Stock reporT animal science S um m e r 2 0 0 5 From drawing board to reality A fter nearly three years, the vision for the animal science department’s new Beef Center is soon to be realized. The plans are complete and the project is in the bidding process, with site preparation and construction set to take place this November. The Animal Nutrition Center will soon follow suit as its ?nal designs for feed manufacturing come together. The Meat Processing Center and the expanded Beef Cattle Evaluation Center are already on the drawing board, cementing the certainty for the department’s new and improved facilities. “The new facilities will have a major impact on our ability to integrate cutting-edge technology into our teaching and applied research programs,” said Andrew Thulin, the animal science department head. He also emphasized that students will bene?t greatly, not only from the hands on learning the new facilities and equipment will provide, but also from the direct interaction with private industry through applied research and industry short courses that will be conducted in these facilities. Both necessity and need paved the way for the facility relocations. Cal Poly’s Student Housing North Project, which is set to accommodate 2,700 students, is being constructed where the current Bull Test site and feed mill are located. The Beef Center, which will house the current Bull Test, heifer development, arti?cial insemination and embryo transfer programs, will be the ?rst facility to be built. Professor and Beef Specialist Mike Hall has been involved with the design since day one. “The biggest thing that the new beef center F E ATURES ALUMNI means is a new, modern facility incorporating better technologies with a lot of things we already have. It puts us in a better position for future learning opportunities,” he said. This future includes enhancing an already aggressive bovine embryo transfer program and expanding genetic marker testing to evaluate desirable traits. Located east of Cuesta College and Highway 1, on Cal Poly’s Escuela Ranch, the new Beef Center will have easy access to 2,200 acres of rangeland. This new Beef Center boasts several new upgrades that will accelerate the beef program to an even greater status. The main beef technology building supports a wide range of activities—from students’ academic laboratory coursework to enterprise projects to industry-related opportunities. This site will also accommodate living quarters for the four student employees that work and manage the Beef Center. Seven “pie-shaped” feeding pens, each approximately 2 to 3 acres, are set to be installed, along with eight lay-up pens for sick bulls during the Bull Test, as well as a heifer development program when the Bull Test is not in operation. There will also be a processing area dedicated to safely, humanely and e?ciently handling cattle for inspection, doctoring sick animals and conducting reproduction-related activities. A commodity barn will be built to store concentrates for the bulls on the Bull Test and cows for the embryo transfer and heifer development programs. This facility will also store about 120 tons of hay. (continued on page 2) S T U D E N TS D E P T. N E WS From Department Head Andrew J. Thulin A s you read through this newsletter, you will notice that the animal science department just concluded another successful year with many exciting developments. However, there will be little time for catching our breath as the department faces several challenges in the coming academic year. The department had two faculty positions open for the new academic year. We completed one search by hiring Pete Agalos to teach the equine behavior modi?cation classes beginning in September. We continue our search for a reproductive physiologist to take leadership for our embryology initiative in the horse and beef areas. The department is also underway with an Academic Program Review, which is required by the university every ?ve years. In general, this is accomplished by reviewing our mission and goals, our curriculum through which our mission and goals are pursued, the extent to which we are achieving our objectives for student learning, the quality and diversity of our faculty and sta?, and the infrastructure supporting the program. Our self-study will be reviewed by internal and external reviewers during late fall. The relocation of the animal science facilities is the largest challenge the department has faced in over 50 years. The relocation comes at a time when the state of California no longer provides su?cient funding to support academic programs. The department was provided about $8 million to move the beef facilities (bull test and feedlot), the feed mill, and the meat harvest and processing facilities. Unfortunately, the estimated cost of relocating these facilities is about $12 million. New requirements for clean air, water quality, food safety, etc, along with dramatically increased concrete and steel costs over the past few years, have resulted in the higher cost. Therefore, the department will need to work with alumni, friends and industry to provide the $4 million needed to complete the relocation of these facilities. To meet this challenge and raise adequate funding within the next six months, we need your help. The animal science department has a tradition of excellence in undergraduate education and your