Teaching, research, extension and service activities are interrelated and as such, are operated as a single Animal Science Program. Most faculty have joint appointments in two or more of these vital functions and all faculty contribute regardless of formal appointment. Whether the request comes from students, livestock producers, allied industries or the general public, the faculty and staff are eager to provide educational programming or information.

Research Facilities
With faculty and facilities in the four corners of the state, including the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the State Extension Office in Little Rock, the Animal Science Program provides a wide range of educational services. Research facilities are used extensively for teaching and extension.
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Activities
The Animal Science Section of the Cooperative Extension Service is dedicated to providing research-based information through informal education to help improve the economic well-being and quality of life for Arkansans. Demonstrations, field days, meetings, news articles, radio programs, newsletters, and clinics are just a few of the methods used.

Beef cattle programs such as the Arkansas Steer Feedout, the Arkansas Beef Improvement Program and Arkansas Beef Quality Assurance Program have achieved national prominence. Statewide and multi-state conferences including the Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas (KOMA) Cattle Conference, River Valley Beef Cattle Conference, Arkansas Cattle Growers Conference, and North Central Arkansas Stocker Cattle Conference provide top quality educational information to the state's producers. Special programs such as fence line weaning offer a greater concentration of educational efforts.

Since the production of grazing animals is dependent on forages, forage educational programs are important. The Forage Analysis Database and Arkansas Grazing Management School are two programs used to teach producers forage management. Educational efforts on forage fertility, production schedules, stockpiled forages, winter annual forages, supplemental feeding, balancing rations and rotational or strip grazing have helped producers see how effective these practices are in reducing feed costs and improving animal performance. Youth forage education is addressed through the Grassland Evaluation Contest, which emphasizes proper grassland management for both livestock and wildlife production.

Intro to Livestock and Forages CD Available

Animal Science has developed a searchable CD that includes all of our fact sheets, plant ID photos and other educational materials.  This impressive library of information is equal to a small textbook. For a free copy, contact your local County extension Office.  List of County Offices >>

Adult and youth educational programs are offered to accommodate horse owners and enthusiasts. The Horsemen’s Short Course, Positive Reinforcement for Excellent Performance (PREP I & II) Training Program, Horse Grazing School, Horsemanship School and Colt School are just a few of the programs offered. The 4-H Horse Program is a very visible component of the overall educational effort.

Extension works closely with the Arkansas dairy industry. Milk prices, quality milk production and efficiency of milk production are areas where educational programs focus. Dairy educational tours, the Dairy Herd Improvement Association record-keeping and production testing program, and the Dairy Digest monthly newsletter are some methods used to educate producers. On-farm demonstrations in cow comfort, pest management and sanitation are ongoing.

Youth livestock programs use sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle, goat and swine projects to teach lifetime skills. Summer youth camps dedicated to training students in livestock judging and horsemanship have become very popular.

For detailed information on the Animal Science Extension Program, visit http://www.aragriculture.org/ or http://www.uaex.edu/depts/animal_science/default.htm