STOCK R EPORT A N I M A L S C I E N C E Wi nt e r 2 0 0 5 Smokums Prize NRCHA champion stallion stands at Equine Center Smokums Prize, the all-time National Reined Cow Horse Association No. 1 money earning 3-year-old with lifetime earnings of $209,484, will stand at Cal Poly’s Equine Center for the 2004-05 breeding season. Owners Ginger and Winston Moore decided to stand the stallion at Cal Poly based on their impression of the faculty, students and facilities. “We were impressed by Dr. Burd (animal science associate professor and equine reproductive physiologist), his knowledge of the industry and his desire to put together a professionally run breeding program,” Winston Moore said. Moore described animal science students as intelligent, professional and very interested in building up the breeding program. New facilities were the ?rst step in improving the equine breeding program. A stallion collection facility and a new breeding lab were recently constructed. “With the new facilities we have a greater capability to serve the private sector with breeding services, which means standing world-class stallions like Smokums Prize,” Burd said. Equine Center student employees agreed that much change has occurred with the Equine Center breeding program in the past year. Beth Schembri, animal science senior and Equine Center student employee, noted that Smokums Prize will draw publicity to the program. “He will bring more attention to a good program,” she said. F E ATURES Standing Smokums Prize translates into lessons in responsibility, organization and professionalism for animal science students involved in the breeding program. “This gives them a shot in the arm of con?dence in dealing with big players in the industry. There are tremendous networking opportunities that give students a direct link to the heart of the industry,” Burd said. With new facilities and breeding horses, the breeding program at the Equine Center is almost complete. The last component is the development of a band of embryo transfer recipient mares. Photographer/artist: Robert Brookshire “We are concentrating our efforts to obtain donated recipient mares,” Smokums Prize, owned by Ginger and Winston Moore, will stand at the Cal Poly Equine Center for the 2004Burd said. The ideal recipient mare 05 breeding season. is a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse maiden mare between 3 and 6 years For breeding or donation information of age who is free of serious health contact: problems. In recipient mares, pedigree Breeding Inquiries is not important, Burd said. (805) 756-5469 Advances in the breeding program Dr. Matt Burd, DVM, MS are mirrored by the development (805) 756-6110 mburd@calpoly.edu of student management and public Or visit our web site at: relation skills necessary for running www.animalscience.calpoly.edu an equine breeding farm. Standing a top stallion will allow students to see a broader range of the industry, said Kristen Weitemier, animal science senior and 2004-05 equine breeding enterprise manager. ALUMN I S T U D E N TS D E P T. N E WS ASCI 403: techniques, experience and the alphabet of biotech al Poly animal science students have an opportunity to experience what few animal science students will encounter at other universities. ASCI 403, applied biotechnology in animal science, is a course that teaches the techniques and methodologies used in animal research and biotechnology. This includes experimental design, model assessment, and data interpretation applied in an experimental setting. “ASCI 403 gives students a hands on approach to current techniques applied in production systems as well as research,” said Garret Guenther, an animal science senior and teacher’s assistant for the course. He explained that students who take this course will have a tremendous advantage to those who are not educated about these principles. Furthermore, Guenther pointed out that students in all ?elds of animal science will bene?t from the class. “This course applies to every animal science student from animal production to veterinary medicine, to research,” he said. Kory Alderson, a teacher’s assistant for ASCI 403, said the course gave her technical skills that are usually learned on a graduate level, but more importantly she can go into graduate school knowing what she is getting into. When Alderson visited graduate programs she said she realized the class put her one step ahead of other applicants. “Graduate professors at (University of California) Davis were amazed by the experience the class has given me,” Alderson said. The construction of a biotechnology lab allowed the course to exist, but it is the teaching methods of animal science professor Dan Peterson that opens the world of biotechnology to Cal Poly students. Guenther said Peterson keeps the class interesting by using analogies, “while still making it easy to understand.” Peterson explains that understanding biotechnology is like to learning to read. He tells his class that learning the alphabet is pretty boring, but reading is impossible if you don’t know the alphabet. “Dr. Peterson does a very good job teaching the alphabet of biotechnology in this course using his exceptional knowledge of the sciences as well as his quirky sense of humor,” Alderson said. Even though the biotechnology lab is advanced, it is not free of complications. “Things don’t always go they way you (expect) and you don’t always have the resources you’d like, but the solution is not to