Technical Staff Profiles

Technical Staff – Hiawatha Dale Carr, M.S., Technical Service Nutritionist Hiawatha, IA (319)-393-3310 ext. 205 dcarr@vigortone.com Dale received a specialized associate degree in beef cattle production from Ricks College in 1986. He obtained a B.S. in animal science from Colorado State University in 1989 and a M.S. from Clemson University in 1992. His area of research was on the effects of cholesterol on reproductive hormone levels in beef cows. As a technical service nutritionist, Dale works with ruminants and equine. He has been with Vigortone since 1993 and was an area sales manager in South Carolina for 5½ years. As a youth, Dale gained experience working with hogs, cattle, and horses. He has ranching experience with two seedstock producers in South Carolina and Colorado.   Allan Chestnut, Ph.D., Technical Service Nutritionist Hiawatha, IA (319)-393-3310 ext. 248 achestnut@vigortone.com Allan received a B.S. and a M.S. from Kansas State University in 1975 and 1977, respectively. He earned a Ph.D. in 1987 from the University of Illinois. His field of study was animal science, and his area of specialty was ruminant nutrition. Allan's research interest is fiber composition and digestion. Allan grew up on a livestock and crop farm near Clay Center, Kansas. After college he spent 4 years teaching in Nigeria, 4 years doing research and teaching at the University of Tennessee, and worked 5 years as an independent dairy consultant. He has been in the feed industry since 1996. As a technical service nutritionist with Vigortone since 2000, Allan provides nutritional support to the sales staff and dairy customers and assists with formulations and product development.   Randy Dew, Ph.D., Technical Service Nutritionist Hiawatha, IA (319)-393-3310 ext. 230 rdew@vigortone.com Randy joined Vigortone as a nutritionist specializing in ruminant nutrition. Raised on a livestock farm in western Illinois, Randy received his B.S. from Western Illinois University, M.S. from Montana State University, and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky.  He has worked in research and technical service in the feed industry since 1976. In fact, Randy previously worked for Vigortone from 1989 to 1993. He cited Vigortone's "entrepreneurial spirit" as one of the reasons for his return.   Aaron Kinser, Ph.D., Technical Service Nutritionist Hiawatha, IA (319)-393-3310 ext. 259 akinser@vigortone.com Aaron received a B.S. in animal science in 1981, a M.S. in reproductive physiology in 1983, and a Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition in 1987, all from the University of Illinois. His research work included luteal function in seasonally anoestrus ewes and low quality roughages in high concentrate pelleted diets. Since 1987, Aaron has worked with premix formulation and technical service. He has been with Vigortone since 1994. As a technical service nutritionist, he is primarily responsible for beef product formulation and technical service. Aaron grew up on a small farm in southcentral Illinois.   Field Support Steve Cantrell, Ruminant Specialist Harrison, AR (815) 341-4899 (800) 668-6804 ext 801 scantrell@vigortone.com  Steve grew up on a family dairy farm in northcentral Arkansas. He received a B.S. and an M.S. in dairy science with emphasis in ruminant nutrition from the University of Arkansas in 1970 and 1972, respectively. Steve's area of research was the effect of feeding high fat oil seeds on the calcium and phosphorus absorption in dairy animals. After graduation, Steve worked on the family dairy farm for 3 years and taught high school for 3 years. He then returned to the family dairy to manage it for a total of 15 years. Steve joined Vigortone in 1990 as an area sales manager until becoming a ruminant specialist in 2002. He provides sales and nutritional support for the sales force in the southwest and central U.S.   Larry Caswell, Ph.D., Ruminant Specialist Fulton, MO (573) 310-1002 (800) 668-6804 ext 805 lcaswell@vigortone.com  Larry was born and raised on a grain and livestock operation in southwestern Illinois. He received his B.S. in animal industries, Southern Illinois University; M.S. and Ph.D. in beef nutrition, Virginia Tech. Larry has a lifelong involvement in the cattle industry, with experience in the feed industry since 1976.    