The Nebraska Farm Bureau selected Terry Klopfenstein, emeritus professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as the 2019 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. The award will be presented to Klopfenstein Dec. 10 at the 2019 Nebraska Farm Bureau convention in Kearney.

"Terry Klopfenstein, Ph.D., was a pioneer in using corn byproducts from the ethanol and sweetener industries to supplement cattle feeding," says Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson. "Dr. Klopfenstein's research laid the groundwork for distillers grains to become a key feedstock that has greatly lowered the cost of production for Nebraska's beef producers and is now labeled as a coproduct of the ethanol industry."

Klopfenstein was raised on his family's farm in Ohio and worked around animals and cattle throughout his childhood. He began his tenure at the University of Nebraska in 1965 after completing his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from Ohio State University.

47-year career at UNL

Klopfenstein held the University of Nebraska Wagner Professorship from 1989 to 2007. He mentored hundreds of graduate students in his 47-year career at UNL, many of whom are recognized as excellent nutritionists. He takes pride in his work with students.

"Klopfenstein's mother was a teacher who began her career when she was 18 years old. Growing up, his father taught him the importance of higher education because he never had the chance to further his education during the Great Depression. Terry instilled the same motivation for knowledge in his students, making them a priority in his career.

“Because of the need for well-trained feedlot managers, the Feedlot Management Internship was initiated in 1988, and 174 students have completed the program. His love of teaching has extended well beyond the classroom. Widely known for his research, Klopfenstein has authored 247 referred articles, 484 abstracts, and 507 technical publications," Nelson said.

NUTRITION PIONEER: Klopfenstein has been a pioneer in using corn byproducts from ethanol and sweetener industries to supplement cattle feeding. (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Farm Bureau)

Klopfenstein has received multiple honors including the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award, USDA Secretary of Agriculture Honor Award, USDA Superior Service Award, and the Morrison Award from the American Society of Animal Science, American Society of Animal Science Distinguished Teacher Award. He also was inducted into the Ohio State Animal Science and College of Ag Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Hall of Ag Achievement. Klopfenstein has been active with many industry organizations, including serving as president for the Federation of Animal Science Societies and the American Society of Animal Science.

"Terry has been passionate, dedicated, determined, and devoted to improving beef nutrition in the agriculture industry. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service to Nebraska agriculture; his years of accomplishments makes him more than qualified to receive Nebraska Farm Bureau's highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. We thank him for his service to agriculture students and the farmers and ranchers of Nebraska," Nelson says.

Terry and his wife, Nancy, live in Lincoln and have eight children, 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He has been a Lancaster County Farm Bureau member for 31 years, and for many years continues to assist Nancy with writing letters to elementary school students about what life is like on the farm and ranch as a part of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Ag Pen Pal Program.

Source: Nebraska Farm Bureau, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.