By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three individuals and one family are being honored by the animal science department at the University of Arkansas for their support of department efforts or achievements as alumni.
Tom Edrington, Jim Turner and Don Hubbell, former director of the Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville, are each being honored as Graduates of Distinction.
HONOREES — Tom Edrington, Don Hubbell and Jim Turner are being honored as Graduates of Distinction by the animal science department.
The Walker Family of Prairie Grove is also being recognized as a Friend of Animal Science for its support of the ranch horse and livestock judging teams.
“Looking at their careers and their industry involvement, we believe Tom, Don and Jim really represent the highest qualities we want to see in graduates from the animal science program,” said Mike Looper head of the animal science department for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “It’s an honor to recognize them as our Graduates of Distinction.
“The Walkers have been an incredible example and inspiration for their dedication and support of our competitive teams, which do so much to teach our students much-needed skills,” Looper said.
This year’s class will be honored April 25 during the department’s annual awards and scholarship banquet. The honorees receive a crystal award and their images and biographies will be included on a plaque that hangs in the department.
Don Hubbell
Hubbell received his bachelor of science degree in animal science from the University of Arkansas. He accepted a position and worked as a research assistant with Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville. From September 1982 to May of 2004. Hubbell held various positions at the station, managing the research for the dairy, stocker and beef cow units. Hubbell was named resident director in charge of the station in May 2004, a position he held before retiring in 2022.
Hubbell worked on many forage, health and nutrition projects with beef and dairy cattle, collaborating with principal investigators in both Bumpers College and the Division of Agriculture. Hubbell collaborated with many principal investigators, or PIs, - faculty, extension and industry, in and out of state. His name appears on more than 100 refereed articles, abstracts and publications as principal investigator or co-PI. Hubbell was a member of the Research Center Administrator’s Society for 17 years, serving as Awards Committee chairman for 10 years. He was appointed to the National Cattleman’s Beef Promotion Board in 2023, serves on the Executive Board for Arkansas Cattleman’s Association and as an ex-officio member of the Arkansas Beef Council.
Tom Edrington
Edrington earned a master of science in animal science from the University of Arkansas under Jack Perkins. He is currently in his seventh year with Diamond V, where he serves as director of beef research and tech services. Before his time at Diamond V, Tom spent 16 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. There, he developed an internationally recognized research program in pre-harvest food safety research, focused on but not limited to, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in beef and dairy cattle.
Edrington’s research has been funded through numerous grants and has more than 50 senior-authored and 100 junior-authored publications in refereed journals. He received his bachelor of science in animal science and Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition and toxicology from New Mexico State University.
Jim Turner
Turner earned his Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition in 2003 from the University of Arkansas after earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. In 2004 he became an extension livestock specialist for North Carolina State University. During his time at NCSU, Turner oversaw the State Beef Quality Assurance program which has had an impact on him throughout his career, striving to improve beef sustainability. In August of 2011 he began his career at Hubbard Feeds as a beef nutritionist serving the eastern United States. In January 2016 Turner accepted a position as technical service manager with Chr. Hansen, a Danish bioscience company where he worked extensively with research, product development and conveying the use of probiotics throughout the cattle feeding industry. Turner was instrumental in the launch of new products targeted at the non-fed cattle market. In January 2021 he began as director of SulutionsN working with a full portfolio of nutraceuticals.
He is responsible for the research, development, and sales management of SulutionsN. Throughout his career, Turner has delivered numerous presentations at producer and professional meetings.
The Walker Family
Members of the Walker family are strong advocates of agriculture and construction. In 1974, Larry and Be-Ann started Walker Masonry and Sons, Inc. and grew the company into a thriving commercial masonry business. Larry and Be-Ann started Willow Springs Ranch in 1980, where they began with dairy and beef cattle as well. In 1985 they changed to beef cattle exclusively. Now, Larry and Be-Ann continue their beef cattle operation and have included quarter horses into their operation. Larry and Be-Ann are proud supporters of the University of Arkansas Ranch Horse Team.
The Walker Family has been recognized as Friend of the Department for Ranch Horse and Livestock Judging teams. (Image courtesy the Walker Family).
Larry and B-Ann’s son Eric and his wife Linsay, now own and operate Walker Masonry and Sons, as well as the Willow Springs Cattle Company and The Grand at Willow Springs. Eric and Linsay continually support the livestock judging team and work with the University on their non-profit organization, the Arkansas Youth Expo. Eric’s passion for education and agriculture have only grown since his service as the Arkansas FFA state president in 1992-93.
Eric and Linsay’s three children are eager to follow in their parents and grandparents’ footsteps of construction and agriculture and continue the legacy of the Walker family. Mason owns Supreme Show Goats and works for Walker Masonry. Whitney and her husband Kamden own Urban Livestock, their sheep operation, and Whitney works for The Grand at Willow Springs and helps organize the Arkansas Youth Expo. Catelyn is heavily involved in the reining cow horse industry.
Mention of product or company names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.