Leo Timms

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked as an extension dairy specialist and professor at Iowa State University (ISU). My job is to make science simple, easy to understand and economical. In this role, I directly serve as a conduit to answers and solutions for a variety of dairy topics or audiences. This is not limited to working only with dairy producers, but to all who are impacted by dairy products and the industry, especially consumers.

My extension classroom spans the entire dairy field, ranging from dairy and crop producers through veterinarians, and agribusiness serving dairy farms, milk processors, retailers and all consumers. I teach classes in the Animal Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, covering dairy farm practices and management, animal health and performance, and dairy’s role in sustainability. I also conduct applied research on milk quality, dairy health and performance, and dairy product quality and safety. I have responsibilities for the ISU Dairy, which at any time has 500 cows and 500 young animals. I have the greatest job that spans a variety of people and situations, and can directly impact the health and lives of many.

I was born in Scranton, Pa. so my dairy background (aside from eating dairy products) began at 11 years old when my sister married a dairy farmer. I earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in dairy science and ag engineering in Ithaca, N.Y., then trekked to western New York to manage the milking and animal health for a 400-cow dairy farm. Next, I moved farther westward to Madison, Wis. where I got a M.S. and Ph.D in dairy science but most importantly, met and married my wife Deb, and had our first two children, Rob and Sam. In 1984, we moved our wagon to Ames, Iowa and Iowa State University. It’s been a great 26 years, including being blessed with two more children, Sadie and Josh. My family and I love outdoor activities like hiking and tent camping, and are avid sports and music participants and fans.