Iowa State University-Animal Science

Save the Date!

We are excited to host our annual tailgate on Saturday, September 26, 2026 for animal science alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the department.

RSVP: Please RSVP here if you are planning to attend: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eDxeUqnbcnEMojc

The Iowa State University Turkey Farm will be exhibiting 2 toms in the Iowa State Fair Open Poultry Show on August 16. In preparation for the show, the turkeys received a beak treatment and toe treatment by Jahni Harn, a former animal science undergraduate student and incoming student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State.

Just a reminder for 4-H and FFA exhibitors to check the toes and beaks of your birds prior to your show.

Donald Beitz Retirement Celebration

Please join us as we celebrate Don's incredible 60 year career at Iowa State University! You are invited to his retirement celebration on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 4 - 6 pm at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, Iowa.

Please RSVP at the link in the comments by September 1st if you plan to attend.

Thank you to the Iowa Beef Collective podcast for having Jason Ross, ISU Animal Science Department Chair, join their podcast to talk about the newest major in the department: ➡Animal Enterprise & Innovation!

Learn about how and why it was created, the versatility it offers prospective students, and the industries craving the first graduates!

Tune in to the latest Iowa Beef Collective episode on your favorite platform! 🔗Links in the comments!

This week for the Iowa Beef Collective podcast, Jason Ross, ISU Animal Science Department Chair, talks about the newest major in the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences:

➡Animal Enterprise & Innovation!

Learn about how and why it was created, the versatility it offers prospective students, and the industries craving the first graduates!

Tune in to the latest Iowa Beef Collective episode on your favorite platform!
🔗Links in the comments!

Maggie Lupkes, a ’23 animal science graduate, grew up around the American Cream Draft Horse breed and is now helping lead preservation efforts for this endangered breed through education, responsible breeding and genetic research. She will also help showcase the breed at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m.

Read more about her efforts and check out your opportunity to see this breed in person ⬇️

Saving Iowa’s heritage horse breed Maggie Lupkes is on a mission to help save a draft horse breed whose history is rooted in central Iowa.

Stock your freezer!

The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory has beef available for sale. Beef will be sold in sides and includes a variety of steaks, roasts, specialty cuts, ground beef and more.

The beef is frozen, boxed, and available for pick up at the Meat Lab. Only 6 sides available!

Please see the flyer below for more details or contact Austin Egolf at 515-294-5321 or [email protected]

Jodi Sterle recently joined Sarah Muirhead on the Feedstuffs 365 podcast to talk about career trends in animal science and our new Animal Enterprise and Innovation major!

Future of careers in animal science As industry need change, so must programs and opportunities for students looking at careers in animal science.

The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory is hosting over 60 meat industry professionals that work in commercial meat processing operations across the country this week for the Sausage and Processed Meats Short Course. This course is the longest running processed meats short course of its kind.

The course covers topics such as fresh sausage, cooked sausage and dry and semi-dry sausage in addition to sectioned and formed cured meats and whole muscle precooked meats.

Today, they learned from industry experts such as Jonathan Campbell with Kerres USA, Nick Lavieri with Devro, Jay Wenther with Handtmann, along with meat lab faculty and staff.

Emma Ihnen completed her freshman year majoring in animal science with future plans to attend veterinary school. She has recently been awarded the Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Undergraduate Research Scholars award which was created to fund and involve undergraduate students in research projects.

Read more about her involvement at Iowa State and her research project here: https://www.ans.iastate.edu/news/2026/student-spotlight-emma-ihnen

Want to hear what the industry is saying about our new Animal Enterprise and Innovation major? Read what Brady McNeil from DNA Genetics says about the AEI major!

Learn more about the new major here: https://www.ans.iastate.edu/undergraduate-programs/animal-enterprise-and-innovation-major