Swine Nutritionist Joins Iowa State University Faculty

AMES, Iowa - An expert in swine nutrition will join the Iowa State University Department of Animal Science Sept. 1. John Patience will focus on current nutritional issues for the swine and feed industry. The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is providing $100,000 in funds to support the position and help build Patience's nutrition research program around Iowa swine industry priorities. "This position is part of an expanding program in animal nutrition within our department and will be an integral part of Iowa State's Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences," said Maynard Hogberg, department chair. "The position includes both research and extension responsibilities, and I'm pleased we were able to recruit a person with such broad experience in animal nutrition." "With the increasing cost of feed, the leadership of the Iowa Pork Producers Association views this Iowa State University research and extension position in swine nutrition as a very important investment," said Rich Degner, IPPA executive director. Hogberg said Patience has led a research unit in Canada, funded by industry, that has been a model for others. He will join the animal science department as an associate professor. "I am excited about joining the faculty at Iowa State University, an institution with great strength in science and education and also one that works closely with the farming community," said Patience. "I have worked in the pork industry all my life, and understand the serious challenges facing Iowa pork producers. I look forward to working with producers and allied industries to meet these challenges head-on and find solutions that build on the traditional strength of Iowa pork production." Patience received his doctorate from Cornell University in nutritional biochemistry. He earned a bachelor's degree in animal science and a master's degree in animal nutrition at the University of Guelph in Ontario. Working with the pork industry in Canada, he helped establish Prairie Swine Centre Inc. in 1991 and has served as the company's president and chief executive officer since then. Prior to that, he was on the animal science faculty at the University of Saskatchewan and has continued there as an adjunct professor. In 2005, Patience received the Canadian Society of Animal Science Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Sciences and recently won Lifetime Achievement Awards in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.