.jpg "Rafe Q. Royall, PhD photo")
Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist of Swine Nutrition
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD, Kansas
Originally from Garden City, Texas, Rafe received his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Chemistry from Texas Tech University in 2020, as well as a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Animal Science from Kansas State University in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
Rafe's Master’s research focused on determining Lysine requirements of DNA 600 × 241 full program pigs throughout the growing and finishing phases to develop prediction equations to maximize growth and profitability. Additionally, he studied the effect of using Potassium Bicarbonate to adjust DCAD levels in diets with varying levels of synthetic lysine, as well as the effect of various specialty vegetable protein soruces in nursery pigs diets.
During his Ph.D. program Rafe conducted nursery pig research analyzing the effectivity of novel carbohydrate products as a replacement for traditional lactose sources on growth performance and feed preference of nursery pigs. He also conducted a series of trial to determine the required Threonine to Lysine ratios of growing‐finishing with both PIC and DNA-genetic backgrounds. In conjunction with JBS Live Pork, Rafe studied the effects of feed-pan design on lactating sow and litter performance. Moreover, Rafe has studied the effect of reducing dietary net energy on finishing pig performance, and has used this data to compare various NE systems using caloric efficiency.
Rafe recently joined the South Dakota State University Swine Extension and Research team as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of Swine Nutrition.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM CST
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM CST