Agricultural Division Staff: Billy Cook
Cook joined the Noble Foundation in 1999 as a livestock specialist on the NF-2 consultation team. In November 2004, he took the consulting support research manager position where he planned, coordinated and implemented the Agricultural Division's research and demonstration efforts. He was also responsible for overseeing the management of the Noble Foundation's farm resources. His specific research interests involve replacement beef heifer selection and management and enhancing stocker cattle performance on cool-season and warm-season pastures. In April 2009, Cook became the senior vice president and director of the Agricultural Division. Cook served as general manager of the Beef Development and Research Center of Texas from January 1998 until joining the Noble Foundation. He managed this newly founded bull performance and development program through the first 18 months of its operation. During this time, more than 1,700 bulls were performance tested. Cook is a member of the American Society of Animal Science and the American Meat Science Association. Cook grew up in the small West Texas community of Imperial.• Doctor of Philosophy in beef cattle production and meat science, 1997, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
• Master of Science in beef cattle production, 1995, Texas A&M University
• Bachelor of Science in animal health management, 1991, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas