Beth Doran, beef specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, is the recipient of the 2023 Professional and Scientific Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Her core program is providing leadership for the annual Feedlot Forum, which provides area cattlemen and agri-business staff with cutting-edge technology and research to address current issues and to maintain the feeding industry in northwest Iowa. When packing plants mandated Beef Quality Assurance certification of beef producers to market fed cattle, Doran took leadership in co-authoring the curriculum used by the beef extension team across the state to ensure that producers had market access. Many of these workshops were held in conjunction with industry partners including county cattlemen associations, livestock auction markets, local veterinarians and feed companies to ensure a larger reach. This is another cornerstone of her program, and over six years, Doran has certified nearly 1,300 producers.
A third outreach priority is focused on educating and developing the next generation of cattle producers in northwest Iowa. Doran works with youth through local 4-H programs, county fairs, carcass contests and the Clay County Fair youth activities. A colleague states, “Beth’s passion for the beef industry, her professionalism, hard work ethic and willingness to serve have made her a great asset and leader on the Iowa Beef Center extension team and with the cattlemen and women of Iowa.”