Home / About / Dorian Garrick
Dorian Garrick

Dorian Garrick


Dorian is a professor of animal science at Iowa State University. In 1981 he earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Massey University in his home country of New Zealand and then a doctorate from Cornell in 1988. He was named to the Jay Lush Endowed Chair in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Iowa State in 2007. He is also the executive director of the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium.

Dorian’s current research project is to improve the accuracy of predicted genetic and phenotypic merit using high-density genomic information. Generally his work focuses on the portfolio of endeavors that are involved in the design, enhancement, implementation and monitoring of genetic improvement programs. These include aspects of genetics, economics, statistics and biology. Attention is directed to variance component estimation, prediction of breeding values, development of breeding objectives, exploitation of breed/heterosis effects and breeding industry structure, primarily in regard to their application to the national improvement of beef cattle, but other species are also considered.

His Hereford connection comes from his research. Dorian has been instrumental in developing and implementing genomic information into the Hereford genetic evaluation. His work has allowed Hereford to be the first beef breed to develop and market its own genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs).

AHA Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement Jack Ward explains Dorian’s influence on the Hereford breed: “This may be the most important genetic improvement tool that has ever been developed, and with his leadership, the AHA has positioned itself to utilize this information to continue to identify genetics within the breed that will be useful to the seedstock industry and ultimately continue to create demand for Hereford genetics within the commercial industry. Dorian is recognized worldwide for his expertise in the area of genomics, and the AHA has been fortunate to work side by side with him.”