Dr. Neel earned a M. Sc. degree in Animal and Range Sciences at the New Mexico State University; and B. Sc. in Animal Science and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition degrees from West Virginia University. He joined USDA-ARS in 2000 as a Research Animal Scientist in Beaver, West Virginia. His research background includes work in animal nutrition, grazing behavior; agronomy and grazing systems in both New Mexico and West Virginia. His primary research interests include herbage energy and nitrogen balance, and the development systems for pasture-based beef production and silvo-pastoral grazing.