BROWN
NAMED TO REPLACE TEAGARDEN AS LIVESTOCK
COMMISSIONER
The Kansas Animal Health Board has named
accomplished veterinarian and retired U.S.
Army Reserve Colonel Bill Brown as the
state’s new livestock commissioner. He
will replace George Teagarden, who will
retire in May after 16 years in the
position. Brown will assume his new role
March 8. He and Teagarden will work
together during the transition.
Brown most recently served as health
services veterinarian for Newsham Choice
Genetics of West Des Moines, IA. In that
capacity, he was responsible for
maintaining the health and biosecurity of
the company’s swine operations in the U.S.
and
Canada. He previously held similar positions
with Monsanto and DeKalb. In addition to
working for these leading companies in the
swine industry, Brown owned and operated
mixed practice veterinary hospitals in
western Kansas from 1974 through 1992.
The
Ford
County
native graduated from the Kansas State
University College of Veterinary Medicine
in 1971. After graduation, he started a
long career in the U.S. Army Reserve,
serving several tours of active duty.
Brown has provided veterinary expertise to
the Army throughout his military career.
Brown is a member of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas
Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA),
American Association of Swine
Practitioners, United States Animal Health
Association and American College
of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. He was
named “Kansas Veterinarian of the
Year” by KVMA in 2004.
“The
Kansas livestock industry is fortunate to have an
individual with Dr. Brown’s credentials
as the new livestock commissioner,” said
Kansas Animal Health Board Chair Heather
Donley, who serves as director of quality
assurance for the Beef Marketing Group,
headquartered in Great Bend.
As commissioner, Brown will lead the
Kansas Animal Health Department (KAHD).
The agency is assigned to protect the
health, safety and welfare of Kansas citizens through the prevention, control
and eradication of infectious and
contagious diseases in livestock and
domestic animals. Agency officials also
regulate companion animal breeding
facilities, investigate livestock thefts
and maintain the livestock brand registry.
KAHD has achieved numerous important
milestones under Teagarden’s direction.
His tenure includes attaining cattle
tuberculosis-free status in 1995. USDA
declared Kansas free of both cattle brucellosis and swine
pseudorabies in 1999. Earning free status
from USDA for these three infectious
diseases was the culmination of years of
work led by Teagarden, his predecessors in
the position, the KAHD staff and the
livestock industry.
Another major accomplishment occurring
under Teagarden’s leadership is planning
for an emergency response to a potential
foreign animal disease outbreak in Kansas. In addition to forming a statewide plan,
KAHD has fostered the creation of 105
county-level animal disease emergency
plans. According to Donley, Kansas
serves as a model among states in terms of
emergency animal disease response
planning.
“Commissioner Teagarden
deserves a big thanks from livestock
producers and the citizens of Kansas,” said Donley. “His efforts to
eradicate major food animal diseases in
the state has saved livestock producers
countless millions of dollars and enhanced
food and public safety.”