Dr. Jimmy Wise was awarded the 2013 American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Special Recognition Award in June at the 66th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference in Auburn, Alabama.

Dr. Jimmy Wise received his B.S. degree in 1967 from Oklahoma State University and in 1967, he began graduate study at the University of Nebraska, receiving his M.S. degree in 1970 and his Ph.D. his Ph.D. in 1977. In 1970, he accepted a full-time Instructor- Extension Meat Specialist position, which he held through 1977. During his tenure at Nebraska, he coached the meat judging team and co-coached the meat animal evaluation team very successfully, including two wins at the International. He also taught carcass and live animal evaluation, slaughter and processing, and general meat classes.

In January 1978, Dr. Wise joined the Meat Standardization Branch as a Meat Marketing Specialist of the Food Safety and Quality Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Washington, D.C. His primary area of responsibility was beef carcass standards and he was involved in several activities related to lamb and pork carcass grading. Upon his retirement from USDA in 2005, Dr. Wise joined the staff of the American Meat Science Association serving as the Meat Judging Program Coordinator and staff liaison to the Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association. After 9 years of service to AMSA and 44 years of being a part of the meat industry, Dr. Wise has once again retired.

“Jimmy’s un-paralleled dedication to the AMSA meat judging program has spanned nearly 50 years, during which he has influenced thousands of students, countless meat industry employees, and many leaders in our industry” stated Chancie Rose, AMSA Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association.

Dr. Wise is one of the world's leading authorities in the subject of meat evaluation and grading. His impact on the meat industry has been widespread. He was instrumental in establishing and maintaining U.S. beef grading standards while also being highly involved in activities related to lamb and pork carcass grading. Through his role in USDA he has served as an advisor to the industry and was an integral part of research teams across the country. He has been a real student and scholar of the history and research literature relative to grade standards. And, as the livestock industry has pursued the "War on Fat" and "Value-Based Marketing," he has been an active and willing participant in endeavors designed to reduce the waste fat on cattle, sheep, and swine.

Dr. Wise was a part of the National Cattlemen’s Association Carcass Quality Task Force, National Cattlemen’s Association Instrument Grading Subcommittee, American Sheep Industry’s Lean Lamb Task Force, and Beef Improvement Committee’s ultrasound certification. Through research he assisted in the National Consumer Beef Study, National Beef Quality Audits, Customer Satisfaction, several beef and lamb yield grad studies including instrument grading, hot-fat trimming studies, studies comparing the U.S. Canadian grades, beef and pork value determination studies, and numerous other marketing quality-related studies.

“Jimmy has been an important and guiding influence to AMSA and the growth of meat judging. His dedication to the meat judging program and the young people has been exceptional,” stated Dr. Bob Delmore, AMSA President.

Through Dr. Wise’s devoted service to meat judging, he has impacted thousands of individuals, countless meat industry employees, and many leaders in our industry making him a worthy recipient of the AMSA Special Recognition Award.

Source: AMSA