Stories

Harly Durbin came to the University of Missouri as graduate research assistants in 2016 to work with Jared Decker on a $2 million grant that he earned in 2015. Durbin’s part of the project has been focused on data collection and organization related to hair shedding. Hair shedding is incredibly important for cattle, as removing that coat as the weather warms helps regulate temperature and keeps the cow cooler.

May 5, 2020

Making the Cut

In 2015, Jared Decker, an associate professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and state beef Extension specialist, received a $3 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture focused on matching cattle to their best environments so producers can make educated decisions about which animals are going to be most productive for them. Harly Durbin and Troy Rowan (research highlighted here) came to the University of Missouri as graduate research assistants in 2016 to work with Decker on the grant. Durbin’s part of the project has been focused on data collection and organization related to hair…
In November, Everett Forkner will join the giants of the livestock industry as the 2020 inductee to the Saddle & Sirloin portrait gallery. Forker (middle) is pictured here with CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert (left) and Division of Animal Sciences Director Bill Lamberson.

May 4, 2020

Livestock Legacy

As a student in the then-College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Everett Forkner was able to attend an international competition in Chicago as part of the Mizzou livestock judging team. There he saw the Saddle & Sirloin portrait gallery for the first time. “I was really impressed,” Forkner said of seeing the great line of portraits. “Never in my wildest imagination would I have ever thought that my portrait could be hung with that group of people.” In November, Forkner will join those giants of the livestock industry,…
The Center for Agroforestry’s Chung-Ho Lin, an associate research professor, and his lab are currently looking at how to redirect its analytical capacity (reverse-transcription and real-time qPCR) for the detection and quantification of COVID-19 in food, water and air – and develop mitigation techniques to reduce community exposure to COVID-19.

May 3, 2020

Contributing to Research

For more than 20 years, the Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri, has served as one of the world’s leading centers contributing to the science underlying agroforestry, which is the science and practice of intensive land-use management combining trees and shrubs with crops or livestock. Agroforestry practices help landowners to diversify products, markets and farm income; improve soil and water quality; sequester carbon; reduce erosion, non-point source pollution and damage due to flooding; and mitigate climate change. The Center for Agroforestry’s Chung-Ho Lin, an associate research professor, and his lab are currently looking at how…
FAPRI released its most recent U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook in March – and has already released an additional report, which presents a preliminary analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural markets in the U.S.

May 3, 2020

Gathering Preliminary Data

The U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook is prepared annually by economists with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and MU Agricultural Markets and Policy (AMAP) and is updated each August. FAPRI Director Pat Westhoff said the report gives policymakers, farmers, agribusinesses and the public an overview of the state of the U.S. farm economy. The market projections it contains can be useful to farmers making production choices, to policymakers trying to decide how to respond to agriculture issues, to lenders who must decide whether to make loans and to agribusinesses making investment decisions. FAPRI released its most recent…

April 20, 2020

Anita Carter Receives Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award

Anita Carter, program/project support coordinator in the School of Natural Resources, was awarded the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award in the Part-Time/Temporary category. This award is presented to a staff member who exemplifies the university’s values through temporary or part-time employment and consistently display characteristics that are valued and appreciated by their coworkers. They lead by example, motivate those around them, demonstrate compassion and bring innovative ideas to their teams.

April 20, 2020

Tom Spencer Appointed to Position with Office of Research and Economic Development

Tom Spencer, Curators Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, has accepted a part-time appointment as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Strategic Initiatives in the Biomedical and Agricultural Sciences. In this capacity, Spencer will work with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, as well as the Provost, Deans and Center Directors, to shape and enhance the current research centers, develop strategies for new strategic centers of excellence in research and creative works, support the Research Core Facilities, coordinate among departments and colleges the recruitment of faculty in strategic research thrusts and plan and drive new strategic initiatives that will…
Michelle Brooks

April 20, 2020

Michelle Brooks Receives Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award

Michelle Brooks, greenhouse coordinator in plant sciences, was awarded the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award in the Technical/Paraprofessional category. This award is presented to an individual who best reflects honor upon the University and the community through a combination of job performance, job-related personal qualities, relationship with their associates, and the ability to relate their work to the missions and values of the University.

April 9, 2020

Q&A With Christa Smith

What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am the executive assistant to the division director in the Division Plant Sciences. I support Bruce Barrett with his calendar, travel, meeting minutes and work with faculty and MyVita, which is a faculty activity reporting system. I’m the liaison for all academics in plant sciences, so I work with the registrar’s office managing the course offerings and MyZou, and the graduate school for all issues related to the graduate students. I also handle phone inquiries that come into the division and coordinate…
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the CAFNR experience looks. Mizzou announced that the rest of the spring semester would be taught remotely. Teaching faculty within CAFNR have been working hard to make the transition to remote learning as easy as possible. For example, Marci Crosby, instructor in the Division of Animal Sciences, and Mikaela Adams (pictured), graduate research assistant, are still caring for the horses at the Equine Teaching Facility at the South Farm Research Center in Columbia. They are recording and photographing a lot of that care. Photo courtesy of Marci Crosby.

April 8, 2020

Being Adaptable

Part of CAFNR’s mission is preparing students for a complex, interconnected planet. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, students must be adaptable learners and informed citizens to make purposeful contributions in the world. CAFNR provides these opportunities through exceptional experiential and practical learning experiences based on cutting-edge science and through communicating and engaging with people and the community. Students in CAFNR not only get a degree while in Columbia – they get the entire CAFNR experience. Students gain that experience through award-winning advisors and teachers, research opportunities with internationally renowned scientists, study abroad options tailored to degree programs and…
Zachary Ignotz is a senior studying plant sciences from Troy, Missouri. As a student in the advanced landscape design course last year, Ignotz created a design that would land him a spot at this year’s University of Missouri Visual Art and Design Showcase. Photo by Heather Tearney.

April 1, 2020

Incorporating Problem-Solving into Landscape Design

Tucked away in the CAFNR Courtyard between the Ag Building and Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building is a garden that’s celebrating its 40th anniversary this April. Students in the advanced landscape design course were challenged to revitalize the MU Woodland and Floral Garden in honor of the celebration. Zachary Ignotz is a senior studying plant sciences from Troy, Missouri. As a student in the advanced landscape design course last year, Ignotz created a design that would land him a spot at this year’s University of Missouri Visual Art and Design Showcase. Ignotz received the Award of…