Animals, NCTA Farm and Aggie studies

Jan. 23, 2019

By NCTA Dean Ron Rosati, Ph.D.

It is winter in southwest Nebraska! Cold weather and some slick road conditions again greeted students returning to campus in this third week of classes at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Some of our NCTA Aggies had gone home for the longer three-day weekend, while others stayed and worked on campus or in the area, and a few participated at livestock shows in Denver at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.

We are glad everyone arrived safely back to campus. Livestock and animals are all doing fine on campus, including a new arrival.

Last week, the Veterinary Technology division received a pregnant gilt who is due to farrow in early February. Students in the Large Animal Techniques class taught by Libby Fraser, DVM, are responsible for care of the gilt and piglets, once born.

Students will be responsible for processing the piglets after birth, including docking tails, giving iron shots, vaccinating, and completing the other tasks required for commercial hog production. The students are looking forward to working with the cute piglets.

This hands-on teaching opportunity is available due to a donation by a Vet Tech student and her family. Thank you to Kiley Guenther and her family from West Point, Nebraska, for the gilt and supplies.

Libby Frazer, DVM, has joined the Vet Tech faculty as a fulltime instructor. Dr. Frazer, who had practiced in private industry and most recently traveled as a consultant with an animal health company, has served as an adjunct professor last semester and in January accepted our fulltime position.  Congratulations, Dr. Fraser!

Veterinary Technology

In other news from Veterinary Technology, 21 students from the second-year class will attend the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association convention this week. Instructors Barbara Berg, division chair, and Ricky Sue Barnes, DVM, will accompany the group to this great opportunity for industry education and interactions.

The Aggie Stock Dog Team has an exciting opportunity this week, too, as five students will travel to Denver to compete with their stock dogs at the National Western Stock Show Dog Trials. They will be accompanied by Judy Bowmaster-Cole, team advisor, Roy Cole and Barbara Berg, division chair.

The NCTA Veterinary Technology program was started in 1968 as one of the first two accredited programs in the U.S. It has been continuously accredited since the early 1970s by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

NCTA Field Laboratory and Farm

We are excited to announce a new program for our campus outreach to all audiences interested in hands-on learning through our outdoor field laboratory and farm.

At the beginning of 2019, we tapped Meredith Cable, NCTA assistant professor of animal science, as Experiential Learning Coordinator of the NCTA Campus Field Laboratory and Farm.

Professor Cable has been active in teaching courses in feedlot management, beef nutrition, range management and as faculty advisor for several student clubs such as Women in Ag and Collegiate Cattlemen.

In addition to her academic schedule, she will be responsible for the farm management and budget, farm personnel, and coordinating outreach programs for experiential learning. She also coordinates a Farm Committee which includes the livestock programs with Doug Smith, Ph.D., and agronomic and irrigation programs with Brad Ramsdale, Ph.D.  Roy Cole works with Professor Cable on daily farm functions and with student workers.

Honoring Dr. King

Students and the community are invited to campus Thursday to commemorate the life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we watch the film, “Selma” in the Education Center auditorium at 6:30 p.m.

Aggie students and staff participant in many programs and activities with a diversity emphasis as part of the collegiate experience. Thanks to the NCTA Diversity Committee for coordinating these educational programs and discussions.

NCTA Mission:  The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.

January Events:

24 – NCTA public movie of “Selma” at 6:30 p.m., NCTA Ed Center

26 – 4-H Market Beef Weigh-in, 9-11 a.m. NCTA Red Barn

28 – Frontier County Extension Board, 6:30 p.m., Ag Hall

29 – NCTA Student Senate meeting, 12:15 p.m.., Ag Hall

30 – IANR All-Hands webcast, 10 a.m., Ed Center