throw up your hands and give up. You have to learn to be innovative and adapt in order to be successful in the real world,” Peterson said. The class is designed as a practical and experiment-based class where students get exposure to real decisions that have to be made. Peterson said he wants students to come away from the course with a con?dence in their ability to solve problems. “Everything is possible; it’s just a matter of how you go about pursuing it,” Peterson said. Left: A student loads a polyacrylamide gel to separate cellular proteins for identi?cation. Above: Students pipet cell culture media in the ASCI 403 lab. 2 www.animalscience.calpoly.edu The Vision Continues During the past ?ve years, we have worked toward a major department goal to remodel, enhance and construct new animal science teaching facilities so that we may send our students into the professional world with the exceptional “Learn-by-Doing” education that Cal Poly prides itself in providing. Last year, the university announced that several Carol Rose and former Department Head Richard Johnson of the animal science facilities would need to be relocated in order to build a much needed student housing complex on campus. While the department has made great progress over the past ?ve years, we realize that we must now aggressively pursue private funding to compensate for limited state monies to fund the relocation of the beef center, feed mill, meat processing and beef feedlot. Many of the department’s facilities that were built nearly 50 years ago need major improvements to meet current USDA, FDA, OSHA and other standards. The relocation of animal science units will provide the department with a great opportunity to build new, more technologically advanced facilities. Our students and alumni continue to shine for their accomplishments throughout the country. This issue of the Stock Report highlights some of these achievements including senior projects, research work and enterprise successes. This past fall, four Cal Poly animal science alumni were inducted into the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame for their successful leadership in the reined cow horse industry. Carol Rose, Stan Fonsen, Lane “Smokey” Pritchett and Les Vogt all received the honor at the annual banquet, attended by over 750 equine industry professionals. This was a tremendous honor for these industry leaders, for Cal Poly and the department. We sincerely appreciate your continued support for this great program and I encourage you to visit the animal science department when you are in the area, or visit our website for the latest news at www.animalscience.calpoly.edu. As always, we welcome your comments and please feel free to email us at animalscience@calpoly.edu. Animal science faculty retire after decades of service The past two years saw the retirement of animal science department faculty who were conerstones of their respective programs. Their in?uence resonates through the department as they impacted the lives of many students, faculty and staff. Robert Vance Robert Vance retired in September 2003 after spending more than three decades with Cal Poly. Vance served as the Food Science and Nutrition department head from 1978 to 1988, where he built the department into one of the largest and strongest undergraduate food science programs in the country. He spent the last four years with the animal science department. Animal science students scored his teaching abilities as one of the highest in the department. Vance received the 2002-03 College of Agriculture’s Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award. “Robert has (had) a profound in?uence on many young people, as they have chosen the meat industry for meaningful employment. He stimulated students to develop an interest in science, as a result, several former students achieved advanced degrees and have become leaders in the meat industry,” said Andy Thulin, animal science department head. safety for the students and horses at the unit. Hunt added a teasing corral, a six -horse barn, pipe fencing around the Hadley Arena and remodeled the breeding barn twice, among others in a long list of facility improvements. Hunt and former Horse Unit manager and animal science professor emeritus, Robert Hadley, introduced arti?cial insemination to the equine breeding program. Hunt accepted the golden handshake early retirement package offered by the State of California in order to take care of his mother. He also works toward building up his own horse facilities, at his home in Paso Robles, where he holds horsemanship clinics. “Change is good,” Hunt said. “I’m still very excited about Cal Poly, their philosophy and program. Dr. Burd will provide a lot of opportunity for students. I’m excited for them.” Mike Lund Mike Lund retired during Summer 2004 with his acceptance of the golden handshake early retirement package offered by the State of California. He joined the animal science department faculty in 1984. Lund returned for the 2004 Roger Hunt academic year to teach part time. He teaches training and riding courses. Roger Hunt spent 26 years as Lund was the equine breeding an animal science professor and equine specialist at Cal Poly. He manager through 2003. He was also adviser to the Quarter Horse retired in June 2004. He served Enterprise and the Ranch Horse Enterprise. With retirement, Lund, as the Horse Unit manager from who lives in Atascadero, said he plans to continue training reining and cow horses. 