ANSC Outreach
Animal Sciences Outreach & Extension Programs
While extension specialists are trained in specific areas, such as animal breeding, behavior, nutrition, reproduction or meats, all focus on global issues of management, environment, production and economics for all livestock species.
Extension programs initiated by faculty members within the Department of Animal Sciences work to span across disciplines, other departments and universities. Agronomy, forages, economics and environment play key roles in implementing all extension programs.
Animal Sciences Extension is part of a larger group, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), one of the nation’s largest, most scientific, and best-researched providers of information and education.
Youth Programs
Check out our youth animal science programs with Alabama 4-H.
Classroom and Skillathon Resources
- Beef Cattle Breeds Crossword Puzzle (PDF)
- Swine Crossword Puzzle (PDF)
- Sheep Crossword Puzzle (PDF)
- Breed Identification (PDF)
- Feed Identification (PDF)
ACTIVITIES
Resource Materials for Youth Livestock Programs
LIVESTOCK JUDGING RESOURCES
- Livestock Judging Manual (PDF)
- Livestock Judging: Note Taking and Reasons Format (PDF)
- Beef Cattle Evaluation (PDF)
- Sheep and Goat Evaluation (PDF)
- Swine Evaluation (PDF)
Beef Cattle Production
There are 1.28 million head of beef cattle and calves in Alabama. Of this number, 678,000 are beef cows that have calved. These cattle live on over 21,000 farms in Alabama. This makes Alabama rank 17th for beef cow numbers in the U.S. Alabama producers sell over $300 million dollars of cattle each year. There are several programs offered by Animal Sciences faculty and staff to help producers and youth alike.
Milk Production with Dairy Cattle & Goats
Milk and milk products provide great nutrition to the body no matter your age. Alabama is a milk deficit state, which means we drink more milk than we can produce. There is room for more people to enter the dairy industry, whether it be with cattle or goats. Currently, there are 53 Grade A Dairy Cattle dairies and 6 Grade A Dairy Goat dairies in Alabama.
Dairy Goat Information
To receive the most up-to-date, scientific-based dairy goat information, please visit Extension’s Sheep and Goats website.
ADULT DAIRY CATTLE INFORMATION
Owning, raising and milking dairy cattle is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year job. The Alabama Dairy Industry generated $25.6 million dollars for producers in 2009. Alabama dairy cows gave 164 million pounds of milk that was consumed around the world.
Due to transportation costs, hauling milk into the state is more expensive than producing milk in the state. The ever-escalating cost of fuel and transportation indicates that transporting milk into the area will continue to be more expensive.
Listed below are some points that are considered to be major advantages and obstacles to dairying in the state. These were gleaned from interviews with progressive Alabama dairy operators on this topic in 2003-2004. Buelon R. (Pete) Moss, Professor Emeritus and Dairy Extension Specialist, Auburn University.
Major Advantages of Dairying in Alabama
- Good fluid milk market. The demand and price of milk within Alabama are strong. Good interstate routing and close proximity to Atlanta and Florida markets strengthen fluid milk markets.
- Tax structure. Alabama’s property and real estate tax structures are low compared to most states.
- Land is available in many areas of the state for dairy operations and land prices are good in most areas compared to surrounding states.
- Attitude toward agriculture. Agriculture industries, especially dairying, has a very positive image in the state.
- Climate
(1) The state’s climate is favorable for dairying due to a minimal
amount of cold weather and limited days of hot weather.
(2) Cow and people comfort is good during much of the year.
(3) Double cropping can be practiced throughout the state.
(4) Extended pasture grazing is an advantage. A few “grazing”
dairies exist. Most all dairies effectively utilize pasture for
heifers and dry cows as well as some lactating cows. - Available labor. Many dairy producers report readily available
sources of local and/or immigrant labor. A 2005 source cites available labor and a strong work ethic in the state as major reasons that industries are located in the state. - Waste Management. The regulating authority (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) on waste management is given high marks for their assistance, approach and/or attitude.
Obstacles of Dairying in Alabama
- The lack of infrastructure and isolation of dairy operations are
considered as disadvantages by several dairy operators in the state. This varies from the lack of dairy equipment service and supplies to experienced veterinarians. Other operators indicate that supplies are as close as that Brown Truck (UPS). - Financial Institutions. Concern has been expressed by some managers about the apathy, attitude or lack of experience of financial officers.
- Waste management. Personnel involved with planning waste systems are inexperienced about dairy operations.
- Heat Stress Conditions. This is of concern, but good managers cope with heat stress through feeding, management and facilities.
Horse Extension & Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) Publications
Helpful Horse Facts
Alabama Cooperative Extension System Circulars
Alabama Extension is reviewing and updating some archived material below and will soon post it on their new website in an accessible format. In the meantime, if you have questions about accessibility or need to request accommodations, please contact Extension Communications and Marketing at extcomm@aces.edu. Paper copies are no longer available, but all material is free for digital download.
- 10 Rules for Feeding Horses
- Basic Horse Genetics
- Control of Chorioptic Mange Mites on Horses, Donkeys, and Mules
- Control of Common Infectious Horse Diseases
- Economic Importance of Quality Hay to Horses
- Foal Management During the Preweaning Period
- How to Give Your Horse an Intramuscular Injection
- Monitoring Your Horse’s Vital Signs
- Pasturing and Feeding Horses
- Post-Foaling Care of the Mare and Foal
- Using Body Condition as a Tool In Feeding Management For Horses
Useful Horse Links
Swine Produciton
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Contact
Animal Sciences Dept.
210 Upchurch Hall
Auburn Univ, AL 36849
(334) 844-1521