OSU animal scientist Bob Wettemann earns national honor

Wettemann, an OSU Regents professor in animal science, was honored in the research category during ASAS ceremonies July 9 in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the organization’s annual meeting.

“There are not many who achieve the status of ASAS Fellow,” said Don Wagner, head of OSU’s department of animal science. “ASAS is a large society, and the title of Fellow is reserved for recognizing scientific achievements and service to the nation’s livestock industry over the course of an individual’s career. It’s a lifetime achievement award.”

Wettemann’s research focus is on endocrine mechanisms that control reproductive processes and methods to improve efficiency of beef cattle. A major effect of his research has been to establish that body condition can be used to evaluate supplemental feeding programs of beef cows.

“This knowledge means a cow-calf operator can evaluate the nutritional program needed to promote the best chance of his or her cows producing a calf next year,” said Glenn Selk, OSU Cooperative Extension livestock reproduction specialist, “and that directly relates to management decisions that affect a producer’s operational expenses.”

Current studies emphasize biomarkers for maintenance requirements of beef cows and nutritional effects on bovine fetal programming. In essence, Wettemann has been looking for the internal biological link that tells a cow she is being well fed and living in an environment able to support healthy offspring.

“The whole idea is to put a healthy calf on the ground,” Selk said. “That’s the relevance of his research.”

Wagner said no single university is blessed with many ASAS Fellows on campus, given the nature of the honor.

“We feel very fortunate and are very pleased for him,” Wagner said. “Bob is an outstanding scientist and faculty member, is well-known nationally and is highly deserving of the award.”

In addition to his recent honor of being named a Fellow, Wettemann will assume the position of ASAS president next year, taking over for OSU alumnus Michael Galyean, currently an animal scientist at Texas Tech University.

Previous awards earned by Wettemann include the Sigma Xi Lecturer award, the OSU Sarkeys Foundation-Elmo Baumann Distinguished Professorship and the ASAS Southern Region Distinguished Service Award.

Wettemann also has established a reputation for excellence in the classroom, teaching animal science courses on reproductive physiology and animal growth and performance.

Originally from Connecticut, Wettemann joined the OSU faculty in 1972. He has been a Regents professor since 1985.

Wettemann earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Connecticut in 1966. He earned his Master of Science and doctoral degrees in reproductive physiology from Michigan State University in 1968 and 1972, respectively.

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