NDSU Animal Sciences Newsletter

Welcome to this month’s edition of our department’s newsletter, where we are excited to share updates and activities as we showcase some of the great work we do. As we dive into this issue, we will explore the transformative potential of externships in veterinary technology, the innovative approaches being implemented in our beef unit, and the groundbreaking applications of virtual fencing for grasslands and beef cattle management.

Ten NDSU students participated in a study abroad trip to England from May 13-27, organized by the Department of Animal Sciences. The program was designed to provide students with insights into the global animal industry while also offering an immersive cultural experience.

Dr. Travis Hoffman, Extension Sheep Specialist, and Kiersten Gunderson, M.S., Meat Science Ph.D. graduate student, presented BBQ Boot Camp to an inquisitive audience on May 19 at the Fargo-Moorhead International Potluck.

The department gives a warm welcome to its newest employees and says goodbye to departing colleagues since April 2024.

During the 2024 summer session, 18 vet tech students completed their externship experience. These experiences allow them to demonstrate the skills they have been trained to perform and also to continue on their learning journey.

Congratulations to these undergraduate and graduate students who have finished their degrees this summer.

Longtime Animal Care and Use Coordinator Jim Kirsch was awarded the 2024 Gunkelman Award by NDSU President David Cook in May.

Faculty, staff and students in the department showed off their specialties during NDSU Governor’s School in June.

News from around the department

One of the barns at NDSU is known by a variety of names: The Beef Teaching & Research Unit, the Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Center (not to be confused with the Beef Cattle Research Complex), or the NDSU Beef Cattle Barn. Manager Garrett Havelka, however, simply calls it the Beef Barn. And it plays a vital role in the Animal Sciences Department.

Virtual fence is a relatively new technology that has the potential to improve grazing management without physical fences.

The NDSU swine program recently gained a new team member, Dr. Taw Scaff, and is looking forward to continuing its dedication to the stakeholders, students, youth, producers and public.

Animal Sciences pre-vet graduate Logan Hulst has fond memories of spending time around different varieties of livestock during his years at NDSU and learning about the numerous careers in animal agriculture.

NDSU Meat Science Faculty and Students attended the 60th Annual Reciprocal Meats Conference of the American Meat Science Association

From May 25 to June 9, members of NDSU’s Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club embarked on a trip to Oudtshoorn, South Africa, with the study abroad organization Loop Abroad.

The department awarded numerous scholarships to Animal Sciences students for the 2024-2025 school year.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Peltier Complex took place with much fanfare on June 12.

NDSU graduate students Muhammad Anas, Jennifer Hurlbert and Kathlyn Hauxwell; postdoc fellows Pauliane Pucetti and Rebecca Swanson; and visiting scientists Ellem Matos, Matheus Carlis and German Zamudio participated in the ASAS-CSAS-WSASAS annual meeting in Calgary in July.

Jennifer Hurlbert, a Ph.D. student working under the mentorship of Dr. Carl Dahlen, recently received a USDA-NIFA-AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship Award within the AFRI Education and Workforce Development Program.

Kazi Sarjana Safain presented two research projects at the annual conference of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) in Chicago and ended up with three awards.

Several faculty and students from the Department of Animal Sciences provided updates on their research at the NDSU Research Extension Centers’ annual field days in July.