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The largest used equipment inventory in the Mid-Atlantic is only a click away. Visit our website by clicking here or visit us at one of our 11 locations throughout MD, DE, VA and PA.
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Hall steers away from Va. Tech for Idaho
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The largest used equipment inventory in the Mid-Atlantic is only a click away. Visit our website by clicking here or visit us at one of our 11 locations throughout MD, DE, VA and PA.
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Hall steers away from Va. Tech for Idaho
1.15.2008
By JANE W. GRAHAM
AFP Correspondent
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech’s Extension beef cattle specialist, Dr. John B. Hall is headed for the University of Idaho and an opportunity as head of a new research station.
Hall, whose columns have appeared in The Delmarva Farmer for several years, will become superintendent and beef cattle Extension specialist of the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension, and Education Center in Salmon, Idaho in March.
He said in a telephone interview that the decision for him and his family to leave Virginia was a big one, but they feel good about it.
The station, he explained, is a 1,100 acre irrigated one with 350 head of cattle, mostly cows and calves. The focus will be on forage based research.
Hall arrived in Virginia in August, 1997 and has been active across the state with much of the beef cattle industry.
“It has been an honor to serve the beef producers, the beef industry and Extension agents in Virginia,” Hall said. “The Idaho position is a unique opportunity to focus on research and extension in applied beef cattle management as well as allow for more family time.”
Hall said he has really enjoyed his time in Virginia and is grateful for the support of the beef industry.
The new research station’s Extension and outreach programs will reach out to producers, graduate and undergraduate students, and special high school classes as a science activity.
In Virginia, Hall served as coach to the Giles County 4-H Stockman’s Club, which was led by his wife Beverly. Sons Wyatt and Matt were members.
The programs developed by Hall include the Virginia Cow-Calf Management Course, the Virginia Premium Assured Heifers (VAPAH), and Beef Producer University.
He also served as the state Beef Quality Assurance coordinator, as well as a team member on other beef Extension programs such as VQA (Virginia Quality Assured).
More than 800 producers were trained in beef production basics though the VA Cow-Calf Management Course, and gross sales of heifers marketed through the program topped $4 million this year.
He also conducted applied research on reproductive management and trained seven M.S. students while at Virginia Tech.
“Any impact I had while in Virginia is a direct result of a team effort from Extension agents, Extension specialists, the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, VDACS personnel, allied industry, and producer-cooperators,” Hall said in a press release.