Patrick Wall, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, is a recipient of the 2023 Professional and Scientific Excellence Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. His background is in genetics, and he brings an innovative mindset to his extension programming, drawing from his years of problem-solving in business and industry. The results are often new programs and ideas that address a direct need from clients. Most recently, “Cattle in the Green” was developed to address the financial hardships currently facing beef producers in Iowa. Wall is a prolific writer as well. With his extensive background in selection and genetics, his articles are popular within the seedstock industry, often being re-printed in breed association and industry-leading publications. He has served on numerous industry-related boards and accepted leadership roles and officer positions with cattlemen’s associations. He also serves as the executive director of the Ultrasound Guidelines Council, an appointed position that sets the standards for all carcass ultrasound data collected on beef cattle across the country.
Wall is a dedicated university citizen and leader as well. He was elected to serve on the university’s Professional and Scientific Council in 2019, then advanced to Compensation and Benefits Chair in 2021 and president-elect in 2022. A colleague states, “He’s a valuable asset to the beef extension team and Iowa State University.”