MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Daniel Rivera joined the Mississippi State University team that supports the state’s livestock industry when he accepted a position in September with the MSU Extension Service.

Rivera is the Extension livestock specialist for the southwest district and works from the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond. He is a member of MSU’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences.

“We are fortunate to have Dr. Rivera in Mississippi. His expertise in livestock production and nutrition will benefit producers in the state,” said Terry Kiser, head of MSU’s Animal and Dairy Sciences.

Rivera holds a doctoral degree in animal science and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from New Mexico State University. He earned a master of science in agriculture from West Texas A&M University.

“Livestock and agriculture in general are such an integral part of Mississippi, and anytime someone can help the producer improve, even if it is just a little, you are helping the livestock industry as a whole improve,” Rivera said. “With the distress in the markets and with the agricultural industry facing challenges we never have faced before, having someone support the area agents and county directors is more important than ever before.”

Before coming to MSU, Rivera was a nutritionist for a privately owned commercial feed company in Colorado and helped customers plan winter feeding programs for their beef cattle. Before that, he worked internationally for an animal health company as a technical consultant.

“After four years in industry, I wanted to return to an academic role, but I wanted to do something that allowed me to stay in the field. Extension was a natural choice,” Rivera said. “I had been working with small producers in Colorado, and I wanted to continue doing this and go back to working with calves.”

Rivera and his wife, Beth, have two young sons and live in Clinton.