During the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Ag Week, the Department of Animal Sciences awarded its annual Livestock Leader recognition to George Seidel, a University Distinguished Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The event took place on Friday, Sept. 20, inside the new JBS Global Food Innovation Center.
Seidel’s recognition shines a light on the translational medicine research currently underway within CVMBS, as well as the interdisciplinary collaboration between Animal Sciences and Biomedical Sciences.
Seidel’s most recent research focused on in-vitro fertilization and culture of mammalian embryos, including the related areas of oocyte maturation, micromanipulation, and cryopreservation of embryos and oocytes.
“The Livestock Leader Award was completely unexpected,” he said. “It is humbling to have been chosen as a Colorado livestock leader, especially considering the great people who received this award previously.”
An innovator in beef production
Seidel came to Colorado State University in 1971, after receiving his Ph.D. from Cornell University. At CSU, he taught and worked in the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory in CVMBS for 40 years until retiring in 2011; in more recent years, he was rehired on a part-time basis. Over his career, Seidel became an internationally recognized researcher and member of the National Academy of Science. He also developed techniques for breeding, including sexed semen from bulls and stallions, the “All Heifer, No Cow” production system, and new embryo transfer methods.
“George Seidel is known globally for his ability to think outside of the box, which leads to systems that improve sustainability of beef production,” says Keith Belk, head of the Department of Animal Sciences. “He has been an outstanding collaborator in research and education for the College of Agricultural Sciences, and is a well-known leader within the beef industry—in particular in the seedstock industry. Our faculty have been privileged to work with him.”
Seidel currently runs the East Rabbit Creek Ranch in Livermore, Colorado, with his wife and son. The ranch regularly collaborates with CSU in evaluating the efficacy of large-scale estrous synchronization protocols and other assisted reproductive technologies. In addition, the ranch also offers 40 to 50 yearling Angus bulls annually for sale to commercial producers.
About the Livestock Leader award
In 1960, the Department of Animal Sciences initiated an annual award to honor an outstanding individual in the livestock industry. The designation was called the Stockman of the Year, and a portrait of the individual was hung in the Animal Sciences Building. This award was last presented in 1976. In 1986 a similar award – the Livestock Leader Award – was first presented.
For more about the award, visit here.
