EXPERT COMMITTEES
What is an "Expert Committee?"
Validus developed their Certified Programs to assist producers in verifying their animal welfare practices. The programs include a comprehensive audit of the farm’s practices that allows producers to gain certification based on industry standard practices, or specifications defined by a processor or retail customer.
In order to make sure that the audit is based on science, industry standards, and best management practices, Validus has identified a group of experts that review the standards and audit tools on an annual basis. When the committee meets, suggestions from clients and changes in the industry are taken into consideration to implement and make changes for the following year. The committees are each made up of five individuals so that there is a majority vote when a decision or changes to the standards are made.
Beef Animal Welfare Expert Committee
Dr. Larry Benyshek
Benyshek & Hough Consulting, Georgia
Dr. Benyshek received his B.S. from Kansas State University, his M.S. and Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He has been a leader in beef cattle genetic improvement and started Benyshek & Hough Consulting Services, Inc., in 2003.
David Lowe
Feedlot Manager, Haw Ranch, Potwin, Kansas
David brings years of on-farm management and expertise to the committee.
Dr. Frank Mitloehner
University of California, Davis
Serves as Air Quality Extension Specialist at UC Davis. Current research focuses on air quality related to livestock production systems as well as environmental physiology research focusing on effects of air emissions on animal health and welfare.
Dr. Janice Swanson
Michigan State University
Serves as Director of Animal Welfare at Michigan State University where she holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Daryl Strohbehn
Iowa State University (former committee member)
Animal Science professor at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Areas of research include applied beef cattle nutrition and management; field data analysis and computer applications in beef cattle enterprise management.
​Dairy Animal Welfare Expert Committee
Wendell Cole, DVM
Western University
Professor of Theriogenology and Director of Phase II curriculum at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine. Research and teaching interests include food animal welfare, mastitis, calf management, production medicine and food safety.
Jim Reynolds, DVM
Western University
Professor of bovine medicine and animal welfare at Western University, Pomona, CA campus. Research interests include vaccine efficacy, calf nutrition, waste milk pasteurization, management of transition cows and mastitis control.
Jan Shearer, DVM, MS
Iowa State University
Professor and Extension Veterinary Specialist at Iowa State University. Primary areas of interest are dairy cattle lameness, animal welfare, and humane euthanasia. Currently serves as chair of the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee.
Dr. Rick Tubbs
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Serves as a swine practitioner in private practice focusing on swine health and production. Owner of Green River Swine Consultation.
Dr. James West
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Dr. West is a graduate from Iowa State University, his major in Veterinary Clinical Science. He established Westwood Embryo Services specializing in bovine embryo transfer and collection and freezing of bovine embryos for export. ​
Dairy On-Farm Security Review Program
Dennis Armstrong
Professor Emeritus, University of Arizona
University of Arizona Extension Specialist (retired). Dennis’s 47 years of experience includes areas such as heat stress management, milking parlor performance, and dairy expansion. He currently consults nationally and internationally, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Wendell Cole, DVM
Western University
Professor of Theriogenology and Director of Phase II curriculum at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine. Research and teaching interests include food animal welfare, mastitis, calf management, production medicine and food safety.
Mike Gamroth
Oregon State University
Extension Dairy Specialist and Professor at Oregon State University. Research interests include managing animal wastes, milking parlor performance, controlling environmental mastitis pathogens, and milk production cost control.
Jim Reynolds, DVM
Western University
Professor of bovine medicine and animal welfare at Western University, Pomona, CA campus. Research interests include vaccine efficacy, calf nutrition, waste milk pasteurization, management of transition cows and mastitis control.
Jan Shearer, DVM, MS
Iowa State University
Professor and Extension Veterinary Specialist at Iowa State University. Primary areas of interest are dairy cattle lameness, animal welfare, and humane euthanasia. Currently serves as chair of the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee.
John Smith, Ph.D.
University of Arizona (Deceased)
Extension Specialist and Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Arizona. Research interests include cow comfort, management of heat stress, milking parlor performance, developing special needs facilities, and management of expanding dairies.
Environmental Review Advisory Committee
Leonard Meador
Global Eco-Tech, Rossville, IN
Founder, owner, and current CEO of Global Eco-tech. Company provides management assistance for environmental issues.
Michael Blaine
Blaine Engineering, Inc., Baring, MO
President of Blaine Engineering, company works with all types of engineering relating to water control and environmental measures. Served as Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Soil Mechanics Engineer and State Engineer from 1970 to 1997 with the USDA-NRCS.
Gene Beale
Beale Environmental Consulting, Norfolk, VA
President of Beale Environmental Consulting. 35 years of past experience in management of pork slaughter and processing operations including labor relations and wastewater treatment operations.
David Lyon
Landmark Environmental Services, Inc., Davenport, IA
President of Landmark Environmental Services, Inc. since 1994. Company provides professional environmental consulting services to agricultural businesses with a diverse list of clients ranging from fortune 500 companies to private individuals.
Swine Animal Welfare Expert Committee
Dr. Dennis DiPietre
Columbia, MO
Serves as a consultant with major production, packing, genetics and pharmaceutical companies in the swine industry as well as USDA and several major agricultural universities.
Dr. David Reeves
University of Georgia
Associate Professor of Population Health at the University of Georgia Veterinary Medical School. Nationally known for his expertise in swine health and management. Has worked with numerous swine production companies and producers to improve management, productivity and animal well-being.
Dr. Janice Swanson
Michigan State University
Serves as Director of Animal Welfare, Michigan State University, where she holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Harold Gonyou
Saskatchewan, Canada
Serves as a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and as Research Scientist in ethology at the Prairie Swine Centre. In 2009 received the Award for Technical Innovation Enhancing Production of Safe and Affordable Food from the Canadian Society of Animal Science.
Dr. Tom Wetzell
Wells, MN
Served as a private practitioner for several years prior to joining the Boehringer Ingelheim veterinary service team. Received American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ 2004 Swine Practitioner of the Year.
Terry Taylor
Austin, MN
Served in the processing industry his entire career and currently serves as an industry consultant. Expertise in quality control and management.
Dr. Rick Tubbs, DVM
Woodburn, KY
Serves as a swine practitioner in private practice focusing on swine health and production. Owner of Green River Swine Consultation.
Keith Thornton
Windsor Heights, IA
Internationally known for his service to the swine industry, Mr. Thornton has been a consultant for production systems throughout North America and Europe. He has consulted for major production companies and has written books on well-being systems for swine.
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