Alumni Spotlight: Christopher Davis

October 06, 2021

picture of christopher

Christopher Davis, Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics

Education

Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics

Current Position

Senior Beef Analyst: Economic Research Service

About:

I am from Albany, GA and I attended Florida A&M University for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I chose LSU because of agricultural program. I am married and my wife and I have two children.

Job Responsibilities:

I joined the Economic Research Service in 2002. I am the senior beef analyst in the Animal Products and Cost of Production Branch in the Market and Trade Economics Division. As the Senior Beef Outlook Analyst, every month I meet with the Livestock, Dairy, Poultry Subcommittee of the World Agricultural Outlook Board to forecast quarterly livestock and poultry supply, demand and price variables, on a monthly basis. This subcommittee consists of a team of economists from Economic Research Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Farm Service Agency, Agricultural Marketing Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service. Each month I provide a trade write up of the cattle/beef section in the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook (LDP) report. I also participate in the development of the USDA 10-year Baseline Projections, which incorporated long-term forecasts for the beef trade sector.

In addition to my outlook responsibilities, I am involved in research that focus on animal products. In October, an Economic Research Report will be published on the “Prospects for Growth in U.S. Dairy Exports to Southeast Asia”. Later in the fall semester, several economists including myself will publish an Economic Research Report entitled, the U.S. Hog Production: Continuing Trends in Productivity Growth.

Favorite LSU Memory:

Some of the most favorite LSU memories were the trips I took as a graduate student to national and regional agricultural conferences to present my academic research. We traveled from Baton Rouge Louisiana to Memphis Tennessee, Chicago Illinois to Long Beach California. Those trips exposed me to new research ideas and great employment opportunities.

What advice do you have for current and prospective LSU Agriculture students?

Spend time developing your skills every day. Even the little things you do to advance your understanding or knowledge helps move you one step closer to your goal. Be consistent and persistent at obtaining the best education possible. Remember, knowledge is the building block for a solid education, and wisdom and understanding are the foundation to a successful career.

Awards and Honors

  • 2019 – 2020 and 2004 – 2007 Chair, Committee on the Opportunities and Status of Blacks in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural & Applied Economics Association
  • 2018 Featured Story in FAMU CAFS Magazine as Florida A&M University Outstanding Academic Alumnus. The 2017 Winter Issue also covers the visitation of USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue to FAMU College of Agriculture and Foods Sciences
    https://issuu.com/cafsmagazine/docs/cafs_magazine_winter_2017_online
  • 2016 Nominated for the Best Paper Award at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association-Wageningen International Conference on Chain and Network Management conference, Aarhus, Denmark
  • 2015 Louisiana State University Outstanding Academic Alumnus Award
  • 2012 USDA Secretary’s Honor Award for sustained excellence and foresight in developing a more diverse community with agricultural economists and policy analysts
  • 2010 ERS Cash Award for Outstanding work with the Distance Learning Program
  • 2008 Agricultural Fellow for the Honorable Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr., Representative of Georgia’s Second Congressional District
  • 2008 First Place in the Poster Competition, Agricultural & Applied Economics Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
  • 2004 Florida A&M University Distinguished Young Alumnus Award
  • 2001 First Place in the Poster Competition, Agricultural & Applied Economics Association Annual Conference in Chicago, IL
  • 1994 First Place in the Poster Research Competition, the 10th ARD Biennial Research Symposium in New Orleans, LA