LEES Faculty Mentor Majority of 2026 McNair Scholars Cohort

WT Alumnus Recognized as Outstanding County Extension Agent - Beef

A West Texas A&M University alumnus has been recognized for his impact of the cattle industry, earning the 2026 Outstanding County Extension Agent - Beef award from the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA).

Marcel Fischbacher, Moore County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent, received the honor at the Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo in Fort Worth. The award recognizes Texas' most dedicated and effective local educators in cattle production who work alongside landowners to advance stewardship of land and livestock across the state.

Fischbacher's work addresses a wide range of topics critical to producers, including herd management, animal health, grazing systems, nutrition, input costs, water resources and risk management. He is known for his ability to communicate effectively in both individual and group settings through field days, workshops, applied research, newsletters, radio and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

Among his recent initiatives is an eight-week grazing school focused on grasses, soils and grazing management, which has developed into a collaborative, producer-driven learning model. Through ranch tours and peer exchanges, participants gain practical insights while strengthening connections across the region.

He has also led programming to support producers transitioning from farming operations into beef production, helping them navigate changing resources, market conditions and long-term sustainability challenges.

Fischbacher's recognition reflects the continued impact of West Texas A&M University graduates, as the university prepares professionals who serve their communities and advance the future of agriculture across Texas and beyond.

PECANS Students Recognized at Student Employee Award Ceremony

Students from the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences were among those recognized during West Texas A&M University's annual student employee award ceremony.

Several students received special honors for their outstanding contributions.

Award Recipients:

Kaslyn Moczyemba - Career and Self-Development Award (Agricultural Media and Communication major)

Caleb Spear - Leadership Award (Animal Science major)

Additional Nominees:

Cody Paige Audrain - Agribusiness major

Camryn Barton - Agricultural Media and Communication

Jolie Bond - Agricultural Media and Communication

Jordan Byrd - Agricultural Media and Communication

Alexis Camara - Agriculture

Taylor Crenshaw - Animal Science

Hallie Dugosh - Animal Science

Raegan Hill - Agribusiness

Macy Lawrence - Animal Science

Shelton Luedke - Animal Science

Peyton Metz - Agricultural Business and Economics

Olivia Myers - Wildlife Biology

Paityn Nicholson - Agricultural Media and Communication

Kyle Thrift - Animal Science

Graham Wristers - Agricultural Media and Communication

The annual awards recognize student employees who demonstrate professionalism, leadership, and a strong commitment to supporting university operations and student success.

Three Meat Science Students Selected for AMSA Student Board of Directors

Three WT Meat Science students have been selected to serve on the 2026-2027 American Meat Science Association Student Board of Directors.

Representing WT are Shelton Luedke, President; Helene Keiser, At-Large; and Ryan Heitschmidt, Past President, who is currently pursuing his M.S. in Animal Science.

The AMSA Student Board of Directors is part of a global science community of students dedicated to fostering leadership, professional development, vocational growth, and meaningful relationships across the animal, food, and allied industries.

AMSA student leadership is ground in these core values:

Involvement - Active participation and contribution to the success of the AMSA student membership.

Outreach - Providing resources to educate current and future generations.

Networking - Creating environments that foster professional and social connections.

Professional Development - Enhancing students' professional skills and marketability.

Knowledge - Advancing science, sharing information, and encouraging innovative thinking.

Congratulations to these outstanding students for their leadership and for representing West Texas A&M University on the national stage.

Graduate Student Earns Top Honors at Beef Industry Safety Summit

Research and Industry engagement were on display at the Beef Industry Safety Summit in Fort Worth, where a West Texas A&M University graduate student earned top recognition.

Shelton Luedke, a master's student in animal science, was selected as both an oral and poster presenter for his food safety research. His oral presentation focused on altering environmental pressure at the end of the finishing period as a Salmonella mitigation strategy, while his poster examined the evaluation of foreign metal material detection methods for beef cattle.

Luedke's poster was recognized as the outstanding research poster, earning him the opportunity to deliver an additional oral presentation at the summit.

In addition to student participation, Dr. Trent Schwartz contributed to the event by serving on an industry response roundtable panel, engaging in discussions on key issues impacting the beef industry.

The recognition highlights the impact of student research and faculty expertise in advancing food safety and innovation within the beef industry.

WT Rodeo Set to Compete on Home Ground Once Again

West Texas A&M University will host its first home rodeo since 2018, as the "Let'er Buff" Rodeo is set for April 16-18 in Hereford.

The event marks a significant moment for the WT Rodeo program, bringing collegiate rodeo competition back to the region and providing an opportunity for the team to compete on its home turf. The rodeo will be held at the Spicer Gripp Arena and will feature student-athletes competing in events such as steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing.

As part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association circuit, WT competes against other regional programs throughout the season, and hosting a home contest allows the team to showcase its talent while engaging the local community.

The return of a home rodeo reflects continued growth and momentum within the program, while also celebrating the strong tradition of rodeo at WT and its connection to the agricultural heritage of the Texas Panhandle.

The event is expected to draw competitors, supporters and community members for a weekend that highlights both collegiate athletics and western tradition.

Agriculture Faculty Member Gives Seminar at USDA/ARS

Dr. Sushil Thapa, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, was invited by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Bushland, Texas, to present a seminar on April 2.

His presentation, "Improving Water Use Efficiency and Crop Productivity in the Texas High Plains," highlighted innovative, research-based strategies aimed at sustaining agriculture in one of the nation's most important production regions.

During the seminar, Dr. Thapa emphasized the economic significance of the Texas Panhandle, which contributes more than $8 billion annually through crop and livestock production, while also addressing ongoing challenges related to climatic variability and decline of the Ogallala Aquifer.

Drawing from his research, he shared practical approaches to improving water use efficiency in key crops such as corn, sorghum and wheat. Topics included drought-tolerant plant traits, deficit irrigation strategies, hybrid selection and alternative planting geometries, along with the use of biostimulants, soil amendments and brackish groundwater to sustain productivity under limited water conditions. A central focus of the seminar was the development of resilient production systems capable of withstanding changing environmental conditions.

The seminar was attended by USDA/ARS scientists, including Acting Laboratory Director Dr. Steven R. Evett, as well as Texas A&M AgriLife researchers, staff and WT Emeritus Professor Dr. Bob A. Stewart.

Herpetology Course Expands Knowledge of Regional Species

Dr. Maag recently taught a herpetology course for the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, providing participants with an in-depth look at reptiles and amphibians of the region.

The course began with an introduction to the characteristics of reptiles and amphibians before focusing on the diverse species of herpetofauna native to the Texas Panhandle. Dr. Maag incorporated hands-on learning by showcasing WTAMU museum specimens representing 53 native species, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with regional biodiversity.

The Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is dedicated to developing well informed volunteers who support education, outreach and conservation efforts across the state. The chapter serves 26 counties in the Texas Panhandle, including notable natural areas such as Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyons State Parks and the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.

Through opportunities like this course, participants gain the knowledge needed to contribute to community-based conservation, support natural resource management and enhance environmental education efforts across the region.

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