help will ensure that the generations to come will be able to share in this strong tradition. For more information on how you can help, please e-mail me at athulin@calpoly.edu or call (805)756-2419. Updates regarding the relocation of the di?erent facilities can be found at www.animalscience.calpoly.edu. Cover story continued... Hall supervised several senior projects that directly lead to the ?nal design for the Beef Center. Last year, an agricultural engineering student developed a comprehensive design of the new facilities and Hall turned those plans over to a design engineer, who then developed the ?nal plans. The new Beef Center is expected to cost approximately $2.5 million, with the state covering the majority of the cost. Some of the cost will also be covered by private donors and friends of the department. The Animal Nutrition Center will be a key addition to the department. The feed mill will include new technologies such as allowing diets to be double-ground for uniform particle size; portion control to allow small batch sizes; and a conditioning system for evaluating heat, steam and pressure on feed additives such as enzymes. “The animal nutrition and feed manufacturing industries in California have high demand and salaries for well trained graduates with manufacturing 2 www.animalscience.calpoly.edu and processing knowledge for the poultry, companion animal, equine and dairy industries,” said Thulin. Along with a modernized feed mill, the center will also provide an ideal location to conduct industry short courses and expand applied research e?orts within the animal nutrition industry. The new Meat Processing Center will centralize the harvesting, processing and production facilities, all in one location near the Cal Poly Poultry Center. According to Thulin, once the new Meat Processing Center is constructed, Cal Poly’s meats program will have the opportunity to become the center of excellence for meat food processing in the Western states. As with the Animal Nutrition Center, the meat food processing industry in California provides numerous high paying jobs for students interested in areas such as meat processing, food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and development of ready-to-eat products. ‘Oceans of opportunity’ for prospective Cal Poly students Prospective students received an enticing o?er from the Animal Science Department as professors and students explained why Cal Poly has one of the best animal science programs in the nation. “All is not as it appears,” Department Head Andrew Thulin told a group of about 80 admitted students at Open House on April 15, 2005. “Animal science at Cal Poly is not animal science anywhere else.” In all, over 175 prospective students visited Cal Poly’s animal science department for Open House and the two weeks leading up to it. The most attractive aspect of the program is its hands Department Head Andrew Thulin spoke to parents about what Cal Poly on, “Learn-By-Doing” approach to curriculum. “Many of has to o?er their sons and daughters, including proximity to the beach. you have not touched a cow, a sheep or a pig,” Thulin said, Melinat was recently hired at the Northern California Fertil“But you will learn about all of these animals and more.” ­ The prospective students also heard from four animal sci- ity Medical Center (NCFMC) in Roseville, Calif. “I’m going to ence seniors, all with their own story of encouragement. Garret go help couples have babies,” she said with an excited smile. As Guenther was a transfer student who was enticed by the pre-vet of yet, there is no degree for human embryology; but Melinat’s program at Cal Poly. During his studies he branched out from concentration in animal embryology helped her to transition to the pre-vet curric- the human ?eld. Shannon Findley walked up to the horse unit as a freshman ulum and started taking classes in and hasn’t left since. Findley came to Cal Poly as a pre-vet and biotechnology and found it was a perfect ?t. Findley currently helps run the equine microbiology. “It’s embryo research project at the equine unit with Professor Matt very interesting Burd. “What is important for you to know about the program and on the cutting at Cal Poly is that you’re going to be working with animals and edge; you have the in the ?eld as freshmen, not just in your third or forth year,” she ability to discover told the group of prospective students. Kelly Churchill had a very important message for the pronew information,” spective students. “The ?rst year I tried to apply to veterinary Guenther said. — Garret Guenther This fall, Guen- school, I was rejected from all of them.” But as she stood before ther will be attend- the students, she proudly announced that this year she had been ing UC Irvine to obtain his PhD in Immunology. “Cal Poly has a accepted to UC Davis’ veterinary school, a coveted program. lot to o?er besides their pre-vet curriculum. By taking di?erent Churchill added a minor and more experience to her resume classes you can ?nd your niche; and worse case scenario it may and said that was her ticket to acceptance. “Persistence is key,” Churchill said. only reinforce your original goals.” Cal Poly was the perfect place for Churchill to gain that expeJessica Melinat, who graduated in June, told prospective students she was originally interested in Cal Poly’s equine program. rience. “The