Growing up on a small family farm outside Adams, North Dakota, Larry Corah did not know that a college education and more than 50 years of leadership in multiple segments of the beef industry was in his future.  

Because of his leadership and its lasting effects, Corah has been named the 2021 NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources Distinguished Alumnus. 

After graduating from NDSU in 1964 with a major in animal science, he began his early career as a county NDSU Extension agent, later digging into the feedlot side of the beef industry for his master’s degree in ruminant nutrition at Michigan State University.  

After a stint in Australia, working to develop their feedlot industry, Corah returned to the U.S. in 1970 to finish his doctorate at the University of Wyoming in bovine reproductive physiology. 

In 1974, Corah and his family moved to Manhattan, Kansas. During his time working as a state beef specialist for Kansas State University (KSU), Corah delivered more than 1,200 presentations to beef producers in Kansas, as well as 39 other states and six Canadian provinces.  

In addition to his Extension work, he recognized the importance of integrating research into his role. Focusing his research on the nutritional aspects of a developing beef animal led to the supervision of eight doctoral students and 22 master’s degree students, along with 65 peer-reviewed publications. Corah also saw the value of involving people with different backgrounds, skill sets, thoughts and ideas to address issues facing the beef industry. His peers recognized him for his Extension work by giving him the national American Society of Animal Science Extension Award in 1987. 

After retiring from KSU in 1997, Corah joined the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as the director of production systems. While at NCBA, Corah grew the popular Cattlemen’s College program attendance from 150 to more than 1,000 participants, making it one of the largest beef educational events. 

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Corah assumed the role of vice president of Certified Angus Beef (CAB), LLC., in 1998. His initial responsibilities focused on creating new supply chains to ensure supply for the largest branded beef program in the U.S. During his tenure, CAB grew from selling 411 million pounds of beef in 1998 to more than one billion pounds before his retirement.  

Currently, Corah teaches the senior level beef systems class at KSU. He also serves in a consulting role with Select Sires to help develop a supply chain for the emerging use of beef genetics on dairy cattle. 

“Dr. Larry Corah has been one of the most influential people in the beef industry in the last 50 years,” says Marc Bauer, NDSU Department of Animal Sciences associate professor. “One of his most lasting effects, though, will be the influence he has had in training future generations of beef leaders.” 

“I credit my North Dakota heritage and education at NDSU as the key to any success I have achieved,” says Corah. “NDSU took a struggling teenager and developed him into someone who could be an influencer in the beef industry.”  

To help young people achieve their goals, Corah has contributed to scholarships through the NDSU Foundation. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

David Buchanan, 701-231-7426, david.s.buchanan@ndsu.edu