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Retired Professor
5201 Marchant Drive
Nashville, TN 37211-5112
(615) 832-8341
Fax: (615) 832-0043
Email: wgill@utk.edu
Extension Appointment: 100% |
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EDUCATION
B.S. University of Tennessee,
Knoxville (Animal Science)
M.S. University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Animal
Nutrition)
Ph.D. University of Kentucky, Lexington (Animal Nutrition,
Biochemistry)
EXTENSION INTEREST
Responsibilities include developing and implementing
adult education programming related to beef cattle production with
emphasis on ruminant nutrition; small ruminant programming; and
coordination of 4-H / Youth Livestock
programming.
| "Feeding
is Fundamental" |
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1996 - 2002 Weaning /
Pre-conditioning Studies |
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1996 studies Showed that Health / Management
program (Ex: Southeast Pride) can improve performance. 1999
study showed weaning / preconditioning using supplement plus
free choice hay resulted in economical gain if calves were weaned
for a minimum of 45 days. 2000 work with calves fed high starch
(corn-based) or high fiber (soybean hull-based) with same diets
continuing from pre-weaning into the post-weaning phase has
results directly useful for Tennessee beef producers. 2002 study
demonstrated transitory growth depression related to adding
corn to pre-conditioning ration and yielded data related to
body types of cattle in this type of program. |
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Mineral Imbalance Study (1999-2002) |
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Extension agents were asked to send forage
samples for analysis which revealed that copper levels were
low in spring (marginally to extremely deficient) and got lower
in late summer. Sulfur levels were high (considered highly antagonist)
and got higher in late summer. Blood analyses support the diagnosis
of copper deficiency. Recent grant has allowed more focus on
this work which has been extremely interesting to beef producers
across Tennessee. Agent support has been excellent. |
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4-H / Youth Livestock Programming |
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One of the most satisfying accomplishments
has been in developing the 4-H Junior EXPO Premier Exhibitor
Program. This program has been a positive step because it shifts
the focus from “showing livestock” to “exhibiting
the skills and talents of the youth.”Following the successful
unveiling of the Premier Exhibitor Program at Sheep EXPO, the
program was implemented at Beef EXPO and Knoxville Spring EXPO.
This program has resulted in more enthusiasm from youth, parents,
leaders and agents and was awarded the $5000 Gamma Sigma Delta
Award of Merit in 2002. |
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Drought / Feed Shortage Educational
Efforts |
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Extension efforts to aid in surviving weather-related
stress have included three major programmed responses (Decision
‘97, Focus on Feeding and Feed Shortage Meetings) and
an estimated 75 county meetings where this topic has been addressed.
Financial impact for participants was estimated by survey for
Decision ‘97 at approximately $1,850,000. Impact of multiple
feed shortage meetings was $222,000. A Resolution of Appreciation
was passed at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s
Association |
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Parasite Control Demonstration Studies |
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Two field studies were conducted to observe
the relationship between body condition score (BCS) and response
to deworming. Thin cows (BCS 4) and moderately fleshed (BCS
5) cows responded to deworming (p < .05). BCS 6 and 7 cows
showed no response to deworming. $2000 was granted to prepare
the pathology laboratory in Nashville for this study. |
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Focus on Feeding |
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This program which was offered in an ITV smart
classroom format in 8 locations in January, 1999. their county.
This was the first program of its kind that included a presenter
from another state. distributed via Internet, e-mail, video-tape
and regular mail services. Total impact of “Focus on Feeding”
was $115,452 |
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