In 2007, JBS S.A., Latin America’s largest beef processor, purchased Swift & Co., the third largest beef processor in the United States. In March 2008, JBS-Swift then announced the acquisition of National Beef, LLC and Smithfield Beef Group, Inc., which included 100 percent interest in the Five Rivers Ranch cattle feeding operation with a one-time feeding capacity of 811,000 head. These acquisitions have renewed concerns about industry consolidation. (more…)

Texas Tech University’s Livestock Judging Team proved itself to be among the best in the nation after taking the second spot in rankings at what’s been called the world series of swine shows, the 62nd National Barrow Show. Held Sept. 7-10 at the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin, Minn., the prestigious competition featured 16 teams from across the nation. (more…)

Texas Tech University announced Monday (Sept. 22) the establishment of an industry-supported endowed chair to increase the competitiveness of High Plains agriculture in an economy increasingly linked to international markets and guided by conservation-oriented policy. (more…)

Alumni of Texas Tech University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will get a warm welcome Oct. 11 as the graduates, young and old, celebrate their annual Homecoming Breakfast festivities at the livestock arena behind the Animal and Food Sciences Building on the corner of Indiana and Main in Lubbock. (more…)

By Kathryn Rem / State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) / Sept. 17, 2008
I cringe a little when I see Food Network hosts like Paula Deen and Rachael Ray dig into raw ground beef with wedding rings on their hands. I assume they have washed their hands, but there could be a petri dish of organisms living under those rings. (more…)

As Dee Jay Wilde entered the Texas Tech University’s Goddard Building as a freshman three years ago, the lanky West Texan literally saw one of his future goals written on the wall. In the building’s atrium was a glass-encased message board listing the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ Ag Council officers. (more…)

While the masterful chefs of the highly-popular Food Network cook up plenty of finger-licking-good food, a new Texas Tech University study on food safety measures suggests that it’s not a good idea for some of their stars to actually lick their fingers while cooking the grub. (more…)

By Marlena Hartz | Avalanche-Journal | Sunday, September 14, 2008
Tsk, tsk, Rachael Ray. A new Texas Tech study found that big time Food Network stars such as Ray often exhibit risky cooking practices on their shows. (more…)

Robert Cox, a restoration ecologist from the University of California, has been named an assistant professor in Texas Tech University’s Department of Natural Resources Management, according to officials with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He began his teaching and research duties on Sept. 1. (more…)

Award-winning agricultural communications educator Cindy Akers has been selected to lead Texas Tech University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Student Services Center, formerly known as the Agricultural Recruitment and Career Center. Her new appointment took effect Sept. 1. (more…)