Tumen Wuliji, one of the newest faculty members of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR) at the University of Nevada, Reno, brings a unique skill set to his appointments at the University.

Wuliji, who began work at Nevada earlier this year, is an associate professor in the CABNR specializing in range animal science, and is also state extension specialist in this same area for UNCE. His areas of expertise are small ruminant animal production (sheep, goat, alpaca and deer), selection and reproduction, invasive plants and vegetation control by multi species livestock grazing management, and producer education workshops.

Some of his programs include sheep and goat production improvement, wool fiber premium quality selection, small ruminant species such as sheep and goat, out of season production efficiency, weed and vegetation control by multi species livestock grazing, and domestic and wild small ruminant interaction (e.g., sheep vs. bighorn) management strategy.

"We are very pleased to have Tumen as part of our faculty," said David Thawley, dean of the CABNR. "He will not only be a key participant in helping the college further its research agenda, but he will help bring an important outreach component to the state through his teaching and extension responsibilities. Range nutrition, range animal grazing and vegetation control, as well as small ruminant breeding, are critical issues in maintaining a prosperous economy for our rural areas. His expertise and experience should help us immeasurably."

"I think I have got a nice and dynamic job portfolio, which permits me to engage in all three components: research, extension and teaching in the area of range animal production," Wuliji said. "I have already been initiating research projects in improving sheep production efficiency and wool premium characteristic selection, which are being supported by Hatch Grants from July 2007.

"The extension education will be aimed to enhance small ruminant producers (sheep and goat farmers) knowledge, efficiency and profits in this industry, as well as promote a more diversified farming of small ruminant livestock in Nevada."

Wuliji said he believes there is great potential for farmers in the state to diversify farming options to match the production systems and rangeland environment.

"I am assigned to teach a course, 'Range & Livestock Interaction,' which is highly relevant to my research and extension interests," he said. "In addition, I am proposing to establish a new course – small ruminant production science to fulfill my teaching duty as well integrating research, extension and teaching as an interactive function."

"The experience and expertise Tumen bring to Nevada will not only benefit producers, but will be an added benefit to our 4-H'ers involved in sheep and goat projects," said UNCE Dean and Director, Karen Hinton.  "His role with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will help to fulfill our mission of bringing the University to citizens."

Wuliji has a doctorate degree in sheep nutrition and wool growth from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and has conducted postdoctoral research and genomic training at the MAF Tech Invermay Agricultural Research Center in New Zealand.

He also has a bachelor's degree in agriculture science and animal science and biotechnology from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. He comes to Nevada from Langston University in Langston, Okla., where he served as an associate professor of biology at the Department of Biology, College of Arts and Science, and preceded as a research scientist at American Goat Research Center (Oklahoma).