FORMAL EDUCATION
Patton’s bachelor degree from the Pennsylvania State University was in animal science, awarded in 1968. This was followed by a master of science degree in reproductive physiology from Purdue University in 1970. A Ph.D. in animal nutrition was granted form Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1972. Additional education included business courses at Washburn University, Topeka, KS in 1975, and Spanish language in Cuernavaca, Mexico in 1992. The graduate research involved studying the effect of urea on reproduction of ruminants, and the potential of fishmeal type products in animal feeds. A unique aspect of the Ph.D. work was a determination that rumen bacteria can digest the chitin in crab meal. This required the invention of a chitin assay, unavailable at that time.

EXPERIENCE: Positions In Business
Following graduate school, Patton had three positions in business. From 1972 to 1773 he was director of research for Theracon, an animal nutrition research and testing facility in Kansas. Customers included pet food firms and drug companies. From 1974 to 1975, Patton was director of professional education for Mark Morris Associates, a company that marketed specialty diets to veterinarians for nutritional management of disease in pets. At this time, Patton began his pioneering research into exotic animal nutrition with zoos. From 1976 to 1980, Patton was marketing manager for Dext Company, based in Los Angeles. Dext recycled human food waste into animal feeds. There were five locations in the United States. The plant’s production replaced corn and fat in animal rations.

CONSULTING SPECIALTIES
Since 1980, Patton has consulted for hundreds of businesses. Clients over the years have ranged in size from 25 cow family farms to multinational corporations, covering a geography throughout the U.S., and feeding every possible type of food, feed grain and forage. Emphasis has always been on keeping animals healthy, with quality ingredients the foundation. Some clients have retained Patton since 1980.

Patton has also helped position company products for the market place, always with a focus on benefiting the animal and the owner of the animal. In this manner, he has become one of the leading experts in organic minerals in animal nutrition, and a pioneer researcher in the energy nutrition of late gestation.

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
Patton has a carefully developed skill for transferring technical information from the source to the end user. Patton extracts the important facts from the nutritional biochemistry research and presents the information in a manner that has relevance for animal owners. This ability has been perfected for 30 years. Countries where Patton has consulted include: