Scarlet and Gray Ag Day UpdateNearly 500 fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Columbus and surrounding schools visited the agricultural campus of The Ohio State University to participate in Scarlet and Gray Ag Day (SGAD) where they learned about agriculture and the importance it has in their everyday lives. This year students visited 20 hands-on learning sessions focusing on animals, food, environment, plants, agricultural communication and everything in between. The majority of these sessions are led by the Department of Animal Sciences’ faculty, staff and students. Students had the opportunity to explore the inside of a live cow to observe how the rumen affects the animal’s ability to digest forage; learn how insects impact humans and our food, fiber, homes and health; and they had the opportunity to make their own sausage formulation and taste test their meat product while learning how to I.D basic cuts of meat. Participants also learned how wetlands are used to filter agricultural runoff and had the opportunity to test water based on several water quality parameters in different wetlands and they learned about soybeans and their use in food and consumer products. This is just a small representation of what the students learn while participating in Scarlet and Gray Ag Day. Teachers from participating schools are equipped with lesson plans and hands-on materials to supplement the students’ curriculum both before and after the event in order to make Scarlet and Gray Ag day more hands-on, interactive and educational for the students while they are here. During lunch students were treated with a visit from local celebrity Larry Lokai, aka “The Buckeye Man;” Bethany Baird, the 2008 Ohio State Fair Queen; Dustin Homan, the Ohio FFA President; Judy Roush, educational specialist at the Ohio Farm Bureau; Nick Whitney, from Graeters Ice Cream; Todd Michael of Michael Farms of Champaign County; and Dr. Linda Martin, associate dean of academic affairs at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. |
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The Department offers new course to complete GEC Cluster The Department of Animal Sciences has added a new two-part course as part of the Human and Animal Interactions GEC Cluster. Human and Animal Interactions in the U.S (ANIM SCI 494) along with Human and Animal Interactions in Europe (ANIM SCI 697.05) together fulfill the International Studies general education curriculum (GEC) requirement while educating students about the impact geography, culture and population have on the roles animals play in society. Human and Animal Interactions in Europe (ANIM 697.05) will give students the opportunity to travel to Ireland to compare the roles and usage of animals in a different culture to that of the U.S. Both of these courses will be offered for the first time during the Autumn 2008 quarter. Animals in Society (ANIM SCI 240) was the first course created to be a part of the Human and Animal Interactions GEC Cluster and was first offered during the Autumn 2007 quarter. Taken together with the travel courses, students will have the opportunity to study the topic of human-animal interactions on a deeper level while utilizing research studies, methods and expertise from several different disciplines. The Human and Animal Interactions GEC Cluster can possibly be taken to satisfy GEC or elective requirements. Please visit the Human and Animal Interactions GEC Cluster website (http://ansci.osu.edu/hacluster/) for more information about the individual courses or the cluster as a whole. |
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Dr. Bill Weiss featured in recent issue of Animal Science Monitor Dr. Bill Weiss, dairy nutrition specialist at the Department of Animal Sciences, was featured in a recent issue of the Animal Science Monitor. Dr. Weiss is a professor in the Department where he has worked with graduate students in many areas of dairy nutrition research. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University and in 1985 received his Doctorate of Philosophy degree from The Ohio State University. To read his interview in the Animal Science Monitor please visit http://www.animalsciencemonitor.com/archive/Animal%20Science%20Monitor%20-%20Issue%2057.htm |
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BASE Day Update Nearly 154 students and their families visited the Department on Saturday, April 26 for the annual Buckeye Experience Animal Sciences (BASE) Day. Base day began at 9:00 am when Dr. Linda Martin, associate dean of academic affairs at CFAES, and Dr. James Kinder, department chair, shared with the students about their experiences while pursuing a degree and career in Animal Sciences. Participants attended sessions led by the Department’s faculty and staff about curriculum and coursework options in the Department of Animal Sciences, career options in Animal Sciences, undergraduate research opportunities, animal products and the new Human-Animal Interactions GEC cluster. Guests also toured the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Beef, Sheep, Swine, Dairy and Equine animal units. The event was organized by Dr. Paul Kuber, Masa Doig and Amy Lahmers. Kuber said attendees made many positive comments about the event. |
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The American Simmental Association Interactive Conference visits the Department The Department of Animal Sciences is hosting the American Simmental Association Interactive Conference on Wednesday April 30, 2008. The conference hosted by the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team will be held at the Animal Science Building and is open to faculty, staff and students. Dr. Tom Turner, assistant professor and coach of the Livestock Judging team will serve as the coordinator for the conference. This conference is an opportunity for those interested in beef cattle particularly the Simmental breed to learn about this breed, how the industry works and research that is conducted by the American Simmental Association (ASA). The conference is split into several different sessions that are developed for students, faculty and staff, and the public. The morning session will be for students and faculty and staff, while the afternoon session will be open to the public and those interested in learning about beef cattle and the Simmental breed. For details on the days events see the following brochure. ASA Interactive Conference RSVP to Stan Smith, program assistant, Agriculture OSU Extension at smith.263@osu.edu or 740-654-5419. Although an RSVP would be extremely helpful for planning purposes, there is no deadline or registration fee required. |
