Victoria Vail graduated from Iowa State in 2018 with her bachelor’s degree in animal science. Currently, Victoria owns and operates Dog Days Dubuque. Her company’s goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for dogs to be at while their owners are at work. She is there around the clock to keep things running smoothly, as they get about 20 to 25 dogs who attend each day. The dogs they take care of can exercise, socialize and learn during their time there. Victoria and her team also provide different training sessions for dogs of all ages.

On March 2nd, the Department of Animal Science got to hold it's very first dog agility class in the Hansen arena. Sixteen dog/handler teams from the local community will be training for 6 weeks, assisted by animal science undergraduate students. Cheryl Morris is working with 24 undergraduate students who signed up for an Independent Study to learn about various dog training activities including agility training, service dog training and behavior modification. 

The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory recently hosted the Iowa Meat Processors Association Convention Seminar on February 18th. Attendees learned from our talented team about injecting, tumbling and marination of pork, general cutting of boxed beef, cutting tests and costing, as well as antioxidants and ground beef packaging. 

We also recently held the Fresh Pork Processing short course for participants to expanding their knowledge of the pork processing industry. Topics covered included: animal handling, pork harvest, pork carcass fabrication, accelerate (hot boning) processing, pork quality, fresh sausage production and more. 

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Upcoming educational opportunities at the Iowa State Meat Laboratory include:

The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory hosted the 44th edition of the Iowa State University Meat Evaluation Contest on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Nearly 65 students represented teams from Kansas State University – Manhattan; North Dakota State University – Fargo; Oklahoma State University – Stillwater; Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN; South Dakota State University – Brookings; The Ohio State University – Columbus; University of Illinois – Champaign/Urbana; University of Missouri – Columbia; University of Nebraska - Lincoln; and Iowa State University - Ames competed in the event.

When Taylor Patterson is not on campus excelling in her studies here at Iowa State University, she is out making history.

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The 2022 ISU Meat Judging Team began their spring season on January 17 and competed in the 2022 National Western Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest in Honor of R. Paul Clayton.  This contest was hosted by JBS USA and held in their beef plant in Greeley, CO. Coach Caroline Downey (Putnam, IL) travelled with the team and they finished 9th out of 11 teams. In divisions ISU was 4^th in total placings; 5^th in pork judging; 7^th in lamb judging and reasons, 8^th in beef judging, and 9th in specifications.

Congratulations to the Iowa State University Dairy Judging Team that competed in January 2022 at the Southwest Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, TX. Team members consisted of Amanda Engelken, Earlville, IA; Anna Hanson, Decorah, IA; Brianna McBride, Severance, CO; and Jessica Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA. 

The Department of Animal Science is excited to share a new hands-on learning experience for students interested in beef cattle management and marketing. This unique experience for undergraduate students, the heifer development program, was developed by beef farms manager, David Bruene, along with Associate Professor Brad Skaar and Professor Dan Loy who teach the beef production and management/marketing classes in the Department of Animal Science.

Pictured from left to right: Dave Bruene, Robert Sorensen, and Bruce Sorensen

Grace Christensen, a senior in animal science from Audubon, Iowa, knew from the start that she would follow her family’s legacy and pursue further education at Iowa State University. Grace’s background in commercial hog production and livestock exhibition led her to her major in animal science. She is currently an active member in the Block & Bridle club, a tri-chair for Bacon Expo, and is a peer mentor for the Department of Animal Science this year.

Ever since elementary school, Olivia Saul has known she was going to be a future Cyclone. Certain that she wanted to be a veterinarian, Olivia was always drawn to Iowa State and the strong animal science department. Now a junior, Olivia has spent her time her in Ames heavily involved and prepared for her future career.

Hailing from Davenport, Iowa, Olivia is vice president of fundraising for Students Helping Rescue Animals club, a co-chair for Boo Radley through the Pre-Veterinarian club, an Iowa State Honors student, and a member of Veterinarians Without Borders.