John Walker, Ph.D.
Professor and Resident Director of Research
TAES, San Angelo
Academic Affiliation.: Ecosystem Science and Management, TX A&M Univ.
ph: 325-653-4576
fax: 325-658-4364
email: jwalker@ag.tamu.edu
2. RESUME
4. GRANTS
I am a Professor and Resident Director of Research at the TexasA&MUniversityAgricultural Research and ExtensionCenterin San Angelo, Texas. My responsibilities include providing leadership to a multi-disciplinary team of six scientists that develop new technologies for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of range livestock and wildlife production. My research interest relate to developing new technologies for modifying diet selection of grazing ruminants. It has long been known that livestock grazing affects the botanical composition of vegetation communities. By avoiding some plant species and preferring others livestock provide a competitive advantage to plants that are avoided, which allows them to increase and often dominate a site. Grazing systems were developed to help overcome this adverse affect of selective grazing on rangeland composition. I am interested in directly modifying the grazing habits of livestock through selective breeding, nutritional interventions and learning. In conjunction with this research I have developed near-infrared spectroscopy calibrations that use fecal spectra to predict the botanical composition of diets.
Current Projects:
· Development of fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy calibrations to predict botanical composition of diets
· Improving the use of goats to control juniper in the Edward's Plateau of Texas
· Targeted grazing by sheep and goats to manage vegetation
· Use of game cameras to estimate population parameters of white-tailed deer
RESUME:
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. (1988) Range Science, TexasA&MUniversity
MS (1981) Range Science, ColoradoStateUniversity
B.S. (1976) Wildlife Science, TexasA&MUniversity; graduated Cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
1997 - present
Professor and Resident Director of Research at the TexasA&MUniversityAgricultural Research and ExtensionCenterin San Angelo, Texas. Responsibilities include providing leadership to a multi-disciplinary team of six scientists that develop new technologies for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of range livestock and wildlife production. Oversee facility maintenance and improvements including approximately 18,000 acres of rangeland located on six properties in four counties. Develop and administer local policies for regional research and extension facility. Provide leadership both nationally and locally for the development of targeted livestock grazing for landscape enhancement and the use of animal genetics to modify livestock dietary preference. Develop near-infrared spectroscopy solutions in support of research in foraging ecology and animal nutrition. Adjunct Professor Animal Science - AngeloStateUniversity.
1988 - 1997
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Rangeland Scientist (GM-13), USDA-ARS Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, Idaho. Design and conduct research to improve sustainable utilization of rangelands. Studies include combination grazing of sheep and cattle; use of grazing livestock to control noxious weeds; genotypic and phenotypic factors affecting foraging behavior; developed first fecal near-infrared spectroscopy calibrations for predicting botanical composition of ruminant diets, weed ecology; low input sustainable sheep production systems; importance of rangelands in global carbon budgets and development of new techniques to monitor rangeland health. Developed facilities necessary to accomplish research objectives in this new research area at the Sheep Station. Supervise post-doc, secretary, 2 technicians and several summer interns. Served as acting research leader at U.S.Sheep Experiment Station for 1 year where I provided leadership for this 78,000 acre facility and 40 employees. Adjunct faculty appointment at University of Idaho, UtahState and WashingtonStateUniversities.
1985 - 1988
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Range Science, TexasA&MUniversity, College Station, TX. Conducted research on the effect of different grazing systems on cattle behavior, nutrition, and forage production. Managed Range Science Department registered Brangus research herd and 1,000 acre Rangeland Research Area.
1980 - 1985
Research Associate, TexasAgricultural Experiment Station, Seymour, TX. Supervised and coordinated ranching and research at the Texas Experimental Ranch a joint venture between the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, area ranchers, and businessmen formed to study methods for increasing the efficiency of beef production in the Texas Rolling Plains.
1978 - 1980
Research Associate, Department of Range Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Coordinated research activities, managed budget, collected, and analyzed data, and prepared reports for a National Science Foundation interdisciplinary research project on beef production from forage or grain feeding systems.
RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
The primary focus of my research has been the understanding and management of diet selection by grazing livestock as a way to affect the consequences of domestic herbivory on rangeland ecosystems. In pursuit of this I have investigated the effect of grazing systems on many aspects of range livestock production systems, the use of livestock to manage noxious weeds, and the use of selective breeding to modify diet preference. I have also investigated a variety of other topics including rangeland monitoring, many aspects of range livestock production system, brush removal to increase rangeland water yield, and fecal NIRS to predict diet composition.
