Henry recognized by university’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry
MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas man whose commitment to the swine industry includes producing online videos to help the public learn about modern operations has been recognized as the Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Distinguished Alumnus for 2021.
Roy Henry of Longford received the award from department head Mike Day on Dec. 6.
“Roy has been a selfless giver of his time and knowledge at local, state and national levels,” said Joel DeRouchey, a swine specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “Roy is ingrained in the qualities that would represent this award to the highest degree and confer the true meaning of a distinguished alumnus award for our (department).”
Henry received a bachelor’s degree from K-State in 1972 and has spent his career raising swine and crops on his family farm near Longford, located in north-central Kansas.
In 2000, Henry developed one of the first privately owned genetic seedstock boar multiplication sites in North America. He partnered with Pig Improvement Company (PIC) to raise terminal boars that were merchandised for commercial producers throughout the U.S. and internationally. He remained in partnership with PIC producing seedstock until 2014.
Understanding the importance of exposure to modern swine production but not being able to offer farm tours, Henry developed on-farm YouTube videos to be used in school classrooms and by the public to learn about modern swine operations. He has served on the Kansas Pork Producers Council executive board, the National Pork Producers Council Board and the National Pork Board.
He is currently serving on the board for the K-State Livestock and Meat Industry Council Inc. He has been a strong advocate for student training at the K-State Swine Teaching and Research Center.
Henry and his wife Linda reside in Longford where they are operating a commercial swine herd – including a recently completed 5,000-head sow facility — with their son Marc, and his wife Kate. Roy and Linda have three children and 10 grandchildren.
-30-
The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu.
K State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Story by:
Angie Stump Denton
785-562-6197
[email protected]
