UF Animal Sciences Department

UF Animal Sciences Department Animal Sciences is an academic department of the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) This site is not a public forum.

More than forty faculty members support teaching, research, and extension activities in areas including nutrition, reproduction, molecular biology and physiology, genetics, meat science, and management related to dairy and beef cattle, horses, goats, and swine. Investigators make use of state-of-the-art lab facilities; beef, dairy, and equine research and teaching units; a meat processing facility

; and extension units statewide. Undergraduate students prepare for veterinary school; graduate programs in animal research; or careers in biological sciences, beef or dairy production, agribusiness, food production, and the equine industry. More than five hundred students are enrolled in one of the five undergraduate program options: Animal Biology, Beef Industry, Dairy Industry, Equine Industry, or Meats Industry. Three graduate degrees are offered: Master of Agriculture, Master of Science, and Ph.D. The University of Florida UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department intends to educate, inform and provide updated information on UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department activities and to support and promote the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department objectives for these activities through its social media site. All UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department comments are made by UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department designees. Social media users may share ideas through commentary that is consistent with and furthers the objectives of a UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department post and the University of Florida UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department reserves the right to remove any comments that do not fall within this purpose. By posting a comment on this social media site, users agree to follow the terms of use of the site, Florida and federal laws and University of Florida regulations and policies, including but not limited to the University’s Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy. The UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department reserves the right to remove from the site any comments that violate these requirements.”

We are only a few weeks away from the 5th Annual UF Small Ruminant Short Course! 🐑 🐐Check out the agenda to learn more a...
09/02/2026

We are only a few weeks away from the 5th Annual UF Small Ruminant Short Course! 🐑 🐐

Check out the agenda to learn more about our speaker lineup! Join us to hear a wide range of talks including "Solar Grazing," "New Pest Challenges: Screwworm and Mealybugs," and "The Power of Genetic Selection." We are looking forward to seeing you so soon, and we can't wait to soak up this amazing content on September 18-19!

Use this link to learn more and register! https://ufl.zoom.us/j/97448681710

Buy local! 🥩🍽️
08/28/2026

Buy local! 🥩🍽️

The 5th Annual UF Small Ruminant Short Course is getting closer! 📣 This event wouldn't be possible without the generous ...
08/27/2026

The 5th Annual UF Small Ruminant Short Course is getting closer! 📣

This event wouldn't be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors. There are many ways to contribute to the SRSC, and we greatly appreciate any support towards this program.

Check out these sponsorship opportunities and use this link to learn more! We are so thankful for your consideration, and we look forward to seeing you soon! https://tinyurl.com/mr7mj4fj

Speaker Spotlight! 🐑 🐐 The 5th Annual UF Small Ruminant Short Course is coming up soon, and we would like to introduce o...
08/20/2026

Speaker Spotlight! 🐑 🐐

The 5th Annual UF Small Ruminant Short Course is coming up soon, and we would like to introduce one of our guest speakers that will be joining us! Dr. Leonor Sicalo Gianechini is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a board-certified veterinary parasitologist who has completed valuable research in many areas of animal health.

Dr. Sicalo Gianechini's research focuses on gastrointestinal parasites of livestock that integrates field studies, laboratory assays, and genomic approaches to continue improving parasite control systems. We are excited to hear her insights on this area during her lecture, "Sustainable Parasite Control Strategies" on Friday, September 18th.

We hope to see you soon! Use this link to learn more and register: https://tinyurl.com/mr7mj4fj

Summer Internship Highlight! Jenna Larson, class of 2027, has been interning with Royal Farms Dairy in Garden City, Kans...
08/18/2026

Summer Internship Highlight!

Jenna Larson, class of 2027, has been interning with Royal Farms Dairy in Garden City, Kansas! She has rotated around the different operational crews on the Dairy including breeding, heifers and dry cows, hospital, and maternity. Throughout her rotations, Jenna gained new skills like the ability to breed, ultrasound for pregnancy, give IV's, and reposition calves for assisted birth. Her favorite part of this internship was spending time in the Hospital and Maternity Departments. She says, "In hospital, every day was different. I was able to listen to pneumonia with a stethoscope, smell "ketosis" breath in cows, differentiate between different mastitis symptoms and the pathogen causing it, and I got to help with a displaced abomasum surgery! In maternity, I just loved those little calves. I got to feed a ton of calves and process new cows."

Jenna believes her internship enhanced her undergraduate experience by allowing her to immerse herself in real-world operations. She believes seeing how management executes tasks in real time helped to reinforce concepts learned in her classes, and that living far from home gave her a strengthened sense of independence and confidence.

Her advice to a student who may want to participate in an internship is, "You can only gain from getting outside your comfort zone! Be the "yes" man or woman. Saying yes will open doors that a fear-driven "no" will always keep locked."

Congratulations, Jenna! 🎉

Summer Internship Highlight! Julissa Zaragoza is a member of the class of 2027 and interned with Conservancy of Southwes...
08/17/2026

Summer Internship Highlight!

Julissa Zaragoza is a member of the class of 2027 and interned with Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples, FL! Through this experience, she has been able to learn about various components of animal care and has worked with a broad variety of species. She assisted with setting up the mammal, reptile, nursery, and quarantine rooms at the facility, where she was responsible for cleaning and setting up cages. She was able to learn about animal health through monitoring weight and behaviors, and how to determine if an animal was ready to return to the wild. After her morning tasks, she was able to observe tortoises and their behaviors, as well as prepare diets for all of the animals at the Conservancy. Julissa also gained experience in preparing medications for the morning and afternoon, and maintaining a safe and clean environment for the animals.

