Kansas State University

Kansas State University faculty, alumni, and students earned top honors at the Midwest American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Meeting, held March 9-12, showcasing the department’s excellence in animal science.

Dr. Larissa Becker was recognized with the Stahly/Peo Outstanding Graduate Student in Swine Nutrition Award for her exceptional contributions to the field. Dr. Becker earned her PhD in swine nutrition from K-State in December 2024 and now serves as a production nutritionist for JBS Live Pork.

Abigail Jenkins, PhD student in Swine Nutrition, placed third in the PhD Oral Abstract competition for her presentation, “Effect of litter size relative to functional teat count on lactating sow and litter performance.” Her research contributes valuable insights into swine production efficiency.

K-State alumnus Dr. Jong DeJong was honored with the Outstanding Early Career Agri-Business Award for his impactful work in the industry. Dr. DeJong earned both his MS (2013) and PhD (2015) in swine nutrition from K-State, solidifying his foundation for a distinguished career in agriculture.

In addition to individual achievements, K-State’s Academic Quadrathlon team showcased their knowledge and skill, earning second place overall. The team excelled in multiple categories, placing first in Quiz Bowl, second in the Written Exam, and second in the Oral Presentation. Team members were:

These accomplishments highlight K-State’s tradition of excellence in animal science, research, and teaching. Congratulations to all award recipients and team members for their outstanding performances!

View more photos here.

On March 22,2025, the biennial K-State Junior Meat Goat Producer Day was hosted in Weber Arena.  Over 350 participants, representing 59 Kansas counties attended the program to enhance their knowledge of youth meat goat projects.  The program was open to youth, parents, extension agents, and meat goat project leaders.  Topics included selection, doe management and kid care, nutrition, Becoming a Wildcat, health and wellness, reproduction, facilities and equipment, grooming and clipping, and showmanship. Families also had the opportunity to participate in optional classes at the conclusion of the program, including an instructor-led YQCA training, a session over the state livestock nomination process, and a tour of the K-State Sheep & Meat Goat Center. The program was hosted by Lexie Hayes.

A huge thank you to guest speaker Ryan Page, Kelsey Bentley, Payton Dahmer, Emily Grund and the KSU ASI Mentors, Dr. Emily Reppert, Gavin Beesley, Kelsey Nordyke, and the students from the sheep and meat goat unit who served as speakers for the day.

Also, a special thanks to Tim Carson, Janeen Dieball, Emily Grund, Mary Kane, Rylie Meinhardt, Karli Neher, Katie Smith, Kevin Snell, Jason Warner, the KSU ASI Mentors, and the student employees from the Sheep and Meat Goat Center who volunteered throughout the day, as well as Payton Dahmer and Kelsey Bentley for helping plan the event. The KSU YLP interns Lauren Thompson and Chancey Hauck were critical in preparing for the event and making sure it ran smoothly. Additionally, we couldn’t have hosted the junior day events at the Stout Center this year without the assistance and support from Bob Heptig, Nathan Plummer, Dave Nichols, and John Wolf. They were essential to helping prepare the facility to host our Kansas families. Your involvement is invaluable to making this a smooth and successful event! K-State Junior Meat Goat Producer Day was sponsored by K-State Research & Extension, the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Valley Vet Supply, Primalac, Aker Meat Goats, Page Livestock, the KSU Youth Livestock Program, and the K-State Sheep & Meat Goat Center.

• Riley County Livestock Association Meeting will take place on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairview Church Fellowship Hall. Come listen to Erin Beyer speak on Meat Labels and Labeling. Registration is required.

  $10.00 per person – Reservations Required! RSVP by noon on Monday, April 7 to the Riley County Extension Office. Register online at www.riley.ksu.edu under “Events”, or call 785-537-6350.

• Judging Reunion: Mark your calendars for April 12, 2025, as we bring back the K-State Judging Team Reunion! Join us for a day of celebration, kicking off with a golf tournament and wrapping up with an evening banquet honoring the success of the 2024 teams.Registration closes Friday, March 28.
  • Register now: https://www.asi.k-state.edu/events/judging-reunion/
• Gamma Sigma Delta Undergraduate Research Showcase: The 2025 Gamma Sigma Delta Undergraduate Research Showcase will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. in Hale 181. Undergraduate students interested in participating should apply by April 7, 2025, following the instructions in the attached document. For more information, please refer to the attachment or contact Jessie Vipham at jessiev@ksu.edu.
• United Way Stillwater Relief Fund and OSU Animal Relief Fund Information:

  As many are aware, Stillwater, OK was severely impacted by wildfires on Friday. Many homes were destroyed, and ranches and livestock were also affected.  If you would like to donate to the Stillwater Relief Fund or the OSU Animal Relief Fund for displaced animal housing and injured animal treatment, please use the links below: United Way (select Yes for Stillwater Relief Fund): unitedwaypaynecounty.org/donate

