Bryan Neville is the new director of North Dakota State University’s Central Grasslands Research Extension Center near Streeter.

He replaces Paul Nyren, who retired earlier this year after serving 30 years as center director.

“Dr. Neville, an animal scientist at CGREC, brings great vision and energy to this position,” says Ken Grafton, vice president for Agricultural Affairs; dean of NDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources; and director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The Central Grasslands center is part of the Agricultural Experiment Station.

“I am confident that he will work with his advisory board and other interested stakeholders to provide the leadership necessary to solve the problems faced by farmers and ranchers in the Coteau region of the state,” Grafton adds.

Neville, a native of Benkelman, Neb., earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science from the University of Wyoming in 2002, a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from NDSU in 2007 and a doctorate in ruminant nutrition from NDSU in 2010.

Before coming to NDSU, he was an agricultural research technician for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Dubois, Idaho, for two years. He joined the Central Grasslands center as an animal scientist in 2010.

His research is focused on a whole-systems approach to improving livestock performance. Areas of particular interest include the interaction of animal health and nutrition, range supplementation practices, and calf nutrition during receiving and backgrounding. He also serves as co-adviser for two graduate students.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead the staff at Central Grasslands,” he says. “For me, NDSU, and especially the Streeter area, has always felt like home.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Aug. 21, 2012