Pendleton Native Makes History with Ph.D. in Agriculture, Pioneering Research on Feedlot Cattle Health

Pendleton, Indiana, Native Achieves Unique Ph.D. in Agriculture

Who

Daniel Young, a native of Pendleton, Indiana, will be awarded a Ph.D. in agriculture.

What

Young successfully defended his dissertation, titled “Gastrointestinal Health of Feedlot Cattle and Its Relation to Liver Abscesses,” making him the first doctoral student to graduate from a partnership between West Texas A&M University (WT) and Texas A&M University’s Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach (VERO) program.

Where

The commencement ceremony will take place at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

When

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on December 14.

Why

This achievement highlights the growing collaboration between WT and Texas A&M, aiming to advance agricultural research and education, particularly focusing on feedlot cattle health.

In a significant milestone for agricultural education, Daniel Young will receive his Ph.D. during a commencement ceremony at West Texas A&M University on December 14. Young’s dissertation not only addresses critical issues in the feedlot industry but also symbolizes a unique partnership between WT and Texas A&M University’s VERO program.

Young, who previously earned his degree from WT’s Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, conducted research that examined the gastrointestinal health of feedlot cattle. His work also took him into the VERO lab, where he contributed to foundational research. “The VERO research program is really taking off,” he stated. “I’m glad to be a small part of it,” he added, celebrating the extensive research opportunities available.

The collaboration between WT and Texas A&M was designed to enhance research capabilities for veterinary medicine while catering to the needs of feedlot operations. The partnership offers a 2+2 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, providing students with rigorous opportunities in both applied and basic sciences.

Young’s dissertation specifically investigated how gut health impacts liver abscesses in cattle—a critical concern in the feedlot industry due to its multimillion-dollar implications. He explained the significance of this research: “There’s a really big push in the feedlot industry to look at gut health, and I hope our research will be foundational in that area.”

Daniel Young has had the unique experience of training under Dr. Paul Morley and Dr. John Richeson, who emphasized the benefits of collaborative science. Morley, the director of food animal research at VERO, underlined Young’s role in paving the way for future students. “Daniel is at the forefront of a number of students coming along behind him,” he said.

Richeson, the Paul Engler Professor of Beef Cattle Feedlot Management at WT, praised Young for his balanced expertise. “Daniel excelled in this partnership,” Richeson stated, noting Young’s strong laboratory training and practical understanding of the challenges faced in the feedlot environment.

Looking ahead, Young has been hired by Telus Agriculture, where he will work as a production consultant, continuing to focus on feedlot health and management in the Canyon area. As he steps into his new role, he looks forward to applying the insights gained from his research in a practical setting.

While Young is the first doctoral student to graduate under this new partnership, both Richeson and Morley affirmed their commitment to fostering similar collaborations in the future. “We plan to make this typical,” Richeson said about the collaborative efforts between VERO and WT.

Through Young’s achievements and ongoing research, the partnership between West Texas A&M University and Texas A&M is poised to contribute significantly to advancements in agricultural science and veterinary medicine.