1980 to 1990. “(Lund) has a wealth of knowledge During his time Change is good. I am still about horsemanship and has always as manager and done a wonderful job teaching it to professor he very excited about Cal students,” said Ellen Kim, animal science made signi?cant Poly, their philosophy graduate and former Equine Center improvements to student manager. Lund helped Kim get the Horse Unit and program. an internship at Valley Oak Ranch, a facilities that - Roger Hunt Quarter Horse breeding farm. improved the “ ” THE STOCK REPORT 3 Senior project to be presented at international conferences Several Poultry Unit research projects, advised by Elizabeth Koutsos, an animal science assistant professor, will immediately bene?t industry; others will establish fundamental research, applicable in years to come. In April, ?ve Koutsosadvised projects will be presented at the Experimental Biology Conference in San Diego, Calif., the largest conference of biologists in the world. More projects will be presented at the International Poultry Scienti?c Forum in Atlanta, Ga. Experimental Biology Conference Broilers at the Poultry Unit are part of the nutrition research. Students participate in and • A study by animal science senior Kory Alderson contribute to industry with their endeavors at the Poultry Unit. examines the potential differences between stallions versus geldings versus mares regarding disease risk • Animal science senior Garret Guenther and animal science junior and treatment titled “Effect of sex hormones on in?ammatory responses Annika Hoffman looked at the implications for differences between of isolated equine monocytes.” •Agricultural sciences graduate student Melissa Torres investigated mammalian and avian immunity in a study titled, “Effect of plasma uric acid on immune responses to LPS.” the same principles as Alderson, but applied them to chickens. • Agricultural sciences graduate student Vanessa Arias determined International Poultry Scienti?c Form • Phil Bass and Chris Spence, two 2004 animal science graduates, the mechanisms of antibiotics versus other growth promoters in her designed a study that improved animal welfare and environmental study called “Effect of dietary copper on in?ammatory responses and impact by decreasing poultry phosphorus excretion, entitled “Effect gut histology in broilers.” • “Isolation of primordial germ cells from quail embryos,” a study of dietary phytase on second-cycle laying hen performance and P by animal science senior Lauren Hylle, evaluated methods of isolation excretion.” • Animal science senior Jacob Olson attempted to enrich eggs with and culture of primordial germ cells with future applications in lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes that has anti-cancer functions. biotechnology. Technology drives bull test standards In its 48th year, Cal Poly’s Bull Test and Sale put students, bulls and technology to the test. This year marked the highest sale ever with 274 bulls consigned by 51 seedstock producers from throughout California. The sale average was $2,747, with a tie for Photographer: Jim Flanagan the top seller for $6,200. Consignors, buyers and visitors at Cal Poly’s 2004 Bull Test Sale preview bulls before the auction. A lot has changed since the bull test For more information about bull consignment and sales visit www.bulltest.lib.calpoly.edu began more than four decades ago. What was then a test consisting of feeding and that should create some marketing also tagged with a tamper-proof visible selling Hereford bulls is now a technology- opportunities.” identi?cation tag that includes a herd driven test. In the past many bulls have come down management number and an American Bulls are tagged with electronic with respiratory problems while on test. identi?cation. identi?cation tags (EID) and enrolled in PI-BVD testing was implemented in an The American ID, stored electronically, the National Farm Animal Identi?cation effort to eliminate extra labor, increased will distinctively identify each bull Records program (FAIR). All bulls who medical costs and reduced performance. throughout the world. Thich allows enter the test must respond negative for With the growing need for a National industry and government to track these persistently infected-bovine viral diarrhea Animal Identi?cation System (NAIS) bulls at the same time. The EID tag will (PI-BVD) and are tested with Merial’s in the months after Bovine Spongiform be helpful for producers’ day-to-day herd IGENITY L™ for Leptin genotype. Merial Encephalopathy (BSE) was present in the management by recording performance is an animal pharmaceuticals company. state of Washington, Cal Poly also EID- and health information. These tests guarantee that none of the bulls tagged each bull on test while also enrolling Hall said that Cal Poly was very honored will carry this contagious disease. them in FAIR. that Merial introduced their IGENITY L™ “We’re not re-inventing the wheel,” The program’s information system to the Bull Test. “We hope the success we explained Mike Hall, animal science tracks and records premises, animal gained will allow us to add more tests in professor and senior beef cattle specialist, identi?cation, animal movement, health the coming years,” Hall said. “but we’re making some exciting changes and performance data. Each bull was 4 www.animalscience.calpoly.edu Poultry research trial gains recognition Animal science assistant professor Elizabeth Koutsos