Novmeber 15, 2016 • Page 12 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Graduate Student Earns National Scholarship BROOKINGS, S.D. - Megan Webb, a South Dakota State University meat science graduate student, has been chosen as a recipient of the prestigious W.D. Farr Scholarship from the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). Webb joined the Animal Science Department as a Graduate Research Assistant in January 2015 to pursue her Ph.D. While at SDSU, Webb has been involved in several meat science research projects focusing on the impacts of preharvest management on end-product quality. Her most recent project has involved establishing a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, including experts beyond SDSU, to study consumers’ response to beef raised with and without common production technologies, such as antibiotics, implants, and beta-agonists. Webb is utilizing a consumer taste panel to see if preferences for meat products are changed when pre-harvest management techniques are disclosed to consumers. She is and will continue to work with USDA Agriculture Research Service and Agriculture Marketing Service to evaluate sustainability data of treatments with the objective of developing beef marketing labels that provide transparency. Ultimately the goal of the study is to determine if there is a preferred marketing language depending on production method, and if consumers have a preference in beef palatability and willingness-to-pay. Further, live cattle performance and economic data will be analyzed to guide producers when making production decisions. Another SDSU study that Webb managed is aimed at helping cow-calf producers by examining the effects of nursing-calf implant timing on growth performance and carcass characteristics. She has also collaborated on a project evaluating the effects of maternal protein restriction of first-time heifers during mid- to late-gestation on carcass composition and meat quality of progeny. Webb credits her Doctorate Advisor, Amanda Blair, SDSU Meat Science Associate Professor, for believing in her and guiding her development as a researcher. Webb said, “Dr. Blair’s mentorship and support are the reasons why I was able to achieve this award. Receiving this award is humbling as it has been bestowed upon several of my peers and role models in the beef industry.” She added, “Winning the scholarship means that I have grown professionally and conducted research important to the beef industry.” Webb greatly appreciates the support of all the authors and professors involved in the projects she has worked on at SDSU and said, “As a graduate student, the best part about the Animal Science Department is the collaborative opportunity.” The ability to collaborate with other meat scientists, nutritionists, geneticists, veterinarians and industry personnel has provided Webb with endless research thought and support. “Having a group of professors who are willing to work together to solve challenging and dynamic questions made SDSU the right choice for me,” said Webb. The $12,000 scholarship is awarded to two recipients annually to honor W.D. Farr who was a third generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman and banker known for his extraordinary vision. His dedication to improving agriculture, livestock, and water development has resulted in significant changes in farming methods that have influenced the practices of ranchers and farmers throughout the nation, according to the NCF’s website. Webb added that Mr. Farr was known as a community man who offered opportunities for others and said that now it’s her turn to pay it forward. In addition to receiving $12,000 in scholarship funds, Webb will also be a guest at the 2017 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention in Nashville, TN. A native of Burlington, W.V., Webb, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science with a Meat Science Certification from Texas A&M before earning a Master’s Degree at Colorado State University in 2014. While attending Texas A&M University, Webb became familiar with a quote from fellow Jackrabbit Dr. Howard Hesby, a well-known Animal Science Professor at both universities, — “Don’t let the classroom interfere with your education.” Webb said the quote is one she holds dear that has been her education backbone. Webb chose SDSU after taking note of past graduates’ success in industry, academia and as entrepreneurs. “Seeing those students perform well engaged me and made me want to come to SDSU to be mentored by Dr. Blair and Dr. Keith Underwood,” she said. Webb plans to receive her Ph.D. in December 2017 with the hope of obtaining a liaison position in the beef industry between the producer, processor, and consumer to improve transparency and build consumer trust. In a letter recommending Webb for this scholarship, Blair said, “Megan is motivated to pursue creative solutions to increase transparency with consumers and drive demand for beef. It is very rare to find an individual with such a positive attitude, academic ability