opportunities are endless; if you want opportunity, However, once she transferred to Cal Poly she took a class in you de?nitely need to come to Cal Poly. Being pre-vet students, embryology. “It was the most amazing class I’ve ever taken,” you have a demanding curriculum, but you get to balance it with a lot of rewarding classes and labs too.” Melinat said. al Po al Po olly has has a lo lot to to o? o?er be besides “Ctheir their pre-v e-veet cur cur urrriculum. By By taking di?erent classes you can ?nd yo your ni niche; and and wor worse case scena narrio it it may may on only re rein infforccee your original goals. ” AT THE 49TH ANNUAL Cal Poly Performance Bull Test Sale Sunday, October 2, 2005 Cal Poly Beef Unit Annual Field Day and Trade Show ­ Saturday, October 1, 2005 http://bulltest.calpoly.edu 323 Yearling Bulls on Test 6 Breeds, 2 Composites 226 Angus, 24 Charolais Top 50% sell at 1 p.m. NEWEST TECHNOLOGY– All Bulls Tested: • PI-BVD Negative ­ • Latest Value EPDs for all bulls • EID tagged and enrolled in FAIR (National Farm Animal Identi?cation Records) THE STO CK REPORT 3 New equine facilities allow for even more excellence After ?ve years of conception and planning, Cal Poly’s Equine Unit is home to two new horse barns. The 40-stall multipurpose barn was completed in May, while the 13-stall mare barn was installed in late June. This expansion provided the room necessary to accommodate the growing number of students who are involved with the equine program. Equine Professor Matt Burd said that they will likely ?ll the 13-stall barn with mares during the breeding season and then the over?ow will be housed at the 40-stall barn. The 40-stall barn is used for breeding horses, riding horses and the di?erent equine classes and enterprises that Cal Poly o?ers. Besides the horses, it is the students who bene?t most from these new barns. The 40-stall barn houses a variety of horses and provides students with a clean, modern working “To them, it is a source of pride,” Burd said. environment. “They feel validity in what they are doing; “It’s not just new barns, it’s a new facility,” Burd made clear. He to see the school spend the money to bene?t them gives these students explained that besides the construction of these barns, Cal Poly has a sense of what they’re doing is worthwhile.” upgraded the equine center in many ways. New fencing, new maCoinciding with that sense of value is pride in the new image. With nure management and new water management are just some of the these new barns, enterprises like the Ranch Horse Sale can preview improvements to the equine program. “We are trying to bring equine and prep their horses in a clean, modern facility. Along those lines, it science to an even greater level,” Burd said. opens the door for enterprises to expand and become even better than None of these opportunities would have been possible without they already are. the generous donations from the Sonoma Mountain Institute (SMI) Nearly a decade of hopes and wishes came true as the new barns and Kenny Hollister with Horse Housing Construction. SMI made a reached completion. Mike Lund, former lecturer and equine breed- multi-year pledge gift of $150,000, which helped cover a major poring manager, and Roger Hunt, former professor and equine specialist, tion of the 40-stall barn project’s cost. played an integral part in the early conceptual stages. Burd mentioned that Animal Science Department Head An“I think it will make [the equine unit] so much nicer, there are so drew Thulin played a valuable role in upgrading these facilities. “We many more options,” Lund said. “It will enhance the whole educa- wouldn’t have been able to get this done without his vigilance,” Burd tional experience.” said of Thulin. Poultry poster takes top honors photo courtesy of Professor Elizabeth Koutsos 4 email: animalscience@calpoly.edu For the second year in a row, a Cal Poly undergraduate won a poster contest in a traditionally graduate-level competition. Annika Ho?man, animal science senior, took top honors for her senior project “Time and dose response for induction of plasma haptoglobin as a measurement of in?ammatory response in broiler chickens” at the International Poultry Scienti?c Forum in Atlanta, Ga. on January 24 and 25 of this year. Ho?man was one of two undergraduate Cal Poly students to compete. She said she enjoyed the “opportunity to meet students with the same interests and be exposed to graduate programs from all over the country.” Assistant Professor and Nutrition Specialist Elizabeth Koutsos was responsible for obtaining the “Interactions between poultry health and nutrition” grant from the California Agricultural Research Institute, which ?nanced all of Ho?man’s research and travel expenses. “[This project] was instrumental because it established consistent methods for our immune response research,” Koutsos said. In 2004, Angela Amato won the competition with her poster, “E?ect of Dietary Copper Chloride on In?ammatory Response of Broiler Chicks.” Alumna shares impressions and lessons of Africa ­ Editor’s Note: Abbey Kingdon, a 2004 graduate of the animal science department and former editor of the Stock Report, recently completed an internship in South Africa. Originally, she planned to travel to Zimbabwe, but sociopolitical instability in the country at the time of her trip diverted her south, to South Africa. She now lives