New small ruminants specialist plans to lead from the ground up
April 4, 2023
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Quadros hopes to help Arkansas producers expand in small ruminant market
- Brings decades of experience, international perspective
(400 words)
(Newsrooms: With staff photo of Quadros)
LITTLE ROCK — After growing up in rural Brazil and conducting research at several universities there, in Europe and the United States, Dan Quadros said he is ready to bring three things to Arkansas: motivation, innovation and confidence.
Quadros, who joined the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as an assistant professor and extension small ruminant specialist in January, first came to the United States in 2013 as a visiting scholar.
A native of Brazil, Quadros said joining the Cooperative Extension Service seemed like a natural fit.
“This is my passion, to help other people,” he said. “To help those in need with knowledge.”
Quadros completed a Bachelor of Science in agronomy at Southwestern Bahia State University, located on the eastern coast of Brazil, in 1999. After completing a master’s degree and then a Ph.D. in animal science at Sao Paulo State University in 2004, he was hired as an assistant professor at Bahia State University with appointments for teaching, research and extension.
In 2013, he traveled to the University of Florida for postdoctoral research.
“Coming to the United States changed my life,” he said. “Ever since, I’ve tried to stay.”
Vic Ford, associate vice president of agriculture and natural resources for the Division of Agriculture, said he believes Quadros can help Arkansas producers develop a stronger foothold in the sheep and goat markets.
“Small ruminant interest and herd numbers are increasing in Arkansas,” Ford said. “Dr. Quadros is knowledgeable in livestock but is especially gifted in small ruminants. He has the knowledge and experience to increase efficiency of production with small ruminants which may lead to Arkansas being a major supplier in this area.
“Dr. Quadros is enthusiastic about his program,” Ford said. “Anyone spending time with him will catch his enthusiasm and the beneficiaries are the county agents and producers.”
With the collaboration of county agents and other faculty, Quadros said his plan is to develop a hands-on extension program to increase producer knowledge and understanding of small ruminant husbandry, health, production and marketing.
“Most of the time, the bottleneck isn’t in production, but in the market,” he said. “This region is something new for me — but if something’s working, I can adapt what I know to the situation.”
But, he said, even tried-and-true solutions won’t work for every problem.
“You can apply all the basics and still run into trouble,” he said. “That’s where innovation comes in.
”To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
# # #
Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
@Ryan_McG44
501-671-2120