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Students present on internship experiences Seventeen Animal Sciences students will present on their internship experiences at the Spring Quarter Animal Sciences Internship Forum. The Forum will be held Wednesday, April 30 from 8:30AM to 5:00PM in the Animal Science Building in rooms 202, 210 and 212. As part of the Animal Sciences curriculum students are required to complete at least one internship and do a presentation on where they interned, what their responsibilities were, what they learned and how this relates to their overall career goals. |
Shades of Animal Sciences Leadership RetreatMore than 30 undergraduate students attended the inaugural Shades of Animal Sciences Leadership Retreat held Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19 at the Mohican State Park in Loudonville, OH. This event was made possible when Amy Lahmers, student services coordinator, successfully competed for a Cargill grant supporting diversity programming, in partnership with Hilary Amos, an Animal Sciences alumnus employed by Cargill. Amos led a case study focusing on problem solving and leadership qualities and Beth Flynn of the OSU Leadership Center facilitated two sessions on leadership and diversity. Dr. Pat Whittington, assistant dean of CFAES, led a session on mingling and e-mail etiquette. Students also learned about career opportunities and participated in a Q&A session where they interacted with a panel of faculty and staff from the Department and CFAES on their career experiences. |
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Joint program responds to shortage of Ohio veterinarians For Immediate Release COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) have established the Veterinary Early Commitment Program for Students Interested in Food Supply Medicine. The program is a response to a shortage of food supply veterinarians in the nation. A study conducted by the Food Supply Veterinary Medical Coalition concluded that between now and 2016 the demand for food supply veterinarians will increase 12 to 13 percent while the supply will decrease four percent each year. This means that for every 100 food supply veterinary jobs available only 96 veterinarians will be available to fill them. The Veterinary Early Commitment Program allows Ohio State University Animal Sciences majors to apply to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) during the spring quarter of their second year. In return, the CVM will reserve a maximum of 10 seats for only the most qualified students. “Our goal is to obtain students with a strong foundation in food supply medicine and put them on a career track earlier in their academic career,” said Dr. James Kinder, chair of the Department of Animal Sciences. “The students who are admitted into this program are now able to use their time in their undergraduate career to strengthen their breadth and depth of knowledge of food supply medicine by taking courses they would not have access to otherwise.” This program allows more opportunities for mentoring and will graduate more DVMs into food supply medicine with the skills and knowledge to serve modern food producing animal agribusinesses. Although the CVM will reserve seats in the veterinary school for students as part of the Early Commitment Program, it does not guarantee acceptance into the CVM. Prior to final admission, students will need to complete the GRE, fulfill all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, and formally apply to the CVM. The Admissions Committee of the CVM will grant final approval for admission. To be admitted to the program candidates are required to submit a current college transcript, ACT/SAT scores, provide a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. The selection committee, an ad hoc subcommittee of the admissions committee of the CVM, will evaluate the candidates based on coursework, recommendations, value of extracurricular activities and experience in working with food animals. Applications for the Food Supply Medicine Early Commitment Program-beginning in September 2008-are available now and are due June 5, 2008. Interested third year students are also encouraged to apply as an exception to this year’s program requirements. The Food Supply Medicine Early Commitment Program is a result of a strong relationship between the Department of Animal Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine and is the only early commitment program in veterinary medicine in Ohio. Currently, there are at least five known programs in the U.S. offering similar programs in order to address the national shortage of food supply veterinarians. For more information about the program or to access an application please visit the Department of Animal Sciences web site: Veterinary Early Commitment Program |
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Companion Animal Sciences 4-H Leadership Academy, June 11-13, 2008 The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences along with 4-H Youth Development are offering the Companion Animal Sciences 4-H Leadership Academy (CASLA) June 11-13, for 4-H members age 14 and older at The Ohio State University Columbus Campus. CASLA-designed to introduce students to professionals and careers in the companion animal sciences industries-provides hands-on learning activities about animal behavior, socialization, handling, animal welfare, training, nutrition, and health. Participants will tour businesses and watch professionals give demonstrations of companion animal careers. Registration deadline is April 15th, 2008 and is restricted to 4-H members age 14 and older who have been actively involved in companion animal projects for at least three years. The cost to attend is $75.00. To apply, 4-H students must thoroughly complete the “Companion Animal Sciences 4-H Leadership Academy Application” and return it to Dr. Paul Kuber (Kuber.2@osu.edu) by April 15, 2008. Participants will be notified by May 1, 2008 of their acceptance and must pay the $75 participation fee by May 15, 2008. Meals, dormitory housing, and resources are covered by Special Initiative Funds provided by the State of Ohio to 4-H Extension for youth development activities. On the final day, June 13, the participant’s sponsor and companion animal pet (depending on the species, as horses are not allowed), will attend to assist the student in the day’s final activities. After the academy, the learning continues as students are required to complete 20 documented programming hours and within a year execute a program or informational session on the companion animal sciences industry to peers or those in their community. For more information or to obtain a registration please visit CASLA or contact:
