RESEARCH FOCUS:

Travis is a Small Ruminant Nutritionist and project leader for the Nutrition Research Laboratory. He evaluates how various diets affect animal production, rumen and whole body metabolism, and fiber and carcass characteristics of sheep and goats. Trials are conducted both in the field and in feedlot settings. The main objectives of his program is to increase production efficiency, evaluate alternative feeds and underutilized forages, and enhance wool, mohair, and carcass characteristics. His interdisciplinary research program is directed towards helping producers (especially in the Edward's Plateau Region of TX) make informed management decisions regarding feeding and supplementing livestock.

Current Projects:

1. Juniper for control of internal parasites.

2. Evaluating effects of juniper consumption on digestibility of commonly grazed plants.

3. Nutritional status of free-grazing Rambouillet and Dorper Ewes.

4. By-pass protein to increase Angora goat performance and mohair production.

5. Nutritional and Feeding value of distiller's dried grains for small ruminants.

1. Juniper for control of internal parasites: We are evaluating effects of feeding redberry juniper leaves and dosing with juniper terpenes on reducing H. contortus (barber-pole worm, internal parasite) viability. We hypothesize that terpenes will reduce fecal egg counts and viability of H. contortus. All goats are being fed a ground-hay diet and a treatment: no juniper leaves or terpenes (CONTROL), dry juniper leaves (DRY: contain no terpenes), fresh juniper leaves (FRESH: contains terpenes), or a dose of juniper oil (OIL: no juniper leaves). We will evaluate fecal egg counts and in vitro viability of the L3-stage larvae after incubating in rumen fluid for 24 hours from goats on the same treatments mentioned above. We will also be collecting fecal pellets and determining if any terpenes are present and we will be using NIR (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) to validate prediction equations. We will also be analyzing serum metabolites and mohair characteristics. On this study, I am collaborating with John Walker and Chris Lupton (TX Agricultural Exp. Station, San Angelo, TX) and Tom Craig (TX A&M Veterinary Sciences, College Station).

2. Effects of juniper on digestibility. We will be feeding redberry juniper leaves to goats and evaluating if this enhances or reduces (due to terpenes/tannins) digestibility of dry matter and protein of other commonly grazed forages in the Edward's Plateau Region of TX. If juniper leaves reduce digestibility of other forages, we will then evaluate the use of various supplemental feeds (milo, cottonseed meal, distiller's dried grains, etc...) to bring digestibility back to normal or above normal levels.

3. Nutritional status of free-grazing Rambouillet and Dorper Ewes: A 2-year study to evaluate nutritional status of Rambouillet and Dorper ewes in a range production system. We are analyzing body weight and condition, serum metabolites (urea nitrogen and non-esterified fatty acids), and a hormone (insulin-like growth factor-1). I am collaborating with Dan Waldron (TAES, San Angelo).

4. Feeding digestible (biuret) and by-pass (Fishmeal) protein to Angoragoats and analyzing animal production, mohair characteristics, and in vitro digestibility.

RESUME:

EDUCATION

Ø LytleHigh School, Lytle, TX(1992; , Valedictorian).

Ø B.S. Southwest TXStateUniv., San Marcos. Major: Animal Science (1996; Cum Laude).

Ø M.S. TexasA&M Univ., College Station. Major: Agriculture Education. (1999; 3.76; Cum Laude).

Ø Ph.D. Univ.of Arizona. Major: Ruminant Nutrition; Minor: Rangeland Ecology and Mgt. Major Professor: Dr. Glenn Duff, Dept. of Animal Sciences, Tucson(2004; Cun Lands).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor

San Angelo Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M Univ. System 3/05 to present

Post-doctorate

MontanaStateUniversity, Animal and Range Sciences Dept., Bozeman 1/04 to 3/05

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant

Universityof Arizona, Animal Science Dept., Tucson 1/01 to 1/04

Lecturer

Palo AltoJunior College, San Antonio, TX 1/00 to 12/00

Graduate Assistant

Texas A&M University, Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Mgt. http://cnrit.tamu.edu/cgrm) 7/98 to 11/99

Graduate Assistant

TexasA&MUniversity, Instructional Materials Service 8/98 to 5/99

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, HONORS, AND AWARDS

Ø Member: TX Sheep and Goat Raisers Assoc. (2007 to present).

Ø Member: Western Education/Extension and Research Activity (WERA) 110: Improving Ruminant Use of Forages in Sustainable Production Systems (2006 to present).

Ø Member: Society of Range Management (2004 to present).

Ø Member: American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (2003 to present).

Ø Member: American Society of Animal Science (2002 to present).

Ø Cum Laude, TexasA&MUniversity (1999).

Ø Cum Laude, SouthwestTexasStateUniversity (1996).

Ø Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society (1997 to 1999).

Ø Southwest TexasState University Rodeo Association President (1995 to 1997).

Ø Delta Tau Alpha Honor Society (1995 to 1997).

Ø Outstanding Undergraduate of SWTSU Agricultural Department (1995).

PUBLICATIONS AND ABSTRACTS

Peer-reviewed Publications

Whitney, T. R. and B. E. Olson. 2006. Conditioning ewes and lambs to increase consumption of spotted knapweed. Appl. Anim. Behavior Sci. 100:193-206.

Whitney, T. R., G. C. Duff, J. K. Collins, D. W. Schafer, and D. M. Hallford. 2006. Effects of diet for early-weaned crossbred beef steers on metabolic profiles and febrile response to an infectious bovine herpesvirus-1 challenge. Livestock Prod. Sci. 101:1-9.

