Durham, Ralph 1975-07-12
Dr. Ralph Durham, professor of animal science at Texas Tech and former department chairman, discusses his career, particularly his experiments and innovations in the livestock industry.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ralph Durham
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: July 12, 1975
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: David Murrah
Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Biographical data; family background,
Early interest in the animal industry,
Dwarfism in cattle discussed,
Work for the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
Work with swine at Iowa State University,
Came to Texas Tech in 1959 as Chairman of Animal Science Department,
Progress in the department during the next six years,
Changes in standards of cattle judging,
Changes in courses offered by Animal Science Department,
Anecdote about the Jack Frost Anxiety herd,
Breeding experiments described,
Beginning of the feedlot industry in the area,
Economic advantages
Tape 1, Side 2:
Future of the feedlot industry,
Feeding contest with Jake Hest,
Swine testing experiments in Iowa,
Resigned as department chairman in 1965,
Explanation of beef grading as applied to cattle buying,
Bud Williams recalled,
Other influences on him named,
Experiments in feeding cattle weeds,
Changes in the Animal Science Department between 1959 and 1964,
Course in feedlot management discussed,
Course in livestock buying described,
Experiments in feeding cattle mesquite wood
Tape 2, Side 1:
Experiments feeding manure to cattle and chicken,
Rumen inoculations recalled,
Experiments injecting fat into meat for marbling,
Began managing Tech farm in 1971,
Changes in the Animal Science Department in the last ten years,
Learning to judge cattle discussed,
Changes in size and shape of beef cattle,
Experiments feeding cottonseed to cattle,
Opposed by cattlemen's associations,
Correspondence being donated to Southwest Collection discussed
Tape 2, Side 2:
Blank
Range Dates: 1959-1971
Bulk Dates: 1959-1971
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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