Texas A&M Agrilife Dairy Leader Honored for Lifetime Impact

Jul 01, 2025

By Kay Ledbetter

Michael Tomaszewski, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist emeritus and visiting professor in the Department of Animal Science, was honored with the American Dairy Science Association, ADSA, Southern Section Honor Award.

The award, presented on June 25 in Louisville, Kentucky, recognizes distinguished service to the dairy industry across the southern U.S.

Tomaszewski was recognized for his lifelong contributions to dairy herd management, workforce development and applied innovation in dairy science. Additionally, students from the Department of Animal Science were also well-represented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting and received awards.

Advancing industry and education through Texas A&M AgriLife

Before retiring in 2007, Tomaszewski served the dairy industry in multiple roles for both AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research as a dairy specialist, as well as professor in the department. Since then, he has contributed as a visiting professor and emeritus specialist.

Source : tamu.edu

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.