Whitney, T. R., Duff, G. C., Cuneo, S. P., Henderson, D. A., Schafer, D. W., Hallford, D. M., Collier, R. J., Gentry, P. C. 2006. Effects of weaning programs on serum metabolites and hepatic IGF-1 mRNA of first-calf heifers and mature cows. J. Food Agric. and Environ. 4:49-53.

Duff, G. C., C. R. Bailey, T. R. Whitney, S. R. Sanders, R. C. Cheatam, O. B. Mendivil, and J. L. Treichel. 2004. Dietary urea concentration and acid-base balance in feedlot steers fed a high concentrate steam-flaked corn based diet. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 84:741-743.

Abstracts, Non-Peer-reviewed Papers, and Presentations

Campbell, E. J. and Whitney, T. R. 2007. Potential for onions to reduce bitterweed toxicity in sheep. ABSTRACT and PRESENTATION, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. July 2007.

Whitney, T. R., D. F. Waldron, T. D. Willingham, and B. O. Payne. Evaluating nutritional status of Dorper and Rambouillet ewes in a range sheep production system. ABSTRACT and PRESENTATION, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. July 2007.

Whitney, T. R. June 2007. Introduction to internal parasites and in vitro diagnostics. PRESENTATION. Youth Veterinary Science Workshop. TAES, San Angelo.

Whitney T. R. and B. E. Olson. Conditioning ewes and lambs to increase consumption of spotted knapweed. ABSTRACT and poster, Soc. for Range Manage. Feb. 2007.

Whitney, T. R. Sept 2006. Evaluating nutritional status of Rambouillet and Dorper ewes in a range production system. PRESENTATION. Field Day, TAES San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. July 2006. Goat nutrition research at TAES, San Angelo. PRESENTATION. Angora Goat Performance Test Field Day, Sonora.

Whitney, T. R. April 2006. Nutritional consequences of drought. PRESENTATION. Natural Resource Field Day, San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. June 2006. Annual report to WERA039. PRESENTATION. Angelo State Univ., San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. June 2006. New Strategies for Managing Sheep and Goats. PRESENTATION. Professional Agricultural Workers Group Meeting. San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. and D. F. Waldron. 2006. PRESENTATION. Evaluating nutritional status of Rambouillet and Dorper ewes in a range production system. Annual report to NCERA190. Booneville AK.

Whitney, T. R. June 2006. Nutritional Research Programs. PRESENTATION. Youth Veterinary Science Workshop. TAES, San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. 2005. Nutritional programs for small ruminant production systems and white-tailed deer. PRESENTATION. Sheep and Goat Field Day, September 1. San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. 2005. Nutritional programs for small ruminant production systems. PRESENTATION. TX Agricultural Extension Service, Fall Ag. Field Day, Sept. 27. San Angelo.

Whitney, T. R. 2005. Overview of small ruminant research. PRESENTATION. Professional Agricultural Workers Group Meeting, June 17. San Angelo.

Whitney T. R. and B. E. Olson. Using molasses-based spray to increase consumption of spotted knapweed by sheep. ABSTRACT and PRESENTATION. Soc. for Range Manage. Feb. 2005.

Whitney, T. R., Duff, G. C., Collins, J. K., Henderson, D. A., and Hallford, D. M. Effects of diet for early-weaned crossbred beef steers on metabolic profiles and febrile response to an infectious bovine herpesvirus-1. ABSTRACT of the Western Section, A.S.A.S. Vol. 82, 2004.

Bailey, C. R., Duff, G. C., Cheatham, R. C., Whitney, T. R., Mendivil, O. B., Hafliger, H. C., Henderson, D. A., and Treichel, J. L. Effects of dietary urea concentration on acid-base balance of feedlot steers fed a high concentrate steam-flaked corn based diet. ABSTRACT of the Western Section, A.S.A.S. Vol. 82, 2004.

Whitney, T. R., Duff, G. C., Cuneo, P. S., Schafer, D. W., Henderson, D. A., and Hallford, D. M. Effects of weaning programs on performance, metabolic indices, and serum metabolites of first-calf heifers or mature cows. ABSTRACT of the Western Section, A.S.A.S. Vol. 54, 2003.

Whitney, T. R. Retaining Ownership of Beef Cattle. PRESENTATION. AZ Indian Field Days, White River, 2002.

Whitney, T. R. Use of Digital Imagery in Rangeland Evaluation and Management. PRESENTATION. TX Agriculture Extension Service Retreat. Abilene, TX. Spring 2000.

Whitney, T. R. Effectiveness of a Digital Technology Transfer System in Assessing Rangeland Conditions as Used by TX Range Extension Specialists. ABSTRACT. American Farm Bureau Conf., Albuquerque, NM, 1999.

Funded Research Projects:

Whitney et al. US Dept. of Transportation: Sun Grant Initiative. Evaluating the nutritional and feeding value of distiller's dried grains for small ruminants.

Whitney, T. R. Texas Food and Fibers Research Council: Effects of Juniperus pinchotii Sudw. (redberry juniper) terpenes on wool characteristics, animal performance, and reducing internal parastites.

Whitney, T. R. Texas Food and Fibers Research Council: Effects of Juniperus pinchotii Sudw. (redberry juniper) terpenes on mohair characteristics, animal performance, and reducing internal parastites.

Walker et al. Texas Food and Fibers Research Council. Angora goat production for new producers. Walker et al.

Whitney, T. R. Texas Food and Fiber Commission: Effects of supplementation on performance, rumen microbial activity, mohair growth and quality, and carcass characteristics of goats.