Animal industry survey: The importance of technical and soft skills, coursework, and extracurricular activities on the success of undergraduates entering animal industries

A survey instrument was developed to inquire about the skills and experiences needed to be successful in an entry-level position within an animal industry. The instrument called upon industry representatives to rank the importance of skills, experiences, and coursework as they relate to success. A five-point scale was used for ranking (1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=moderately important, 4=very important, 5=extremely important). Industry representatives ranked personal and team-based soft skills as the most important skills related to success. Animal science coursework and hands-on animal handling and welfare experiences also ranked very high. Non-animal science coursework, agricultural business skills, collegiate experiences, and scientific/laboratory skills were ranked the lowest in terms of importance, but rankings of these categories still fell in the moderately important range. These rankings indicate the need for well-rounded students that have gained technical and personal skills throughout their collegiate education. This also signals a need for projects, writing assignments, and hands-on animal-related activities that promote development of soft skills within the animal science curriculum.

Undergraduate Certificate in Beef Cattle Production Management

owa State University (ISU) offers undergraduate certificates to demonstrate completion of a focused study in a specialized area across a variety of disciplines. The certificate has the significant benefit of allowing students to customize their curriculum and document completion of an approved course of study. A Beef Cattle Production Management Certificate is offered within the Animal Science Department at ISU. The certificate requirements are organized to correspond with faculty and employer-defined needs for a successful transition from ISU student to beef cattle industry professional.  The Beef Cattle Production Management certificate will integrate technical topics in animal science with practical considerations in enterprise management. Two critical components to the certificate are the capstone Beef Cattle Enterprise Management course and a required internship that focuses on beef cattle management. Students that complete the certificate will have the background to identify and address challenges in modern beef cattle production enterprises. Further, the certificate assists employers in identifying students that have shown the interest, discipline, and ability to complete this specialized study program. 

Undergraduate Certificate in Swine Production Management

Iowa State University (ISU) offers undergraduate certificates to demonstrate completion of a focused study in a specialized area across a variety of disciplines. The certificate has the significant benefit of allowing students to customize their curriculum and document an approved course of study. A Swine Production Management Certificate is now offered within the Animal Science Department at ISU. The certificate requirements are organized to correspond with faculty and employer-defined needs for a successful transition from ISU student to swine industry professional.  The Swine Production Management certificate will integrate technical topics in animal science with practical considerations in enterprise management. Two critical components to the certificate are the capstone Swine Systems Management course and a required internship with a focus on swine production management. Students that complete the certificate will have the background to identify and address challenges in modern swine production enterprises. Further, the certificate assists employers in identifying students that have shown the interest, discipline, and ability to complete this specialized study program. 

Effects of late gestation nutrient restriction on cow body weight, body condition score, colostrum quality, future reproduction and subsequent calf performance

Theobjective of this study was to evaluate the effects of metabolizable proteinand energy restriction during late gestation on the body condition score, bodyweight, and colostrum quality of fall calving cows, as well as their subsequentcalf performance. For this study, 48 multiparous Angus cows were used from theIowa State University-McNay Research and Demonstration Farm fall herd. 

Undergraduate Certificate in Equine Science and Management

Iowa State University offers undergraduate certificates to demonstrate completion of a focused study in a specialized area. The certificate has the significant benefit of allowing students to customize their curriculum and document an approved course of study. An Equine Science and  Management Certificate is offered within the Animal Science Department at Iowa State University. The certificate requirements are organized to correspond with faculty and employer-defined needs for a successful transition from student to equine industry professional.  The Equine Science and  Management certificate will integrate technical topics in animal science with practical considerations in enterprise management. Two critical components to the certificate are the capstone Equine Systems Management course and a required internship in equine science and management. Students that complete the certificate will have the background to identify and address challenges in modern equine enterprises. Further, the certificate assists employers in identifying students that have shown the interest, discipline, and ability to complete this specialized study program. 

Observations of Cattle Hoof Health and Performance Over Time in Deep Bedded Monoslope Buildings

The use of deep bedded, monoslope, cattle barns without complete manure removal can have negative implications regarding foot health and subsequent performance of feedlot cattle over time.  More frequent manure removal may be part of the solution.

Swath Grazing Forage Sorghum and Pearl Millet Observations Regarding Quality and Utilization as Winter Feed

Swath grazing provides a viable winter feedoption for beef cows in Iowa.

Corn Silage to Beef Calculation - Version 2

The Corn Silage to Beef Application has been made available both independently through the Iowa Beef Center website under the Tools-Calculator menu and incorporated into the BRaNDS Appendix as a means to rank the potential value of corn silage varieties used in beef rations.  After a few years of use, adjustments to the evaluation have been made and are provided in detail in the following excerpt.

Beef from Holsteins x Angus Cross Calves - Observations

Early health challenges, adequate feedyardperformance and good carcass grades can be expects when feeding dairy-beefcross calves.

Evaluation of Beef Cow Colostrum with a Refractometer

The use of a handheld refractometer measuringpercent Brix can be used to provide an estimate of colostrum quality in beefcows as it does in dairy cows.