in Modoc County, Calif., where she is the director of a non-pro?t organization called The River Center. by Abbey Kingdon I set out for Africa to study holistic management after graduating from the Cal Poly Animal Science Department in June 2004. I wanted the chance to get an unbiased perspective on life, so I went to a new place where all previous comfort, safety and security were removed. I created a holistic management internship, with the help of professors in the animal science department, contacting cattle farmers in the Limpopo and Northwest Provinces of South Africa. Holistic management is a life and land management philosophy that considers economic, social and ecological factors when managing resources. I worked on cattle farms to complete my internship. I strung electric fence through the bosveld (bush rangelands). I used a GPS monitor to plot cattle camps and determine paddock-yield as photo courtesy of Abbey Kingdon a component of holistic grazing Judy Richardson and Abbey Kingdon on an planning. I gathered cattle at the evening walk to check veld conditions. edge of the Kalahari. I visited game ranches and attended international Cricket matches. I saw elephant, zebra, gira?e, lion, rhino, hyena and hippo at Kruger National Park. Underneath every experience, every amazing place, I began to recognize a theme. As I learned more about Africa in general, I realized this theme is present in many African histories. It is contrast. Uncertainty. Raw life. The proper etiquette of colonialism and muti (the indigenous culture’s word for the medicine of witch doctors) practiced in one household. Before leaving for South Africa I feared, more than anything the African night. What would it be like to wake up in the middle of the night in Africa? What sounds would I hear? What would the night feel like in a place so far from home? The fear evolved into a hunger for places that feel alive. Places that are not controlled, safe and predictable. In Africa, I’ve never felt more awake, even when I slept. A whole new world comes alive when the sun goes down in the South African bush. Sounds from far away are close, bugs tick and hum, horned animals crunch through the low branches of acacia trees. Fire?ies blink beneath the Southern Cross. At night one feels small, humbled by the lion’s hu?ng call and blind before the sleek navigation of night predators. But dawn is victory. The animals cry out to the rising sun, letting the world know they made it through the night and it’s good to be alive. My heart sang with them. After adapting to the pace of the bush, I realized I had lived life with my senses turned down low. But the constant danger, imposed by other humans, animals or the environment that most South Africans incorporate into their daily lives, heightened my senses. Self-preservation instincts turned life up. An average day became a great day. Happiness became ecstasy. Fear became terror. And most days contained both. But that is South Africa: contrast. With its 14 o?cial languages, yet a movement to remove apartheid concepts of “white” and “black” and “colored” and replace them with a vision of united South Africans. Charming afternoon tea laced with conversations of farm murders and land claims. Dressage riders turn heads in Ohio Five members of the Cal Poly Dressage Team packed their bags and headed to the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championship in Concord, Ohio, April 23 and 24, 2005. After winning the Western Region, Cal Poly was able to send a team to Lake Erie College to compete in team and individual competitions, bringing home a Gold award, two Silver awards, and a Reserve High Point award. The four team members include Sarah Von Brandt, Erin Lewis, Elise Torres and Elinor Howard. Victoria Borg also quali?ed individually in the lower training level class. The team was accompanied by their coach, animal science sophomore Josslyn Chandler and their adviser, Professor Jaymie Noland. “The whole team is lucky to have her,” Von Brandt explained of Noland. “We wouldn’t be here otherwise.” This is the second year Chandler has coached the dressage team. Because of her extensive showing experience, she is not able to compete at the collegiate level. “She gives up a lot to help the team,” said Von Brandt, “And pays all the expenses out of her pocket.” Von Brandt, animal science graduate and former Dressage Team president competed in Three Day Eventing before joining the Dressage Team at Cal Poly. Her ?rst trip to the IDA National Championship resulted in a Gold award in the First Level Test 4 class. For her ?rst trip to the National Championship, Lewis did very well winning Reserve High Point as well as a Silver award in the upper training level class. Lewis was a biochemistry senior, but switched to animal science. Torres also brought home a Silver award in the lower training level class. Torres is a city and regional planning freshman. Not all students have showing experience. Noland explained that “only half the team has previous experience showing; but thanks to local people who donate their horses, students are introduced to dressage.” From left: Josslyn Chandler, Julia Daehling, Elise Torres, Sarah Von Brandt, Erin Lewis, Victoria Borg, Claire Gebers and Elinor Howard (kneeling). THE STO CK REPORT 5 2005 Ranch Horse Sale — better than ever ­ Sale prices were as hot as the weather on May 21 at