May Beef Month 2008:  

May 01, 2008

LINCOLN, Neb. — A University of Nebraska-Lincoln program emphasizing beef production began last year to give UNL students skills to be future beef industry leaders.

Nine sophomores and 23 freshmen now take part in Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars. The expanding program, headquartered in UNL's animal science department, allows students in different majors to gain a background in beef production from all angles in the beef industry.

Matt Spangler, an assistant animal science professor, said an important aspect of the program is having beef industry specialists educating students.

"It's an opportunity for key industry people to take a role in the education of the future leaders of the beef industry," Spangler said.

Students engage in seminar courses with beef industry leaders and take specialty courses in production, feedlot management and meat processing, eventually culminating in a senior level capstone course. Spangler said a 15-week internship component is available in the program as well.

Spangler said the inaugural class originally had more than nine students, but the rigorous courses forced some students to make tough decisions about whether they had enough time for the program.

Alex Wolf, a sophomore agribusiness major, said he is glad he joined the program in its inaugural year.

"I joined it to develop a better understanding of the beef industry and to interact with the other students in the program," he said. "I think it's been a really good experience so far, and there's a lot of good things to look forward to."

One thing Nebraska Beef Industry Scholar students can look forward to is a five-day tour, scheduled before fall semester, of different aspects of the beef industry. Participating students will go as far west as Denver to visit the National Cattlemen Beef Association and other beef production centers.

Dennis Brink, a UNL animal science professor, said students participating in the tour designed the trip, identifying ranches, feed lots and research facilities they would like to see. He said the tour will offer the students an experience they can't gain in a classroom.

"They can become more aware of the different parts of the beef industry," he said. "Most importantly, they will make contact and network with leaders in the beef industry."

Brink said his students are a diverse group, but they haven't all been exposed to every side of the beef industry. The tour will help them accomplish that.

"They'll all see the whole scope of the industry for the first time," he said.

Wolf said being in Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars has improved his public speaking skills and helped him learn more about beef industry issues. He said speakers have helped him learn more about animal identification, animal health issues and the effect ethanol production has on the livestock industry.

"I've learned a lot about some of the issues in the beef industry," he said. "I've also met a lot of great people that will be good relationships to have for my future."

Spangler said he hopes the program can keep allowing those in different majors to get a well-rounded education on all aspects of the beef industry. He said those that participate will have all they need to become future beef industry leaders.

"Hopefully, the graduates will become leaders of the industry, not only in Nebraska, but in the nation as well," he said.

5/08-AB

Dennis R. Brink -- Ph.D.
Animal Science
Professor
(402) 472-6446

Matt Spangler
Animal Science
Professor
(402) 472-6489

Merlyn Nielsen - Ph.D.
Animal Science
Professor
(402) 472-6406

Dan Moser
IANR News & Photography Coordinator
(402) 472-3007

Department: Animal Science