Stories

This fall, TCU and the College of Science & Engineering welcome Lee A. Knox as the new holder of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Professorship in Ranch Management. He brings to TCU a focus on resources and conservation.

Dr. Matthew Garcia will join the College of Science & Engineering family at the start of the fall semester as director of Ranch Management. He comes to TCU from Utah State University, where he served as associate department head and associate professor.

Most people hear “Ranch Management Program” and think exclusively of cowboys and cattle. However, TCU’s College of Science & Engineering Ranch Management Program is far from restrictive. The diverse and comprehensive curriculum covers everything from soil and water conservation to animal feeding and finance. Alumni are involved in various fields, such as law, grocery management, finance, and pharmaceutical sales.

Matt McLennan has been named the new Houston Livestock and Rodeo Professor in Ranch Management at Texas Christian University. McLennan graduated from TCU’s Ranch Management program in 1992. After graduating, he worked in stocker cattle production and cow calf production in eastern New Mexico and in Comanche, Texas. McLennan managed the Beaumont Ranch south of Fort Worth for four years. This led him to the cattle feeding and stocker operations of the Panhandle area of Texas.

The prolonged drought conditions in Texas are forcing many ranchers to evaluate their herds. Jeff Geider, director of the Institute of Ranch Management at TCU, has been focusing on the problem since long before the recent drought. He explains why water management is one of the biggest issues facing agriculture and what it means for Texas consumers.

According to the USDA’s Economic Research Report, the cost of beef is up nearly 20%, putting a considerable strain on family grocery budgets. Jeff Geider, director of TCU’s Institute of Ranch Management, has an extensive background not only in agriculture, but also in marketing and economics. He breaks down the reasons for the soaring cost of beef and predicts when carnivores can expect relief.

The Ranch Management Program joined the College of Science & Engineering in April 2019. The program is uniquely designed to train students to meet the challenges and help shape the future of agricultural resource management.