Cal Poly’s as a team to plan, organize, budget and market the sale. Lund 11th annual Performance and Ranch Horse Sale. stresses, “This is a completely student-run project, from start to Project adviser, Mike Lund attributes better quality horses ?nish.” and a group of students that work well together to the “highest The students’ teamwork paid o?, producing more than sale average we’ve ever had.” a horse sale, rather a Western event. Guests snacked on Cal Twelve two-year-olds averaged $3,600 while four older colts Poly barbecue thanks to Meat Scientist and Professor Robert ranging between three and Delmore along with some of his ?ve years old averaged students. There was also a wine $3,900. Four broodmares tasting area for visitors to enjoy. were also sold, averaging Vendors were on site to sell jew$2,200. elry and horse supplies, while Katherine Whitby, there was also a silent auction. fourth year agriculture Just as Cal Poly colts come science student, rode the from di?erent breeding—pleasure, halter and working cow high selling two-year-old, Jewels Win. The buyer, horses—the students come from di?erent backgrounds as well. Julie Steiner of Nipomo, Enterprise member Amy received a $270 headstall Housman, who competed in donated by the San Luis three-day eventing and jumpObispo County Farm Suping competitions, learned a ply. lot about riding, but also a lot The colts coming out of the Ranch Horse Enterabout herself and working with prise are exposed to more a team. Housman, a ?fth year Katherine Whitby, fourth year agriculture science student sits atop the high selling than most two-year-olds. Jewels Win, who went home with Julie Steiner of Nipomo. animal science student said, “It’s Because of the experience nice for students who do not the students provide, Lund said, “Buyers are beginning to rec- come from ranching backgrounds to experience it.” ognize the quality of Cal Poly’s sale. They know what they are Third year animal science student, Whitney Cox summed it getting.” up, “This is an opportunity I would never have had anywhere Twelve enterprise members and four student riders work else.” A taste of the meats industry Students focused on ham, bacon and smoked turkey at the California Association of Meat tations by industry specialists. Dr. Gary the fresh sausage competition. Processors annual meeting in Delmore explains that the show was a Smith, a leading meat scientist from ColChico, Calif. in February 2005. Animal science students Phil Bass, Emily Lewis, Lauren Luque and Leslie Pint participated in a variety of activities at the meeting, ranging from tours of facilities, workshops and presentations. They also had the opportunity to interact with small, family owned businesses. Animal science senior, Pint, enjoyed being able to “meet people and other students involved in the meat industry.” “You are able to see how [the owners] stress a high quality product through traditional methods, customs and showmanship,” graduate student, Bass explained. Part of the activities included presen- 6 www.animalscience.calpoly.edu orado State University spoke on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) issues. Animal science sophomore Lauren Luque was intrigued by Dr. Smith’s presentation. “I feel better about informing the public if questions arise,” Luque said. Professor Robert Delmore accompanied the students and took part in the workshops as a presenter. In cooperation with small business butchers, Delmore spoke about the scienti?c side of the ham making process. A highlight for the Cal Poly students was the Cured Meat Show. Competing against ?ve schools, Cal Poly did well in great learning experience, “The students develop their own formulations and manufacture the products themselves”. Bass, who would like to work in the poultry or processed meats industry, won a Reserve Grand Champion Award for his Italian sausage. Emily Lewis won a Champion Award for her sun dried tomato sausage. Luque received one of ?ve merit awards for her chorizo sausage. Student products, including Bass’ Italian sausage, are available for sale at the Meat Science Facility. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Delmore at (805) 756-2254. Teaching a process, not a lesson plan Cal Poly Professor and Sheep Specialist Robert Rutherford used to approach teaching in a traditional manner. “I would present the material to the students, and then I would test them to see how much of that information they had memorized,” he admitted. But after enrolling in the Holistic Management Certi?ed Educator Program, Rutherford has changed his methods. He believes that involvement is key to a student’s education. Role playing and student generated teaching are just some of the new ways Rutherford engages his students. photo courtesy of Rob Rutherford In April 2005 Rutherford reRutherford and his wife, Martie, with the ceived his Holistic Management Sydney Opera House in the background. Certi?ed Educator certi?cation in Australia. While the program determined, the next step is to outline was only two and a half years long, the parameters for the “holistic goal.” Rutherford has been learning about This goal takes into account the deholistic management for 14 years now. sired quality of life, what is needed to The program involved four intensive succeed and how you will sustain your one-week sessions conducted in Wis- future resource base. “We’re