Dr. Paul Kuber |
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BASE DAY-April 26 High School students (grades 8-12) considering a major or career in Animal Sciences or Veterinary Medicine are invited to visit the Department of Animal Sciences for the annual Buckeye Animal Sciences Experience (BASE) Day April 26, 2008. This event is free and lunch will be provided to all who attend. Students will have the opportunity to tour the Animal Units and College of Veterinary Medicine as well as participate in interactive sessions conducted by students, faculty and staff. The registration deadline was April 11, 2008. For more information please visit: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~4hansc/livestock/programs.htm or contact Masa Doig (Doig.8@osu.edu.), 614-292-7453. |
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Seminar Announcement: Dr. Ronnie Green, USDA, to present on April 15, 2008
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Thermal Processing of Ready-to-Eat Meat Products Short Course It’s not too late to register for the 9th Annual OSU Thermal Processing of Ready-to-Eat Meat Products Short Course to be held April 8-10, 2008 at the University Crown Plaza Hotel, 3110 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio. The course is designed for anyone in the meat industry responsible for producing safe RTE products. The course is organized by Dr. Lynn Knipe, extension processed meat specialist at The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences and Dr. Robert Rust, professor emeritus from Iowa State University. To access the brochure, speakers, and presentation schedule visit Thermal Processing of Ready-to-Eat Meat Products. For other program questions contact Lynn Knipe at (614)292-4877 or knipe.1@osu.edu. A block of rooms has been reserved at the University Plaza Hotel. Note: Mention this course when you call the University Crown Plaza Hotel at hotel at (614)-267-7461 to receive the special OSU room rate. |
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Animal Sciences course featured on front page of student newspaper The Ohio State University student newspaper The Lantern featured the Introductory Animal Sciences (ANIM SCI 200) course in the March 27, 2008 issue. The article is entitled “Intro science class explores cows-literally,” and is written by Cassandra Hupp. |
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Department forms 4-H Animal Sciences strategic advisory The Department of Animal Sciences formed the 4-H Animal Sciences Strategic Advisory Committee to assist in determining the direction and priority of animal project areas for both member directed and leader directed projects. The Committee was formed as a way to answer questions regarding youth activities in animal sciences project areas. The advisory group will also help establish best practices for educators to use in the case of controversial animal topics. This committee consists of Extension 4-H and ANR educators, Extension subject matter specialists, and allied industry representatives who have an interest in any of the 4-H animal sciences projects, as well as programming and ethical issues. Extension educators will be randomly appointed to serve two, three, or four year terms for the inaugural committee. Allied industry representatives will serve a one-year term. The ODA and FFA representatives will serve as ex-officio members. In addition to the main committee, there will be action teams that will be developed based on specific issues or topic areas. The state Quality Assurance committee (in place since 2004) will be an ongoing action team. Any decisions that are made in the youth animal project area need to be designed with education in mind and without losing site of the industry as a whole. This served as the basis for setting the Committee structure with educators as well as industry leaders in Ohio and Nationally. The inaugural membership includes: State Specialist/Extension Associates:
1. John Anderson, Poultry Extension 4-H
1. Tony Bowman, Hamilton County Extension ANR:
1. Dave Mangione, Ross County Allied Industry
1. Mike Bumgarner-United Producers |
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Students win local and national essay contest Students in Dr. Zartman’s 2007 Animal Sciences 340 course collectively won $675 in prize money for winning all three places in the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council (OFGC) and the American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) Youth in Grazing Management Essay Contest. The results are below:
Ohio Forage and Grassland Council Essay Contest 19-22 age group: Zartman, former Chair of the Department of Animal Sciences, requires all students in his class to write an essay on an issue relating to management intensive grazing. Essays from eligible students, those between the ages of 19-22, are then submitted to the OFCG and the AFCG. |
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Equine program hosts benefit horse auction The Ohio State Equine Program is hosting the First Annual Buckeye Benefit Horse Sale Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the OSU Equine Center on 3658 Kays Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. The Buckeye Benefit will commence at 4:30 PM after the Landmark Performance Horse Owner Workshop which begins at 10:00AM. The Buckeye Bonanza Benefit Horse Sale was established to help raise funding for the 4-H Horse Programs and The Ohio State University Equine Program. At 4:30 PM, students part of the equine program’s Animal Sciences 271 and 341 courses will present the horses using demonstrations they learned in class. The auction will then commence at 5:00 PM. The ten horses to be auctioned are available for public inspection the day of the sale from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Bidders are encouraged to view the horses and read the notebooks containing the horse profiles and all known facts. Notebooks will be on display during the day of the sale in the horse barn.
