The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Justin Rhinehart from Columbia, Tennessee, a BIF Continuing Service Award June 11 during the group’s annual research symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to the BIF organization. This includes serving on the board of directors, speaking at BIF conventions, working on BIF guidelines and other behind-the-scenes activities. As BIF is a volunteer organization, it is this contribution of time and passion for the beef cattle industry that moves BIF forward.
Rhinehart has continually dedicated himself to improving cattle across the nation by sharing his knowledge of reproductive physiology. He has presented at the BIF Symposium and is always willing to educate others.
Earning his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at the University of Tennessee (UT), Rhinehart went on to receive his master’s and doctorate in reproductive physiology from the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University, respectively. He joined the UT Department of Animal Science in 2010 and become assistant dean of UT Extension, guiding agriculture and natural resources and community economic development in 2022. He is currently serving as interim dean of UT Extension.
Rhinehart has worked on various projects surrounding reproductive physiology that have benefited BIF. During his time as an extension specialist, he focused on training producers on applying reproductive management technologies to their operations. His work was critical in the development of the Tennessee Master Beef Producer program, which has since trained more than 16,000 producers. He also has trained hundreds of producers, students and industry professionals at his artificial insemination and ultrasound schools. Rhinehart is committed to helping producers improve their operation, whether big or small, and has continually dedicated himself to improving the cattle of Tennessee and the United States over the past decade.
Approximately 500 beef producers, academia and industry representatives attended the organization’s 56th Annual Research Symposium and Convention in Knoxville. BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.
For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit BIFSymposium.com.