SPARKS, NEVADA – Dr. Derek Bailey received the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award at the Society for Range Management’s 77th Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada last week. The Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award is presented by the Society for Range Management to members for long-term contributions to the art and science of range management and to the Society for Range Management (SRM).
Dr. Derek Bailey continues to be instrumental as a scientist, educator, and mentor in range management. With over 30 years as a professional in range science, he has earned a global reputation in grazing animal behavior, vegetation and livestock responses to biophysical factors, management actions at multiple spatial and temporal scales, and the development and research and management applications of technology to monitor welfare and behavior.
Incorporating livestock genetics, GPS tracking, herding techniques, and commercially-available supplements, Dr. Bailey’s grazing distribution research has had significant impact for animal, rangeland and watershed management. Future, cutting-edge research in livestock distribution is being conducted only upon the platform that he and his colleagues have conducted. His research focus is easily translated into practical on-the-ground management and conservation by practitioners. He continues to collaborate with ranchers and researchers to share wisdom and solve problems.
Dr. Bailey has created atmospheres focused on learning, creativity, and problem solving to entice future private and federal land managers, cattle ranchers, and agriculture professionals to address questions at multiple scales. Graduate students become part of the Bailey family as Derek and Cindy will never let you go hungry or without entertainment. On multiple trips across the Western U.S. to collar livestock, Dr. Bailey provides beneficial mentorship through discussions, experiences, and occasional fence line examples. He is a man of excellent character who holds the deep respect and admiration of all who are fortunate enough to know and work with him.
For the tremendous contributions to the science and management of rangeland ecosystems he has made, it is with great honor the Society of Range Management recognized Dr. Derek Bailey with the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award.