Amanda Blair, PhD 

Professor, South Dakota State University Animal Science Department

Dr. Amanda Blair received her Ph.D. from Purdue University in 2007 where her research was focused on understanding the interactions between muscle ultrastructure and postmortem proteolysis with the goal of improving beef tenderness.  In the same year she joined the faculty at South Dakota State University where she is currently a Professor in Animal Science with a research and Extension appointment. Dr. Blair’s research is focused on understanding the effects of pre- and post-natal management strategies on subsequent growth, body composition, environmental outcomes, and meat quality of beef cattle.  Her program has been supported by federal grants as well as commodity organizations and allied industry. Her Extension programming is focused on connecting producers with the processing and product aspects of the industry as well as enhancing consumer understanding of meat production and products. Dr. Blair is the Co-Project Director of the $80 million Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant recently awarded to South Dakota State University.  In addition to her work with SDSU, Amanda ranches with her family near Sturgis, SD raising and marketing Angus cattle.