CSU has the strongest graduate program in beef improvement in the US. The unique combination of faculty, Breed Associations, genetic evaluation systems and animal resources interact and "mesh" together to give the students who are products of this program some of the best training available in the world.

The Animal Breeding and Genetics Program at Colorado State University is located in the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The animal breeding program enjoys a national and international reputation for innovative research, technology application and delivery to industry. In addition, animal breeding faculty work closely with industry clientele organizations including cattle, equine and canine breed associations and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Research support is provided for a number of individual breeders such as Leachman Cattle Company, Rissington Cattle Company (NZ) and Tybar Angus. Currently, more than twenty clients regularly use the resources of CSU Center for the Genetic Evaluation of Livestock (CGEL). These clients are not just limited to the United States and Canada but also include Venezuela, Brazil and New Zealand.

Opportunities exists for researchers to develop collaborative research programs with off-campus animal research centers and the USDA-ARS National Animal Germplasm Program located in Fort Collins. The mission of the National Animal Germplasm Program is to coordinate the availability, conservation and utilization of animal and aquatic genetic resources in order to provide optimum access to desirable genes and gene complexes that will contribute to the future food and safety supply.

Faculty in the program have expertise in beef cattle, sheep and horses and carry on active research efforts in:

• Genetic prediction methodology
• Genetic parameter estimation
• Genetic evaluation software development
• Trait characterization
• Simulation modeling of beef cattle production systems
• Development of breeding objectives
• Evaluation of composite cattle breeding systems
• Multi-breed genetic evaluation
• Development of DNA identification systems
• Identification of gene(s) affecting performance
• International genetic evaluation source verification systems and,
• Extension activities to communicate to breeder clientele how to best use emerging technologies from this field

Graduates from the animal breeding and genetics programs are in demand by both academia and industry. In the last 12 months, graduates have been employed in organizations such as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Oklahoma State University, American Gelbvieh Association, North American Limousin Foundation, Red Angus Association of America and The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

Current Graduate Students

Name	From	Biography
Gabi Marquez Betz	Venezuela	Gabi Marquez Betz was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Maryland, College Park in May 2006 and is currently pursuing an M.S. in breeding and genetics. Her interests are in genetics and reproduction in beef cattle.
Brian Brigham	Colorado	A Colorado native, Brian Brigham was raised in Parker and found his way to Colorado State University in 1998.  He received a B.S. degree in biology concentrating in molecular genetics in 2003. Interest in animal agriculture led him to graduate school in the Animal Science department where he began working towards a masters degree in Animal Breeding & Genetics. Currently he is one of two research associates employed by the Center for Genetic Evaluation of Livestock while finishing a masters degree with plans to continue his education, pursuing a PhD in Animal Breeding & Genetics. Areas of research he has focused on include decision support software for cow-calf production, better evaluating stayability of beef females and evaluation of carcass multi-breed carcass traits.
Jim Latoski	Colorado	Jim was born and raised on a small family farm and ranch near Wray, Colorado. He received his Associate’s degree in 2003 from Colby Community College where he was also on the Wrestling and Livestock Judging teams. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At UNL he was on the 2004 Livestock Judging team and completed his B.S. in Animal Science with an emphasis on Production/Management in May 2006.  He is currently pursuing his M.S. at CSU.
Chase McAllister
Amanda Pepper	South Dakota	I was born in Pierre, South Dakota and raised in Longmont, Colorado.  I received my Bachelors of Science in Animal Science with a concentration in science and a minor in Business Administration at Colorado State University in May of 2007.  I was an active member of Collegiate CattleWomen for two years, and acting treasurer for one of those years.  I am currently pursuing my Masters of Science in Breeding and Genetics.
Scott Speidel		Scott received a B.S. degree in Animal Science from California State University Fresno and a M.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Arizona.  Currently, he is in the process of completing a Ph.D. program, while working as a Research Associate for the Center for the Genetic Evaluation of Livestock.  His work duties include the calculation of Expected Progeny Differences and new trait development for CGEL’s clients.  Current research interests include the development of days to finish traits for the Beef industry.
Batchimeg Tseveenjav		Batchimeg received her Bachelor Sciences degree in Animal Sciences from the Agricultural Institute of MGL and a Masters degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the Colorado State University, Fort Collins Colorado. She is working toward her PhD in Animal Breeding & Genetics at the Colorado State University. Her research interests include theoretical quantitative genetics and design of animal breeding programs in sheep, goat and beef cattle.
April VanCise
Jamie Williams