New Central Sandhills Beef Educator

T.L. Meyer joined Nebraska Extension September 1, serving as the beef systems educator for producers in Blaine, Cherry, Grant, Hooker and Thomas counties. Prior to that, she was at the West Central Research and Extension Center (WCREC) for 20+ years, working the last 16 as a research tech for Rick Funston, reproductive physiologist. She conducted her research for her M.S. degree in Animal Science at both GSL and WCREC. Meyer received her B.S. from Kansas State University in Animal Science and Ag Journalism. Although originally from Iowa, she did spend part of her childhood near Seneca. In her spare time, Meyer enjoys judging as many horse shows as she can fit in her schedule. Please contact her at 308-645-2267, 402-322-2894, or tl.meyer@unl.edu

Graduate Student Update

 

Alex Orozco-Lopez, M.S. student, is working with Mitch Stephenson. His M.S. research is focused on spatial and temporal variability of diet selection of grazing livestock in the Sandhills. Alex is originally from Galt, California, and received his B.S. degree from California State University, Chico in Animal Science.

 

Rob Ziegler, M.S. student working with Travis Mulliniks and Jim MacDonald, has spent the last year living and conducting research at GSL. His thesis is entitled “Impact of cow size and validation of an electronic feeder to optimize resources in beef production systems”. In May, Rob will be finishing his degree and moving to Canada. Rob recently accepted a position with Feedlot Health in Okotoks, Alberta (Canada). Rob’s responsibilities will be a technical assistant for the performance enhancement product protocols and the individual animal management teams. Since moving to GSL, Rob has been a tremendous help to the ranch crew and will be missed. We are excited for Rob in this new adventure and next step in his career.   

Intern Spotlight

Selby Boerman joined the ranch crew for an internship in January. Selby grew up in rural California along the Oregon border where she worked on a friend’s ranch through high school. She attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she lived at the university beef unit. After receiving her B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Rangeland Resources in June 2019, she spent 6 months working for the University of California Cooperative Extension doing rangeland and public land research. By interning at GSL, Selby hopes to expand her knowledge of cattle production systems beyond her home state. She is also excited to be involved with research projects on the ranch as she just accepted an offer to begin a master’s degree with Travis Mulliniks and Mitch Stephenson.

Awards

Joslyn Beard and Tasha King received the Holling Family Teaching Award for teaching excellence at NCTA.

Jerry Volesky received the Range Management Service Award from the Nebraska section of the Society of Range Management.

Travis Mulliniks received the Nebraska Range and Conservation Endowment Award from the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation.