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Don Levis
Extension Swine Specialist/Professor of Animal Science

Haskell Agricultural Laboratory
57905 866 Road
Concord, NE 68728-2828
Phone: (402)584-3816
Email: dlevis1@unl.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: South Dakota State University (1976) - Reproductive Physiology
M.S.: Northwest Missouri State University (1972) - Animal Science
B.S.: Northeast Missouri State University (1971) - Agriculture


APPOINTMENT:

75% Extension 25% Research

UNITED STATES EXTENSION PROGRAMS

My educational programs have focused on: (1) design and management of swine breeding-gestation facilities, (2) managing boars, sows and gilts for reproductive efficiency, and (3) implementation and use of artificial insemination of pigs.

INTERNATIONAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

I have been a consultant and invited speaker to pork producers in Australia, Canada, China, Hungary, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam. My international educational programs have focused on: (1) managing boars, sows and gilts for reproductive efficiency, (2) implementation and use of artificial insemination of pigs, and (3) design and management of boar studs.


RESEARCH INTERESTS

My current research program is studying predictors of immune response and genetic resistance/susceptibility to infection with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus in pigs managed according to industry standards.

DEPARTMENTAL LINK:

Department of Animal Science

FAVORITE LINKS

AWARDS & HONORS

  • 2008 - Honorary Fellow, American Society of Animal Science
  • 2007 - Masters Extension Swine Specialist, National Hog Farmer Magazine
  • 2006 - National Pork Board Extension Award, National Pork Board
  • 2005 - Who's Who in Pork Industry, National Hog Farm Magazine
  • 1998 - Extension Award, American Society of Animal Science
  • 1994 - Excellence in Team Programming, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
  • 1991 - Excellence in Team Programming, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
  • 1989 - University of Nebraska Livestock Service Award, Walnut Grove Products
  • 1988 - Distinguished Extension Specialist Award, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service
  • 1988 - Pork Industry Award, Dedicated Service, Nebraska Pork producers Association 


    PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Executive Committee, Nebraska Pork Producers Association
  • Review Team Member for USDA CSREES Small Business Research Program
  • Peer reviewer for Theriogenology and Animal Reproduction Science
  • Serve on various committees for the National Pork Board
  • Represent University of Nebraska at Nebraska Pork Producer Association meetings
  • Coordinator of University of Nebraska swine extension program
  • Superintendent of the swine show at the AKSARBEN
  • Coordinator of the National Pork Board's Youth Pork Quality Assurance-Plus program in Nebraska

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Society of Animal Science
  • American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
  • American Association of Swine Veterinarians
  • Australasian Pig Science Association
  • Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association
  • Gamma Sigma Delta
  • Delta Tau Alpha
  • Sigma Xi

OTHER SCHOLARLY WORK

  • 199 Extension Publications
  • 5 Book Chapters
  • 2 CDs
  • 52 Research Papers
  • 800 Pork industry presentations
  • 1,230 farm visits

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Research

  • Reicks, D., and D. G. Levis. 2008. The effect of sperm count and bacteria on farrowing rate and total born. Proceedings 20th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress (Durban, South Africa).
  • Dimitrov, S., E. Jeliazkov, and D. G. Levis. 2007. Deep intrauterine and transcervical insemination of sows and gilts. Trakia Journal of Sciences 5(1):40-46. (Bulgaria).
  • Levis , D. G., and D. Reicks. 2004. Effect of semen collection pen design on efficiency of collecting semen, effect of sexual stimulation on boar sexual behavior and sperm output, and assessment of boar sexual behavior. Theriogenology 63:630-642.
  • McGlone, JJ., E.H. von Borell, J. Deen, A.K. Johnson, D.G. Levis, M. Meunier-Salaun, J. Morrow, D. Reeves, J.L. Salak-Johnson, and P.L. Sundberg. 2004. Review: Compilation of the scientific literature comparing housing systems for gestating sows and gilts using measures of physiology, behavior, performance, and health. The Professional Animal Scientist 20:105-117.
  • Levis , D. G. , J. J. Ford, and R. K. Christenson. 1997. An evaluation of three methods for assessing sexual behavior in boars. J. Anim. Sci. 75:348-355.
  • Levis , D. G. , J. L. Barnett, P. H. Hemsworth, and E. Jongman. 1995. The effect of breeding facility and sexual stimulation on plasma cortisol in boars. J. Anim. Sci. 73:3705-3711.
  • Levis , D.G. , and J.J. Ford. 1989. The influence of androgenic and estrogenic hormones on sexual behavior in castrated male pigs. Hormones and Behavior, 23:393-411.

Extension

  • D. G. Levis. 2008. Anatomy and physiology of boar spermatozoa. Proceedings Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference III. August 7-8, 2008. St. Louis, Missouri (14 pages)
  • Knox, R., D. Levis, T. Safranski, and W. Singleton. 2008. 2007 North American boar stud survey summary. Proceedings Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference III. August 7-8, 2008. St. Louis, Missouri (9 pages)
  • D. G. Levis. 2007. Timing fertility and AI doses. Pp 1-21. In: G. W. Foxcroft (ed.), University of Alberta – University of Minnesota Reproduction Workshop Managing Gene Transfer. Proceedings Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (Canada).
  • D. G. Levis. 2007. Intrauterine & deep uterine insemination of pigs. Pp 22-38. In: G. W. Foxcroft (ed.), University of Alberta – University of Minnesota Reproduction Workshop Managing Gene Transfer. Proceedings Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (Canada).
  • D. G. Levis. 2007. Gestation sow housing options. National Pork Board Sow Housing Forum. Available: http://www.pork.org/Documents/Sow%20Housing%20Forum/Proceedings/Donald%20Levis.pdf.
  • D. G. Levis. 2005. Biological and economical evaluation of sow longevity. Pp 171-179. In: J. E. Paterson (ed.), Manipulating Pig Production X. Australasian Pig Science Association. Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
  • Levis, D. G. 1997. Applied reproductive physiology of the boar. In: R. S. Youngquist (Ed). Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenology. pp 659-663. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Levis, D.G. 1992. Mating management. In: R.C. Tubbs and A.D. Leman (Ed). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia. Vol. 8(3):517-532.

PREVIOUS POSITIONS HELD

  • Professor (Extension and Research) - University of Nebraska (2007-present)
  • Extension Educator (Saunders County) - University of Nebraska (2005-2007)
  • Coordinator Ohio Pork Industry Center – The Ohio State University (2001-2004)
  • Professor (Extension and Research) - University of Nebraska (1989-2001)
  • Visiting Scientist (sabbatical) - Victorian Institute of Animal Science, Werribee, Victoria, Australia (1991)
  • Visiting Scientist (sabbatical) - Western Australian Department of Agriculture, Perth, Western Australia, Australia (1992)
  • Associate Professor (Extension and Research) - University of Nebraska (1980-1989)
  • Courtesy Research Appointment - U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (1980-1989)
  • Assistant Professor (Extension) - North Carolina State University (1976-1978)
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant - South Dakota State University (1972-1976)
  • Graduate Research Assistant - Northwest Missouri State University (1971-1972)