Dr. Alison Crane has been hired as assistant professor and extension sheep and meat goat specialist for the Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.
Crane was born and raised in Warrior, Ala. She received her bachelor’s degree from Berry College, her master’s in ruminant nutrition from North Dakota State University and recently a doctorate in reproductive physiology from NDSU.
“We are delighted that Dr. Crane is joining the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry,” says Dr. Ken Odde, K-State ASI department head. “Her training and experience will be an important addition to our team serving the livestock industry.”
At K-State, Crane’s appointment will be 70 percent extension and 30 percent teaching. In her role, she will develop and lead extension, teaching and applied research programs in sheep and meat goat production and management; oversee the K-State Sheep and Meat Goat Center; and teach undergraduate sheep and meat goat science, advise undergraduate and graduate students and coach the collegiate wool judging team.
“My extension goal is to increase production and efficiency of the ewe and ram flocks, focusing on communication with the producers, agents and interdepartmental specialists,” Crane says. “My teaching goal is to encourage students to truly engage in an experience; the outcome might not prove to be perfect, but the experience will be valuable, and my research goal is to implement a nutrition and reproduction research program to aid an ever-changing industry and consumer.”
Ohio’s shepherds now have a place to find all the latest information on sheep production, industry research conducted at Ohio State, and daily management tips. The recently rebuilt The Ohio State University Extension Sheep Team blog page can be found at http://u.osu.edu/sheep/.
The site is managed by the Sheep Team Program Coordinator, Brady Campbell, and includes contributions from the more than 25 Ohio State faculty and staff who each have unique interests in sustaining Ohio’s sheep industry. Once at the site, readers will find current management information, a listing of upcoming events, research summaries, a library of resources and a listing of the sheep team members and their contact information.
The site also features a search engine that allows readers to find archived articles. Also, check out the Facebook page at @OSUSheepTeam.
Readers who wish to receive a weekly email announcement may subscribe to the blog when they visit the site.