Bonnie Johnson
September 02, 2025
Media ArticleMississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service has welcomed Genevieve D’Souza as its new beef cattle specialist. She began her role on May 1 and is based at the Brown Loam branch of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station in Raymond, where she also leads research.
A native of Texas, D’Souza brings strong experience in ruminant nutrition to Mississippi cattle producers. She will work directly with producers in the central region and across the state. Her extension education programs, and research will focus on improving nutrition for pasture-raised cattle as well as supporting other cattle production systems, including stockering and backgrounding.
D’Souza expressed her vision for the role. “My goal is to help Mississippi cattle producers be more competitive in local and national markets. My plans are to investigate how producers can utilize their locally available resources, like forages and commodity products, to help them continue to grow healthy, safe and nutritious beef cattle,” she said. Along with her Extension role, she also serves as an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Texas Tech University, a Master of Science in agricultural science from East Texas A&M University, and a doctorate in animal science with a concentration in ruminant nutrition and microbiology from Texas A&M University.
D’Souza is actively involved in professional associations, including the American Society of Animal Science, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association, American Angus Association, American Hereford Association, Plains Nutrition Council, and the European Federation of Animal Science.
The Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station, where she is based, is one of three MAFES branches located in the central region of Mississippi. The station conducts research on cattle, forage, and agronomic crops, making it an ideal location for her work.
Through her expertise and leadership, D’Souza is expected to play a key role in helping Mississippi cattle producers improve their operations and strengthen the state’s cattle industry.
Photo by: extension.msstate.edu
