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Give      University of Florida

Animal Sciences Department

Animal Sciences Department

Dr. Matt Hersom

Associate Professor, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist

Dr. Matt Hersom is an Associate Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at the University of Florida, Department of Animal Sciences. His faculty appointment is 60% Extension, 40% Research. He has a B.S. in Animal Science and M.S. in Animal Nutrition from Iowa State University and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Hersom is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, extension Beef Cattle community of practice, and past member of the Journal of Animal Science editorial board.

Programs

  • Research

    Research Summary: Beef Cattle Nutrition

    Research areas address the needs of the Florida beef cattle industry.  Particular research emphasis includes development of strategic nutritional and supplementation programs to optimize beef cattle performance utilizing forage and roughage based diets, evaluation of calf production and growing practices to improve animal performance in integrated beef production systems, and determination of physiologic factors affecting nutrient utilization in beef cattle.  Extension areas address expanding education experiences in beef cattle nutrition, implementation of optimal supplementation strategies for Florida cow-calf production, increasing the understanding of the relationship of forage quality, cow nutrition and reproduction, development of increased weaned calf value to the producer, and Beef Quality Assurance.

  • Extension

    Extension: Beef Cattle Nutrition Education and Information

    Dr. Hersom’s extension areas address expanding education experiences in beef cattle nutrition, implementation of optimal supplementation strategies for Florida cow-calf production, development of increased pasture and forage utilization and management, and Beef Quality Assurance. Dr. Hersom chairs the annual Florida Beef Cattle Short Course (BCSC). Dr. Hersom is the co-creator of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agriculture Law Enforcement (LECALE) program. Dr. Hersom works with county Extension faculty and Florida clientele to deliver effective Extension educational programs.

Hersom

Contact

PO Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-2390
Fax: (352) 392-9059

2250 Shealy Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
hersom@ufl.edu

  • Education

    Education:

    • Doctor of Philosophy, Animal Nutrition:  December 2002
      College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
    • Master of Science, Animal Nutrition:  December 1999
      College of Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
    • Bachelor of Science, Animal Science:  May 1995
      College of Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames IA

    Employment:

    • University of Florida, Department of Animal Sciences
      Associate Professor, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
      (July 2010 – Present)
      Assistant Professor, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist (November 2003 – June 2010)
      (60% Extension, 40% Research,)
    • Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal Science
      Postdoctoral Research Assistant
      November, 2002 – November, 2003
  • Publications
  • Professional Service and Awards

    Professional Memberships

    • American Society of Animal Science (since 1995)
    • American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (since 2000)
    • Florida Cattlemen’s Association (since 2004)
    • National Cattlemen’s Association (since 2008)
    • Graduate Faculty, University of Florida/IFAS (since 2004)
    • Gamma Sigma Delta (since 2007)
    • Sigma Xi (since 2003)

    Honors and Awards

    • 2016 Joseph Fontenot Graduate PhD Student Travel Scholarship
    • 2015 Southern Section American Society of Animal Science Extension Award Recipient  
    • 2014 Florida Agriculture County Agents Association Search for Excellence in Livestock Production Winner – Central Florida Livestock Agents Group
    • 2012 Extension Professional Association of Florida State Extension Specialist of the Year.
    • 2011 USDA SARE/NACAA Search for Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture – Professional Improvement.
    • 2007 Joseph Fontenot Graduate MS Student Travel Scholarship
    • 2007 Nomination to University of Florida chapter Gamma Sigma Delta.