Robert S. Wells, Ph.D., PAS is a South Texas native who has spent his career consulting with ranchers to meet their ranch management and profitability goals across the Southern Great Plains and internationally. Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Stephen F. Austin State University, his Master of Science degree with a focus on ruminant nutrition from Texas Tech University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in beef cattle management and ruminant nutrition.
Dr. Wells worked as a Livestock Consultant for the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, subsequently Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma for 19 years. While at Noble, Wells was also the Executive Director of the Integrity Beef Alliance (2011-2025) which is a value-added calf marketing program dedicated to improving the sustainability, genetics and profitability of member ranches. He grew this program to national recognition and launched the Integrity Beef Legacy program through a $30 million USDA Climate Smart Commodity Grant. Prior to working for Noble he was the Assistant General Manager and Operations Manager for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc. in Mercedes, TX. Before his two-year stint at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo, he was the Beef Cattle Research Coordinator at the University of Illinois. In November 2024, Robert accepted a faculty position in the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) located on the campus of 91AV as Professor of Practice and holder of the Paul C. Genho Endowed Chair in Ranch Management. His areas of emphasis include: forage-based beef cattle production and cow/calf nutrition, herd health programs, improving herd genetics, stocker health and nutrition, marketing and value-added calf programs, and general ranch management. Robert and his wife, Danielle, have two beautiful daughters. Emily is an Oklahoma State University Extension Educator and owner of a 4,000-acre ranch in Eastern Oklahoma. Erin is actively involved in 4-H with her citizenship, leadership and horse projects.