Please visit the Buckeye Benefit Horse Sale website for more information about the sale and bidding procedures.
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Dr. Zerby receives professional teaching awardDr. Henry Zerby, assistant professor, was awarded the Outstanding Young Teacher Award at the American Society Animal Sciences (ASAS) Midwestern meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, March 17-19. The Outstanding Young Teacher Award is awarded during the ASAS and American Dairy Science Association joint meeting and is awarded to a young professor who shows outstanding teaching performance in the areas of animal and dairy sciences. To be eligible for the award nominees must be a member of ASAS or ADSA and must be no more than 10 years past a graduate degree or post-doctoral training. Dr. Zerby earned a BS in Dairy and Animal Science from Pennsylvania State University and a MS and PhD in Meat Science from Colorado State University. Zerby joined the faculty at Ohio State University in 1999 and is associate professor of Animal Sciences and director of the Meat Science Laboratory. He has received numerous awards for teaching and advising at The Ohio State University and is an exemplary teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students. Zerby sets the standard for faculty members of the Department through the manner in which he instructs students. The strong subject matter base and manner in which he communicates this subject matters has become a benchmark for faculty members of the Department of Animal Sciences. |
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President Gee Visits Wooster President Gordon Gee visited OARDC and ATI in Wooster on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. This was the first visit since he began his second tenure at OSU. Gee toured research and educational programs and covered topics on renewable energy and biotechnology. |
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Department Academic Quadrathlon Team Placed 3rd in National Beef Quiz Bowl The Ohio State University was represented well with a 3rd place finish in the “National Beef Quiz Bowl” sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The competition was held in conjunction with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Annual Meeting in Reno, NV. Colorado State University placed first, Penn State University was second and University of Tennessee was fourth. The team members were Curtis Pittman, Rusty Burgett, Josie Plank and Cris Sprague. Dr. Kuber and Katie Logan traveled with the team. In addition to attending the competition the students were able to experience the general meetings and the trade show held at the Reno/Sparks Convention center. They also toured Superior Farms lamb processing facility in Dixon, California; Bianchi Club Lambs in Oakdale, California; and a drive by the Lake Tahoe area which included a view of the ski resorts, the crystal blue lake and the grand casinos. |
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Register for the 2008 Animal Sciences Academic Quadrathlon-Registration Deadline Extended to Feb. 11 Attention Students: Participate in the Animal Sciences Academic Quadrathalon and you could win a free trip to Iowa for the Midwest American Society of Animal Science Meeting. The deadline to register for the Animal Sciences Quadrathlon is extended to Monday, February 11 at noon. If you wish to participate do NOT delay! Contact Dr. Kuber (Kuber.2@osu.edu) with a team name, and the name and contact information for your 3-4 team members. The local competition will be held February 12th and 13th, 2008 where teams will participate in a lab practicum, oral presentation, quiz bowl, and written exam. The team that wins the local competition will be offered the opportunity to represent the Department of Animal Sciences at the Midwest American Society of Animal Science Meetings March 16-19, 2008. Last years team (Curtis Pittman, Sarah Wells, Brittany Jasko and Andrea Maurer) placed 1st in the regional competition and the Ohio State University will represent the Mid-west section at the National Cattleman's Beef Quiz Bowl in Reno, Nevada on February 8th. Encourage your friends and classmates to participate! Any questions can be answered by Dr. Kuber, 614-247-8305 or kuber.2@osu.edu. The team that wins will have one month to adequately prepare for the Midwest contest. |
