For More Information Contact:
Peter Orwick (303) 771-3500, ext. 33, or porwick@sheepusa.org
Mary Jensen (303) 771-3500, ext. 46, or mary@sheepusa.org
DENVER, Colo. – Megan Van Emon of Hettinger, N.D., has been selected as the recipient of the $1,500 Sheep Heritage Foundation Memorial Scholarship being offered through the American Sheep Industry Association. Van Emon earned her master’s degree in 2008 in ruminant nutrition from the Department of Animal Science at Purdue University and is currently engaged in a doctorate degree in ruminant nutrition at North Dakota State University.
For her master’s degree thesis, “Optimizing protein digestibility of west distiller’s grains in ruminants,” Van Emon conducted a sheep finishing trial looking at the effects of added dietary fat and protein when feeding dried distiller’s grains with soluble at increased levels on lamb performance, carcass characteristics, blood metabolites and fatty acid profiles. Her current research project is determining the effects of giving supplemental metabolizable protein to ewes during late gestation on offspring performance. This research project is expected to be completed next year.
“She (Van Emon) has shown dedication to the sheep industry through her volunteering to be involved with every aspect of sheep research and sheep management at the Hettinger Research Extension Center,” explains Christopher Schauer, Ph.D., director and animal and range scientist at the center. “She has always leaped at the opportunity to be involved with sheep extension, ranging from assisting in data collection for multiple ram tests and ultrasounding rams for the state fair 4-H lamb carcass contests to speaking at the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association annual convention.”
“The foundation is pleased to again be able to offer a post-graduate scholarship,” comments Lorin Moench, Jr., president of the Sheep Heritage Foundation. “The high-quality pool of applicants made the selection process difficult while reinforcing the necessity for a program such as this one.”
The Sheep Heritage Foundation is tasked with the challenge of developing a foundation for industry education, research and continuous improvement that will perpetuate the sheep industry into the future. The memorial scholarship program is just one way to fulfill this objective.
ASI is a national trade organization supported by 45 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of more than 82,000 sheep producers.