Animal Science Insights VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 FALL 2009 Learning Experiences Beyond the Classroom Alan G. Mathew, Professor and Head As I have mentioned in previous writings, we have a great advantage as an Animal Science Department at a Land Grant Uni- versity. And this advantage provides its greatest impact for our students, in the great diversity of learning experiences we can provide beyond the classroom. Be- cause UT is the State’s hub where teach- ing, research and Extension missions come together, we are able to engage our stu- dents in unique experiences associated Dr. Mike Smith discusses poultry production with AS 280 with those activities, and in the process Biotechnology and Management Practices students. provide many learning opportunities that are not available at other colleges across the State. For this Perspective article, I would like to expand on these learning opportunities and pro- vide some insight regarding the many experiences available to our students, as they work towards their degrees. Continues inside… Academic Quadrathlon Team Garners 2nd Place Aaron E. Fisher, Instructor The 2009 University of Tennessee Academic Quad- rathlon Team, representing the Department of Ani- mal Science, competed in the regional competition as part of the Southern Section ASAS Meetings in Atlanta, GA held January 30-February 1. The Academic Quadrathlon is a 4-member team, animal science-based, academic competition con- sisting of a written exam, quiz bowl, lab practicum and oral presentation. The UT Team finished 1st in written exam, 3rd in quiz bowl and 2nd in oral presentation, making them 2nd place overall. This is the second time in three years that the UT team has finished second. This year’s Team members include Andy Magee (Evansville, WI), Jessy Harris (Loudon County), Sasha Pfotenhauer (Davidson County) and Erin Bartley (Bedford County), all Ani- mal Science majors. PAGE 2 Learning Experiences Beyond the Classroom (cont.) TEACHING: Of great importance, our links with UT AgResearch and Education Centers and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine provide a wealth of agriculturally-important livestock species and companion animals for our teaching activities. Using those many animal resources provides our students with a wide variety of hands-on experiences across a large spectrum of live animals. For example, students taking our advanced swine production course have the opportunity to provide the primary care for sows during pregnancy, farrowing, and nursing stages, as well as for baby pigs through weaning and growth stages. They also learn artificial in- semination techniques, vaccination, physical di- Dr. Alan Mathew discusses swine management during a lab at JARTU. agnosis, and other basic skills using live swine; all in a simulated modern swine production setting at our Johnson Research and Teaching Unit (JARTU), just across the river from campus. In that same facility, students in our poultry production course gain similar ex- periences in caring for chickens from egg through adulthood; and as a part of that course, they conduct a long term experiment to learn about the impact of nutrition on the rapid growth stages of young chickens. For activi- ties involving cattle, sheep and horses, laboratories are conducted at the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Cherokee Farm, the East Tennessee Research and Education Center, which includes Blount Farm and the JARTU , and at nearby cooperating farms and equine centers. Utilizing these resources, students in our dairy management course gain on-farm and labora- tory experience in milking techniques, masti- tis detection, milk sample collection and analysis, and determination of colostrum qual- ity. They also learn the basics of heat detec- tion, artificial insemination, and real-time ul- trasound techniques for detection of preg- nancy. Similarly, students in our reproductive physiology courses learn the latest technolo- gies to increase production through heat syn- chronization, pregnancy detection, and strate- gies to increase ovulation and decrease em- bryo and fetal losses, as they work with live beef and dairy cattle, horses, swine, and other animals. Our introductory animal manage- Sasha Pfotenhauer (BS 2009) receives direction from David Roper (MS 2009) during an AS 420 Advance Reproduction lab at Cherokee Farm. ment courses provide an opportunity for ANIMAL SCIENCE INSIGHTS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3 Learning Experiences Beyond the Classroom (cont.) students to learn animal care and handling techniques, including in a simulated livestock show where students care for, train, groom and eventually show their steer/ heifer, hog, or sheep. For many who have not partici- pated in 4-H, this is their first introduction to managing a large animal; and in fact for some, this is their first hands-on experience with any livestock species. In our equine courses, students work with horses at Chero- kee Farm and several local facilities as they are intro- duced to, and increase their understanding of basic be- havioral and physical characteristics of horses, including post-natal care, imprinting, dental and foot care, para- site control, vaccination and first aid. Concepts and techniques, including haltering and halter training, bri- dling, round pen training, stall maintenance, loading and Jessy Harris (MS Candidate) evaluates showmanship skills students learned during AS 280 Biotechnology and Management Practices at Cherokee Farm. trailering, exercising, and animal and handler safety are also a part of their studies. The above are just a few examples of the diverse learning experiences with animals avail- able to our students; a full overview across all of our courses would more than fill this entire newsletter. Learn About the UT Equine Initiative Russell D. Kriewald, Lecturer The UT Department of Animal Science is pleased to announce its efforts to build a nationally-recognized Equine Sciences program that will fulfill the ex- pectations of a Land-grant and flagship agricultural university. Considering the Department’s already stellar reputation in the areas of teaching, research and Extension, such a program will undoubtedly compliment Tennessee’s rich and diverse Equine background. With each generation of successful graduates, more and more students are expressing their interest in the Equine field of study and, therefore, it is our obligation to provide those students with the skill sets and experiences needed to succeed in life. Some of the highlights of the UT Equine Initiative are to raise funds in support of: Offering scholarships to competitively attract high-quality students; Build an Equine Teaching Facility to facilitate teaching, research and extension activities; Develop an Equine Science degree program; Expand course offerings in the Equine field of study By expanding our Department and highlighting our Equine Science program, we will attract a larger number of quality students who will ultimately represent our fine University and State as leaders of the industry. For more information about this program or to request a copy of the UT Equine Initiative, please contact the Depart- ment or visit our website. PAGE 4 Learning Experiences Beyond the Classroom (cont.) JUDGING: Our students also have the op- portunity to participate in Judging Teams, in- cluding Livestock, Meats, and Horse judging. The basic skills for such are introduced in our livestock management courses, and are honed in our introductory and advanced evaluation courses. Those committed to advancing their judging skills can join our Judging Teams, which provide one of our most valuable stu- dent development activities, promoting confi- dence, communication skills, and a greater Judging team members travel to respected farms for quality workout and prac- understanding of the livestock and equine in- tices. dustries that is not possible only through classroom activities. Students involved in our Judging Teams have the opportunity to visit working farms, meet industry leaders, and compete in judging events across the country. We have highlighted our Judging Team activi- ties and successes in previous Animal Science Insight newsletters, and we will continue to do so in the future to keep you apprised of those activities, which are so integral and unique to Animal Science programs. Senior Livestock Judging Team Completes a Competitive 2008 Season David Roper, Lecturer The University of Tennessee 2008 Senior Livestock Judging Team com- pleted the 2008 judging season, competing in 6 national contests during the fall. The season started at the National Barrow Show in Austin Minne- sota. Although the team finished outside of the top 10 they rallied back at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis Tennessee. There they posted three top 5 team awards in sheep, swine, and oral reasons, with Jessy Harris finishing 2nd high individually in swine judging. The team maintained this momentum as they progressed through smaller practice contests in Indiana before heading to the American Royal. Clint Crisp posted a 7th high individual placing in the sheep division in Kansas City. From there the Team wrapped up their careers and the season at the historic North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, home to the National Champion Intercollegiate Judging Contest and the Block and Bri- dle Hall of Fame. Team members enjoyed the history of the contest, met past contest winners and attended the 2008 B&B Hall of Fame inductions. Adding to this unique opportunity, Jessy Harris finished 8th high individually