Russ Chapek, Livestock Specialist Saint James, MN (815) 341-8225 (800) 668-6804 ext 118 rchapek@vigortone.com  Russ was raised on a crop and livestock farm. He worked on a purebred Angus ranch in Montana the summer before he started college. Russ received an A.S. at the University of Minnesota in Agriculture Business in 1976 and has been a member of the General Livestock Judging Team at both high school and college levels. Prior to joining Vigortone, Russ worked in various areas of the ag industry, including as a buyer, a livestock production consultant, and a feed salesman for a large co-op. He began employment with Vigortone in March of 1999 as a swine specialist and presently works as an Account Manager with beef and swine accounts and retail dealers.   Mike Eastwood, Beef Specialist Parker, KS (620) 496-6213 (800) 668-6804 ext 353 meastwood@vigortone.com Mike received an associate degree in animal science from Northeastern Oklahoma A & M in 1971. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in agricultural education from Kansas State University in 1973 and 1975, respectively. Mike taught high school for 5 years. He then went on to Parsons Community College where he developed an agriculture department and taught animal science for 4 years.  After teaching, Mike was self-employed starting, backgrounding, growing, and grazing cattle in the Flint Hills and eastern Kansas. Mike has been with Vigortone since 1993, as a dealer, an area sales manager, regional sales manager, and most recently as  beef sales specialist.   Rich Goings, Ph.D., Dairy Specialist Cedar Rapids, IA (319) 721-3554 (800) 668-6804 ext 238 rgoings@vigortone.com Rich earned a B.S. in agricultural education in 1969 and a Ph.D. in 1973, both from Iowa State University. Rich's area of specialty is dairy nutrition and management, and his areas of research interest are milk fever, calf and heifer development, and dairy economics. Rich grew up on a farm and has worked with feed companies since 1979. He worked 7 years on a family dairy farm and 3 years as a private consultant. Rich has been with Vigortone since 1998. As dairy specialist, Rich provides technical service and support to the northeast and upper midwest regions.     Keith Nickolisen, Swine Consultant Crescent, IA (815) 341-9071 (800) 668-6804 ext 192 knickolisen@vigortone.com Keith was raised on a diversified livestock operation in western Iowa. He received a technical agriculture degree from Iowa State University in 1987. He managed the 4-H program for Father Flanagan's Boys Home in Boys Town, Nebraska from 1988 to 1991. Keith started with Vigortone in 1991 as an area sales manager in western Iowa.  In 1999 he became a regional sales manager for the midwest region. Keith is responsible for sales management in the Midwest Region with direct account responsibility in southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri.   Steve Pemberton, D.V.M., Technical Service Support Fremont, NE (402) 427-4204 (800) 668-6804 ext 335 spemberton@vigortone.com Steve received a D.V.M. in 1972 from the University of Missouri. His area of specialty was large animal practice. Steve has over 20 years of experience in veterinary practice, including swine, beef cow/calf, feedlot, and dairy practice. He has been with Vigortone since 1993. As a technical service support veterinarian, Steve is responsible for nutrition and health field support and Vigortone program training. He serves mainly the Badlands, Rocky Mountain, and Midwest regions. Steve grew up on a 1,400-acre operation in southwest Missouri where his family raised cattle and swine.  Steve has recently accepted the added role of swine technical support person for Vigortone assisted by three North American Nutrition experts.     Steve Stafford, Ruminant Specialist Belgrade, MT (406) 581-0253 (800) 668-6804 ext 371 sstafford@vigortone.com Steve earned a B.S. in animal science production management from California State University, Fresno, and a M.S. in ruminant nutrition from Kansas State University. His area of specialty is range nutrition and management. His area of research included protein and byproduct supplementation and strategies. Steve has been with Vigortone since 1997 and has been active in cow/calf operations most all his life. As a ruminant specialist, he provides support, training, and consultation to the Vigortone sales force, dealers, and producers, serving mainly Montana, Idaho, and California. Steve grew up on a cow/calf operation, and as a student, he worked at the San Joaquin Experiment Station as a student herdsman. He also was a student assistant at Kansas State. Following graduation from Kansas State, he worked as an assistant manager on a progressive cow/calf operation in southwest Montana before joining Vigortone.