Catalog - Animal Science

Associate Degree in Beef Production Management (209)

Associate Degree in Arts and Sciences with a major in Animal Science/Ag Business (232)

Department Information

C. Kevin Anderson, Department Chair
Keller Ellsworth, Farm Manager
Neil Call, DVM, J. Don Dansie, Zeph Quirl, DVM, Lynn J. Stewart, Paul Tew, DVM
Departmental Offices (208) 356-4914
Keller Ellsworth, Farm Manager

The Department of Animal Science has two programs that prepare students for the agricultural/livestock work force or for transfer to a four-year university.

Beef Production Management is a technical program designed to prepare students for management positions in the livestock industry. Animal Science offers an associate degree as well as university transfer programs. One-year programs are available for students who are entering specialized jobs. Degrees are offered in the following areas:

Associate Degree in Beef Production Management
This technical program allows students to apply practical, state-of-the-art management techniques as ranch managers.Skills in practical veterinary medicine, feedlot operation, nutrition, farming, animal reproduction and the business aspects of cattle ranching are stressed in the courses. The program is designed to prepare students to meet the required needs of the industry. The Beef Production Management extends over two academic years, plus one summer term. An eight-week internship is required.

Associate Degree in Arts and Sciences with Major in Animal Science / Ag Business
This option is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year university to pursue studies in Animal Science or Ag Business. See Biology Department for Pre-Veterinary information.

Internship
Beef Production and Animal Science Programs offer eight weeks of occupational internship to give students on-the-job training. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better to qualify for internship. The students are taught management concepts and techniques by participating ranch owners and managers.

Facilities
The Department of Animal Science is housed at the Ricks College Livestock Center located five miles west of Rexburg. Facilities include indoor and outdoor arenas, 100 head feedlot, meat processing lab, teaching stations and a 140 -acre farm. Travel to and from this facility is the responsibility of the student.

Career Outlook
The employment opportunities for students graduating in Beef Production are good. Graduates primarily find jobs as ranch managers, herdsmen, marketing specialists, feedlot managers or store managers.

Associate Degree in Beef Production Management (209)

Recommended sequence of courses:

First Semester
Religion 2
AS 100 Orientation 1
AS 221 Anat & Phys 3
AS 223 Practical Vet 3
CIS 140 Micro Comp App 3
Chem 100 or 101 3
OE 220 Business Comm
or Eng 111 3
Total Credits 18

Second Semester
(1st Winter Block)
Religion 2
AS 220 Feeds & Ntr 3
AS 222 Reproduction 3
Ag Eng 110 Prevent Maint 3
AS 298A Occ Internship Prep .5-1

(2nd Winter Block)
AS 298 Occ Internship 2-4
Total Credit 13-15

Spring Term
AS 224 Cow/Calf Prod 2
AS 275 Grazing Mgmt 2
Ag Mec 240 Ag Structures 3
Total Credits 7

Third Semester
Religion 2
AS 226 Feedlot Mgmt 2
AgBus 247 Marketing 3
AgBus 102 Accounting 3
Math 100S or 101 or 110 3
Soils 120 Soils & Fert 3
Total Credit 16

Fourth Semester
Religion 2
AS 230 Meats 3
AS 226L Feedlot Lab 1
Ag Eng 260 Machine Mgmt 2
AgBus 250 AgBus Mgmt 3
Elective 3
Crops 230 Forage Crops 3
Total Credits 17

Courses for Majors

Other elective Ag courses may be taken above the 17 or 18 credits required per semester. An overload fee will be assessed for over 21 credits.

Elective Agriculture Courses:
AS 120 Horsemanship 1
AS 165 Judging 1
AS 210 Livestock Prod 3
AS 265 Fitting & Show 1
Crops 270 Agroecology 3
Ag Eng 125 Maint-Weld 3
Ag Eng 230 AgElectric 2
Ag Eng 240 Structures 2
AgBus 232 Ag Sales 3

Associate Degree in Arts and Sciences with a major in Animal Science/Ag Business (232)

Recommended sequence of courses:

First Semester
Religion 2
General Education 3
AS 100 Orientation 1
AS 221 Anat & Phys 3
AS 223 Practical Vet 3
CIS140 Micro Comp App 3
Chem 100 or 101 3
Total Credits 18

