NCTA Students Benefit From Gudmundsen Research
Curtis, NE (August 28, 2008) University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken recently commended the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture for its entrepreneurial vision. Milliken specifically recognized the 100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage program NCTA began to offer last year. The program addresses farm and ranch entrepreneurship, working to give participants valuable cattle assets upon graduation. President Milliken was one of many speakers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory 9th Annual Open House on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008.
Heath Zuellner of Campbell, NE, Koda Yost of Imperial, NE, and Jake Stoner of Kilgore, NE, all participate in the 100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage program. They, along with six other students, are enrolled in Dave Smith's range management course, an elective within the program. Alex Fehringer of Humphrey, NE, and Wes Wetovick of Fullerton, NE, also enrolled in the range management course, had the opportunity to view various presentations concerning cattle production systems and range management. Brett Widger of Hayes Center, NE, and Jake Guthard of Litchfied, NE, took the opportunity to hear Rick Funston and Will Griffin present information on Beef Production Systems. Justin Cass of Briggsdale, CO, and Caleb Kenner of Stapleton, NE, learned about the Economics of Calving Systems from presenter Matt Stockton. Kenner noted that the presentation, "showed a different point of view about the seasons of the cattle market." Instructor Dave Smith takes his students to the open house each year. He remarked, "This will benefit the students as the research directly relates to their area of study at NCTA." The open house also gave students the opportunity to network with multiple agriculture producers and University of Nebraska Administration, including the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, who also attended the event.
Current NCTA students were not the only connections to the college in attendance at the open house. NCTA alumnus, Brandon Nuttleman, also attended the open house. Nuttleman, who has been working to complete his master's degree at UNL, took the opportunity to work on the research portion of his degree at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory over the summer. His research involves utilizing distiller grains in pastures to increase carrying capacity.
Attendees had multiple opportunities to visit various businesses, services, and associates of the beef cattle industry participating in the open house. Other activities, demonstrations, and exhibits were also available for the students to peruse at their convenience. This trip marks the first excursion for NCTA students into the agriculture industry during the 2008-09 academic year.