COMPETITIVE GRANTS:
2006 ($200,000) NRCS-GLCI - Bio-Control of Invasive Plants Using Sheep and Goats C0_PI with American Sheep Industry Association
2005 ($46,243) NationalSheepIndustryImprovementCenter- Prescribed Grazing for Vegetation Management: A Handbook for Sheep and Goat Producers and Land Managers
2005 ($74,000) Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration
2004 ($165,000) The United StatesIsraelBinational Agricultural Research and Development Fund - Goats for Maximal Efficiency of Brush Control
2001 ($128,000) TexasFood and Fiber Commission - Improving the Use Of Goats to Manage Juniper Co-PI
1997 ($300,000) UpperColorado RiverAuthorityNorthConchoRiverWaershed Brush Control Planning, Assessment & Feasibility Study
1995 ($96,636) National Research Initiative Influence of Riparian Herbage on Water Quality of Rangeland Streams Co-PI
1991 ($78,130) CSREES Use of domestic Livestock for the Biological Control of Leafy Spurge
1991 ($40,000) USDA-ARS Competitive Post Doctoral Research Associate
1990 ($15,000) EPA, Agriculture in concert with the Environment, Control of Leafy Spurge by Grazing Goats
1989 ($2,000) USDA-ARS Minority High-school internship
PUBLICATIONS:
46 - Journal
1 - Book editor
3 - Book Chapters
55 - Other
37 - Abstracts
AWARDS:
Outstanding Achievement Award Society for Range Management 2007
Certificate of Appreciation for serving as acting research leader 1996
Certificate of Merit USDA Agricultural Research Service 1994
Nominated for Upper Snake RiverFederal Employee of the Year 1992
Certificate of Appreciation USDA Agriculture Research Service 1992
TomSlickFellowTexasA&MUniversity1987‑1988
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
American Sheep Industry Association
Society for Range Management
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology
World Future Society
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Council of Resident Directors Chair, 2006
Texas A&M University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, 2001 - present
TexasSection Society for Range Management Endowment Fund Chair, 2005 - Present
Prescribed Grazing Committee - Amer. Sheep Ind.Assoc., 2006 - present
Producer Education and Research Council Member - Amer. Sheep Ind.Assoc., 2004 - 05
Board of Directors TexasSection Society for Range Management, 2002 - 2004
Public Affairs Committee Society for Range Management Chair, 2003 - 2004
Associate Editor Journal of Range Management, 1996-2000
CIVIC ACTIVITIES:
San AngeloConvention and Visitors Board 1998 - Present, Chair 2006 - 2007
Chair San AngeloAnnual Sheep Run Committee 2003 - 2005
PUBLICATIONS
Journal
Fraker-Marble, M. J., K. L. Launchbaugh and J.W. Walker. 2007. Differences in food ingestion and digestion among sheep classified as high or low sagebrush consumers. Rangeland Ecology and Manage. 60: 191-194 http://www.srmjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.2111%2F05-169R2.1
Kronberg, S.L and J.W. Walker. 2007. Learning through foraging consequences: a mechanism of feeding niche separation in sympatric ruminants. Rangeland Ecology and Manage. 60: 195-198 http://www.srmjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.2111%2F05-221R2.1
Walker, J.W., E. S. Campbell, C. J. Lupton, C. A. Taylor Jr., D. F. Waldron, and S. Y. Landau. 2007. Effects of breed, sex, and age on the variation and ability of fecal near-infrared reflectance spectra to predict the composition of goat diets. J. Anim. Sci. 85: 518-526.
Landau S., T. Glasser, H. Muklada, L. Dvash, A. Perevolotsky, E.D. Ungar, and J.W. Walker. 2005. Fecal NIRS prediction of dietary protein percentage and in vitro dry matter digestibility in diets ingested by goats in Mediterranean scrubland. Small Rumin. Res. 59:251-263.
Ellis, C.R., R.E. Jones, C.B. Scott, C.A.Taylor, J.W. Walker, and D.F. Waldron. 2005. Sire influence on juniper consumption by goats. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 58:324 - 328.
Johnson, D.A., N.Z. Saliendra, J.W. Walker, and J.R. Hendrickson. 2003. Bowen ratio versus canopy chamber CO2 fluxes on sagebrush rangeland. J. Range Manage. 56:517-523.
Frost, R.A., C.B. Scott, J.W. Walker, and F.S. Hartmann. 2003. Effects of origin, experiences early in life, and genetics on bitterweed consumption by sheep. Appl. Anim. Beh. Sci. 84:251-264.
Walker, J.W., S.D. McCoy, K.L. Launchbaugh, Fraker, M.J. and J. Powell. 2002. Calibrating fecal NIRS equations for predicting botanical composition of diets. J. Range Manage. 55:374-382.
Stellflug, J.N., Hatfield, P.G., Wulster-Radcliffe, M.C., and J.W. Walker. 2001. Reproductive performance of ewe lambs from ewes from different selection practices with or with out induced estrus. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 66:185-193.
Snowder G.D., J.W. Walker, K. L. Launchbaugh and L. D. Van Vleck. 2001. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for dietary selection of Mountain Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb) Beetle) in Rambouillet sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 79:486-492.
