Raphael Mrode to Present World Food Prize Lecture on Resilient Livestock Strategies

October 8, 2026

Grand View University will welcome Raphael Mrode, principal scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute, for a World Food Prize Lecture focused on the role of livestock in strengthening food security in the Global South.

Mrode will present “Resilient Livestock Strategies for Food Security in the Global South” on Thursday, October 22, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Speed Lyceum in the Henning Student Center. The event is presented in partnership with The World Food Prize and supported by funding from the Albert Ravenholt Visiting Scholars Endowment.

In many African and Asian countries, livestock plays a critical role in local economies and provides livelihoods, income and nutrition for millions of smallholder farmers. However, climate change is creating significant challenges for livestock-based food systems.

Mrode’s lecture will examine mitigation and adaptation strategies that can help reduce the effects of climate change while also improving productivity, food security and employment opportunities in dairy and beef cattle farming. The discussion will consider smallholder, pastoral and agropastoral production systems and the ways these systems can become more resilient in the face of a changing climate.

Mrode is a principal scientist in quantitative dairy cattle genetics at the International Livestock Research Institute and holds a joint position as professor in quantitative genetics at Scotland’s Rural College. His research has focused on genetic evaluations and innovative genetic and genomic approaches to livestock improvement, particularly approaches that can benefit farmers in low-input environments.

He has also provided international training in genetics and genomics in countries including South Korea, India, Romania, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The lecture will begin with a welcome and introduction from Dr. Todd Knealing, academic dean, and conclude with remarks from Dr. Patty Williams, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The event is part of Grand View’s Global View programming, which brings thought leaders and community voices to campus through public lectures, classroom discussions and student engagement. The series is supported by the Albert Ravenholt Visiting Scholars Endowment, which promotes dialogue around themes connected to Grand View’s Danish heritage, including wellness, purpose, fulfillment and lifelong learning.

The lecture is free and open to the public.