Nicholas Kertz

My career goal is to become a professor with appointments in research and extension. Specifically, I want to develop an applied research program that generates practical, profitable, and sustainable practices for beef cattle producers. My specific areas of interest are replacement heifer development, replacement heifer selection criteria, and improved synchronization protocols in beef cattle. Currently, my master’s research focuses on improving beef heifer fertility and replacement selection through genomics-based approaches. Replacement heifer selection can dictate the future of the herd, so producers want to make the best possible selection decisions. My genomics research is working towards identifying genetic markers to improve the accuracy of replacement heifer selection. We expect that by using these markers, we can early select heifers with high genetic potential and reduce the lost costs of replacement heifer candidates that fail to breed.

For the near future, I am planning to further my education with a Ph.D. in applied cow/calf management focusing on reproduction. On this path, I wish to work with producers on management strategies that boost production efficiency and profitability. With a basic science-based, genomics master’s, an applied cow/calf Ph.D., and all my experiences, I plan to become a professor whose main career goal is to help cattle producers succeed in the cattle business.