Books and Book Chapters
Belesky, D.P., D.W. Koch and J.W. Walker. 2007. Forbs and Browse Species. Ch. 17 in K.J. Moore R.F. Barnes, C.J. Nelson, M. Collins, (eds) Forages: The Science of Grassland Agriculture Volume II, Sixth Edition. Blackwell Publishing, AmesIowa.
K. Launchbaugh, J. Walker and R. Daines. 2007. Targeted Grazing - a natural approach to vegetation management and landscape enhancement. American Sheep Industry Association. Centennial, CO.
Launchbaugh, Karen and John Walker. SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 12007. Targeted grazing - a new paradigm for livestock management CH 1 in K. Launchbaugh, J. Walker and R. Daines eds. Targeted Grazing - a natural approach to vegetation management and landscape enhancement. American Sheep Industry Association. Centennial, CO.
Walker, J.W., Linda Coffey, and Tim Faller. 2007 Improving grazing lands with multi-species grazing. CH 6 in K. Launchbaugh, J. Walker and R. Daines eds. Targeted Grazing - a natural approach to vegetation management and landscape enhancement. American Sheep Industry Association. Centennial, CO.
Proceedings
Walker, J.W., J.L. Johnson and C.A.Taylor, Jr. 2005. Challenges and opportunities for sustainable rangeland pastoral systems in the EdwardsPlateauof Texas. pgs 71-79 in J.A. Milne (ed) Pastoral systems in marginal environments. Proc. Satellite workshop XXth International Grassland Congress, July 2005, Glasgow, Scotland.
Walker, J.W. 2000. The NorthConchoRiverBrush Control Project: Simulation output, economic analysis and implementation. Pages 20 - 24. In J. Cearly and D. Rollins (eds). Brush, water, and wildlife: a compendium of our knowledge. TexasAgricultural Experiment Station and TexasAgricultural Extension Service, Kerrville.
Walker, J.W. and K.C. Hodkinson. 1999. Grazing management: new technologies for old problems. Proc. VI International Rangeland Congress, People and Rangelands Building the Future. Vol. 1: 424-430.
Abstracts
Bailey, D.W. M.G. Thomas, J.W. Walker and C.C. Bailey. 2007. Effect of previous experience on grazing patterns of Brangus cattle in the Chihuahuan desert. In Abstr. 60th Ann.MeetingSoc.RangeManage. February 12-17, Reno, NV.
Walker, J.W. and S. Landau. 2007. Predicting botanical composition of diets with fecal NIRS. In Abstr. 60th Ann.MeetingSoc.RangeManage. February 12-17, Reno, NV.
Walker, J.W., C.A.Taylor, Jr and E. Campbell. 2006. Brush and woody weed management with sheep and goats. In Abstr. 59th Ann.MeetingSoc.RangeManage. February 12-17, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Hendrickson, J.R., D.A. Johnson, N. Saliendra, J.W. Walker, and H. Blackburn. 2003. Big Sagebrush leaf area dynamics on a burned, grazed and control site in the Sagebrush Steppe. In Abstr. 56th Ann.MeetingSoc.RangeManage. February 2-6, Casper, WY. (Poster).
Whitworth, W, C. Scott, J. Walker, C. Taylor, S. Engdahl, and C. Lupton. 2003. Sources of variation for fecal nirs equations for predicting percent juniper in goat diets. In Abstr. 56th Ann.MeetingSoc.RangeManage. February 2-6, Casper, WY.
Walker, J.W. 2002. A new paradigm for small ruminant production. J. Anim. Sci. 81 Suppl. 1:175.
Walker, J.W., G.D. Snowder, K.L. Launchbaugh, S.D.McCoy and M.J. Fraker. 2001. Use of NIRS of fecal samples to estimate heritability of sagebrush preference. pg. 417 In Abstr. 54th Ann.MeetingSoc.RangeManage.
Glidewell, B.C., J.C. Mosley, and J.W. Walker. 2001. Sheep and cattle response when grazed together on sagebrush-grass rangeland. p. 115. In Abstr. Meeting Western Section ASAS June 20-22, Montana State Univ. Bozeman.
Johnson, D.A., T.A. Gilmanov, N.Z. Saliendra, and J.W. Walker. 1998. p. 29. Carbon dioxide fluxes on sagebrush-steppe rangelands in northern Idaho. Soc. for Range Manage Abstr.
Current Funded Research:
2006 ($200,000) NRCS-GLCI - Bio-Control of Invasive Plants Using Sheep and Goats C0_PI with American Sheep Industry Association
2005 ($46,243) NationalSheepIndustryImprovementCenter- Prescribed Grazing for Vegetation Management: A Handbook for Sheep and Goat Producers and Land Managers
2005 ($74,000) Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration
2004 ($165,000) The United StatesIsraelBinational Agricultural Research and Development Fund - Goats for Maximal Efficiency of Brush Control
2006 ($38,000) TexasFood and Fiber Commission - Improving the Use Of Goats to Manage Juniper Co-PI