Bill Costanzo

Professional Summary

Bill Costanzo grew up in the small farming town of Escalon, California, which is in the state’s Central Valley, where his parents had a commercial Angus cattle ranch. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education from California State University – Fresno. Bill’s position at the AgriLife Center is a joint project between the Texas Sheep & Goat Predator Management Board and Texas A&M University AgriLife. Bill used livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) on his farm flock of wool sheep in Northern California for over eight years before taking on the role of LGD research specialist. He now serves as an extension specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Center – San Angelo. Previously, he was an agriculture teacher & FFA Advisor for over 19 years in California.

Bill cares for and manages over 20 LGDs at the AgriLife Center in San Angelo and its research ranches in Menard, Sonora, and Ozona. He is also responsible for hosting LGD field days, producer outreach, workshop presentations, webinars, project fabrication, social media content, written educational products, and record-keeping for the LGD program. Bill assists in research projects with LGDs using GPS trackers and game cameras. He is currently working on a multiyear LGD bonding project. Tracking of the dog’s movement, stock movement, and predator control on ranches across Texas will be recorded for the project’s purposes. The project also involves working with cooperating producers that will be using the dog’s Bill bonds on their ranches during the multi-year project.

Social Media Sites:

Facebook & Instagram – @TAMUlivestockguarddog

YouTube – Livestock Guardian Dog – Texas A&M AgriLife

Website & Blog – Livestock Guardian Dog Program

Bill is a member of the Texas LGD Association, American Welding Society, National FFA Alumni Association, American Sheep Industry, Great Pyrenees Club of America, and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raiser Association.