Extension feedlot specialist joins K-State
The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry has hired Rebecca McDermott as an assistant professor and Extension feedlot specialist. McDermott joined K-State at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester.
McDermott has an appointment consisting of 70% extension, 20% teaching and 10% research, allowing her to work directly with Kansas feedlot producers, industry partners, extension agents and students. Her extension and research programs will focus on improving the efficiency of feedlot cattle through nutritional and management strategies while providing students with opportunities to learn more about the feedlot industry.
“It is such an exciting time to be at Kansas State, especially in the feedlot space,” McDermott said. “With the construction of the new feedlot, we will have the opportunity to conduct industry-relevant research and train students by providing hands-on, experiential learning. I am looking forward to building trusted, collaborative relationships with my colleagues, cattle feeders, consultants, and other stakeholders across the Kansas beef industry.”
McDermott grew up on her family’s swine operation in central Missouri, where she was involved in 4-H and FFA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Missouri in 2019 before earning her master’s and doctoral degrees in animal science, specializing in ruminant nutrition, from the University of Nebraska in 2022 and 2026, respectively.
Her graduate research focused on the use of byproducts from various corn processing methods, accelerated adaptation programs for finishing cattle and the quantification and partitioning of greenhouse gas fluxes in grazing systems. During graduate school, McDermott also served as a feedlot research coordinator, helping plan and implement 42 research projects and collect data for them while training and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
