Animal Science: It's More Than Just Cows & Horses

While sorting through mail one day, you come upon an issue of AgWeek. With a puzzled look, you stare at the cover and conclude it must be the neighbor's mail. To your knowledge, you have never subscribed to this foreign publication, but then your curiosity takes over. As you flip through the pages, you see articles on various agriculture topics such as pesticide use in crops and cattle backgrounding for herd health. You also investigate the many classifieds for machinery and livestock, as well as browse through the advertisements and finally check out the current market prices. 

Although you may not understand all the mumble-jumble associated with the agriculture industries of crop and livestock production, one simple newspaper publication has sparked an interest. Many questions are now brewing in your head, such as: What exactly is agriculture? Is there more to it than just cows and horses? What do farmers and ranchers do? What types of jobs are available?  and finally... What can agriculture do for me? You want to learn more about this the growing world of agriculture, but have no idea where to start. That's where I step in.

What is Animal Science?

As an Animal Science student at North Dakota State University, I get asked a lot of questions about my major.  The most popular of which is, "So does that means your going to be a veterinarian?"  Contrary to popular belief, not all Animal Science majors strive to become veterinarians.  According to the NDSU Animal Science Department homepage, this major is "designed to prepare students for careers in Animal Agribusiness and related fields.  The course work to prepare students for the field includes biological principles, scientific relationships, management practices, marketing, and business concepts applicable to animal products and livestock production systems."  So whether it is a rancher, an animal nutritionist, a marketing adviser, or a veterinarian, the field of Animal Science has a career to offer for just about anybody.

Better Yet.. What Is Livestock Media?

However, the questions really start to fly when I explain that not only am I an Animal Science major (not becoming a veterinarian), but I am also emphasizing my degree in Livestock Media.  "What on earth are you going to do with that?" is usually the common response.  This option within the field offers students an opportunity to acquire skills in journalism, advertising and public relations in addition to the basics of Animal Science.  Employment opportunities range from working for magazines, breed associations, or commodity organizations.  Believe it or not, the possibilities are endless! But the big question is, what do I want to do within the focus of Livestock Media?

Although agriculture in general has always been a part of my life, surprisingly a career in Animal Science has not always been in my future.  While initially pursuing a degree in Biology, with hopes of one day becoming a doctor, my career path hit a fork in the road.  Within the past five years, I have become more involved with the planning of my cousin's annual bull production sale.  The insight and knowledge I gained from working with not only promotional materials, but also with customers, opened my eyes to a whole new world of opportunity. Could I really make a career out this, while still supporting an industry that I know and love?  Once I have completed my Animal Science degree, I hope to start my own design, promotional, and marketing business for livestock.  Maybe one day I will even be able to market livestock of my own, right along side my cousin who gave me a start in the industry. 

Want to Learn More?

For more information about Animal Sciences at NDSU, or careers within the field, visit the Animal Sciences Department Website. Also, if your curious to learn more about careers in Livestock Media, I encourage you to visit the Ranch House Designs, Inc. website.  This company serves thousands of agriculture, industry and business clients to increase profits with marketing, website and graphic design services.  Their blog, which is updated frequently, is one of my personal favorites within the livestock industry.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ansc/

http://ranchhousedesigns.com/blog/