Mission of the NDSU Department of Animal Sciences


The Department of Animal Sciences is committed to creating and sharing knowledge about animals used for the production of food and fiber, recreation, and companionship. We emphasize animal welfare and care, as well as their social, environmental, and economic impact on our communities. We are committed to promoting diversity of thought, providing unique learning opportunities, working as a team, and training the next generation workforce.

NDSU Department of Animal Sciences

Strategic Plan 2023-2028

As a department within NDSU and Ag Affairs, the Department of Animal Sciences must support the vision and mission of NDSU and Ag Affairs through our efforts. Our strategic plan’s aim is to provide direction for our community to ensure that our vision and mission are achieved using our core values.

View Strategic Plan
Animal Sciences Strategic Plan Cover

Facilities

The department operates multiple research and teaching facilities that aid in the effective and timely transfer of knowledge and technology to students, the agricultural industry, and the larger scientific and public sectors to benefit the state, the nation and the world. The main offices for the Department of Animal Sciences are located in Hultz Hall 100.

Explore our facilities
Hultz Hall Exterior

For Students

NDSU has a variety of resources for current students. The Department of Animal Sciences also offers internships and professional opportunities. Additionally, the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources provides one of the best college-based scholarship programs in the Upper Midwest.

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five students talking and laughing while wearing NDSU sweatshirts

We're Hiring!

Click below to see more information on the current careers available in the Department of Animal Sciences.

The Department of Animal Sciences at North Dakota State University is pleased to announce recruitment for a twelve-month, tenure-track 70% extension, 30% research Beef Cattle Extension at the rank of Assistant Professor. NDSU Extension is an organization that values people who excel, adapt easily, exhibit passion for helping others and are excellent communicators. The beef cattle specialist is a member of a statewide Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources team responsible for providing leadership to create and deliver innovative learning experiences that empower North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities.

APPLY NOW

NDSU FARM SHOP - Contact Shane at (701) 367-9576

  • Ag Tractor and Machine Operator needed
  • General farm work and livestock handling
  • Mainly haying and some row crops
  • Late model equipment
  • Flexible schedule
  • Competitive pay
  • Overtime available
  • Must have experience operating tractors and farm equipment
  • Must have drivers license and ability to drive heavy duty pickups with trailers and grain trucks
  • Ability to work some weekends, as needed

NDSU MEAT LAB - Contact Jacob Arntzen or Jason Bahls at ndsu.meats@ndsu.edu, or stop in to the Peltier Complex

  • As a NDSU Meat Lab part-time student employee, you can be part of the entire harvesting procedure starting with the humane slaughter process of all NDSU livestock used in teaching and research; food safety handling procedures while cutting and filling custom orders; how to break down beef, pork, and lamb; learning about the different processes while making specialty items such as pulled pork or beef, dried beef, jerky, snack sticks, brats, and sausages; assisting with retail sales; and answering customer questions about current in-stock items or cooking techniques.

NDSU SWINE RESEARCH FACILITY - Contact Megan at ndsu.swinebarn@ndsu.edu

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Learning and performing morning and afternoon chores, including appropriate feeding per room, sweeping alleys, cleaning pens as instructed per room
  • Handling and processing of baby piglets at birth, day 2, and weaning
  • Identifying and treating animals that require it, and keeping accurate records of the treatments
  • There may be some minor maintenance/fixing of equipment
  • Pressure washing
  • Administering vaccinations
  • Assisting with loading pigs for transport
  • Weekend/holiday work rotation is required. Rotation frequency is based on the number of people available. Typically, the weekend rotation is every third weekend.

A person will have the opportunity to learn, among other things:

  • Artificial insemination
  • Use of a portable ultrasound for the purposes of pregnancy confirmation

NDSU Beef Unit - Contact Garrett at garrett.havelka@ndsu.edu

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Daily feeding of cattle including operation of payloader, feed wagon and bale processor
  • Maintenance of unit facilities
  • Assistance with a variety of research projects
  • Handling of cattle during working events
  • Monitoring cowherd during calving season
  • Hauling cattle using pickup and gooseneck trailer
  • Covering chores 2-3 weekends per semester
  • Experience with cattle and machinery is not required, but must have the ability to learn

A person will have the opportunity to learn, among other things:

  • The entire beef production cycle including breeding, calving, pasture management, weaning, backgrounding, heifer development and finishing.
  • Reproductive technologies including estrus synchronization, artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis via ultrasound.

Key Responsibilities Include (but not limited to):

  • Learning and preforming morning duties which may involve caring for cattle, sheep, poultry and pigs, as well as cleaning pens according to specific instructions
  • Learning how to operate a skid steer, feed cart, and mixers
  • Performing basic maintenance and repairs on equipment as needed
  • Pressure washing
  • Assisting with a variety of research projects, which may include artificial insemination, surgery prep, semen collection, parturition, and total fecal and urine collection.
  • Assisting with animal handling and loading of all species
  • Participating in a weekend/holiday chore rotation, with frequency determined by the number of team members. Typically, the weekend rotation occurs once a month

Contact Justin.Gilbertson@ndsu.edu

Contact Info

Mailing Address:
NDSU Dept 7630, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Physical Address:
Hultz Hall 100, NDSU
Fargo, ND 58102