Ohio Ag Connection - Kress Named to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board

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Kress Named to Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board
Ohio Ag Connection - 06/21/2017

The vice president of agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University has been appointed by Governor John Kasich to the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.

Cathann A. Kress, PhD, was appointed for a term beginning June 15 and ending Jan. 25, 2020, and is the college's second member on the board.

The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board was created following the approval of State Issue 2 in November 2009. The constitutional amendment requires the creation of rules governing livestock care, including topics such as euthanasia, disease prevention and the housing of animals.

"This board plays a critical role in protecting the welfare of livestock raised in Ohio," Kress said. "It makes animal care decisions by balancing scientific knowledge and professional judgment with a consideration of ethical and societal values. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to be a member."

Kress became dean of CFAES on May 1 after serving as vice president for extension and outreach and director of cooperative extension at Iowa State University. In her current position at Ohio State, Kress is the chief academic and administrative officer of the college and responsible for leading its education, research, service and outreach missions.

Jeff LeJeune, a microbiologist and head of the college's Food Animal Health Research Program, is also a member of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.

The board is comprised of 13 members and meets three times a year to review the established rules governing care of cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and horses. The rules, which were created by the board, went into effect in 2011. At its meetings, the board receives public input on its rules that, if violated, can come with civil penalties.

Leading the board is David Daniels, the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Members include farmers, veterinarians, consumers and representatives from statewide farm organizations.

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