The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently announced an investment of $6.2 million in animal reproduction research. Nearly $1.5 million of that investment is coming to the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences. A total of 14 awards were handed out to 11…
Research ⋅ Page 2
Exploring Careers
Career Exploration Days offer students a look at careers in agriculture, food and natural resources
For years, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has opened the doors of its Agricultural Research Centers to thousands of high school students to showcase its research, programs and academic opportunities. Referred to as Agricultural Education Days, these events also give students an idea of what future careers they can seek with a degree…
Diving Deeper into Data
Christine Spinka serves as the consulting statistician for the entirety of CAFNR
Years of research leads to mountains of data. Wading through that data, organizing and making sense of it, can be an intimidating task. It’s a task that Christine Spinka is happy help with. Spinka serves as the consulting statistician for the entire University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. This is Spinka’s second stint with MU, after…
Triple Tiger
Jordan Thomas has received all three of his degrees from Mizzou
Like many students with an interest in animals, Jordan Thomas came to the University of Missouri intending to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. When he got more involved with the Division of Animal Sciences, however, Thomas quickly found a new passion – research. That passion, and the stellar faculty and staff in the Division of Animal Sciences, kept Thomas…
Battling an Unseen Pest
Melissa Mitchum has devoted her career to researching soybean cyst nematodes
One of the greatest threats to crops lives underground and can’t be seen by the naked eye. Plant parasitic nematodes are microscopic roundworms that range in size from as small as 250 micrometers, or 0.0098 inches, to a maximum of several millimeters in length. It’s a parasite that Melissa Mitchum has devoted her career to fighting. Mitchum, a professor in…
Committed to Research
Emerich, Spencer named AAAS Fellows
David Emerich and Thomas Spencer are the latest University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources professors to be named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Emerich, a professor and associate chair of biochemistry, and Spencer, a professor in animal sciences and director of the Interdisciplinary Reproduction and Health Group (IRHG) at CAFNR,…
Fishing for Data
South Farm recruiting anglers for upcoming eclipse
The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ South Farm Research Center is recruiting anglers for the upcoming solar eclipse, which will sweep across the United States on Monday, Aug. 21. The South Farm Research Center is hoping to prove an increase in feeding activity within the direct path of the eclipse. To do that, the Center is…
Global Traveling, Warming Interest
SNR senior in Alaska researching Arctic Ocean
In 2005 the nation quaked as one of the most disastrous hurricanes in American history landed on the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina hit in late August and less than one month later Hurricane Rita followed. Rachel Patteson, a senior in the School of Natural Resources, remembers it well. Patteson had just moved from Montana to Shreveport, Louisiana when the storms…
Leading the Next Generation
Fifth-generation rancher becomes MU Extension beef nutrition specialist
Fifth-generation rancher Eric Bailey recently joined the University of Missouri Extension as state beef nutrition specialist. He chose Mizzou for “its desire to innovate and be leaders in the next generation of beef producers.” He will work with specialists on beef cattle nutrition. He plans to meet beef farmers and leaders across the state. A native of Santa Rosa, New…
A Perfect Day for Presentations
More than 300 attend Greenley Research Center Field Day
The wagon tours were packed throughout the morning as more than 300 attendees enjoyed presentations and discussions during the 39th annual Greenley Research Center Field Day on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Attendees were able to take part in three tours – pest management, agronomy and beef. “The turnout and the weather were both really good,” Greenley Superintendent Dana Harder said. “The…