  OSU Animal Relief Fund (for displaced animal housing and injured animal treatment): https://secure.osugiving.com/s/giving/annual?dsgt=28-97650

• UPCOMING DEFENSE:
  • Stefan Knecht will defend his master’s on “Nutritional strategies from improved beef cattle performance; A focus on corn utilization” on Friday, April 4 at 1 p.m. in Call Hall 206.
  • Sidney Munk – Thursday, April 3 at 1 p.m. in Call Hall 205.
  • Jessica Smallfield – Friday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. in Call Hall 226.
• UPCOMING SEMINARS
  • Meat Science – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Weber 111
    • March 26 – Taylor Dieball – Seminar – Defrosting the myths: Exploring common and novel thaw methods
  • Monogastic Seminar – Wednesday 12:30 p.m. in Call Hall 140
    
  • April 9 – Jentry Squires – Fiber’s role in managing diarrhea in the nursery
  • Ruminant Nutrition, Growth, and Management Seminar – Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Call Hall 205.  
    • March 31 – Felicitas Vignati – Low Lignin Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.):  How Far Can We Go?
  • Animal Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Seminar – 
    • Tuesday, April 1 – Samantha Scott – “A novel approach A novel approach to cognitive testing in Ossabaw Pigs: Integrating artificial intelligence in training and utilizing the 8-arm radial maze”

  OPEN POSITIONS:

  Professor (Assistant/Associate/Full) Position(s): 

  None at this time.

  Unclassified Staff Position(s):

  • Farm Manager/Farm Shop & Operations Manager – To apply, go to https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/farm-manager-manhattan-kansas-united-states
  • Communications/Marketing Specialist – To apply, go to https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/communications-marketing-specialist-manhattan-kansas-united-states-3b57273f-12e8-49d7-bffb-ae6962023002

  University Support Staff Position(s):

  None at this time.

  Department Student Employment Position(s):

  https://www.asi.k-state.edu/studentsuccess/student_employment/
  If you are interested in adding a job to this page, please email Emily Grund.

  Professional Opportunities(s):

• The University of Tennessee, Precision Animal Health Faculty Position  https://apply.interfolio.com/165015

View photos here.

Thank you to all our buyers who supported the 48th Annual Legacy Sale.
On Friday, March 7 the K-State Purebred Beef Unit and Seedstock Merchandising class hosted the 48th Annual Legacy Sale.

The high-selling bull was Lot 23, KSU ESSENTIAL 57M, selling for $25,000.

20 Angus bulls/$4,538;
13 Simmental & SimAngus bulls/$7,423;
13 Hereford bulls/$3,538;
2 Angus open heifers/$9,750;
7 Angus fall bred heifers/$4,392;
2 Simmental fall bred heifers/$4,750;
2 Hereford fall bred heifers/$4,000;
2 black baldie fall bred heifers/$4,000;
21 commercial open heifers/$2,307

The Legacy Sale would not be possible without the hard work of the Purebred Beef Unit student workers and members of the Bull Sale Class. A huge thanks also to Tim Carson for his IT expertise and all he did to transition from Stockmen’s Dinner to the Legacy Sale. We also appreciate Bob Heptig and his crew for helping set up for the sale. Thank you to Emily Grund and Rachael Stadel for overseeing the pre- and post-sale socials.

A special thank you to the Werk Family and Angie Denton for all their dedication to the Purebred Beef Unit – they will be greatly missed.

View photos here.

THE 112^th CATTLEMEN’S DAY was hosted at the National Guard Armory on Friday, March 7 with a crowd of more than 500 people in attendance. The tradeshow hosted 44 exhibitors and seven sponsors for the trade show. The morning program included “Genetic Modifications in Livestock” by Alison Van Enennaam, followed by a “Beef Industry Economic Outlook” by Glynn Tonsor.  The morning concluded with “Unwrapping Meat Labels: FSIS Updates and Consumer Trends” by Erin Beyer.  The afternoon began with “Yield Grade Technology” by Dale Woerner.  This was followed by an ASI research update from K-State ASI Graduate students, and featured seven graduate students.

54^th STOCKMEN’S DINNER

View photos here.

Watch the video about Richard here.

More than 350 people came to honor Richard Porter as the 2025 Stockman of the Year during the 54^th STOCKMEN’S DINNER hosted at the Stanley Stout Center on Thursday, March 6.  Special guests attending the event in addition to Richard Porter include K-State Chief of Staff Marshall Stewart, Dean Ernie Minton, Associate Dean Jane Schuh, Eldon Gideon, and KSU Foundation CEO Greg Willems. Thanks to the K-State faculty and staff, KSU ASI Mentors, Collegiate Cattlewomen and Graduate Student Association members who helped set-up, serve and clean-up. Also, thanks to John Wolf and the cooking crew for the delicious steaks. We appreciate the numerous sponsors of the event, including Cargill who donated the steaks. Special thanks to all who made this a great event.

