Shelley Curry of Kennard, Texas, and Sydney Bowman-Schnug of Fort Lupton, Colorado, have each been awarded a $15,000 W.D. Farr Scholarship by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). The annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program recognizes outstanding graduate students for their academic achievements, leadership and commitment to the advancement of the beef industry. The scholarship recipients will be recognized during CattleCon 2026, Feb. 3-5, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Shelley Curry is a fourth-generation rancher and PhD candidate at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, studying how heat stress affects livestock performance, welfare and product quality. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from Texas A&M University. Her commitment to the beef industry is rooted in a lifetime of experience, academic training and professional development. Curry’s professional goal is to become an independent researcher and educator dedicated to advancing the beef industry through innovative, science-based solutions.
“This scholarship will provide critical support to further my education and research and will allow me to share my findings at national scientific conferences, producer meetings and industry workshops.,” Curry said. “Disseminating research in these forums not only advances scientific knowledge but also ensures that producers, students and consumers benefit from timely, research-based information.”
Sydney Bowman-Schnug is a PhD candidate at Colorado State University, studying ruminant nutrition and effective management strategies to maximize performance while maintaining animal health. She completed her master’s program at Texas Tech University and is a third-generation Colorado cattle producer. Bowman-Schnug plans to pursue a career as a consulting feedlot nutritionist with a goal to incorporate classic feeding strategies with cutting-edge additive technologies in a way that complements cattle type.
“This scholarship is a blessing and will help me encourage the next generation of agricultural leaders in both youth and undergraduate teaching programs,” said Bowman-Schnug. “It will make a monumental difference in my pursuit to further the future of the cattle industry.”
Click here to see more...