Animal Science Department

Jonathon L. Beckett, Ph.D.

Jonathon Beckett teaches beef cattle production courses in the animal science department. Additionally, he offers courses in domestic animal endocrinology and spreadsheet analysis. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and earned his master's degree in animal science and doctorate degree in endocrinology from University of California at Davis. Prior to coming to Cal Poly, Beckett taught animal science at Middle Tennessee State University.

Beckett serves as the livestock coordinator for the Swanton Pacific Ranch. This ranch, located in Santa Cruz County, is used to provide learning opportunities for Cal Poly students in production agriculture. In animal science, the ranch grazes approximately 550 stocker cattle each year that are brought to the ranch in February and graze until July. For the past three years, these cattle have been used to test the effectiveness of various deworming products available to producers. The ranch also maintains a cow-calf herd of 30 cows and the meat from resulting calves is direct marketed to consumers as natural beef products.

Beckett conducts research in the livestock area. He works with various pharmaceutical companies to test the effectiveness of their products in California production systems. At the Cal Poly Beef Cattle Evaluation Center, Beckett has conducted three trials testing growth-promoting implants in Holstein steers. These studies determine the effects of various implanting strategies on growth, performance, carcass characteristics and meat tenderness. Another avenue of research Beckett explores is the effectiveness of pour-on dewormers in stocker cattle. His research projects relied heavily on undergraduate students. Students interested in graduate school are encouraged to participate in the studies.

Beckett serves as an adviser for animal science undergraduate students, and is an adviser for the Block & Bridle club.