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Department of Animal Sciences

CFAES

Beef Science

Beef cattle production is a core strength of our department, offering you hands-on access to beef cattle while providing strong, science-based information to prepare you for a career in food production systems. Through courses, internships, research, and part-time student employment, you will gain practical experience and learn about:

  • Life-cycle production and management
  • Live animal, carcass, and genetic assessment
  • Anatomy and physiology as the basis for reproduction, nutrition, and  health management
  • Critical factors influencing animal care and welfare
  • Grazing and pasture management
  • Production of high-value, high-quality, fresh and processed food
  • Relationships between on-farm, packing, and retail segments of food animal production
  • Exploring marketing options to enhance value
  • Development of a systems approach to problem solving and enhanced decision making

Career Opportunities:

  • Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator
  • Commodity Organization Specialist
  • Embryo Transfer Technician
  • Feed Sales Representative
  • Large Animal Trainer
  • Herd/Farm Manager
  • Research Technician
  • Feedlot Operations

Major Options and 4-year Plans

Your interests in the area of beef science may fit under any of the three available Majors. Click here to investigate the options and plans.

Courses

Courses in genetics, physiology, nutrition, and meat science provide the basis for learning more about animal production, management, evaluation & selection, meat products, and animal health & welfare.  Many of the classes are taught at our animal facilities and in teaching laboratories that provide hands-on opportunities for you to gain practical animal experience. Additional courses provide the basis for understanding the underlying biological and physiological mechanisms that provide the foundation for effective animal production systems. See 4-year plan above for specific description of courses.

Team Area-Specific Opportunities (Click here for more teams)

  • Livestock Judging Team
  • Meat Judging Team
  • Academic Quadrathlon

Club Area-Specific Opportunities (Click here for more organizations)

  • Saddle and Sirloin Club
  • Meat Science Club