About
Professor Jerry Fitch holds dual roles at Oklahoma State University: as a Professor in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences and as an Extension Specialist for Sheep at OSU Extension since 1987. He is based at the 109E Animal Science Building in Stillwater, Oklahoma. His work integrates academic research with practical agricultural extension, focusing on livestock management and sheep production systems.
Dr. Fitch’s research emphasizes genetic improvement, feed optimization, and disease control in sheep. Key areas include scrapie resistance through genetic analysis, palatability enhancement of lamb products, and evaluating alternative forage crops like Kenaf. His extension publications provide actionable guidelines for farmers on topics such as flock health, crossbreeding strategies, and enterprise planning.
His teaching portfolio spans over 150 courses, including Capstone for Animal Agriculture, Sheep Science, and Agricultural Animals of the World, reflecting his commitment to training future agricultural professionals. The courses emphasize societal roles of animal agriculture, sustainable production practices, and hands-on evaluation skills.
While no formal awards are listed, his contributions to the sheep industry are evident through his extensive publications and extension work. Collaborations with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Department of Animal & Food Sciences highlight his role in bridging academic research with real-world application.
