OSU professor ranked as Top 20 Influential Farm Animal Veterinary Professor

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

When it comes to farming, many Americans still picture a big, red barn and man in overalls walking behind his horse, plowing the field. Meanwhile, others think of farm animals being abused and mistreated by modern industrials farmers.

The reality falls somewhere in between.

“The result is a brewing controversy between animal activist groups, farmers and consumers that is currently being played out in ballot boxes, courtrooms and in the grocery store,” reads Compassion By The Pound. “Where is one to turn for advice when deciding whether to pay double the price for cage-free eggs?”

The book, written by Bailey Norwood, associate professor in Oklahoma State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, attempts to use economics to fill in some of the blanks in the animal welfare debate. Norwood believes it was this book that caught the eye of vettechcolleges.com, which named him among the Top 20 Influential Farm Animal Veterinary Professors.

“I am particularly pleased, and surprised, with the honor because it isn't really my field,” he said. “I am an agricultural economist, not an animal scientist, vet professor, zoologist or the like.”

Co-authored by Jayson Lusk, OSU Ag Econ Regents professor, Compassion By The Pound took the researchers down a new and exciting path than they are used to.

“My co-author and I tried to capture all aspects of the farm animal welfare debate, which took us into the areas normally occupied by animal scientists,” he said. “Doing so was a lot of work, but making this list of 20 professors makes it well worth it.”

Norwood’s work in and out of the classroom has garnered plenty of attention. He has been recognized with the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture’s Teaching Award of Merit in 2005, the Merrick Foundation Teaching Award in 2007, the American Agricultural Economics Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2008, the NACTA’s E.B. Knight Journal Award in 2011, and more.

“Bailey Norwood is an outstanding teacher and mentor for our students. He is an asset for our department, the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and our entire state,” said Mike Woods, Ag Econ department head. “This most recent recognition is yet another feather in his cap. I look forward to his accomplishments and contributions in the future.”

Norwood’s official homepage can be found at fbaileynorwood.com.