Training and mentorship provided at the CREC Livestock Unit
Each summer, the Carrington Research Extension Center provides internships for college students and training opportunities for high school students. This year is no exception. At the Livestock Unit, three interns from across the U.S. have joined us, eager to gain an education beyond the traditional classroom.
My name is Brandon Nichols, and I’m from Robertsdale, Alabama. I am currently a student at Auburn University, majoring in agricultural economics. After college, I plan to pursue a career that allows me to apply economic principles to improve agricultural practices and support rural communities. Through this internship, I hope to gain more hands-on experience of the cattle production field, enhance my professional skills, and build connections that will help me grow and succeed in the agricultural industry.
My name is Raymond Moll, and I’m originally from Palos Verdes, California. I attend Texas Christian University, where I am majoring in Ranch Management with a minor in Energy and Business. While I’m still exploring exactly what I want to do within the livestock industry after graduation, I hope that through my various internships I’ll discover an area I’m passionate about and can see myself building a career in. This summer, I’m working at the Carrington Research Extension Center to gain hands-on experience and deepen my understanding of the livestock industry, particularly in the areas of feed and research. I’m excited to learn more about the role that research and nutrition play in herd performance and the broader cattle industry.
My name is Rebecca Morstad, I grew up on a farm near Hampden, North Dakota and this is my second summer working at the research center. In the fall, I will be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota Crookston, studying animal science with an emphasis in pre-vet. After graduation I plan to attend vet school and afterwards practice mainly on large animals. This summer I hope to gain more knowledge of why we do what we do. With the research project I am working on, I would like to learn how feed impacts milk production of cows, therefore impacting the growth of the calf.
Our interns are fully immersed in the day-to-day operations of the Livestock Unit and are contributing to five ongoing research projects. From milking first-calf beef heifers to feeding and shipping fat cattle, no two days are the same. Feel free to stop by anytime or join us at our annual Field Day on July 22 to visit with Brandon, Raymond, and Rebecca.
Colin Tobin, Ph.D.
Colin.Tobin@ndsu.edu
Research Animal Scientist
