Kelsey Howard

Nielson Ranch Co.

Kelsey Howard, from O'Neill, Nebraska, is bringing her passion for livestock production to the Nielson Ranch Co. this summer. She is currently a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Animal Science with a minor in the Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars Program. Kelsey was raised on a small cow-calf operation, which developed her passion for genetic advancement. Throughout her time in college, this interest has grown significantly. She has developed a strong interest in genetics and data collection, utilizing these tools to enhance herd performance. Kelsey is eager to implement new ideas, especially those that will benefit her herd.

Kelsey credits her dad as the most significant influence on her agricultural journey. From a young age, she and her siblings have been actively involved in the family's cattle operation, which has sparked a lasting passion for livestock. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic, being eager to learn, and truly enjoying what you do. "When you are passionate about your work, it shows, allowing you to have fun while making meaningful contributions," Kelsey said.

Kelsey is excited to spend the summer at Nielson Ranch, where she looks forward to expanding her knowledge of cattle and gaining hands-on experience, particularly in horsemanship and understanding the inner workings of the operation.

A fun fact about Kelsey is that she has a twin sister! She would learn to rope if she could instantly learn any ranch skill. Kelsey's future goals include exploring beef reproduction technologies, especially artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET). She is considering graduate school in animal science with a focus on reproductive physiology but is committed to staying involved in the beef industry in some capacity after graduation.