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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

West Central Research and Extension Center

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Beef Reproductive Physiologist Rick Funston

Rick Funston
Associate Professor
Beef Reproductive Physiology Specialist

Office Location:
Office Address:

Phone:
Fax:
Email:

 West Central Research and Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 696-6703
(308) 696-6780
rfunston2@unl.edu

 

Extension Program Areas:

  • Beef reproductive management
  • Heifer development systems
  • Cow/calf management

Research Interests

  • Heifer development
  • Re-breeding of the first-calf heifer

Education

  • Postdoctoral, Reproduction/Biotechnology, Colorado State University, 1995
  • Ph.D., Reproductive Biology, University of Wyoming, 1993
  • M.S., Animal Science, Montana State University, 1987
  • B.S., Animal Science, North Dakota State University, 1985

Previous Positions Held

  • Reproductive Physiologist, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska, (August 2002-present)
  • Extension Beef Specialist, Montana State University, (July 1998-July 2002)
  • Assistant Professor, Animal Science, Chadron State College, (August 1995-June 1998)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physiology, Colorado State University, (September 1993-August 1995)
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Animal Science, University of Wyoming, (September 1990-August 1993)
  • Nutritionist/Sales Manager, Woody's Feed and Grain, Dickinson, ND, (January 1989-August 1990)
  • Sales Representative, Moorman's Feed Company, Bismarck, ND, (October 1988-January 1989)
  • Extension Agent, Montana State University, Scobey, MT, (August 1987-October 1988)
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Animal/Range Sciences, Montana State University, (July 1985-July 1987)

Awards and Honors

  • Rodeo Scholarship, NDSU, Fargo
  • Alpha Zeta Honorary Fraternity, NDSU, Fargo
  • Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society, UW, Laramie
  • American Society of Animal Science Scholarship Award
  • Director's Award for Excellence for leadership in the MT Beef Network

Professional Society Memberships and Service

  • Rodeo Team Coach, Chadron State College
  • Co-advisor of Agriculture Club, Chadron State College
  • Co-advisor of Pre-Vet Club, Chadron State College
  • American Society of Animal Science
  • Western Beef Resource Committee Member
  • Montana Representative for ADDS National Beef Infobase
  • WRCC-110 Nutrition Committee
  • Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science Extension Committee
  • Western Section Extension Committee (chair and symposium coordinator; 2001)
  • Beef Questions and Answers Newsletter Co-editor
  • State Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Board
  • MT State 4-H Livestock Committee
  • MT State 4-H Livestock Sale Committee
  • Fort Keogh Information Technology Committee
  • Gate to Plate Organization and Planning Committee
  • Cow Capital Beef Conference Planning Committee
  • Fort Keogh Field Day Planning Committee and MC for Presentations
  • Bovine Connection Planning Committee
  • January Thaw Planning Committee
  • Multi-state - Fort Keogh, Bi-annual Agent/Specialist Symposium, Organizer
  • State Beefability Coordinator
  • Member of GSL planning committee
  • Faculty coordinator for beef cattle research and facilities at WCREC
  • Member of the North Central Region Bovine Reproductive Task Force
  • Editorial board for Journal of Animal Science
  • NCBA Beef Production Research Committee

Selected Publications: Refereed Journal Articles

  • Funston, R. N. , Adams, D. C., & Stockton, M. C. (2007). Dried distillers grains as creep feed for yearling beef cattle grazing sandhill range. Professional Animal Scientist.23:170.
  • Martin, J. L., Vonnahme, K. A., Adams, D. C., Lardy, G. P., & Funston, R. N. (2007). Effects of dam nutrition on growth and reproductive performance of heifer calves. Journal of Animal. Science.85:841.
  • Martin, J. L., Cupp, A. S., Rasby, R. J., Hall, Z. C., & Funston, R. N.(2007). Utilization of dried distillers grains for developing beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science.85:2298.
  • Harris, H. L., Cupp, A. S., Roberts, A. J., & Funston, R. N. (2008). Utilization of soybeans or corn milling co-products in beef heifer development diets. Journal of Animal Science.86:476–482
  • Martin, J. L., Creighton, K. W., Musgrave, J. A., Klopfenstein, T. J., Clark, R. T., Adams, D. C., & Funston, R. N. (2008). Effect of pre-breeding body weight or progestin exposure before breeding on beef heifer performance through the second breeding season. Journal of Animal Science. 86 :451–459

Selected Publications: Manuscripts and Proceedings

  • Isle, B. R., Kirsch, J. D., Paasch, S., Odde, K. G., Funston, R. N., Lardy, G. P., & Vonnahme, K. A. (2007). Growth and attainment of puberty in heifers from cows supplemented with linseed meal during early lactation. Proceedings of the Western Section, American Society of Animal Science. 58.
  • Funston, R. N. (2007). Fetal programming. Proceedings of the Tri-state cow/calf symposium. Benkelman, NE.
  • Funston, R. N. (2007). Nutrition and reproduction interactions. Proceedings of the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. Billings, MT. pp. 163-179.

Selected Publications: Abstracts

  • Martin, J. L., Funston, R. N., Clopton, D. T., Harris, H. L, & Cupp, A. S. (2006). Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor VEGF120 but not VEGF164 expression is increased in granulose cells of bovine dominant follicles due to nutrition. Biology of Reproduction. (Suppl. 1):148.
  • Martin, J. L., Adams, D. C., & Funston, R. N. (2007). Effects of dam winter grazing system and protein supplementation on progeny performance. Journal of Animal. Science. 85 (Suppl. 2):119.
  • Larson, D. M., & Funston, R. N. (2007). Effect of wintering system and level of nutrition around the time of breeding on gain and reproduction in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science.85 (Suppl. 2):119.
  • Greenquist, M. A., Klopfenstein, T. J., Lomas, Blasi, D. C., Adams, D. C., Schacht, W. H., Morris, S. E., Gustad, K. H., Funston, R. N., MacDonald, J. C., & Epp, M. (2007). Summary analysis of yearling cattle response to distillers grains supplementation. Journal of Animal Science.85 (Suppl. 2):132.
  • Isle, B. R., Kirsch, J. D., Paasch, S., Odde, K. G., Funston, R. N., Lardy, G. P., & Vonnahme, K. A. (2007). Growth and attainment of puberty in heifers from cows supplemented with linseed meal during early lactation. Journal of Animal Science.85 (Suppl. 2):169.
  • Griffin, W. A., Adams, D. C., & Funston, R. N. (2007). The effect of delaying initial implant on finishing performance and carcass characteristics. Journal of Animal Science.85 (Suppl. 1):170.
  • Funston, R. N. (2007). Dietary lipids and reproduction in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science.85 (Suppl. 1):401 (invited).
  • Martin, J. L., Creighton, K. W., Musgrave, J. A., Adams, D. C., & Funston, R. N. (2007). Effects of pre-breeding target weight and progestin on reproduction, calving parameters, and re-breeding in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science.85 (Suppl. 1):609.

West Central Research and Extension Center * Faculty and Staff