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  • In early November, the ISU dairy judging team competed at the North American International Livestock Exposition’s Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held in Louisville, KY.  Team members included: Torri Burch, Frewsburg, NY; Delana Erbsen, Lanark, IL; Madalyn Palmer, Waukon, IA; and Colton Silveira, Hilmar, CA. The team held their own among a field of 16 four-year teams. In the Ayrshire Division, Iowa State was 2nd with Colton placing 6th and Delana won the breed. Colton finished 11th overall in Brown Swiss and the team placed 6th. The team was 5th overall in Guernseys, 9th in Holsteins, and 8th in Jerseys with Delana placing 11th.

  • Jennifer Bentley’s passion for the dairy industry runs deep, so it makes sense that she came to Iowa State and got involved in all things dairy. After transferring from Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), Jennifer jumped into activities like the Dairy Science Club and Dairy Challenge team.

  • Taylor Howell is proud to be a 3rd generation Iowa State University attendee and soon-to-be graduate in her family. She grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in southeast Iowa, where her involvement in 4-H and FFA activities had Iowa State’s campus feeling like home before she even arrived for her freshman year.

  • On Sunday, October 1st, 2023, the Iowa State University Dairy Judging Team comprised of Torri Burch, Frewsburg, NY; Delana Erbsen, Lanark, IL; Madalyn Palmer, Waukon, IA; and Colton Silveira, Hilmar, CA; made their way to the coveted colored shavings to compete in the 102nd National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held at World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI. 

  • Erin Horst certainly did not start her degree in animal science thinking she would end up in a job that is focused on dairy cows. But, through her time at Iowa State, Erin fell in love with the dairy cow metabolism and how it is compared to the marathon runner of the livestock world.
     

    Originally from Van Horne, Iowa, Erin grew up on a farrow-to-finish swine farm. She started her animal science degree with the goal of becoming a small-animal veterinarian. Then, during her junior year, Erin took ANS 319: Animal Nutrition with Lance Baumgard. It was here she discovered that graduate school was an option after graduation and decided not to pursue veterinary school. She loved what she was learning and wanted to continue to study it at a higher level.
     

  • Kinsey Christianson found the best of both worlds at Iowa State University. Hailing from Englewood, Colorado, Kinsey was searching for a school that would offer a good track and field program as well as a path to veterinary school. After finding Iowa State, she knew she wanted to be here. “It had the athletics and the academics I was looking for. I didn’t have to give up any of the standards I had when looking for a college.”
     

  • The Iowa State University Meat Judging Team recently competed in their second fall contest -  2023 American Royal Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest hosted by Nebraska Beef, Omaha, NE.  On this judging trip, the team also practiced at Tyson Fresh Meats, Dakota City, NE, and at the Loeffel Meat Lab located on the campus of the University of Nebraska Meat Lab, Lincoln, NE. The team finished in 8th place, and division results included: beef judging – 6th; overall beef – 7th; beef grading, placings, and specifications – 8th; reasons – 9th; and pork – 10th

  • New Program Aims to Recruit Production Animal Medicine Veterinarians

    A joint program between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Animal Science in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been established with the goal of educating more veterinarians who wish to practice production animal medicine.

    The program, Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA-VEAP), will recruit and retain future veterinarians to practice production animal medicine, primarily in underserved areas in Iowa and throughout the United States.

  • Alyssa Scholz, the owner and founder of Sweet Briar Creative, has been making a splash in the livestock industry with her renowned videography and design skills. What you may not know is that the idea and start for this business came out of a class assignment here at Iowa State.   

    Sweet Briar Creative is a firm that offers design and videography to clients in the agriculture industry with an emphasis in livestock production. When Scholz explained why this is the area of focus in her business, she said, “I love the livestock industry and know those are the people and the companies that I not only enjoy but can best serve.” Alyssa graduated from Iowa State University in May of 2021 with a degree in agricultural communications and a double minor in animal science and general business.     

  • The Iowa State University Livestock Judging Team continued a very successful fall run with a strong finish at the American Royal. The highlight of the Cyclone team's day was Dillon Sheiss being named the High Individual Overall, Robby Burchett being named the 3rd High Individual Overall, and the team being named High Team in Cattle. The American Royal is always an incredibly high-quality event and we want to acknowledge and thank all the people involved in hosting such a great event. Additionally, thanks to the farms and families that hosted us in preparation for the last few contests.

    American Royal

    Team Results:

    Overall - 3rd High TeamReasons - 4th High Team Cattle - High Team Swine - 4th High Team Sheep/Goat - 3rd High Team 

    Individual Results:

  • This year, Iowa State University will be once again be hosting the USBCHA & SMSDL sanctioned sheep dog trial on November 11th and 12th using the Polypay flock at the Iowa State University Teaching Farm. This event is a competitive trial where handlers and their stock dogs can showcase their working ability. We are honored to be welcoming John Wentz to the farm as our official trial judge. 

    The open field trial will be held at the ISU Teaching Farms located at 3725 S. 520th Ave. Members of the public and ISU students are encouraged to attend and learn about the utilization of stock dogs in efficient and safe livestock handling. Bring your lawn chairs or sit in the available bleachers while you watch talent dog and handler teams compete for top honors at ISU's Teaching Farm!

  • Cori Bates has not been afraid to make a change when it comes to her collegiate and professional career. Hailing from Muscatine, Iowa, Cori entered Iowa State as a freshman in agricultural engineering. After sitting through her first class, she knew that she wanted to focus more on animals so she switched to animal science. Growing up on a small farm, showing livestock, and being involved in FFA is what brought her to Iowa State and kept her in agriculture. 

  • Daniel Unruh is the most recent addition to the Iowa State Department of Animal Science as an assistant professor with a focus on meat science and food safety. With his extensive knowledge, research background, and industry experience, Iowa State is excited to welcome Unruh into the department and our meat science program.

  • Erin Brenneman came to Iowa State University to major in animal science with the goal of working with horses in her future career; little did she know that she would work in two areas she never saw coming - pigs and people.


    Brenneman found her passion for the animal industry while working in a horseback riding program near the suburbs of Chicago, where she grew up. Wanting to pursue a career to follow her passion for horses, Brenneman shared her desire to be a vet with her counselor and she suggested she look at Iowa State University. "I toured the campus and, just like everyone else, instantly fell in love."
     

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