Meet Preston DunnPreston Dunn

Major: Double Major in Animal Sciences and Industry and Agricultural Economics

Expected graduation year: 2026

Home town: St. John, Kansas

During the summer of 2025, Preston Dunn has an internship with Leachman Cattle in Meriden, Wyoming.

How did you learn about your internship?

Leachman Cattle is on the cutting edge of seedstock production. They are raising some of the most efficient and profitable cattle on the market. Our family has worked with Lee and Leachman Cattle before and has traded genetics with them over the years. I have always been fascinated with what they do, and wanted to spend a summer learning more.

What are your responsibilities at your internship?

I help with data collection and collecting performance metrics. I spend about half of my time in the office on the computer, and the other half outside with cattle.

What are some opportunities your internship has provided you?

I was able to travel to the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium, which allowed me to learn from research professionals and meet other influential people in the industry. Leachman Cattle has customers all over the world, and meeting some of them has been really cool.

How will your internship impact your future career?

It has helped me gain more knowledge about how we can progress genetics quickly. When you think about the poultry and pork industries, they have improved so quickly with genetics. While the beef industry may have catching up to do, seeing how we can improve quality, red meat yield and reduce the intake of cattle is essential.

What advice do you have for those looking to get an internship next summer?

Every student needs to have at least one internship. Don’t go home every summer. Get out of your comfort zone, see a new place and try something you normally wouldn’t. It’ll be a valuable experience and will make you more employable in the future.

There are a lot of options in the agriculture industry! You need to find something you enjoy. Taking internships can help you find what you like and what you might not.