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College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Joseph Cassady

Joe Cassady

Title

SD Corn Endowed Dean of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences/Professor

Office Building

Berg Agricultural Hall

Office

157

Mailing Address

Berg Agricultural Hall 157
College of AFES-Box 2207
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Biography

Dr. Cassady is the South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at South Dakota State University. He was raised on a diversified family farm in southern Iowa, earned a B.S. in animal science from Iowa State University, and earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal science from the University of Nebraska. Upon completing his Ph.D., Dr. Cassady worked as a research associate with the USDA ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska. He spent 12 years on the faculty of the Department of Animal Science at North Carolina State University earning the rank of professor. He is a past-president of the National Swine Improvement Federation Board of Directors, and he served in a volunteer role as the executive director of the Beef Improvement Federation from 2009 to 2015. Dr. Cassady’s research focused on food animal genetics and genomics with special emphasis on the improvement of efficiency of production as it relates to pigs and beef cattle. Dr. Cassady, his wife, Dr. Beverly Shelbourn, D.V.M., and their two sons, Joseph and Cody, live in Brookings County.

Education

  • B.S. in animal science | Iowa State University, Animal Science | 1993
  • M.S. in animal science | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 1995
  • Ph.D. in animal science | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 1999
  • PAS in American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists | 2009

Academic Interests

  • Academic administration
  • Animal science
  • Food animal genetics and genomics

Academic Responsibilities

Dr. Cassady serves as the South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Committees and Professional Memberships

Committees:

  • Current - Co-chair of the Evidence Committee for the SDSU Higher Learning Commission Re-Accreditation process
  • Current - Member of the South Dakota Poultry Industries Association Board of Directors
  • Current - Member of the American Angus Foundation Research Committee
  • Current - Member of the National Pork Board, Animal Science Committee
  • 2017 - Search committee member for Vice President for Research and Economic Development
  • 2016 Chair of the Department Head five-year review committee for Dr. Volker Brozel
  • 2015-2018 - Member of the ASAS Board of directors
  • 2015-2016 Chair of the SDSU Student Debt Taskforce

Professional Memberships:

  • American Society of Animal Science
  • Gamma Sigma Delta
  • Sigma Xi

Awards and Honors

  • 2019 Dr. Harold and Barbara Bailey Award for Excellence in Academic Department Leadership
  • 2015 Beef Improvement Federation Award in Recognition of Outstanding Service as Executive Director 2009-2015
  • 2009-2010 Outstanding Faculty Award, The Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, North Carolina State University, In appreciation of dedication and service 
  • 2009 Industry Service Award, Braunvieh Association of America, Awarded for dedicated service and contributions.
  • 1993 L. N. Hazel Award, Iowa State University, In Recognition of University Service

Work Experience

  • South Dakota State University, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences 2022-present
  • South Dakota State University, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Animal Science, professor and Head 2013-2022
  • North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Animal Science, professor 2013
  • North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Animal Science, associate professor 2007-2013
  • Beef Improvement Federation, BIF, executive director 2009-2015
  • North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Animal Science, assistant professor 2001-2007
  • Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Meat Animal Research Center, Genetics and Breeding, research associate 1999 to 2001
  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, research technologist II 1995-1999
  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, Ph.D. student 1995-1999
  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, M.S. Student, graduate research assistant 1993-1995

Department(s)

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