March 14, 2002

Petry Named NDSU Extension Livestock Economist

Tim Petry, long-time associate professor of agricultural economics at North Dakota State University, has been appointed NDSU Extension Service livestock economist. Petry will provide marketing information to livestock producers across North Dakota. He will offer his assistance to all the livestock segments in the state, including smaller, more specialized industries.

With his new position, Petry hopes to focus on ways to increase the value of the livestock industry in the region. "Value added agriculture is a hot topic," Petry commented. "We need to keep livestock longer in North Dakota, possibly through more feeding and processing operations. The bottom line is that it must be profitable, for the state and the producers."

Petry received his bachelors and masters degrees in agricultural economics from NDSU. He began his teaching career while attending graduate school and has been an associate professor at NDSU for 30 years. In that time, he has conducted research projects through the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station including several feasibility studies related to livestock and meat as well as studies involving specialty crops.

"I have always enjoyed working with state producers. This will be a way to work more directly with them," Petry stated. "It will be a new challenge and a way to revitalize my career." Petry will assume his full time duties as the NDSU Extension livestock economist in May.

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Source: Tim Petry, (701) 231-7469, tpetry@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Jessica Barenthsen, (701) 239-6189
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu