Gary Neubauer, New Ulm, Minn., received the National Mastitis Council’s (NMC) Award of Excellence for Contribution to Mastitis Prevention and Control. The 2015 NMC president, Neubauer retired last year from Zoetis after a distinguished career.
This award recognizes an NMC member who has provided sustained contributions to mastitis prevention and control through research, extension and/or education, clinical practice or service to dairy producers. Boehringer Ingelheim sponsors the award and presented Neubauer with a $2,500 honorarium.
Neubauer earned two bachelor’s degrees and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. For 16 years, he worked as an owner and partner at the Nicollet-New Ulm Veterinary Clinic, New Ulm, Minn. Neubauer joined Pharmacia Animal Health in 1994 as a dairy technical services consultant. From 2003-2013, he served as a Pfizer Animal Health senior manager, Dairy Technical Services. Neubauer transitioned to Zoetis in 2013, again serving as a senior manager, Dairy Technical Services.
For 10 years, Neubauer served on the NMC board of directors. Plus, he chaired the NMC National Residue Avoidance Committee from 2002-2007. Neubauer also served on the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Milk Quality Committee, Minnesota Milk Producers Advisory Board, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Antibiotics Working Group, University of Wisconsin Milk Quality Resources Advisory Council, University of Minnesota Veterinary College Dean’s Advisory Council, Ridgewater College Dairy Advisory Board, Elanco Pharmaceutical Dairy Advisory Board, Pfizer Technical Services Supplementary Support Group and South Central Technical College Ag Advisory Board. In 1992-93, he led the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association as president. Neubauer received the Minnesota Veterinarian of the Year honor in 2000.
Ronald Erskine, retired Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine professor, who served on the NMC board of directors with Neubauer, remarked, “I witnessed Gary’s skills as an excellent facilitator and communicator. He fosters open discussion and perspectives from all sides. He is patient, considerate of colleagues’ opinions and infuses humor and humility. Gary is an exemplary model of being part of a team, rather than personal gain.”
Dan R. Smith, a veterinarian and partner in Moody County Dairy, LP and Mill Valley Dairy in South Dakota, described Neubauer as an effective milk quality trainer for practicing veterinarians, especially young veterinarians. Smith added, “Gary has been a valuable resource to our group of dairies regarding information in milk quality issues.”
Neubauer’s former colleague Jared Shriver with the Zoetis U.S. Cattle Business team said Gary’s expertise included milk quality, reproduction, fresh cow health, transition management, calf management, residue avoidance and records analysis. “His long tenure as a dairy technical consultant and veterinarian with Zoetis left a legacy of pride and accomplishment for the years he worked diligently with dairy producers to improve milk quality.”
Neubauer’s supervisor Mike Lormore, Eagle, Idaho, praised Gary for being a great coach, mentor and friend. “He set a powerful example for all who know him of what dedication to continuous improvement and professional service to the dairy industry and veterinary profession can really look like. He set a very high bar.”
Lormore added, “Gary has a long and strong personal interest in udder health and milk quality. Why? Gary always knew that mastitis is the single most expensive disease of dairy cattle and milk quality affects many aspects of customer satisfaction relative to consumption of milk and dairy products. Milk quality is, quite literally, a unique opportunity to significantly impact the (milk/food production) chain from end to end.”
National Mastitis Council is a professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.