Greenwood native heads up UA animal science program

story info submitted by the University of Arkansas

Greenwood native Dr. Mike Looper has been appointed head of the University of Arkansas department of animal science.

Looper, who received the prestigious honor of Agriculture Research Service national scientist of the year for 2009, has worked since 2002 as a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service animal scientist at the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville. At the center, Looper served as lead scientist of the Food Animal Production Program, responsible for oversight and accountability for the program’s approximately $1 million budget.

"It’s a humbling thing for me," Looper said of his new job. "I’m an alumnus of the University of Arkansas and from this department, and it’s an amazing opportunity for me to be able to come back and help lead our people."

Mark Cochran, the University of Arkansas System’s vice president for agriculture, said Looper has background to grow the program.

"Arkansas has some 1.8 million head of beef and dairy cattle on about 28,000 farms with more than 5.5 million acres of pasture and hay fields," Cochran said. "Dr. Looper has the experience and dedication to help lead our outstanding faculty in meeting the needs of Arkansas beef and dairy producers, locally important swine enterprises and horse enthusiasts."

According to a statement from the University of Arkansas, Looper was raised on a fifth-generation beef and dairy cattle farm in Arkansas. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from the University of Arkansas and a doctorate from Oklahoma State University, where he studied the physiological mechanisms of reproduction in cattle. In 1999 he joined the faculty of New Mexico State University as an extension dairy specialist and assistant professor.

He also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Looper has authored or coauthored more than 150 non-abstract, scientific publications. He has received numerous awards for research and teaching, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor awarded in that field by the U.S. government.

Looper has served at associate editor and currently as Animal Production Division editor for the Journal of Animal Science. He is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, where he is serving on the Executive Committee. He’s a member of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Sebastian County 4-H Foundation, and serves on the Arkansas-Oklahoma Regional Education and Promotion Association Board of Trustees. He is past president of the Southern Pastures and Forage Crop Improvement Conference and the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council.

“The animal science department is poised to be a leading research, education and extension institution that will have a positive impact on the economic development of our producers and the state," Looper said.

Looper said he wants to focus on the end product of the division’s animal science research and on those who are using the results.

"We’re doing research that is applicable to our stakeholders," he said. "We’ve increased efficiency in production. As we continue, we also want to concentrate on how animal agriculture can be conducted efficiently, productively and profitably with minimum impact on the environment."

"Also, we want to develop students into work-ready graduates," Looper said. "Good students help spread our reputation as a top teaching institution. And when they’re successful, they come back and support our programs, helping the next generation of students to succeed."