is conducting a twoyear research trial examining the effect of dietary copper on immune responses in broiler chickens. The trial is supported by the California Agricultural Research Initiative, Paci?c Egg and Poultry Association and Micronutrients, a feed supplement company. The trial received recognition at the International Poultry Scienti?c Forum in Atlanta, Ga., when Angela Amato, a June 2004 animal science graduate, won top honors in the poster competition for her poster on the “Effect of Dietary Copper Chloride on In?ammatory Responses of Broiler Chicks.” Amato was the only undergraduate entered in the competition. Amato, who worked on the broiler-immunity trial with Koutsos, also placed second at the California Animal Nutrition Conference. Vanessa Arias, an agricultural sciences graduate student, placed third with a poster entitled, “Evaluation of the Effects of Dietary Copper Source and Level on Broiler Performance and Immune Response.” Amato, Arias and animal science lecturer Joel Judge continue to work on the research trial with Koutsos until the project’s completion in June of this year. Turkey Banquet makes comeback in 2004 After a two-year absence, the Turkey Banquet returned to Cal Poly. The event dates back to 1930 and is designed to honor poultry alumni. 2004’s banquet was deemed a success by all who attended. Last April, poultry club students, faculty, staff, alumni and industry friends came together for the 2004 Turkey Banquet at Cal Poly’s Vista Grande restaurant. The Turkey Banquet originated in the early 1930s as an accident after a turkey either broke its wing or leg. As a result Richard Leach, the poultry department head from 1934 to 1971, decided to process it and host a turkey dinner for poultry students, said Bob Spiller, animal science professor, and Clem Cox, honorary chair of the 2004 Turkey Banquet. At the time, Cal Poly was a vocational high school. When Leach arrived in 1930, he began a new era in poultry instruction. In 1960, the poultry department was thought to have the largest undergraduate enrollment in the United States. The turkey dinner continued as a male stag event until 1969 when it became co-ed. Leach’s last banquet as a faculty member, in 1971, marked the largest Turkey Banquet on record with approximately 325 alumni, students and guests in attendance. There was no Turkey Banquet in 2003 so as not to detract from the Animal Science 100 Year Reunion, Spiller said. In April, 75 people attended the 2004 Turkey Banquet to reunite with old friends, professors and colleagues. The “Father of Poly Royal,” Saul “Monty” Montrose, class of 1932, attended. He was in the ?rst class of poultry students to graduate Cal Poly. Industry donors such as Paula and Clem Cox, Zacky Farms, Pitman Farms, Gemma Dalena & Family, Seghesio Vineyard and Alegre Ag consulting donated wine, raf?e prizes, poultry products and ?nancial support for student involvement, which helped make the event a success. Equine enterprises provide students with industry exposure Quarter Horse The 2004 Quarter Horse Enterprise sold six Cal Poly 2year-olds at the Snaf?e Bit Futurity at the Performance Horse Sale, Oct. 2, in Reno, Nev. Five animal science students and one agribusiness student, Adam Bullard, Lauren Everett, Ellen Kim, Michelle Oveson, Kelly Owens and Wendy Pedotti, sold the Cal Poly-bred horses. The Cal Poly sale average was consistent with past projects at $4,133. Wild Cash Cutter sold for $6,500 and was Cal Poly’s top seller. Enterprise members gained exposure to the performance reined-cow horse industry. Job opportunities were presented to students at the Snaf?e Bit Futurity by Quarter Horse farm managers, trainers and other members of the industry. During the enterprise, the six animal science students started and trained two horses each and met with several professional trainers, including Jeff Walker, Sandy Collier, Ted Robinson, Jon Roeser, Jake Gorrell, Les Vogt and Derrick Tartaglia. Thoroughbred Animal science students Tammy Trejo, Jen Behnke, Tineka Huff and Megan Schedler sold three Cal Poly-owned Thoroughbred yearlings at the California Thoroughbred Breeder’s Association Northern California Yearling Sale in Pleasanton, Calif., in late September. Jaymie Noland, animal science professor and veterinarian, advised the project. The high seller of the Cal Poly horses, a Benckmark ?lly out of Ramrose, sold for $7,200, followed by a Turkoman colt out of Magnolia Jones, selling for $3,500. Trejo, the project manager, said the group tried a lot of new training and feeding techniques that were successful. All project members joined the enterprise to learn more about the Thoroughbred industry. They came away from the project understanding the importance of team work and the “business side of horses,” Trejo said. THE STOCK REPORT 5 Alumni recognized as top in the NRCHA with induction to Hall of Fame Her own brand of education and industry If given the chance to take Fridays off, Shauna Trusas wouldn’t go to the beach with her friends. She’d hop in her car and head out to the nearest livestock show or auction she could ?nd. Trusas, 25, an auctioneer by trade, completed her third bachelor’s degree and seventh year at Cal Poly in December. Her ?nal degree in agribusiness added the ?nishing touches to a potent resume already loaded with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and speech communication, an internship with the Western Video Market and Shasta Livestock Auction Yard in