Thomas & Berger Recognized by ASAS

November 2004 -- The American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) in late July honored Dave Thomas and Yves Berger, both from the University of Wisconsin (UW), with the ASAS Animal Management Award.

Thomas, UW-Madison animal science professor and Extension sheep specialist, and Berger, UW-Spooner Agricultural Research Station superintendent, have worked together for 13 years. Their primary areas of sheep industry-related research have included artificial rearing, electronic identification, sheep breed comparisons and more.

During the last 10 years, their research has focused on the challenges faced by the small but growing number of dairy sheep producers in the United States and Canada. With the only dairy sheep research program in North America, they have improved management and milking systems to enhance the profitability of dairy sheep production.

Thomas? and Berger?s research with dairy sheep, and their direct involvement with dairy sheep producers, are largely responsible for the continued growth of the industry in North America, which made them ?exemplary award recipients,? reports ASAS.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) congratulates Thomas and Berger on their well-earned awards.

?Dave and Yves have long been advocates for the sheep industry in this country and around the world,? states ASI President Guy Flora. ?The industry is fortunate to have researchers of this level of integrity working along-side the producers to advance sheep issues. Dave and Yves are highly deserving of this recognition.?