• UPCOMING DEFENSE:
  • Steph Witberler defends “The Determination of Consumer Purchase Thresholds for Discoloration of Beef Steaks” on Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m. in Call Hall 205.
  • Lauren Frink defends “A Fresh Look at Ground Beef Spoilage” on Friday, March 14 in Weber Hall 111.
  • Mariana Paredes defends “Use of qualitative and quantitative microbial data to determine if turkey pre-chill and post-chill sampling are predictive of Salmonella enterica contamination in ground turkey” on Monday, March 24 at 1 p.m. in 201 Wayne Franklin Student Leadership Conference Room.
  • Sidney Munk – Thursday, April 3 at 1 p.m. in Call Hall 205.
  • Jessica Smallfield – Friday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. in Call Hall 226.
• UPCOMING SEMINARS
  • Meat Science – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Weber 111
    • March 5 – Sam Stickley – Journal Club – Impacts of Stepwise Aging/Freezing Process and Repeated Freezing on Meat Quality, Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties, and Sensory Attributes of Beef Loins
    • March 26 – Taylor Dieball – Seminar – Defrosting the myths: Exploring common and novel thaw methods
  • Monogastic Seminar – Wednesday 12:30 p.m. in Call Hall 140
  • Ruminant Nutrition, Growth, and Management Seminar – Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Call Hall 205.  
    • March 24 – Allen Schwartz – Effects of Cottonseed Processing and Variety on Gossypol Concentrations and Implications for Dairy Cattle
  • Animal Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Seminar – 
    • March 11 – Muhammad Ajmal, Title, “Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists on gonadotropin and follicular dynamics in cattle.”–https://ksu.zoom.us/j/97112401692?pwd=FlP2BlWSJDablovYpb5bZPGpb9S3jx.1Meeting ID: 971 1240 1692, Passcode: 701782

  OPEN POSITIONS:

  Professor (Assistant/Associate/Full) Position(s): 

  None at this time.

  Unclassified Staff Position(s):

  • Farm Manager/Farm Shop & Operations Manager – To apply, go to https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/farm-manager-manhattan-kansas-united-states

  University Support Staff Position(s):

  None at this time.

  Department Student Employment Position(s):

  https://www.asi.k-state.edu/studentsuccess/student_employment/
  If you are interested in adding a job to this page, please email Emily Grund.

  Professional Opportunities(s):

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assistant or Associate Professor, Swine Nutrition and Management – Learn more here.
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assistant or Associate Professor, Ruminant Nutrition and Sustainability – Learn more here.
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assistant or Associate Professor, Precision Animal Nutrition – Vitamins and Minerals  – Learn more here.
  • Tennesse Tech, Assistant Professor of Animal Science – Learn more here.

   

View more photos here.

On March 1, 2025, the biennial K-State Junior Swine Producer Day was held at the Stanley Stout Center. Almost 350 participants, representing 53 Kansas counties, attended the program to enhance their knowledge of the youth swine project. The program was open to youth, parents, extension agents, and swine project leaders. Topics included selection, meat science, breeds and ear notching, daily care and equipment, swine health, nutrition, showmanship, clipping and show day prep, and Creating a Blue Ribbon Experience for the project as a family project, including the opportunities and resources available. At the conclusion of the program an optional instructor-led Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training was hosted, as well as a session over the state livestock nomination process. The program was hosted by Lexie Hayes and Joel DeRouchey.

A huge thank you to our speakers Jentry Squires, Mikayla Spinler, Grady Privett, Sierra Collier, Haley Graf, Erin Beyer, Ty Kim, Wyatt Dooley, Emily Grund, the DeRouchey family, Hannah Tice, Kyanna Lankton, guest speaker Dr. Adam Lukert, and agents Charlene Miller and Anna Lukert for presenting engaging topics throughout the day. Also, a special thanks to the K-State Swine Team, including faculty, graduate students, and undergrad students, Tim Carson, Janeen Dieball, Taylor Dieball, Mary Kane, Lois Schreiner, Katie Smith, as well as KSU YLP interns Chancey Hauck and Lauren Thompson, student workers Claire Caldwell, Avery Eckhoff, Grace Fike, Rylie Meinhardt, the KSU ASI Mentors, and other Department of Animal Sciences students who volunteered throughout the day. Your involvement is invaluable to making this a smooth and successful event!

This event was sponsored by K-State Research & Extension, the KSU Department of Animals Sciences & Industry, the Kansas Pork Association, Valley Vet, Primo Feeds, Primalac On-Feed, and Buchanan Livestock & Feed.