Cottonwood, Calif., completion of the World Champion College of Auctioneering in Bakers?eld, a year studying at the University of London, ?ve years of leadership with Western Bonanza, a Cal Poly produced junior livestock jackpot show, membership on the livestock judging team and participation in many beef and equine enterprises offered by the animal science department. Her experiences were carefully chosen and yet spontaneously pursued to break into the cattle buying profession, a position held predominantly by men. “I’ve been accused of having lofty goals, but I try my hardest to reach them and I don’t think you can truly reach your goals if you’re not happy and having fun,” Trusas said. While completing her internship with the Shasta Livestock Auction Yard and Western Video Market, Trusas discovered her niche in the cattle industry—buying cattle. Speci?cally, Trusas said she wants to be a feeder cattle buyer, which means she would cover a territory for a company or work independently buying weaned calves from ranchers to keep feedlots in 6 her region full. Her parents’ shock wore off about a year after she told them about her aspirations, she said. They expected a career that required more degrees and resulted in a longer title. Now, hooked by her infectious passion for the cattle industry and livestock shows, her parents want a small ranch and some cattle of their own. “I’ve been offered prestigious jobs, but I didn’t think they would challenge me,” Trusas said. “I could be successful in those jobs, but I wouldn’t be successful to myself because I wouldn’t be making a difference. I didn’t go to school for seven years to sit at a desk.” Animal science lecturer and beef specialist Joel Judge was one of the few who encouraged Trusas to gain knowledge and experience in the beef industry. “When you have passion for something you are going to do your best at it, and Shauna has passion for the beef industry. I told her to go for it,” he said. Trusas said every experience at Cal Poly was worth the seven years and three degrees. “There is not one thing (at Cal Poly) I wanted to do and didn’t do. Some of my friends rushed through school and now have jobs they hate,” she said. Her days of formal education are over, but for Trusas, the pursuit of learning will not end. Some of her professors told her that she didn’t want a career with a constant, accelerated learning curve, she said, as she ?attens her palm and points her ?ngers toward the ceiling, indicating a steep slope. Her green eyes hold a steady gaze, but in them a ?ash of individuality ignites for an instant. “I kind of think I do,” she said quietly, with a slow smile. www.animalscience.calpoly.edu Four former Cal Poly Animal Science students were the 2004 inductees to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame. The recipients received this recognition, accompanied by a plaque and hand-drawn portrait at the 2004 Snaf?e Bit Futurity in Reno, Nev. Carol Rose, Stan Fonsen, Lane “Smokey” Pritchett and Les Vogt attended Cal Poly in the 1960s and then went on to become successful trainers and leaders in the reined cow horse industry. Pritchett, a reined cow and cutting horse trainer from Red Bluff, Calif., said the equine industry as a whole is going through a period of tremendous growth. The reined cow horse segment in particular is the fastest growing component of the industry, Rose, a trainer from Gainesville, Texas, said. Both Pritchett and Rose said that spending time as an intern or apprentice of a good trainer is the best foundation for success. Current animal science students interested in pursuing a career in the industry “need to go to work for someone and start from the ground up,” Pritchett said. Vogt, of Arroyo Grande, Calif., and Fonsen, of Windsor, Calif., recommended developing other skills in order to not be “just another horse trainer.” “Marketing, public speaking and writing skills are important to ?nd success in a risky business with not big margins,” Vogt said. Sometimes dry and dull subjects like ?nance or economics pay off in the business side of training. “If you don’t have a good pencil or a lot of luck, it’s hard to make it,” Vogt said. The industry is getting tougher and better, Fonsen said it’s possible to win a lot more money, but still important to have an education to fall back on. From left: Les Vogt, Carol Rose, Lane “Smokey” Pritchett, and Stan Fonsen at the 2004 Snaf?e Bit Futurity Winter/Spring 2005 Calendar of Events You’re Invited Feb. 18-20 Come experience “Early California Rancho Hospitality” at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch Saturday June 4, 2005 Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department’s year end gathering and awards banquet Great food, Western treasures raf?e, door prizes, and much more! For tickets and information call: Animal Science Department: (805) 756-2419 Please purchase tickets by May 25, 2005 Feb. 20 Feb. 26-27 Apr.15-17 Apr. 16 May 7 May21 For updates visit www.animalscience.calpoly.edu Jun. 11 Western Bonanza Jr. Livestock Show Paso Robles, Calif. Cal Poly hosts IDA Dressage Show Atascadero, CA IHSA English and Western Show Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Cal Poly Open House Poly Royal Beef Show Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo FFA State Finals Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Ranch Horse Enterprise Sale Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Spring Commencement Event recognizes Cheda