She believes the best part of her internship was working with such a broad range of animals. Julissa says, "Every day was a wonderful experience as I observed their natural behaviors in such an open setting. Ultimately, I was lucky enough to hold many adorable baby animals for feeding and weighing. I was always happy to hold these tiny creatures, feeling their soft fur or feathers and watching how they responded to our care. These moments not only strengthened my bond with the animals but also made my time at the facility truly memorable." She believes her experiences provided her with valuable skills that she will apply in her future career. Through assisting with veterinary procedures, she believes she has a stronger understanding of animal care standards and advanced practices in the industry.

Her advice to a student considering an internship is, "Intentionally pursue activities or challenges outside your comfort zone or typical career path. Doing so can help you acquire diverse experiences and insights, ultimately guiding you to discover what truly drives your passion and meet amazing people who help you along the way."

Congratulations, Julissa! 🎉

Summer Internship Highlight! Aubrey Terribile has been completing an internship with Deseret Cattle and Citrus in St. Cl...
08/14/2026

Summer Internship Highlight!

Aubrey Terribile has been completing an internship with Deseret Cattle and Citrus in St. Cloud, FL! She is a member of the class of 2027, and believes she has gained valuable experiences this summer that have prepared her for her future career. At Deseret, Aubrey has been able to rotate cow-calf pairs to working cattle, maintain pastures, operate equipment, and learn about the management behind one of the nation's largest cow-calf operations. She says her internship was very immersive, providing her with a new perspective of beef cattle management. Aubrey says, "I learned not only how cattle are raised but also why management decisions are made, from prioritizing animal health and welfare to caring for the land and producing a safe, high-quality food supply. Seeing the dedication, knowledge, and stewardship that goes into every aspect of the operation has given me a much deeper appreciation for the people who work tirelessly to feed our communities."

Her favorite part of this internship was spending early mornings working and admiring the ranch. She believes this time allowed her to deepen her admiration for nature and agriculture while being connected with the animals on the operation. She hopes to apply all of her new knowledge in the future as an agriculture teacher. Aubrey is eager to teach students how their food is produced and strengthen their understanding of the importance of agriculture and advocacy. She says, "This internship has strengthened my passion for educating others and has prepared me to share the true story of agriculture with the next generation. I am incredibly grateful to Deseret Cattle & Citrus for this unforgettable opportunity. The experiences, mentors, and memories I've gained this summer will stay with me throughout my career."

Her advice to a student who may want an internship is, "Trust yourself and be confident enough to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Internships are meant to help you build your knowledge, so it's okay if you start without knowing much."

Congratulations, Aubrey! 🎉

Come work with us! 🐄 Our Dairy Research Unit is looking for an Agricultural Assistant who can help with daily operations...
08/14/2026

Come work with us! 🐄

Our Dairy Research Unit is looking for an Agricultural Assistant who can help with daily operations at the facility. You will have the opportunity to carry out milking procedures, monitor herd health, and make sure the facility is running properly.

Check out this link or share with a friend who may be interested! https://tinyurl.com/3e7jh6re

The 2026 UF Small Ruminant Short Course is coming up! 🐐 🐏 On September 18-19, we are offering both an in-person and ONLI...
08/13/2026

The 2026 UF Small Ruminant Short Course is coming up! 🐐 🐏

On September 18-19, we are offering both an in-person and ONLINE attendance option for this event! We are excited to expand our attendance opportunities and we can't wait to see who joins us on camera!

Join us here at the UF/IFAS Extension Straughn Professional Development Center or VIRTUALLY for an informative and exciting short course. We are excited to hear about a wide range of topics including pest management, forages, and business practices.

Use this link to register and view the agenda! https://tinyurl.com/46p2ar99

Summer Internship Highlight! Shelby Johnson is a member of the class of 2027 and has been interning with ST Genetics Ohi...
08/11/2026

Summer Internship Highlight!

Shelby Johnson is a member of the class of 2027 and has been interning with ST Genetics Ohio Heifer Center in South Charleston, Ohio! She has learned about each aspect of ST Genetics by spending three weeks in each of their departments. In Maternity, she was able to assist with calving's, fresh cow care, and neonatal care. In Calf Care, she fed calves, monitored calf health, and cleaned their areas. Through the Veterinary department she learned about animal health, assessing animal conditions, and selecting and administering treatments, and in the IVF/ET department, she assisted with reproductive procedures! Her favorite part of this internship was spending time in the Maternity and IVF/ET departments where she gained hands-on experience and valuable knowledge.

Shelby believes she has gained many skills by participating in her internship as well. She believes she has strengthened her ability to assist with reproductive technologies, veterinary procedures, and overall herd health. In addition, she has gained confidence, communications skills, and the ability to adapt to new situations. Shelby also says, "This internship has enhanced my undergraduate experience by allowing me to take what I have learned in the classroom and apply it to real life situations. It has given me hands on experience and allowed me to continue learning while gaining skills that I can carry with me into the future."

Her advice to a student who may be considering an internship is, "Go for it and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, even if it means traveling across the country. It may be nerve-racking at first, but when you look back at the end of your internship, you realize how much you learned, how many new experiences you gained, and how much you grew both personally and professionally."

Congratulations, Shelby! 🎉

Address

PO Box 110910, 2250 Shealy Drive
Gainesville, FL
32611

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+3523921916

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