John Pollak, director of the Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center.

"Given the significance of the beef industry in Nebraska, it is hardly surprising the state is so well-represented among the most important leaders in the industry over the last 50 years," Green said.

"Terry is one of the most creative, original and insightful researchers in the area of beef cattle nutrition today," said Larry Berger, head of UNL's Department of Animal Science.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Berger said, Klopfenstein is "without a doubt the most prominent adviser of graduate students in ruminant nutrition in the U.S."

He has advised more than 150 graduate students, many of whom now hold key positions in universities, government and industries around the world.

Klopfenstein, now a professor emeritus, took a position with the University of Nebraska in 1965, after completing his Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition at Ohio State University. He has won dozens of state, regional, national and international awards and honors during his career.

The complete Beef magazine list is at http://beefmagazine.com/business/beef-honors-50-top-industry-leaders.