Dan Shike

Dr. Dan Shike is a faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, having joined the department in 2011. A native of Illinois with deep roots in the state’s cattle industry, Dr. Shike directs his research toward improving the efficiency, reproduction, and profitability of beef cow-calf production systems.

His research interests revolve around nutritional strategies and management practices that span the entire beef cattle production cycle—from conception to final product. Using a systems approach, he examines how maternal nutrition during gestation and lactation not only influences cow reproductive performance but also affects fetal development and the lifetime productivity of offspring. Current investigations include fetal programming effects on calf growth, feed efficiency, carcass traits, and fertility, as well as identifying traits in developing heifers that correlate with improved efficiency in mature cows.

Dr. Shike’s work is particularly focused on quantifying intake and efficiency in grazing cattle, aiming to reduce the substantial feed resources currently required to maintain the national cowherd. By integrating nutritional management during early life stages with lifelong performance outcomes, his research seeks to deliver practical, data-driven recommendations that enhance sustainability and profitability for beef producers across the United States.

Laboratory & Industry Engagement:

• Systems-oriented Beef Cattle Research Program, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Collaborative partnerships with Illinois beef producers and allied industry stakeholders