| animal science |
Always Ready
ABAC professor demonstrates an array of talents
by Mike Chason photography by Ava Jane Teasley
The calf was on the way . But the baby ’ s mama needed help . Dr . Mary Ellen Hicks was ready . Students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will tell you that Hicks , a much-acclaimed professor of animal science for the past 33 years , is always ready , whether it ’ s in the classroom , in an advising session or assisting in the delivery of a new calf on ABAC ’ s J . G . Woodroof Farm .
“ We hope that calf ’ s mama will get it done on her own but I do help those that have problems ,” Hicks said . “ I don ’ t like spending long nights up here . But it happens . We pull students in on it , too . I expect we ’ ll have close to 100 calves at ABAC this spring .”
Managed by Hicks ’ husband , Doug , ABAC ’ s cattle herd numbers 120 or so . Doug Hicks , an ABAC employee since 2002 , is the beef herd manager and in charge of forage production .
“ When I started teaching at ABAC in 1989 , we had a herd of maybe 25 ,” Dr . Mary Ellen Hicks said . “ The herd had to grow because our number of students has grown . Assisting with the birth process is the reason I went into veterinary medicine . I ’ m used to it .”
Calves weigh about 75 pounds when they ’ re born . For the next eight months , their mamas take care of them .
“ Seeing the big picture is important . The diversification of jobs in agriculture these days is quite amazing .”
20 TiftonScene | MAY 2022