and enthusiasm for this industry. I am confident Megan will continue to develop into an influential leader in the beef industry, providing scientific guidance to difficult production questions as well as effectively training future stakeholders.” About the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences The South Dakota State University College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences is one of the eight colleges that make up South Dakota State University. Like the university, the College serves a three-fold mission to teach, conduct research, and provide outreach via SDSU Extension programs to serve people in South Dakota, the nation, and the world. - See more at: http://igrow.org/news/graduate-studentearns-national-scholarship/#sthash.i3gs1jYW.dpuf SDSU Dairy Club Gears Up to Host Conference BROOKINGS, S.D. - The student members of the South Dakota State University Dairy Club have formed committees, chosen a logo, launched social media pages and jumped into preparations to host the 2017 Midwestern Regional conference of the American Dairy Science Association Student Affiliate Division, Feb. 3-5, at the Days Inn and on the SDSU campus in Brookings, SD. The American Dairy Science Association is a professional organization for those interested in Dairy Science and has approximately 5,000 members from around the world. The Student Affiliate Division caters specifically to students studying Dairy Science and preparing for careers in this field. Playing host to this conference is no small task as more than 400 students from 14 states are expected to attend the three-day event. Attendees will compete in various events and contests including a quiz bowl, and have their club scrapbooks/yearbooks evaluated. Educational sessions will cover a variety of pertinent dairy industry topics presented by industry experts. Tours of the SDSU Davis Dairy Plant and local dairy farms will also be conducted. A Career Fair during the event will help students network with dairy industry employers. A banquet and dance will cap off the festivities. Audrey Souza of Milbank, SD, and Cole Hoyer of West Salem, WI, are co-chairs for the conference. They are overseeing a variety of subcommittees composed of the 80 members of the SDSU Dairy Club. The Dairy Club Executive committee attended the 2016 meeting, held in Fort Wayne, IN, and presented a successful proposal for SDSU to host the 2017 meeting. This will be the fourth year that SDSU has played host—previous conferences were hosted by the SDSU Dairy Club in Brookings in 1996, 2005 and 2010. “It’s a lot of fun for the students involved in the dairy industry to get together for this conference,” Bernice Vander Wal, current Dairy Club President, explains. “We will be working with these people throughout our careers.” Vikram Mistry, Head of the SDSU Dairy and Food Science Department, notes that he attended his first ADSA Student Affiliate conference in 1980 and met current ADSA President Lou Armentano, University of Wisconsin, at that meeting, thus forming a life-long professional relationship. The SDSU students have chosen the conference theme, “All We Have We Owe to Udders.” Megan Schaefer, Dairy Club Historian and past president, provides more details about the theme, noting, “Everything we have, accomplish and get to do in life, we owe to others. Our families, professors, friends and mentors are crucial to our success.” As part of their preparations for the conference, the SDSU Dairy Club members have set a fundraising goal to raise the estimated $45,000 they anticipate it will cost to host the event. The Club is anticipating contributions from industry, alumni and others interested in this event that will host the future leaders of the dairy industry. Learn more about the American Dairy Science Association Student Affiliate Division online here, or visit the Facebook page devoted to the event Midwest Regional ADSA-SAD. For more information or to help support the event, contact Bernice Vander Wal at 507.215.2424, or email. About the South Dakota State University Dairy and Food Science Department With expertise in Dairy Production, Dairy Manufacturing, and Food Science, the South Dakota State University Dairy and Food Science Department covers the entire spectrum of the dairy industry; from farm to product. The department is housed in the newly renovated Alfred Dairy Science Hall, attached to which is the new state of the art Davis Dairy Plant. The South Dakota State University dairy farm provides the source of milk for well-known SDSU ice cream and cheese products, and is home to some 150 milking Holsteins and Brown Swiss cattle. The Department boasts 100% job placement for graduates, offers more than $120,000 in scholarships to students and confers Bachelors, Master's and Doctorate degrees. See more at: http://igrow.org/news/sdsu-dairy-club-gears-up-to-hostconference/#sthash.VaUgsisT.dpuf Keep the numbers of these locally owned businesses on hand for all your service and shopping needs. I sell results! 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