Papers of John Matsushima

John Matsushima, Professor Emeritus in Animal Sciences, worked at CSU for 31 years, retiring in 1992. A specialist in the science of beef – cattle nutrition, Matsushima pioneered the process of using steam and mechanical pressure to macerate corn kernels into corn flakes, making feed more digestible and efficient. The innovation remains a cornerstone of global cattle feeding.

John Matsushima was born in Denver and raised on a family farm in Platteville, Colorado. He attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University), earning a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry in 1943 and a master’s degree in animal nutrition in 1945. In 1949 Matsushima received his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota and taught for a time at the University of Nebraska before returning to Colorado State University in 1961.

During his career, Matsushima partnered in research with the state’s top commercial cattle feeders and beef processors; his findings and innovations spurred the dominant cattle industry in Colorado and the nation by substantially boosting animal health, efficiencies, pricing and meat quality. He often traveled internationally to share knowledge and helped open export markets to U.S. beef.

Matsushima has been awarded honors such as the Emperor’s Citation by the Emperor of Japan and the 2013 Citizen of the West by the National Western Stock Show. He also was named one of CSU’s Best Teachers in 2002 and accepted the 2003 William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award, and is in the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame.

The Papers of John Matsushima consists of books, research notes, papers, theses, correspondence, and one artifact, a livestock handling cane, related to his earlier years as well as his teaching and research.