Dr. Jessica Gentry Carter
MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience
Professor of Animal Science
e-mail:  jgcarter@mtsu.edu
ph. (615) 898-2419
fax: (615) 898-5169

Background
Raised in central Kentucky on a diversified livestock farm.  Enterprises included registered Simmental cattle, crossbred lambs, and pigs.

Education 
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture/Animal Science
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 1996

Master of Science in Agriculture/Animal Science
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 1998
Thesis title: “Effect of Calf Morbidity on Feedlot Performance and Profitability”

Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, December, 2001
Dissertation title: “Alternative and Outdoor Housing Systems for Pigs:  Effects on Growth, Meat Quality, and Muscle Characteristics”

Employment
Middle Tennessee State University, August 2002 - present
•Assistant Professor – 80% teaching appointment for animal and meat science courses.  Other responsibilities include developing a research program, student academic advisement, and serving as an advisor to departmental clubs.

Professional Memberships and Activities:
• American Society of Animal Science, member
• American Meat Science Association, member
• American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists - Beef Cattle (ARPAS)
• Journal of Animal Science, editorial Board
• Gamma Sigma Delta, member
• Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, 2002-present.
• Tennessee Cattlemen's Association, 2003-present.
 

Courses Taught at Middle Tennessee State University
• Elements of Animal Science
• Beef Production
• Swine Production
• Meat Science and Technology
• Livestock Evaluation
• Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Livestock Management

Publications
1. Gentry, J. G., J. J. McGlone, M. F. Miller, and J. R. Blanton, Jr. 2004. Environmental effects on pig performance, meat quality, and muscle characteristics. J. Anim. Sci. 82:209-217.

2. Hilton, G. G., J. G. Gentry, D. M. Allen, and M. F. Miller. 2004. Utilization of beef from different biological types of cattle to produce a guaranteed tender beef product. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1190-1194.

3. Montgomery, J. L., M. B. King, J. G. Gentry, A. R. Barham, B. L. Barham, G. G. Hilton, J. R. Blanton, Jr., R. L. Horst, M. L. Galyean, K. J. Morrow, Jr., D. B. Wester, and M. F. Miller. 2004. Supplemental vitamin D₃ concentration and biological type of steers: II. Tenderness, quality, and residues of beef. J. Anim. Sci. 82:2092-2104.

4. Gentry, J. G., J. J. McGlone, J. R. Blanton, Jr., and M. F. Miller. 2002. Impact of spontaneous exercise on performance, meat quality and muscle fiber characteristics on growing/finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 80:3833-2839.

5. Gentry, J. G., J. J. McGlone, M. F. Miller, and J. R. Blanton, Jr. 2002. Diverse birth and rearing environment effects on pig growth and meat quality. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1707-1715.

6. Gentry, J. G., J. J. McGlone, J. R. Blanton, Jr., and M. F. Miller. 2002.  Alternative housing systems for pigs: influences on growth and pork quality. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1781-1790.

7. Hamman, L. L., J. G. Gentry, C. B. Ramsey, J. J. McGlone, and M. F. Miller. 2001. The effect of vitamin-mineral nutritional modulation on the pork quality of halothane carriers. J. Muscle Foods. 12:37-51.

8. Roeber, D. L., N. C. Speer, J. G. Gentry, J. D. Tatum, C. D. Smith, J. C. Whittier, G. F. Jones, K. E. Belk, and G. C. Smith. 2001. Feeder cattle health management: effects on morbidity rates, feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and beef palatability. Professional Animal Scientist. 17:39-44.

Abstract

1. Cox, R. B., C. R. Kerth, W. R. Jones, J. G. Gentry, J. W. Prevatt. 2004 Determining consumer acceptability of forage- or concentrate-finished beef in three southeastern U. S. states.  Proc. Recip. Meat Conf. 57:(Abstr.)

2. Skelton, W., J. Gentry, and M. Farone. 2004. The isolation and identification of Escherichia coli strains responsible for calfhood scours. Presented at MTSU Undergraduate research competition. April 16, 2004.

3. Downs, K. M., J. G. Gentry, and J. E. Melhorn. 2003. A service learning approach to teaching companion animal management. Presented at the Southern Section ASAS 2003 Meeting. Mobile, AL. 

4. Gentry, J. G., J. J. McGlone, M. F. Miller, and J. R. Blanton, Jr. 2002. Environmental effects on pig performance, meat quality, and muscle characteristics.  J. Anim. Sci. (Supp. 1).

5. Gentry, J. G., J. J. McGlone, J. R. Blanton, Jr., and M. F. Miller. 2001. Diverse birth and rearing housing systems:  effects on pig growth, meat quality and muscle fiber characteristics.  54^th Reciprocal Meat Conference, Vol. II. p 377.

6. Tynan, W. P., J. G. Gentry, A. K. Johnson, H. A. Rachuonyo, J. F. Smith, and J. J. McGlone. 2001. A sustainable outdoor pork production farm.  J. Anim. Sci. (Supp. 1) 79:186. 

7. Gentry, J. G., G. G. Hilton, J. L. Montgomery, and M. F. Miller. 2000.  Comparison of compression and tension shearing methods of beef top loin steaks.  Proceedings of the 53^rd Reciprocal Meat Conference. p 130.

