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‘Explosive time for ranching'
A&M and the King Ranch team up to take ranching and ranchers into the 21st century
By Quincy C. Collins/Caller-Times
Leaders from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and King Ranch are not betting on a cowboy's wisdom to ensure the future of the nation's multimillion-dollar ranching and wildlife industries.
Modern ranchers say a new breed of industry managers must have executive boardroom savvy to be successful.
To train this type of manager, A&M-Kingsville and King Ranch leaders have new graduate program, the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management.
The institute, set to accept students this fall and produce its first graduates by 2006, will cater to ranching students who are carrying on their family's legacy, entering ranching for the first time, or ranch workers who are continuing their education.
Ronald Rosati, dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, said few graduate or undergraduate programs in the nation could rival the extensive training on the range and in the classroom.
"It's going to be much more than looking at cattle," Rosati said. "We're going to look at the whole."
‘An explosive time'
Along with wildlife, agriculture and environmental science classes, the program will give students a base in MBA-level courses in personnel management, marketing and accoun-ting. The graduate program will require students to work with ranchers on case studies, which would allow students to examine ranching issues such as livestock diseases and livestock and wildlife capacity and their effects on the landscape.
Institute leaders hope to produce ranch managers equipped to sustain the environment and the financial viability of ranching as privately managed ranching increases. Last year, Texas ranches ranked first in total number of cattle and calves, contributing 15 percent to the national inventory, according to the Texas Agriculture Statistics Survey.
Barry H. Dunn, an assistant professor for range livestock production at South Dakota State University, has been selected to serve as the institute's first executive director and endowed chair.
Dunn said modern ranch management is not just sitting in the saddle.
"It's an explosive time for ranching," Dunn said. "You're not just a cowboy anymore."
Far-reaching impact
The institute's advisory board, led by King Ranch officials and members of the King family, are working with university officials to narrow down the competitive pool of potential students to admit two or three.
Paul Genho, King Ranch vice president and general manager of ranching and livestock, said although the institute may admit only a few students, its impact will be far reaching in the community as it creates a symposium and lecture series for the community, other students, ranching industry professionals, Gehno said.
The institute is funded by a $10 million endowment from King Ranch Inc. and King family members. The first $5 million is dedicated to recruit a distinguished scholar for the institute's endowed chairmanship, provide graduate assistantships and undergraduate scholarships and cover operational costs. The second phase of funding is designated for the institute's future needs.
Contact Quincy C. Collins at 886-3792 or collinsq@caller.com |
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