Photo of Mike Tess

Retired June 2009

Emeritus Professor, Animal Science 
217 Animal Bioscience Building
MSU-Bozeman
Email: mwtess@montana.edu

Education

  • BS California State Polytechnic College, Animal Science 1971
  • MS Montana State University, Animal Science 1978
  • PhD University of Nebraska, Animal Science 1981

Classes

  • ARNR 215 Calving Management
  • ARNR 322 Principles of Animal Breeding and Genetics
  • ARNR 434 Beef Cattle Management

Research Interests

  • Identify economically sustainable elk/cattle management strategies.
  • Study alternative management and breeding systems to improve profitability of beef production systems in Montana.

Professional Experiences

  • 1993-present Professor Montana State University
  • 2002-2005 Department Head Montana State University
  • 2001-2002 Interim Department Head Montana State University
  • 1996-1997 Interim Department Head Montana State University
  • 1988-1993 Associate Professor Montana State University
  • 1987 1988 Associate Professor North Carolina State University
  • 1981 1987 Assistant Professor North Carolina State University

Accomplishments and Interests

  • Evaluated beef management strategies during drought in the Northern Great Plains
  • Chairman — BIF Commission of DNA Markers
  • Developed life-cycle bio-economic model for pork production and determined breeding objectives for swine based on economic efficiency.
  • Showed that cytoplasmic inheritance is not an important source of phenotypic variation in beef cattle.
  • Demonstrated the importance of using practical crossbreeding systems for small beef herds.
  • Demonstrated the importance of breed substitution and heterosis on efficiency and profitability in cow-calf, feedlot, and integrated beef production systems.
  • Demonstrated that selection of beef replacement heifers on the basis of yearling pelvic area will have minimal effects on subsequent calving difficulty.
  • Developed a life-cycle bio-economic model for beef production under range conditions.
  • Demonstrated the economic impacts of wild elk on cattle enterprise profitability.
  • Demonstrated that cow-calf production systems may be more profitable by extending the grazing season even if herd size is reduced.
  • Demonstrated the effects of maternal traits on beef cow-calf profitability.
  • Evaluated the effects of end-point adjustment on carcass EPD.
  • Evaluated the effects of calving season and retained ownership strategies on beef enterprise profits.

Recent Publications

  • Kruse, R.E., M.W. Tess, E.E. Grings, R.E. Short, R.K. Heitschmidt, W.A. Phillips, and H.S. Mayeux. 2008.  Evaluation of beef cattle operations utilizing different seasons of calving, weaning strategies, post-weaning management, and retained ownership. Prof. Anim. Sci. 24:319-327.

  • Kruse, R.E., M.W. Tess, and R.K. Heitschmidt, 2007. Livestock management during drought in the Northern Great Plains. I. A practical predictor of annual forage production. Prof. Anim. Sci. 23:224-233.
  • Kruse, R.E., M.W. Tess, and R.K. Heitschmidt, 2007. Livestock management during drought in the Northern Great Plains. II. Evaluation of alternative strategies for cow-calf enterprises. Prof. Anim. Sci. 23:234-245.
  • Reisenauer-Leesburg, V.L., M.W. Tess, and D. Griffith, 2007. Evaluation of calving seasons and marketing strategies in Northern Great Plains beef enterprises. I. Cow-calf systems. J. Anim. Sci. 85:2314-2321.
  • Reisenauer-Leesburg, V.L., M.W. Tess, and D. Griffith, 2007. Evaluation of calving seasons and marketing strategies in Northern Great Plains beef enterprises. II. Retained ownership systems. J. Anim. Sci. 85:2322-2329.
  • Kealey, C.G., M.D. MacNeil, M.W. Tess, T.W. Geary and R.A. Bellows. 2006. Genetic parameter estimates for scrotal circumference and semen characteristics of yearling line 1 Hereford bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 84:283-290.
  • Torstenson, W.L.F., J.C. Mosley, T.K. Brewer, M.W. Tess, and J.E. Knight. 2006. Elk, mule deer and cattle foraging relationships on foothill and mountain rangeland. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 59:80-87.
  • Julien, D. J. and M. W. Tess. 2002. Effects of calving date, weaning date, and duration of fall grazing on profitability in range beef cattle enterprises. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1462-1469.
  • Tess, M. W. 2002. Using genetic tools to meet market targets without sacrificing maternal performance. J. Anim. Sci. 80:(E. Suppl. 1)E94-E103. Available at: http://www.asas.org/symposia/vol80/jas1712.pdf.
  • Torstenson, W. L., M. W. Tess, and J. E. Knight. 2002. Elk management strategies and profitability of beef cattle ranches. J. Range Manage. 55:117-126.
  • Shanks, B. C., M.W. Tess, D.D. Kress, and B. E. Cunningham. 2001. Genetic evaluation of carcass traits in Simmental-sired cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 79:595-604.
  • Almahdy, H., M.W. Tess, E. El-Tawil, E. Shehata and H. Mansour. 2000. Evaluation of Egyptian sheep production systems. I. Breed crosses and management systems. J. Anim. Sci. 78:283-287.
  • Almahdy, H., M.W. Tess, E. El-Tawil, E. Shehata and H. Mansour. 2000. Evaluation of Egyptian sheep production systems. II. Breeding objectives for purebred and composite breeds. J. Anim. Sci. 78:288-295.
  • Tess, M.W. and B. W. Kolstad. 2000. Simulation of cow-calf production systems in a range environment. I. Model development. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1159-69.
  • Tess, M.W. and B.W. Kolstad. 2000. Simulation of cow-calf production systems in a range environment. I. Model evaluation. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1170-1180.
  • Tess, M.W. 1999. Genetic aspects of replacement heifers in current and future production systems. Proc. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. Available at: http://www.asas.org/jas/symposia/proceedings/0901pdf.