8. Gentry, J. G., J. R. Blanton, Jr., J. J. McGlone, and M. F. Miller. 2000. Pork quality of pigs finished indoors or outdoors under a commercial setting. J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1). 78:154.

9. Gentry, J. G., J. R. Blanton, Jr., J. J. McGlone, J. L. Morrow-Tesch, and M. F. Miller. 2000. Pork quality and muscle characteristics of pigs finished indoors or outdoors during the winter months.  J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1). 78:158.

10. Montgomery, J. L., J. G. Gentry, L. L. Behrends, E. R. Behrends, G. G. Hilton, M. Galyean, J. R. Blanton, Jr., A. Barham, B. Barham, and M. F. Miller. 2000. Supplemental Vitamin D₃ improves beef tenderness. J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1) 78:159.

11. Gentry, J. G., N. C. Speer, G. F. Jones, C. D. Smith, and J. C. Whittier. The effect of value-added calf programs on morbidity rates and feedlot performance through the reimplant period. 1999. J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1). 77:233.

12. Gentry, J. G., M. F. Miller, and J. J. McGlone. 1999. Pork Quality of hogs finished on slats and deep-bedding. J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1). 77:151.

13. Montgomery, J., M. Carr, J. Gentry, L. Ligon, and M. Miller. 1999. The utilization of carcass traits to predict beef Warner-Bratzler shear force. Proceedings of the 52^nd Reciprocal Meat Conference. p 141.

14. Rachuonyo, H. A., C. Green, J. L. Morrow-Tesch, J. G. Gentry, D. L. Anderson, S. C. Wilson, J. W. Dailey, H. T. Bird, and J. J. McGlone. 1999. Behavior and environmental impact of outdoor gestating sows: effect of cold weather and grass burning. J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1). 77:151.

Technical Reports:

1. Gentry, J. G., K. Burdine, and J. J. Johns. 2002.  Results of Five State Beef Initiative in Kentucky.  Cow Country News. Lexington, KY. June, p A15.

2. Gentry, J. G., M. F. Miller, and J. J. McGlone. 2001. Alternative production systems:  influences on pig growth and pork quality.  2nd International Virtual Conference on Pork Quality. Concordia, Brazil.

3. Gentry, J. G., M. F. Miller, and J. J. McGlone. 2000. Carcass and sensory traits of outdoor-born pigs finished either on slatted or bedded finishing buildings. Sustainable Pork Symposium. Texas Tech University, Lubbock. p 18-19.

4. Gentry, J. G., J. R. Blanton, Jr., M. F. Miller, J. Morrow-Tesch, and J. J. McGlone. 2000. Weight gain, carcass and sensory traits of Newsham^® indoor-born pigs finished in an outdoor environment. Sustainable Pork Symposium. Texas Tech University, Lubbock. p 12-14.

5. J. D. Hill and J. G. Gentry. Design of loadout systems for deep bed finishing facilities:
Case study. Proceedings of the 1^st International Conference:  Swine Housing. Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 9-11, 2000. p 317-323.

Invited Presentations:

1. Gentry, J. G. and J. J. McGlone. 2003. Alternative Pork Production Systems:  Overview of Facilities, Performance Measures, and Meat Quality. Presented at the III International Meeting on Swine Production, April 4, 2003, Vila Real, Portugal.

2. Gentry, J. G., and J. J. McGlone. 2003.  Comparison of Finishing Systems:  Impact on Health, Performance, and Carcass Composition. Presented at 2003 Midwest Animal Science Meeting.

Undergraduate and Graduate Student Activities
•President of Animal Science Graduate Student Association at Texas Tech University, 2000-2001.
•Member of Texas Tech University Graduate and Professional Student Government Association, 2001.
•Member of Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honors Society, 2000.
•Student Member of Texas Tech University Building Planning Committee- involved in the planning of a new animal science building, 2001.
•Member of Texas Tech University Meat Science Association, 1998-2001.
•Western Kentucky University Block and Bridle Club- Secretary, 1994, President, 1995.
•Western Kentucky University Livestock Judging Team, 1995.
•Western Kentucky University Agriculture Ambassador, 1994-1997.

Honors
•American FFA Degree, 1993.
•High Individual overall in Livestock Evaluation Contest- Southeastern Livestock Contest, Murfreesboro, TN, 1995.
•High individual overall and in reasons at The Main Event Livestock Judging Contest, Urbana, OH, 1995.
•American Junior Simmental Association Gold Merit Award, 1996.
•Kentucky Pork Producers Association- Fellowship to attend the Pork Leadership Institute in Des Moines, Iowa and Washington D.C., 1997.
•Western Kentucky University- Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Agriculture Department, 1998.
•Fellowship to attend the International Livestock Congress in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show, 1998.
•Graduate Student Association Scholarship at Texas Tech University, 1998, 1999, 2000.
•Excellence in Meat Science Scholarship at Texas Tech University, 1999, 2000, 2001.
•San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship recipient, 2000.
•Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student in Texas Tech University Animal Science and Food Technology Department, 2001.
•American Meat Science Association Graduate Research Poster Competition, 2^nd place in Ph.D. division, 2001.