| Affiliations: | Aggie Research Mentoring Program |
| Project Leader: | Vishnudas Kulangara Veettil
Animal Science |
| Faculty Mentor | Karun Kaniyamattam, PhD |
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Meeting Times:
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TBA |
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Team Size:
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3
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| Open Spots: | 1 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Students will gain hands on experience building a quantitative system dynamics model, develop practical skills in data collection and analysis, and receive structured training in research writing. Those who make substantive contributions will be offered co authorship on resulting manuscripts and presentations and will be invited to continue as full members of the research group on future projects.
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Team Needs:
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Motivated students who want to learn system dynamics modeling from the ground up are ideal for this project. No specific programming or math background is required; an interest in refining research writing skills is a plus. Familiarity with animal or veterinary science is appreciated but not essential—enthusiasm for the subject and a willingness to engage with quantitative tools matter most. |
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Description:
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Cow-calf operations form the foundation of the U.S. beef sector, yet their profitability often fluctuates due to feed prices, cattle market volatility, weather shocks, and herd health expenses. This project aims to transform a previously developed causal loop diagram into a quantitative system dynamics model that integrates herd biology, production costs, market revenues, and climate stressors. Team members will compile data on calf prices, feed and veterinary costs, weather indices, and reproductive performance from sources such as USDA, NOAA, and peer-reviewed literature. These data will be used to parameterize and calibrate stock-and-flow equations in Vensim, ensuring they accurately reflect the biological and financial dynamics of cow-calf systems. Scenario analyses—such as feed cost spikes, market downturns, and disease outbreaks—will be conducted to evaluate their effects on long-term profitability and herd dynamics over a ten-year horizon. The project will also focus on identifying leverage points, including management interventions and policy changes, that can enhance the economic resilience of cow-calf operations. In addition to modeling work, one of the key mandates of the project is to collaboratively write a research article that summarizes the methodology, results, and implications of the system dynamics approach. Participants will gain hands-on experience in data management, equation-based modeling, risk analysis, and scientific writing, contributing to the development of a validated decision-support tool that stakeholders can use to test strategies before implementation in the field. |