What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I am a full professor in animal science, and I have an extension and research position as the cow-calf, stocker management specialist at the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has a long-standing reputation for excellent agricultural research and a strong outreach program to producers through extension. Additionally, there are many hands-on learning opportunities for both traditional students and adult learners. My experience with the beef team at UNL is that they truly work together as a team. I truly believe this team approach is what makes the UNL beef group so effective in research, teaching, and outreach.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy working with educators in county-based offices and directly with producers to help them problem solve, develop feeding rations, understand nutrient needs of their herd, and make management plans.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement in my career has been using the results of my confinement feeding research to help producers feed production cows in confinement through droughts to minimize herd liquidation and improve pasture conditions.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I am working on a cookbook that I hope to publish in the next two years.
What is your life like outside of work?
Outside of work I help my husband farm, take care of both a spring and fall calving herd of cows, growing calves and a few finishing calves, and do the paperwork for his trucking business.