Trail to Beef Excellence: OSU Alum Advances Cattle Production in Oklahoma

By Karli Schwerdtfeger

At the age of 7, Mark Shaw, from Canyon, Texas, was perched on the fence with his parents watching a cow C-section be performed by a local veterinarian. Not long after, Shaw decided animal health was his passion.

“I began raising and showing livestock at an early age, which led to a key interest and a passion for judging livestock,” said Mark Shaw, a cattle producer and entrepreneur. “I was involved in 4-H and later FFA.”

Having been involved with cattle and quarter horses growing up, Shaw said he knew he wanted to focus his education in agriculture. Oklahoma State University was a straightforward decision to further his education.

“As a leader in animal agriculture, a leader in livestock judging and facilitating a leading veterinary school, it was an easy decision for me.” Shaw said. “My experience while I was at OSU was phenomenal.”

During Shaw’s collegiate journey, he was a dedicated member of the OSU Block and Bridle Club and an advisory group led by Robert Totusek, former animal science department head. Shaw was also a member on the 1983 OSU Livestock Judging Team, he said.

While earning his bachelor’s degree in animal science, with a concentration in production and agribusiness, Shaw said he started raising cattle and hogs on his own with hopes of a successful career in producing livestock. Industry leaders invested in him and helped him prepare for his future career, Shaw added.

“I was truly surrounded by icons,” Shaw said of his mentors at OSU. “They were really instrumental in my life and my career.”

In 1984 Shaw graduated from OSU and experienced a major turn in his plan due to a market correction and disease outbreak affecting his cattle business, he said. Shifting gears, he created an alternate plan, Shaw added.