TIFTON — While the golden stallion may be the iconic symbol most associated with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the four-legged beloved bovine that many students have grown to love celebrated a milestone birthday.
ABAC’s students, faculty and staff were joined by alumni and other community partners at the college’s Beef Unit to celebrate the 20th birthday of Pumpkin, the reddish-orange Braford cow that is the matriarch of the college’s herd, college officials said in a statement.
“Pumpkin has played an important role in not only the operation of our beef herd but most importantly, to student hands-on learning,” said Dr. Mark Kistler, dean of ABAC’s School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “It’s quite an achievement for a cow to reach 20 years old. The productive life for a beef cow is 8-10 years. Pumpkin has been productive for the majority of her mature life.”
As part of the ceremony, Kaytlyn Cobb, an ABAC Alumni Council member, announced the creation of the first Spirit of ABAC Award, given to a recipient who embodies the qualities that make the school special.
Pumpkin was presented a personalized award as the first recipient. Dr. Mary Ellen Hicks, professor of animal science, and Doug Hicks, the ABAC beef herd manager, accepted the award on Pumpkin’s behalf.
Also, Pumpkin’s “300” ear tag was officially retired.
“Celebrations like today are what makes ABAC special,” Cobb said. “Thousands of students walk onto this campus each year and leave with a premier education that they acquired from hands-on opportunities and exceptional instruction. For the last 20 years, Cow 300 has faithfully served our students and the beef herd, which is not something that any other institution can boast.”
“I’m delighted to recognize an animal who is a great point of pride for all of us at ABAC,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage during the ceremony. “She is truly the matriarch of the ABAC herd with 206 calves that trace back to her as daughters, granddaughters or even great-granddaughters. She has had many photos taken of her, appeared in ABAC recruitment materials, and even appeared on the cover of the United Braford Breeders Magazine.”
Pumpkin’s age alone is impressive but Brundage, Kistler and Cobb pointed out that Pumpkin has played a key role in ABAC’s emphasis with hands-on learning. Students who have taken animal science courses for the last two decades have, at some point, worked with Pumpkin and other cows in the beef herd as part of their curriculum.
And the number of those students is growing. This spring, enrollment in the animal science and livestock production tracks in the BS in agriculture is 306, which is 65% of the enrollment in the degree program and 23% of the total enrollment of the SANR school, college officials said.
“As we continue to grow in enrollment, the need for our beef herd continues to grow to support the demand,” Kistler said.
Anyone wishing to donate to the ABAC Beef Unit in honor of Pumpkin’s birthday will receive a commemorative Pumpkin sticker. Those donating $50 or more will also receive a Pumpkin birthday T-shirt. All donations will ensure that the Beef Unit continues to thrive and offer future students the chance to learn through hands-on opportunities on a working cattle farm.
Donations can be made by visiting link.abac.edu/pumpkinturns20.