Animal science

This study of animals began thousands of years ago when livestock species such as cows, sheep, goats and chickens were domesticated to be used for food, labor, and companionship. In the beginning, advancements in animal science were driven by the need to improve livestock productivity, health, and reproduction to provide meat, milk, eggs, and other products to the growing population. In more recent years, animal scientists have contributed to major advancements in not only agriculture, but in veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation, and even public health.

Animal nutrition is a focus within animal science, helping us understand how animals obtain and digest nutrients essential for growth, health, and in some cases, the production of items like milk and eggs. Early stages of animal nutrition were based largely on observation, as well as trial and error with feed ingredients available to farmers. Nutritionists showed that animals, like humans, require a balanced diet including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to maintain health and productivity. This led to more specialized feeding practices that improved growth rates, reproductive success, and overall health.

Nutritionists now study the complex digestive systems of different animals to understand their unique dietary needs. For example, cows and sheep are fed different types of food than chickens or dogs. By using advanced technology, local and unique feed ingredients, and precision feeding techniques, scientists can create customized diets for livestock and pets alike, improving their overall well-being while minimizing waste.

Within the last 20 years, the future of animal science has been shaped by global challenges like climate change, food security and biodiversity conservation which are likely to play a significant role in how we care for animals. Using technological advancements such as sensors and data analytics to optimize animal health and productivity will continue to help farmers to face these challenges. The field of animal science also works collaboratively to advance other scientific fields such as environmental science, food science, biomedical science, computer science, and engineering. This has resulted in innovations such as vaccines for humans and animals, equipment to turn manure into electricity, and methods to keep food products safe for consumption. While the field of animal science has deep roots in supporting advancements in agriculture, animal scientists are also dedicated to researching new ways to care for our companion animals, protect our local and global wildlife, and support other scientific fields to improve our personal health.