Animal Sciences

cattle grazing

May 30, 2025

Hot genes: CAFNR scientist earns Fulbright to study heat-resistant cattle in India

Behura will travel to Odisha, India, in two separate four-month visits to partner with researchers at Utkal University. There, he will study how native cattle breeds are genetically and epigenetically adapting to increasingly intense and prolonged heat conditions.

May 22, 2025

Six CAFNR staff members honored with Driver to Distinction Award

From left to right: Stephen Evans, Grace Meers, Monica Curry, Taylor Ann Washburn. Not shown: Jennifer Anderson, Maggie Penniston. CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert recognized six CAFNR staff members with the CAFNR Driver to Distinction award at the CAFNR Staff Council “Squeeze the Day” Staff Appreciation Week lunch. The awardees were recognized for their willingness to go above and beyond to create the best CAFNR experience for students and staff. Awardees include: Jennifer Anderson, Director of Accelerated Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics Monica Curry, Senior Business Support Specialist, Animal Sciences Stephen Evans, Buck’s Ice Cream Manager Grace Meers, Director…
Peter Sutovsky

May 15, 2025

Animal Sciences faculty member named Mizzou Postdoctoral Faculty Mentor of the Year

Peter Sutovsky Peter Sutovsky, professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, was named by Mizzou as the 2024/2025 Postdoctoral Faculty Mentor of the Year Award winner. This award represents an appreciation for an individual who has demonstrated either a profound, sustained, or leadership contribution to improving the postdoctoral experience. The award process is administered by the Office of Postdoctoral Education. The MU Postdoctoral Association reviews the nominations and selects the winner. Sutovsky was one of the 8 nominees this year, and the award was presented to him on April 17, during the Graduate and Postdoctoral Awards Reception organized by the…
cow in a field

April 30, 2025

CAFNR center receives Program of Distinction designation, joins 12 others in the college

The National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics (NCARG) is joining the ranks of MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ (CAFNR) Programs of Distinction, a designation that points to programs that help define CAFNR’s impact on Missouri’s agricultural and natural resources economies and provide understanding for how CAFNR is addressing the challenges presented in our state.
A group of students pose with certificates.

April 25, 2025

Mizzou Meat Judging Team earns awards at Southeastern Intercollegiate Meats Judging contest

The Mizzou Meat Judging team rounded out their spring semester judging at the Southeastern Intercollegiate Meats Judging contest.
Dakota Grellner and her husband, Ethan.

April 22, 2025

Mizzou alumna Dakota Grellner returns to her alma mater as the new Mizzou Livestock Judging Coach

Grellner, B.S. ’18 Animal Sciences, was a member of the 2018 judging team and is eager to restart the program.
image of ear tag app data

April 21, 2025

Cattle in the cloud: Wearable tech revolutionizes ranching

Researchers at the University of Missouri’s Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center (SW-REEC) are bringing 21st-century technology to the pasture. By outfitting beef cattle with smart ear tags, researchers hope they can help producers pinpoint the ideal time for breeding — blending traditional livestock know-how with cutting-edge innovation.
Former Gov. Michael Parson speaks at the event celebrating the groundbreaking of the building in his name. Other speakers included (left to right): CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert; University of Missouri President Mun Choi; Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture Chris Chinn; UM System Curator Chair Todd Graves; Gov. Mike Kehoe; and Director of the Mizzou Division of Animal Sciences Bryon Wiegand.

April 18, 2025

University of Missouri breaks ground on The Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory, announces additional gift for project

Today, the University of Missouri broke ground on The Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory. 
Amy Petry portrait

April 17, 2025

Amy Petry receives 2025 Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award

Amy Petry, assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, received the 2025 Early Career Teacher Award at CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence April 17.
Riley Sullivan receives award

April 17, 2025

Riley M. Sullivan has received the 2025 CAFNR William R. Lamberson Distinguished Thesis Award as part of Celebration of Excellence

Riley M. Sullivan has received the 2025 CAFNR William R. Lamberson Distinguished Thesis Award for her groundbreaking research on maternal recognition of pregnancy in pigs. She received her M.S. in Reproductive Physiology in 2024.   Riley Sullivan Her thesis, “Functional Analysis of Pregnancy in the Pig: The Two Essential Conceptus Maternal Recognition Signals for Preventing Luteolysis,” redefines a 50-year-old model by demonstrating the essential and combined role of conceptus-derived estrogen and prostaglandins in maintaining pregnancy.  Under the mentorship of Rodney Geisert, professor emeritus in the Division of Animal Sciences, Sullivan used advanced CRISPR gene-editing to develop a triple knockout model targeting…