Cyrus Gibbons is one of just five students nationwide to earn a United States Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) scholarship. He will head to Tampa, Florida, in late April 2026 to attend their General Assembly Meeting. There, he’ll meet beef industry leaders and take part in discussions on sustainable beef production. The scholarship will cover his full registration and give him a $1,500 stipend for travel and lodging.
About the USRSB
Bringing together diverse stakeholders, USRSB promotes and advances sustainability throughout the U.S. beef value chain. The group defines sustainable beef production as practices that are socially responsible, environmentally sound, and economically practical. Their emphasis on the planet, people, animals, and progress drives programs that encourage continuous improvement.
Gibbon’s alignment with USRSB’s mission drew him to the scholarship. “After Dr. Johnson told me about the scholarship, I looked into the USRSB. Their values resonated with me,” he said. “Sustainable beef production is necessary if the industry is to remain viable in the future.”
Gibbons views the upcoming roundtable as an opportunity to learn how to help enhance sustainability in the beef industry and bridge the gap between producers and the public. He is especially interested in practical strategies that connect the beef industry with consumers, particularly as animal agriculture faces increasing attention.
Reflecting on this goal, he adds, “Having sustainability practices for producers can create a clearer understanding of the reality of beef production and help realign values within the general public, bridging the gap between producers and non-agriculturists.”
During his time in Florida, building on his aims for the roundtable, Gibbons will meet people from all segments of the beef supply chain, including producers, packers, and educators. He will also participate in exclusive tours that showcase Florida’s beef industry, from ranches to research and resource management. These visits will allow him to compare beef production in Florida and Washington.
Gibbons’ agricultural journey
Growing up in the Columbia Basin, Gibbons was surrounded by agriculture from a young age, and his passion for the cattle industry started about a mile from home at the Burkholder and Unruh ranch in Warden, Washington. For years, he showed their cattle statewide and worked on their Angus cattle ranch, where he learned the basics of running a successful beef cattle operation, including nutrition, animal care, herd health, and farm equipment maintenance. He continues to assist with the Angus and show cattle management aspects at the ranch, crediting the Unruh and Burkholder families for shaping both his skills and his commitment to the industry. “I’ve always had positive and educational experiences with the Unruh family,” Gibbons said. “All three generations—Jonathan Burkholder, Dr. Unruh, and John—have been willing to share knowledge to help me advance in the cattle industry.”
Mentorship and support from industry leaders
He said that support has remained “invaluable” as he began raising his own cattle. “I can confidently say that I would not be involved in the beef industry without the guidance of the Unruh and Burkholder families,” Gibbons said.
Dr. John Unruh, who earned his BS and MS in animal sciences at WSU, retains an interest in the ranch, which is owned and operated by his father, John Unruh, his brother-in-law, Glenn Burkholder, and his nephew, Jonathan Burkholder.
Gibbons has been active in youth livestock programs, including 4-H and FFA. He has successfully raised and shown cattle across the Pacific Northwest for years. He hopes to encourage the show-cattle community to consider more than just phenotype when judging animals. Although phenotypes are important in the show ring, he wants them to find ways to look at key performance traits, such as feed efficiency, average daily gain, profitability, and carcass value, when determining what makes a quality calf.
A vision for the future of beef production
Looking ahead, Gibbons remains dedicated to the beef industry and wants to build a career in academia. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he plans to earn a PhD in animal science. He wants to focus on beef production research and teaching what he calls the whole truth about the industry. He hopes to educate the next generation about science-based beef production. In the future, Gibbons hopes to raise show cattle that will provide opportunities for youth in agriculture.
The Department of Animal Sciences is excited to see what Gibbons learns from these experiences and believes his insights will spark new conversations in classes, labs, and student programs.