Class Field Trip Takes Students to Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

Professor of Biology, Dr. Ray Matlack, and students from BIOL 4434/5434: Mammalogy recently traveled to the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, OK.

The goal of this class trip was to study the behaviors of elk during the "rut" or their breeding season.

"We heard elk and coyotes from our camp each day," said Dr. Matlack. "Students improved their field skills including camping, use of binoculars, identification of wildlife, and we discussed habitat and wildlife management."

Soil Judging Team Competes at Regional Contest

The WT Soil Judging Team competed at the Region IV Soil Judging Contest from Oct. 6-10.

WT placed 4th at this year's contest, hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR.

While on this trip, the group judged practice pits at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research site. This area allows faculty to conduct research on new technologies and farming methods.

This contest also served as a transition point for WT’s Soil Judging Team Coaches. Previous coach, Dr. Lauren Pool, Clinical Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Online Master of Agriculture Coordinator, is stepping down from the role and passing the reins to Dr. Tanner Judd, Assistant Professor of Plant and Soil Science.

"This judging contest was an excellent hands-on experience for our students to apply classroom concepts in the field," said Dr. Judd. "Soil judging is also unique in that it provides both students and coaches the privilege to learn about the diverse landscapes of the destinations we travel to. Overall, we're incredibly proud of what our students accomplished, as it contributes to both their professional and personal development."

Meat Science Featured on Outdoor Channel Episode

The Caviness Meat Science & Innovation Center, located in the Happy State Bank Academic and Research Building, was recently featured on an episode of "Hardcore Carnivore," a show aired weekly on the Outdoor Channel.

Hardcore Carnivore features host, Jess Pryles, as she travels the US, highlighting local meat industries and regional recipes.

In this episode, titled "Meat Science," Pryles visits the Nance Ranch, meets cloned cattle, and tours the Meat Lab and the student ran store, Doc's Prime Cuts.

Additionally, Assistant Professor of Animal Science, Dr. Loni Lucherk, teaches Pryles how to judge carcasses, followed by instruction from Assistant Professor of Animal Science, Dr. Trent Schwartz, over the butchering process used at The Caviness Meat Science & Innovation Center.

The episode also features Pryles stay in Canyon, the local scenery and a visit to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

The episode was released on Oct. 6 and can be viewed here.

2025 Little International Showmanship Competition

Little International was held at the Bain Event Center, located in the Agricultural Sciences Complex, on Oct. 13 and 14.

Little International is WT’s very own livestock show, hosted annually by Agricultural Education majors taking the senior-level course, AGRI*4305. Show participants consist of students enrolled in ANSC1319: Principles of Animal Science.

At this year’s show, around 300 students had the opportunity to show cattle, swine, horses and lambs, as well as take part in a quiz bowl.

During the show, Agricultural Education students serve the role of Ag teachers, leading their students to success through show practices and preparation leading up to the contest. This is an opportunity for these future Ag teachers to have real-world livestock show experience before they embark on their student teaching journeys.

“Little International was an amazing opportunity to spark a fire in our animal science students and myself as an educator," said Mia Keys, senior Agricultural Education major. "Being able to share the joys of the stock show industry with our student body was such a blessing. I am so extremely proud of my team of showmen, and I am so proud to be a part of WT Ag Ed.”

For many students, Little International is their first exposure to the livestock show industry.

"I think it is a great experience for those who have never gotten to do it," said Hannah Curtis, freshman Animal Science major. “It was exciting to show for the first time, and I hope they continue doing it."

Faculty Featured on Podcast;

Field, Lab, Earth

Assistant Professor of Agricultural Statistics, Dr. Guillermo Marcillo, was recently featured on an episode of "Field, Lab, Earth."

"Field, Lab, Earth" is a podcast published jointly by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. It features interviews covering research and advances in agronomy, soil, crop, and environmental sciences.

The episode is titled, “The Nitrogen Value of Cover Crops with Dr. Guillermo Marcillo,” in which Dr. Marcillo discusses topics such as the amount of nitrogen cover crops can remove, what nitrogen replacement is, and the nitrogen replacement values of various cover crops.

The episode can be found here.