Dr. Rod Hall Receives Oklahoma Pork Council Distinguished Service Award

The Oklahoma Pork Council honored Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall with the organization’s Distinguished Service Award during the 63rd annual Oklahoma Pork Congress at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.



The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual who has provided outstanding service to the Oklahoma Pork Council and Oklahoma’s pork industry. Recipients of this award do not necessarily work in the pork industry. They can be supporters of the industry such as legislators, industry partners and volunteers.



“I am honored and humbled to accept the Distinguished Service Award from the Oklahoma Pork Council,” Dr. Hall said. “I wouldn’t be getting this award if I didn’t have the support of the entire team at ODAFF, inspectors, Secretary Arthur and Secretary Reese before her.”



Dr. Hall has served as the state veterinarian since 2011. His first role at ODAFF was the director of cattle programs from 2006-2011. Dr. Hall grew up on a small family farm in Stonewall, Oklahoma, where he first discovered his love for livestock. After he graduated from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, he worked as an associate veterinarian at a clinic in Alva.



After a few years, he and his wife, Catherine, returned to southern Oklahoma where he operated the Tishomingo Animal Clinic for nearly 30 years before joining ODAFF.



As the state veterinarian, Dr. Hall is responsible for keeping all of Oklahoma’s herds and flocks healthy. He is also in charge of disease tracing.



“Dr. Hall’s collaboration with Oklahoma pork producers in keeping disease out of our state’s swine herd is invaluable,” said Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director. “He understands the severity of a disease outbreak and has been a huge asset to both our commercial and show pig producers.”