talking about 100 years or more,” Rutherford consin and Texas. Rutherford explained that Holistic said as he stressed just how much into Management is a framework that can the future for which holistic managebe applied to nearly every aspect of ment accounts. Once these goals are established, it a person’s life. He uses this thought process to emphasize the idea that is time to make a decision. The next education should be a continuous pro- step involves detecting the early warncess for students, not just “something ing signs that the decision might have you check o? once you’re done with a been wrong and then creating a course of action to correct it. What makes class,” Rutherford said. Laura Unrue, now an animal science holistic management so e?ective is graduate who concentrated in range- that it anticipates the problem before land management resources, took the it occurs, which accounts for a long holistic management class during the lasting solution. Rutherford also runs the sheep winter quarter in 2005. She said that the class structure was very unortho- unit at Cal Poly and applies the holisdox and a little awkward at ?rst. But tic management process to its grazing with time, she said, his techniques re- plan. According to Rutherford, the best ally help students grow to form their own opinions and ideas. “This class thing a student can walk away with really challenges you to challenge the from one of his classes is a sense of empowerment. “Everything happens status quo,” Unrue said. In a nutshell, holistic management because people make decisions,” he is a unique decision making process. said, and he tries to instill this power Holistic management begins by de?n- in his students so that they leave the ing what is being managed. Then, a classroom with a newfound sense of person de?nes the ?nancial resources hope. available for this project. Once this is FALL 2005 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 19 20 – Oct. 2 Classes begin Snaf?e Bit Futurity - Reno, Nev. OCTOBER 1 2 14 Bull Test Field Day Bull Test Sale College of Ag Fall Preview NOVEMBER 5 –19 AQHA World Show - Oklahoma 24 – Dec.3 NRHA Futurity Championship Show - Oklahoma DECEMBER 11 FEBRUARY 17–19 JANUARY 26 Mid-year Commencement Western Bonanza - Mid State Fairgrounds, Paso Robles, Calif. Ag Showcase - Chumash Auditorium, Cal Poly Givingto Cal Poly Private gifts provide the Animal Science Department at Cal Poly with vital resources for maintaining our proud “learn-by-doing” tradition of excellence. You can help shape the Department’s future through a philanthropic investment. The generosity of our supporters enriches the curriculum, builds new laboratories, provides scholarships, and attracts outstanding faculty. For more information on making a gift to Cal Poly to bene?t the Animal Science Department, please contact us at (805) 756-2419. We sincerely appreciate your continued support! THE STO CK REPORT 7 A grand event indeed photos courtesy of Wendy Hall Department Head Andrew Thulin next to the Outstanding Seniors (from left): Laura Unrue, Patricia Slater, Jake Olson, Joseph Fischer, Lauren Everett and Tara Black. Not pictured: Adriana Rodriguez and Cassie Page. animal W ith over 250 guests in attendance, the Animal Science Department’s annual banquet was the largest gathering in recent years. Rancho Santa Margarita provided the perfect backdrop for the event with its rich history and beautifully renovated barn. This year, the banquet committee decided to honor more than just outstanding students. Retirees Robert Vance, Gene Armstrong, Sue Simenz, Mike Lund and Roger Hunt were honored for their hard work and dedication to the department. The 2005 outstanding senior awards went to Laura Unrue, Tara Black, Lauren Everett, Joseph Fischer, Jake Olson, Cassie Page, Adriana Rodriguez and Patricia Slater. These students received the award based on academic standing as well as department involvement. Laura Unrue of Lompoc Calif. will pursue a law degree to help create better understanding between farmers, ranchers and the environmental community. Tara Black of El Cerrito Calif. plans to attend veterinary school and concentrate in large animals. Lauren Everett of Arroyo Grande, Calif. was just hired with Platinum Performance. Joseph Fischer of Valley Springs, Calif. will manage a purebred Angus ranch, get married and have a family. Jake Olson of Santa Clara, Calif. will attend graduate school. Cassie Page of Salinas, Calif. plans to become a Breed Association representative. Adriana Rodriguez of Paskenta Calif. will pursue veterinary school. Patricia Slater of Windor, Calif. will be applying to veterinary school in the fall of 2006. science Stock reporT S ummer 2005 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 open and questions and comments are welcome. www.animalscience.calpoly.edu • (805)756-2419 • animalscience@calpoly.edu California Polytechnic State University Animal Science Department San Luis Obispo, California 93407 8 email: animalscience@calpoly.edu Bldg.. 10, Rm. 129 805. 756.3688 www. animalscience. calpoly.edu Executive Editor: Dr. Andrew Thulin Editor: Melissa L. Dorcak Graphic Designer: Melissa L. Dorcak Writers: Melissa L. Dorcak, Casey Cooley and Dr. Andrew Thulin Photographers: Wendy Hall, Casey Cooley and Melissa L. Dorcak NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID SANTA BARBARA, CA PERMIT 464