Nutritional Team

Elias Bungenstab joined the Van Beek Nutrition Team in August 2010. Elias is a Beef Nutritionist in central and eastern Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. Elias was born and raised on a farm in Brazil. He received his Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in August 1994. He also received a Specialization Degree in Soils and Environment from Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerals State, Brazil, in November 1996.

After working in the animal feeding industry for 5 years, during which he co-authored 2 books on beef cattle production in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, he attended Texas A&M University where he obtained his Masters Degree in Agriculture in December 2000. Elias returned to Brazil and worked as a feedlot nutritionist. In August, 2009, he obtained his Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition under Dr. Russell Muntifering.

At Auburn University, Elias was the first president of the Animal Sciences Graduate Student Council at Auburn University. He was recognized as one of the top 10 outstanding doctoral students by the Auburn University Gradate Student Council in 2008, and received 6 other honorary awards during his student career. Elias' professional goal is to make a positive impact on the beef cattle industry by improving efficiency and reducing costs of production.