The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Jennifer Bormann, Manhattan, Kansas, a BIF Continuing Service Award July 4 during the group’s annual research symposium in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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.
Bormann served as a BIF Symposium speaker in 2019, 2021 and 2022, was a reviewer of the ninth edition of the BIF Guidelines in 2009, and contributed to the initial BIF Guidelines Wiki in 2019.
She earned her bachelor’s in animal science and doctorate in animal breeding and genetics from Iowa State University and her master’s from Oklahoma State University. She joined the Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry faculty in 2004 with a 75% teaching and 25% research appointment. During her 19 years in the ASI department, she taught 3,173 students in genetics and 1,554 in animal breeding plus had more than 200 advisees. In 2022, Bormann transitioned to the K-State College of Agriculture and is currently serving as an assistant dean.
Specializing in beef breeding and genetics, Bormann has worked on a number of projects, including collaborations with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the American Angus Association and the American Simmental Association. She has taught K-State courses in genetics, animal breeding principles, advanced animal breeding, equine genetics and introductory horse lab, and advised undergraduate students. She also has served as lead advisor for the KSU Pre-Vet Club.
More than 300 beef producers, academia and industry representatives attended the organization’s 55th Annual Research Symposium and Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 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.