Rachel Gibbs has joined North Dakota State University Extension at the Hettinger Research Extension Center as livestock specialist for ruminant system management.

Gibbs will serve as the southwest region’s lead livestock specialist for state-wide Extension livestock programs. Working alongside NDSU Extension agents and other specialists, Gibbs will provide leadership and assist with developing educational programs to improve ruminant systems management.

“I am excited to join an incredible team of Extension personnel and look forward to expanding opportunities for state-wide livestock industry stakeholders, NDSU Extension agents and youth,” Gibbs says.

She says one of her top priorities is to develop and maintain high-impact collaborations within and outside of the university system to deliver up-to-date, timely and science-backed information for all livestock industry stakeholders.

Originally from west-central Texas, Gibbs has an extensive background in sheep production and was actively involved in several areas of livestock agriculture through local, regional and state 4-H programs.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University and her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focused on mitigating the outcomes of stress-induced fetal programming on ruminant livestock.

Before joining NDSU, Gibbs was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, researching the impact of acute heat stress on feedlot beef cattle physiology, behavior and genome.

“We are excited to have Dr. Gibbs join the NDSU Extension team and bring her unique background in livestock production and research to North Dakota,” says Chris Schauer, director of the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center. 

NDSU Agriculture Communication – June 18, 2024

Source: Rachel Gibbs, 701-567-4323, rachel.gibbs.1@ndsu.edu

Source: Chris Schauer, 701-567-4323, christopher.schauer@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7006, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu