This award recognizes the service Apple has provided to members of the NWACA organization that dates back to the spring of 1996 when he presented one of his first talks in Arkansas at an NWACA meeting in Siloam Springs, AR.
Since then, Apple has worked alongside members of the NWACA on the ultrasound carcass contest in conjunction with the Benton County Fair. More recently, he assisted with a beef cattle performance/carcass contest, where steer calves belonging to Benton County young people are awarded trophies and prize money based on real-world, economically relevant growth performance and carcass attributes.
"This award is truly special and means so much to me," Apple said. "I've been fortunate to receive a number of awards for my research efforts, but this incredible honor was given to me by a group of people I thoroughly enjoy working with, and I will cherish it forever."
Apple received a B.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Meat Science from Kansas State University. He is a professor in the Animal Science Department of the University of Arkansas, where he teaches Introduction to the Livestock Industry, Introductory Livestock and Meats Evaluation, Sheep Production, and Advanced Meat Technology. Apple's research interests have focused on the factors affecting beef and pork quality and palatability.