CFAES Australian Study Abroad Program On January 17, nearly 15 students departed Ohio for Australia for the CFAES Australian Study Abroad Program in Animal Production. This program will allow students the opportunity to study the history and social development of Australia, observe the development of sustainable agriculture, and explore animal welfare issues. Students will study and stay at the University of Melbourne and Charles Stuart University The Institute for Food and Land and will visit the Australian Welfare Science Center. Their will also be opportunities for field trips, excursions and a weekend trip to Sydney. In order to participate in the CFAES Australia Study Abroad program, students were required to register for 15 credit hours and take the following three courses: Animal Sciences 697.01, History, Culture, and Economies of Australia; Animal Sciences 697.02, Animal Production Systems in the Diverse Environment of Australia; and International Studies 697, Welfare of Agricultural and Recreational Animals. Animal Sciences Professor Steve Loerch, who accompanied the students reported back on the students second week of classes: “The first mid-term is over and grades are in the can. Students took a grueling three hour exam on Friday. Student performance on the exam was outstanding. Everyone is amazed at how much information is presented and remembered. I was proud of them. We also went to the Animal Welfare Science Centre where three faculty and five students made presentations on their research. I believe that our relationship with the AWSC is very beneficial to OSU. It gives our students and faculty access to expertise that is unique in the world. I was encouraged to see that the feeling is mutual.” |
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2007 Judging Teams Updates The past week brought many successes for the Department's judging teams. The Meats Judging Team recently returned from the International Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest in Nebraska where they finished 6th overall. The seven team member's individual placings are as follows: Katie Betts, 12th; Jessica Smith, 14th; Russell Burgett 19th; Natalie Miller 42nd. In the alternate division, Alex Gress, 2nd; Curtis Pittman, 3rd; and Caitlin Wiley 7th. Stacey Johnson and Dr. Henry Zerby coached the Meats Judging Team. The 2007 Livestock Judging Team placed 14th overall during the National Judging Contest in Louisville, Kentucky. The judging team competed against 130 individual students and 26 teams. Two of the team's members-Elizabeth Homerosky and Sarah Wells, were selected for the prestigious All-American Team in which ten U.S. collegiate livestock judging team members are recognized for their combined efforts in judging, academics, activities and leadership. The 2007 team includes, Joel Anderson, Erin Cole, Katie Houk, Lucas Regula, Timothy Sautter, Sarah Wells, Elizabeth Homerosky and is coached by Dr. Tom Turner. The team concluded the year with one win, two seconds, a sixth and tenth overall placing in seven regional and national contests. The team travels throughout the U.S. practicing in over 40 farms and evaluating over 350 classes of beef cattle, sheep and hogs. Pictured above are the members of the 2007 Meats Judging Team |
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Animal Sciences Internship Forum Animal Sciences students, who successfully completed an internship, over the past year, completed their internship requirement during the Internship Forum held Monday, October 29th and Wednesday, October 31st at the Animal Sciences building. Nearly 96 students presented in detail where they interned, what their responsibilities were, what they learned and how it will influence their career goals. Students completed internships in many fields including meat science, veterinary science, research, public relations, 4-H, farming, sales and marketing, nutrition, and reproduction. The Internship Forum is held every year and is open to the public. |
Collegiate Dairy Judging UpdateThe Ohio State University Dairy Judging team, made up of Sherri Gress, Erin Bardall, Annie Specht, and Matthew Weeman, spent hours in and around Ohio, the Ohio State Fair, Kentucky, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Wisconsin. These road trips covered 4000 miles and over 50 host farms! Not only did they travel with the 4-H Judging Teams, but they also spent time together with the ATI dairy judging team in New York and at the Big E contest in Massachusetts. At this contest, Annie Specht earned 2nd high individual. At the Pennsylvania All American contest, the team placed 4th. Annie earned 3rd place overall with only 5 points separating her from the top score. She was also high individual for Brown Swiss and 6th in Guernseys. Erin Bardall achieved the high honors for the Holstein breed and a score of 49 for her reasons. The team was 2nd in Guernseys, and 3rd in Holsteins. At the World Dairy Expo contest, 23 teams participated and after rescoring the contest two times, Annie concluded her dairy judging career as 6th High Individual overall and 6th high in reasons. The team finished in the middle, but was 3rd high in Guernseys, 7th in Milking Shorthorn, and 8th in Red and White. It was an absolute honor to travel with these fine young people. Coach Ayars and Heisner and Kelly Epperly only have high praise for the experience. Much was learned about judging, but we also laughed and had fun despite many late night sets of reasons. Points were scored at the contests, but also high marks were earned for the character of Ohio's next generation. We would once again like to thank everyone for any of your input or contributions to the judging program. -From Bonnie Ayars |