family for historical contributions In October 2003, an event organized by animal science professor Rob Rutherford and animal science student Shawna Johnson recognized the contributions made by the Cheda family to Cal Poly. About 100 people attended, including the Cheda family, extended family and friends, College of Agriculture Associate Dean Mark Shelton and Animal Science Department Head Andy Thulin. The event culminated in the unveiling of the Cheda family history display board, which now hangs Private support generates excellence Private support in the form of gifts from alumni and friends of the animal science department provide essential resources for maintaining Cal Poly’s “Learn-By-Doing” tradition of excellence. We are grateful for the generous, continuing support of the department by both individuals and industry. Many folks make plans to support their favorite charities. Your tax-deductible gifts in the Cheda Barn and chronicles the history of the Cheda family, the barn and surrounding land. “The event was a historical recognition of the Cheda family’s occupation of that place on earth at a given time,” Rutherford said. “It is important to recognize local families involved in the development of Cal Poly; there is a value in being aware of our history.” The event was held in the Cheda Barn, a structure that was cutting edge for its time. The barn was designed and constructed by the Cheda family, according to the display board. As part of Cal Poly, the barn was used as a student project dairy until 1992, and now is part of the Sheep Unit. Gene Starkey, professor emeritus of the dairy science department, spoke at the event. He noted that for 40 years the barn was an important component of the dairy science department. “With 25 to 30 students per year, many students got experience with dairying at that facility,” Starkey said. The event was well received by the Cheda family. “We feel honored that Cal Poly has maintained (the Cheda Barn) and referred to it by our name and we hope they will continue to do so because there is not much of the family left,” said John Cheda, Cal Poly graduate and veterinarian. Mike McCall, J.D. —Cal Poly Senior Director of Planned Giving and Endowments in the form of cash, appreciated stock or real estate can help our faculty and students take the animal science program to greater levels of achievement. In addition, there are other opportunities to invest in Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department, including life income arrangements that provide attractive tax and ?nancial advantages. Also, many individuals have chosen to create a future gift for the department by designating part of their estate plan for the bene?t of the animal science department. If you would like additional information on how you can make a gift to the animal science department please contact the department at (805) 756-2419 or animalscience@calpoly.edu. THE STOCK REPORT 7 Center to facilitate balanced education in animal science The animal science department is embarking on a campaign to raise $4 million to construct an animal agriculture events center to be built on six acres of land already dedicated to agriculture between the main campus and the equine center. The center’s main function will be to facilitate “learn-by-doing” instruction of animal science classes. Teaching livestock-based classes will be challenging when the animal unit laboratories are moved off campus in the next few years. The Cal Poly Master Plan, approved by the California Board of Trustees in 2001, documents this relocation of animal units. As it is a central location for faculty and students, live- stock can be brought to the center for teaching purposes. The animal science agriculture events center will include state of the art laboratory facilities equipped with the latest technology. Courses supported by the facility include: veterinary science, upper and lower division animal science, distance learning and equine science. The center will also host several activities and university outreach programs that support Cal Poly’s mission to provide students with a balanced education. Events center activities include: the Cal Poly Bull Test Sale, the Ranch Horse Sale, Bull Test Field Day, Western Bonanza, State FFA Judging Finals, Poly Royal, Ag Leadership Program, Summer Advising, dressage, hunter/jumper and western horse shows, rodeos and ?eld days. The main arena totals an area of 150’–by– 280’ and holds seating for 3,000. Accessible from the arena is a 4,000 square foot auditorium. Also adjoining the main arena are two covered arenas, complete with portable bleachers for maximum use. Conference rooms with a total area of 40’–by–100’ that can be divided into three meeting rooms are also in the plans. The events center does not require the construction of additional parking. For more information, please contact Andrew Thulin, animal science department head, at (805) 756-2419 or e-mail animalscience@calpoly.edu. Photographs: Courtesy of the animal science department, www.cre.ab.ca and www.marriotemeryville.com/meeting.html The animal agriculture events center will host livestock-based classes, university activities and outreach programs, like the Cal Poly Bull Sale. STOCK R E PORT A N I M A L S C I E N C E Wint er 20 05 Published by Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department as a link among the nation’s premier animal science program, alumni and friends. The department’s doors are ope