Two Colorado State Univeristy (CSU) Ph.D. students have won the coveted W.D. Farr Scholarship. Plainview, Texas native Jessica Igo and Pontette, Wisconsin native Scott Howard received the award during the General Session at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in its second day in Kissimmee, Florida. The $12,000 scholarships are given by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF).

Both Igo and Howard have grown up in the beef industry and since doing their undergraduate work, Igo at Texas A & M University and Howard at CSU, they have known they would build careers in the industry. Igo’s thesis is focused on the National Beef Quality Audit and is conducting face-to-face interviews in phase 1. She is talking to everyone from the feeders to the grocery stores to restaurants to see what they want from their beef products. Howard’s research is focused on beef tenderness and is in the process of conducting a beef tenderness survey.

“These two outstanding students are very deserving of the W.D. Farr Scholarships,” said Linda Davis, a NCF Trustee and chair of the W.D. Farr Scholarship Committee. “They not only excel academically, but also have demonstrated true leadership qualities and the character needed to stand out in their fields after finishing their degrees. The beef industry will be well-served by furthering the educations and careers of these fine young people.”

During an interview I asked both Igo and Howard how winning the scholarship will help move their academics forward. Howard said it will allow him to become engrossed in his research and give him the ability to commit wholeheartedly to his project. Igo hopes that the scholarship will help her research make a difference as well as give her a springboard for her entry into the industry.

Igo is graduating in May of 2012 and Howard in 2013. I anticipate they will both be in high demand, so the beef industry will need to take note – there will be some great competition to hire these amazing young students.

Listen to my interview with Jessica Igo and Scott Howard here: W.D. Farr Scholarship Winners

Photos from the conference will be posted to this photo album: 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album. Check it often as we add to it over the next several days.