University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences

Calling all cow-calf producers 🚨

Beef Producers— we want your input!

University of Illinois Extension is conducting a short survey to better understand technology use among U.S. beef cow-calf producers.

What technologies are you using? What factors influence adoption (or non-adoption)? What support would help you adopt more tools?

Your feedback will help improve Extension programs and resources for beef producers.

This should take about 10 minutes and is completely confidential & voluntary. The survey will close July 25, 2026.

Take the survey here: https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1LDKdJH4qvFBeqq

Thank you for helping shape the future of beef production!

✈️🐖 From coast to coast, Dr. Courtney Archer is advancing animal welfare, research, and public engagement.

Recently, Dr. Archer traveled to Los Angeles, California, to provide expertise on swine behavior and welfare for a biomedical research team using pigs as an animal model, helping support animal care, behavioral assessment, and research quality. She then traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she met with agricultural leaders and policymakers to discuss animal agriculture, industry challenges, and strengthening trust between farmers, consumers, and researchers.

Dr. Archer also helped educate German swine and poultry producers about U.S. livestock production, with a focus on animal care, welfare, and industry practices.

These experiences highlight the many ways Animal Sciences faculty contribute to scientific discovery, animal welfare, and agricultural advancement around the globe. 🌎🧡💙

Welcome Dr. Dan Shike as our new department head!

Congratulations to Dr. Dan Shike on his appointment as head of the Department of Animal Sciences!

Since joining the Illinois faculty in 2011, Dan has built a nationally recognized program, mentored generations of students, and served producers and communities through research and Extension. As head, he will guide a department whose work spans animal agriculture, companion animals, animal welfare, biomedical sciences, and more.

We are excited for the future of the department under his leadership.
https://aces.illinois.edu/news/dan-shike-appointed-head-department-animal-sciences-illinois

We’re hiring!

The University of Illinois is seeking a Meat Production Specialist to support research, teaching, and operations in the Meat Science Lab in Urbana. This is a hands-on role contributing to food production, education, and innovation.

Apply by June 24: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Job Seekers | Illinois Human Resources Join the over 31,000 faculty and staff along with the 56,000 students that make up the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!

Celebrating National Dairy Month by recognizing scholarships that support the next generation of dairy industry leaders! 🐄🐮

These opportunities help Animal Sciences students gain hands-on experience, leadership skills, and industry connections as they prepare for careers in dairy.

Learn more about ANSC scholarships: https://ansc.illinois.edu/future-students/financial-support/undergraduate-financial-support

🐖🌟 As we celebrate World Pork Expo, we’re proud to recognize scholarships that support and inspire the next generation of leaders in the swine industry.

The Dr. Gilbert Hollis Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an Animal Sciences undergraduate studying swine nutrition or swine production, recognizing academic achievement, leadership, character, and involvement beyond the classroom.

The D. E. Becker Animal Sciences Endowed Award honors an outstanding undergraduate student with demonstrated leadership, academic success, and a strong interest in the swine industry.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients, and thank you to those who continue investing in the future of Animal Sciences and the pork industry! 👏🐷

University of Illinois is excited to partner with Lincoln Land Community College to offer an immersive 2 day training camp for the most dedicated youth judges that are looking to level up! This camp will be based on campus but will feature travel to surrounding areas. The cost is $100 per participant, and lodging will be provided. If you have any questions please get in touch with Nate Brookshire or Craig Beckmier.