Graduate Research Assistant
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
Originally from Garden City, Texas, Rafe received his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Chemistry from Texas Tech University in 2020, as well as a Master’s degree in Animal Science fromKansas State University in 2022. Growing up in the show pig industry, coupled with a background in livestock judging, and an involvement in research as an undergraduate led pursue graduate studies in swine nutrition.
Rafe joined the Kansas State University Swine Nutrition team in the fall of 2020. His Master’s research focused on determining Lysine requirements of DNA 600 × 241 full program pigs throughout the growing and finishing phases to develop prediction equations to maximize growth and profitability. Additionally, Rafe has conducted research using Potassium Bicarbonate to adjust DCAD levels in diets with varying levels of synthetic lysine, as well as a nursery study comparing various specialty vegetable protein sources in nursery pig diets.
During his Ph.D. program Rafe has conducted nursery pig research analyzing the effects of including novel carbohydrate products to starter diets, as a replacement for traditional lactose sources, on growth performance and feed preference. He has also conducted a series of trial to determine the required Threonine to Lysine and Tryptophan to Lysine ratios of PIC genetic‐based growing‐finishing pigs. In conjunction with JBS Live Pork, Rafe has studied the effects of feed-pan design on lactating sow and litter performance. Most recently, Rafe has studied the effect of reducing dietary net energy on finishing pig performance, and has used this data to compare various NE systems using caloric efficiency.
Upon completion of his studies Rafe plans to follow his passion of working with pigs and people with a position in technical services, sales, or in a production system.
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Monday, March 11, 2024
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM CST