Dahmer Named K-State Livestock Judging Coach

Payton Dahmer has been announced as the new Instructor and Livestock Judging Coach for the Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Department. Dahmer will assume the role this summer.

Dahmer received his associates degree from Butler Community College. During his time at Butler, he was member of the 2017 Livestock Judging Team, which was named “Team of the Year.” He then attended K-State for his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. During his judging career at K-State he was a member of the 2018 Reserve National Champion Livestock Judging Team and the 2018 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team.

During his collegiate judging career, he received honors of being a member of the 2017 All-American Junior College Team and the 2018 All-American Senior College Team. Additionally, Dahmer was recipient of the prestigious F.W. Bell Award.

While receiving his master’s degree, Dahmer served as the assistant coach and had the opportunity to assist in coaching the 2019 Reserve National

Champion Livestock Judging Team and the 2020 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.

While working on his doctorate, he has managed the K-State Sheep and Meat Goat Center. Additionally, Dahmer helped teach the swine section of the ASI Undergraduate Research Program and Sheep & Goat Science.

“Payton is no stranger to our department, he joins our team with great knowledge and leadership in the livestock judging arena,” says Dr. Mike Day, K-State ASI department head.

“We are excited to have his expertise continue the rich traditions of the livestock judging program and contribute to our ASI teaching and research programs.”

With a broad research knowledge, Dahmer has extensive background in teaching and research within the department. He will be defending his doctorate this spring on “Nutritional and management strategies to improve beef and pork production efficiency.”

Editor’s message continued

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Dias Joins K-State Animal Sciences and Industry Department as Assistant Professor

Dr. Nicholas Wege Dias is a new assistant professor in the Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Department. Dias is a beef cattle reproductive physiologist who focuses on the ultimate fertility factors of cows to create management strategies for producers that help improve fertility in their herds. His appointment is 40% research and 60% teaching.

Dias earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from São Paulo State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science in 2016. He continued his education at Virginia Tech Department of Animal and Poultry Science and earned his master’s degree in 2018 and doctorate in 2022.

While receiving a master’s degree, Dias assisted in extension programs that trained state extension agents and producers on courses about reproductive technologies. These experiences allowed him to gain an understanding of the important role that extension plays in educating producers about the research universities develop. This interest in extension led him to earn a certification in the Graduate Extension Scholars (GES) program. GES is a professional development opportunity for graduate students to develop extension and outreach programs for communities in Virginia. During his time with GES, he was able to develop three different extension programs.

Inspired by the outcome of his extension program and hoping to

Dr. Nicholas Wege Dias improve his teaching skills and experience, Dias enrolled in the Graduate Teaching Scholars program while working on his doctorate. During this program, Dias participated in weekly sessions that prepared the scholar for being efficient at teaching in higher education. He had the chance to develop and teach his own class on beef cattle reproductive management.

“Dr. Dias adds depth of knowledge in beef cattle fertility to our department,” says Dr. Mike Day, K-State ASI department head. “We are excited to add his passion for teaching, research and extension, along with his enthusiasm for the land grant mission.”

Dias and his wife, Gabriela, live in Manhattan. He enjoys a good BBQ and watching soccer.