Roy Berg, a world-renowned animal geneticist who helped revolutionize the beef industry, has died. He was 85.
Berg revolutionized the beef industry during the 1960s through his hybrid breeding programs, which increased production 30 to 40 percent.
The University of Alberta scientist was larger than life, said John Kennelly, dean of the U of A’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.
“He was a very accomplished re-searcher who cared passionately about students. He was one of the best-known professors ever to work in our faculty and his impact on the agricultural sector in Alberta is unparalleled.”
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Berg grew up on a farm near Millicent, Alta., and was one of four brothers who studied agriculture.
He was instrumental in obtaining money from the provincial government’s Horned Cattle Trust Account to help build a cattle breeding facility at the university’s ranch near Kinsella, Alta.
His research became controversial when he dared to compare purebred Hereford herds with hybrid lines of Charolais, Galloway and Angus.
He looked at rate of gain, efficient use of feed, merit of beef carcass, reproductive performance and mothering ability, grazing performance and wintering ability.