Second Semester
Religion 2
General Education 6
AS 220 Feeds & Nut 3
AS 222 Reproduction 3
Math 101 or 110 3
Total Credit 17

First Summer Term
AS 298 Internship (opt) 2-4

Third Semester
Religion 2
General Education 3
AS 210 Lvstk Prod 3
or AS 226 Feedlot Mgmt & AS 226L Feedlot Lab
AgBus 102 Accounting 3
Soils 120 Soils-Fertilization 3
Soils 120L Soils Lab 1
AS 230 Meats 3
Total Credits 18

Fourth Semester
Religion 2
General Education 11
AgBus 250 AgBus Mgmt 3
Total Credits 16

General Education

Course Descriptions

AS 100 Orientation 1
One hour class per week ( open to all students)
This course will acquaint students with the challenges and adjustments needed to be successful in the college setting, use of available facilities and services, discussion on the future possibilities in Animal Agriculture. (Fall)

AS 120 Horsemanship 1
Two hour lab per week
Lab Fee: $25
A course designed to help the student and his horse in working with cattle. Roping emphasized.(Students must provide a horse).

AS 165 Judging 1
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor 4-6 hours of lab per week
Travel Fee: $10
Basics of judging techniques in evaluating cattle. (1st block, Fall)

AS 210 Livestock Production 3
Three hours of lecture per week
Study of cattle, sheep, swine and horses and their economic impact upon agriculture. Basic breeding principles, nutrition, facilities, management practices, classification and grading of products.

AS 220 Feed and Nutrition 3
Three hours of lecture and/or lab per week
Digestion, absorption and metabolism, identification and composition of feeds. Introduction to feed analysis and selection of rations. (Winter)

AS 221 Anatomy & Physiology 3
Two hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week
Lab Fee: $10
The structure of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and reproductive systems and how they function in animals.

AS 222 Animal Reproduction 3
Three hours of lecture and/or lab per week
Lab Fee: $20
A study of reproduction in cattle and applied practices to maintain reproductive efficiency. Subject matter will include artificial insemination, breeding problems, genetics and other related topics.

AS 223 Practical Veterinary Skills 3
One hour lecture and three hours of lab per week
Lab Fee: $10
Applied use of skills needed by livestock producers and ranchers to correct health problems in cattle operations. Subjects will include calving problems, reproduction problems, dehorning, castration, branding, injections, etc.

AS 224 Cow-Calf Production 2
Five hours of lecture and lab per week; two overnight field trips required
Travel Fee: $20
Practical experience, and exposure to the management principles used with the mother cow and her calf. Topics include: nutrition for winter maintenance, pre-breeding period, lactation period, breeding, estrus control, conception, prenatal requirements and postnatal care, record keeping, equipment and facilities. (First Summer Term)

AS 226 Feedlot Management 2
Study of the operation and manage-ment of feedlot. Experience in purchasing, feeding, care and evaluation of cattle. (Fall only)

AS 226L Feedlot Management Lab 1
Prerequisite: AS 226
Continuation of AS 226(Winter only)

AS 230 Meat Processing 3
Two hours of lecture and a three hour lab per week
Lab Fee: $15
Processing of cattle and hog carcasses. Wholesale and retail cuts, federal grading systems, meat curing methods, by-products, carcass analysis, cut-out value, pricing of retail cuts and relationship to live prices. Ranch slaughter methods and home curing of pork.

AS 265 Fitting and Showing 1
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
One three-hour lab per week
Preparation of cattle for exhibition; showing cattle according to age, type and breed. (2nd block Fall)

AS 275 Grazing Management 2
Five hours of lecture and one lab per week; two overnight field trips required.
Travel Fee: $20
Identification, distribution, adaptation, and management of selected forage plants. Principles and practices of forage and grazing management. (First Summer Term)

AS 290 Individual Studies 1-3
Independent study, special assignment and/or advanced inquiry in an area of special interest; approved after consultation with instructor in charge; involves library, laboratory and field studies. (Upon request)

AS 298A Occ Internship .5
Preparation for AS 298 Occ Internship

AS 298 Occupational Internship 2-4
This internship program is to provide the student with direct practical experience on a ranch, farm, dairy or an ag business. Under the direction of the ranch manager and Animal Science faculty, each student will spend eight weeks at an assigned intern station.

divAgriculture@ricks.edu