STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi livestock producers have a new resource for research-based information to help them manage their businesses.

Josh Maples has joined the faculty of the Mississippi State University Department of Agricultural Economics as an assistant professor with Extension responsibilities in livestock marketing and agribusiness. Maples, a native of Alabama, received his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics from MSU and a doctorate from Oklahoma State University.

Josh Maples

Through his involvement on his family’s farm, Maples said he developed a love for the agricultural industry at a young age. He pursued an interest in agricultural economics because he wanted to help solve problems producers face.

“I learned the business aspect of livestock production on our registered Angus operation,” Maples said. “After growing up seeing the importance of minimizing your costs and being efficient, it’s just a natural fit that I enter this field.”

Maples will serve as the Extension livestock marketing analyst and help producers understand markets and finances.

 “Equally important is the applied research: If a producer is struggling with a problem, I plan to turn that into a project to find a possible solution. I will also start teaching an undergraduate commodity marketing class in the fall,” he said.

Maples said he gained valuable expertise that can benefit Mississippi livestock producers through his association with Oklahoma State advisors, including well-known livestock economist Derrell Peel.

“My goal is to become recognizable across the state, so producers know I’m an available resource to assist them in whatever way I can,” Maples said.

Maples can be reached at 662-325-1774 or josh.maples@msstate.edu.

Writer: Jessica Smith