Influential in meats judging and teaching and founder of the American Meat Science Association.
1888-1968 | Artist: Othmar J. Hoffler (1893-1954)
Impact & Accomplishments
The first general manager of the National Livestock and Meat Board was born in Iowa and graduated from Iowa State College in 1913.
An extension agent in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, in 1919, he accepted a position with the Holstein-Friesian Association of America.
In 1921, Pollock went to work for the American Farm Bureau Federation, and one year later, was appointed to the newly formed Meat Board, where he made his largest contributions to the industry over a thirty-two-year tenure. Pollock organized professionals and academics in all facets of animal production, encouraged joint research efforts, established college meat courses, and contributed to the passage of significant legislation in the field.
He founded the Reciprocal Meat Conference, which became the foundation for the American Meat Science Association (AMSA). The AMSA has named an award in his honor. R. C. Pollock also initiated meat judging contests for college students, the first at the 1927 International Live Stock Exposition. In 1946, he was chairman of the Special Committee on Information, for the American Society for Animal Production.
Did You Know?
The first study of any magnitude ever made of the retail marketing of meat was provided for by Congress in the act making appropriations for the United States Department of Agriculture for the fiscal years 1924-25 and 1925-26. This .appropriation amounted to $50,000,00 and the National Livestock and Meat Board was responsible for the act of Congress which made provision for the study.
One of Pollock's legacies was the creation of collegiate meat judging contests. Photo courtesy of American Meat Science Association February 2020.