The 2021 Iowa State Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon was held on November 30 with dinner provide by the Block and Bridle Club.  Former members from our 2021 Academic Quadrathlon team (Grace Jakes (chair), Ben McClain, and Emily Saeugling) shared their expertise by organizing the event. A total of 7 teams competed at 9 stations, testing their skills among all livestock and companion animal species, anatomy and physiology, and meats. The winning team includes Sarah Phelps, Brandt Molyneux, Cole Schaffer and Max Corso, who will have the opportunity to compete at the Midwest Regional Academic Quadrathlon, hosted in the spring. Congratulations to all the teams who competed, and good luck at the regional competition!

Left to right: Sarah Phelps,  Brandt Molyneaux, Cole Schaffer, and Maxwell (Max) Corso.

Senior Emilee Petersen is no stranger to time management. As a full-time student in the animal science department, serving as a Teaching Assistant, working three jobs, and being a member of the Iowa State Dance Team, Emilee has learned how to manage her busy schedule and balance academics with her activities.

Growing up in Ankeny, Iowa, Emilee was always interested in the fields of math and science and had a love for animals. After working as a kennel assistant for a veterinary clinic, she knew she had found her passion. Going into her freshman year at Iowa State, Emilee was unsure of her choice to major in animal science, but the more classes she took, the more she loved what she was learning about and wanted to continue her education in the field.

Congratulations to Team Apollo (handler/owner Dr. Laura Greiner) for becoming a registered therapy dog team with Animal Assisted Professionals. Apollo will provide comfort and support to Iowa State University students in the Department of Animal Science. Apollo, will be holding office hours to visit with the students as they prepare for finals.

We will have Apollo in the Kildee Hall Atrium by the large mural on:

Monday, Dec. 6 at 1 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 3 pm

Friday, Dec. 10 at 11 am

In early November 2021, the Iowa State dairy judging team competed in the North American International Livestock Exposition’s Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held in Louisville, KY.  Team members included: Amanda Engelken, Earlville, IA; Anna Hanson, Decorah, IA; Brianna McBride, Severance, CO; and Jessica Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA. 

Iowa State University’s horse program continues to reach new heights by breeding quality horses and encouraging student participation in all facets of the industry. In November 2021, a group of students from Animal Science 217 Equine Farm Practicum attended the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington, Ky to witness the sale of the 2021 weanling colt raised by Iowa State University by leading second crop sire Not This Time out of the mare Meadow Bride. Hip 1349 was consigned with Vinery Sales and purchased by Machmer Hall for David Menard. 

A unique activity in Animal Science 425 – Swine Systems Management provides real world experience to students about to enter careers in the swine industry. This capstone course covers a variety of topics on genetics, reproduction, nutrition and more.

One of their recent assignments for class focused on utilizing the Provimi Pig Flash Program to evaluate feeder pig profitability. The Provimi Pig Flash Program uses real-time values to predict producer profitability in a variety of scenarios.

Each student was randomly assigned a potential scenario and used it to evaluate changes a producer might see in their operation. These scenarios or market disruptors ranged from disease outbreaks and supply shortages to increased revenue from better genetics.

The Iowa State University Rodeo Club is holding their first annual Ranch Rodeo Championship on Saturday, November 13^th at the Hansen Agricultural Learning Center, beginning at 5:30 pm. Teams of four can sign up to compete in events such as team sorting, team mugging, calf branding, trailering, and the rescue race, all done on the back of a horse. The doors will open at 4:30 pm. There will be various awards given for the winners, as well as the “Best Horse” and “Tough Luck” awards. 

Gary Sullivan received his B.S. in animal science and international agriculture with a minor in economics from Iowa State in 2005. After receiving his M.S. in meat science from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, he returned to Iowa State and received his Ph.D. in meat science and food science technology. During his time at Iowa State, he was involved with collegiate FFA, ag council, ag ambassadors, meat science club, and the livestock and Meat Animal Evaluation judging teams.