At A Glance

Ag Day Celebration

Where In the World is Willow Kate?

Busy Summer for Meat Scientists

Lake Meredith Water Quality Research

Cropping Systems Research Field Day

Dates To Remember

9/4: Labor Day Holiday - Campus Closed

9/19: TCFA Beef Showcase

For more information please call (806) 651-2550

Where In The World Is Willow Kate?!

Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer, Dr. Russell and Natrelle Long Professor

and Director of the Companion Animal Program,

and Willow Kate, AKC Labrador Retriever, are a registered therapy dog team

through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).

The Alliance of Therapy Dogs sends out opportunities within the community

asking for participation from therapy dog teams.

Willow Kate and Dr. Newcomer took a visit to hospice patients in Hereford

as an opportunity for those missing their pet to love on Willow Kate.

It is also an opportunity, facilitated by the therapy dog, to talk about life,

their struggles, their life and what they miss and also talk through if they desire,

how they are processing their health and their future end of life.

Willow Kate enjoys visiting the residents, treats, and the lap snuggles!

Busy Summer For Meat Scientists

American Meat Science Association,

Reciprocal Meat Conference

WT had a great presence at the 2023 American Meat Science Association Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) in St. Paul, MN!

Students competed in Quiz Bowl, Iron Chef and Processed Meat Judging, undergraduate and graduate poster competitions

the kickball tournament.

- Megan Eckhardt, Ph.D. Agriculture,

and Will Boyd, M.S. Animal Science, worked RMC

and served as student board of directors

- Megan Eckhardt and Ambri Harrigal, M.S. Animal Science,

were recognized as RMC scholarship recipients

- Dr. Loni Lucherk, Dr. Gordon W. Davis Chair in Meat Judging, Assistant Professor of Animal Science and Meat Team Coach,

served as a panel member on how to coach a meat judging team for the student reciprocation session

- Will Boyd and Ambri Harrigal were both recognized as AMSA Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award Winners

- Dr. Ty Lawrence, Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair

in Meat Science and Professor of Animal Science

and Director of the Beef Carcass Research Center (BCRC)

gave a how to “Excel” in stats reciprocation session

- Bryce Hutson, Jr. Agricultural Media and Communication,

finished as the AMSA RMC Intern

- Kara Belt, M.S. Animal Science was honored as a member

of the reserve champion Iron Chef team

Processed meat judging results:

Undergraduate:

1-Tessa Barrett,

Sr. Agricultural Education

3-Daniel Raab,

So. Animal Science

Graduate:

2-Megan Eckhardt,

Ph.D. Agriculture

6-Zane Platter,

M.S. Animal Science

Donor and friend of WT,

Dr. Gordon Davis,

received the RC Pollock award!

Texas Youth Livestock Association,

4-H Livestock Ambassadors

The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassadors spent three days at WT

getting their hands dirty during live evaluation, ultrasound,

harvest, grading and fabrication of four beef!

They also cleaned up for an etiquette dinner and steak sensory demo!

American Student Leaders Conference

WT Meat Science students travelled to Fort Worth, TX

for the Student Leaders Connecting Conference hosted by

the American Meat Science Association.

While at the conference, students were immersed

into various industry tracks and allowed to tour numerous commercial meat and food processing facilities.

The goal of this conference was to connect students to fellow students, professionals, and career opportunities across the nation. At the conclusion of the conference, students listened in on a professional industry career panel and represented WT

well in a meat industry career fair!

Students In Attendance:

Megan Eckhardt, Ph.D Agriculture,

Will Boyd, M.S. Animal Science,

Ambri Harrigal, M.S. Animal Science,

Bryce Hutson, Jr. Agricultural Media and Communication,

Daniel Raab, So. Animal Science,

Caleb Olfers, Jr. Animal Science,

Cole Petit, Sr. Animal Science,

Lane Golla, So. Animal Science,

and Helene Keiser, So. Animal Science

Microbes on Water Quality at Lake Meredith

Lake Meredith, as well as the Texas Panhandle, received unusual amounts of rainfall this summer, which led to Meredith being about 47% full. This rainfall led professors to a new study in hopes of providing new scientific knowledge of the reservoir!

Dr. Maitryee Mukherjee, Assistant Professor of Biology,

and Dr. Erik Crosman, Assistant Department Head

and Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences,

recently began conducting a study

on the microbiology and water quality of Lake Meredith in Sanford, Tx.

This lake is locally known for being a key source of drinking,

recreational and agricultural water source.

Students involved in this study:

Robyn Cuthbert, M.S. Biology

Cassie Dorsett, B.S. Animal Science '21

Abigail House, B.S. Biology '23

Simon Mbanefo, M.S. Environmental Science