James N. Spain
“I feel Jim Spain has made a significant contribution to the Missouri dairy industry.”
That’s what George Jesse, animal sciences unit leader at the University of Missouri, said of his nomination of Jim for a Dairy Hall of Honors Dairy Leadership Award.
Jim was born in 1962 at Goldsboro, N.C., and completed an undergraduate degree in animal science at North Carolina State University in 1984. He completed his academic training at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University receiving a masters degree in dairy science in 1987 and a doctorate in animal science in 1989.
In 1985 he married Vickie Lynn Niedens and they have three children – Melissa, 11; Emily, 9; and Asa, 3.
During his student years Jim worked as a farm hand, research assistant, research associate, and graduate research assistant.
After completing his graduate work he joined the University of Missouri faculty as assistant professor and state extension dairy scientist in 1990. In 1996 he was named associate professor and currently is interim associate dean for the resident instruction program for MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
Jim is active in related professional organizations including American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, Council of Agricultural Science, Dairy Shrine, and Epsilon Sigma Phi, honorary extension fraternity.
During his tenure at MU Jim has become widely known and respected by CAFNR students. He has received teaching awards from the American Dairy Science Association, MU’s Ag Student Council, CAFNR, and MU Student Life and outstanding advisor awards from the Ag Student Council and CAFNR.
At the same time Jim was receiving recognition for his extension and research efforts in dairy science. In 1993 he received the Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty.
In his extension program Jim’s overall objective has been to improve the profitability and competitiveness of Missouri’s dairy farms through improved nutrition management that lowers feed costs and improved management through better use of production management records.
Jim’s research projects include interaction of nutrients in diets of lactating dairy cattle; effect of nutrition and environment on animal health and production; and interactions of nutritional status and reproductive performance.
He has documented his research through numerous referred journal articles; book chapters; abstracts; and presentations at meetings of professional societies. In addition Jim received grants totaling more than $500,000 to support his research and extension program from agribusinesses; commodity organizations; U.S. Department of Agriculture; MU Agricultural Experiment Station; and University Outreach and Extension. He has also been a co-investigator of grant supported research amounting to more than a million dollars.
His research efforts also include serving as advisor to numerous candidates for masters and doctoral degrees in animal science.
On the teaching side Jim has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses. He has served as advisor to the student Block and Bridle Club with distinction.
Jim is in demand as a speaker on various topics related to his expertise on local, national, and international levels. He has been an invited speaker in North America, South America, and Europe.
Despite a full professional schedule Jim is active in his community. He is a member of the Cedar Ridge PTA and is a member of Olivet Christian Church serving as deacon, chair of the finance committee, and Sunday school teacher.