Peter E. Poss

College of Veterinary Medicine, October 28, 2015

Peter E. Poss received a bachelor of science degree in 1955 followed by a DVM degree in 1957 from the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the University of Minnesota. He has spent the majority of his career working within the poultry industry in Minnesota. He is considered to be one of the leaders that have made Minnesota the number one turkey producing state in the U.S.A. His career started with the U.S. Department of Agriculture followed by the United States Army Veterinary Corps, Jennie O Foods, Inc., and Brinton Companies, Inc. Known in some circles as the “turkey man,” Poss has worked on and resolved countless crises that have affected turkeys in Minnesota. He was instrumental in addressing the respiratory disease problem in the 1970s and Avian Influenza. One person wrote, “We needed Peter Poss in the 1970s for his leadership and development of measures to detect, manage and control Avian Influenza and we need him or at least his innovations now to address the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza devastating the turkey industry in the state.” He worked for CVM for several years in the Admissions and Student Affairs Office and as assistant to the dean. Poss has published numerous articles that have been cited by industry and academics. He is the recipient of several honors and awards, including the Ranelius award in 1983 from the Turkey Growers Association, Alumnus of the Year from CVM in 1991, Veterinarian of the Year 1995, and the American Veterinary Medical Association certificate of appreciation in 2002 and 2003. He received the Siehl Prize in Agriculture Business from the University of Minnesota in 2002. His tireless dedication to CVM, the University, and the Minnesota Veterinary Historical Museum is exceptional.