NC State-Department of Animal Science

10/19/2026

🐴 🔬 Research in 60 Seconds: Fueling Our Hardworking Horses!

How do we know if horses are getting enough calories to keep up with their workload?

This week, we're highlighting Tory Erwin, a master's student in Animal Science studying equine nutrition and exercise physiology!

Tory's research looks at the balance between calories consumed and calories burned in horses that participate in multiple riding lessons and competition events. Using heart rate monitors (similar to an Apple Watch or Fitbit for horses), Tory and her team estimated how much energy these horses expend compared to the calories they consume through hay and grain.

Their findings suggest that most of these horses are being fed appropriately for their level of work, helping improve our understanding of equine nutrition and energy needs.

While they may not receive the same attention as elite equine athletes, these hardworking horses deserve just as much consideration when it comes to their health and nutrition! 🧡

🎥 Watch Tory explain her research in just 60 seconds!

10/16/2026

🐴 🏆 The Wolfpack is bringing home some hardware!

Congratulations to the NC State Horse Judging Team on a successful trip to the All American Quarter Horse Congress! Our students competed against some of the best teams in the country and represented the Wolfpack with outstanding performances!

🌟 Limited Division

Lanie Tew: 3rd High Individual Overall, 4th in Performance, and Top 10 in Reasons

Kayla Pruitt: 7th High Individual Overall, 7th in Performance, and Top 15 in Halter

Maggie Powers: Top 20 in Performance

These three had an impressive first contest, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish next semester!

🌟 Senior Division

Allee Coble: 10th in Performance and 13th High Individual Overall

Senior Team: Top 10 in every division AND overall!

The Senior Team's hard work and dedication throughout the semester certainly paid off in an incredibly competitive field!

We are so proud of these ladies and their coach, Katy Bissinger, Manager of NC State's Reedy Creek Equine Education Unit (EEU), for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding representation of NC State Animal Science! A special thank you to Katy and Assistant Coach Hilary Burns for their leadership and commitment to helping our students succeed ❤️ 🐺

Congratulations to the entire team on a fantastic competition!

10/15/2026

🎓 🐺 Celebrating three incredible careers in Animal Science!

This year, the NC State Department of Animal Science had the bittersweet opportunity to celebrate the retirements of three outstanding faculty members whose dedication to research, teaching, and Extension has left a lasting impact on our department and beyond!

🔬 Dr. Lin Xi | Retired February 1, 2026

Throughout his career as a Research Professor, Dr. Xi made significant contributions to nutritional biochemistry, particularly in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that support piglet health and vitality. His dedication to research, international collaboration, and mentoring students has helped advance animal science while inspiring the next generation of researchers.

🐴 Dr. Paul Siciliano | Retired July 1, 2026

An equine nutrition expert and our department's Extension leader, Dr. Siciliano dedicated his career to advancing horse nutrition, pasture management, and sustainable grazing practices. Through his research, teaching, and Extension efforts, he helped connect scientific knowledge with practical applications for horse owners and the equine industry.

And of course, we couldn't celebrate Dr. Siciliano without a little humor! Our department mannequin, Pete, dressed up in his signature style for the occasion. The funniest part? Without any planning, Dr. Siciliano showed up wearing almost the exact same outfit!

🐷 Dr. Jack Odle | Retired September 1, 2026

After 31 years at NC State, Dr. Odle retired as a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry. A pioneer in "agri-medical research," his work connected animal agriculture with human health through groundbreaking studies in developmental nutrition. With hundreds of publications, numerous prestigious awards, and decades of mentorship, his contributions have shaped the field of animal nutrition and the careers of countless students and researchers.

To Drs. Xi, Siciliano, and Odle: Thank you for the years of dedication, leadership, mentorship, and memories you've given our department. Your impact will continue to be felt for years to come, and we wish you all the very best in this exciting next chapter!

10/15/2026

Your 2026 N.C. State Fair dairy tour starts here. 🎡📍

Here’s where to find us around the fairgrounds:

🍨 NC State Food Science Club: Swing by near the Sam G. Rand Grandstand for a scoop of your favorite Howling Cow ice cream. Make sure to try our new exclusive fair flavor: Maple Walnut! 🍁

🥛 .ncstate: Grab white or chocolate Howling Cow milk at the NC Dairy Booth in Dorton Arena, catch members helping at dairy shows, or visit the Barnyard in the Graham Building to learn more about dairy and NC agriculture!

🐄 NC State-Department of Animal Science: Head to the Expo Center near the giant pumpkin displays to milk one of NC State University’s dairy cows, then check out milk, merch, and raffle opportunities!

Save this post for your fair day adventures + make sure to tag NC State Howling Cow Ice Cream when you check a stop off the list!

10/14/2026

🐺 ❤️ Once a member of the Wolfpack, always a member of the Wolfpack!

We are incredibly proud to recognize Dr. Fuller Bazer, an NC State Animal Science Ph.D. alumnus, as he concludes an extraordinary 58-year career in livestock reproductive research!

Dr. Bazer's groundbreaking discoveries have transformed our understanding of animal reproduction and earned him some of the highest honors in agricultural science, including the prestigious Wolf Prize in Agriculture. In 2010, he was also recognized with the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award for his professional achievements and dedication to service.

His contributions have left a lasting impact on animal science, and we are honored to have him as part of our Animal Science alumni family!

Congratulations, Dr. Bazer, on a truly remarkable career and well-deserved retirement!

Dr. Fuller Bazer spent 58 years shaping how the world understands livestock reproduction.

A longtime faculty member in Texas A&M’s Department of Animal Science, Dr. Bazer uncovered biological signals in livestock, including interferon tau in ruminants, estradiol in swine and uteroferrin’s role in supporting a developing embryo. His discoveries changed how producers manage fertility and set new standards for reproductive research.

We are grateful for Dr. Bazer’s remarkable career and the lasting impact of his work.

Read more about his career: tx.ag/FullerBazer

10/12/2026

🐾 Last month, the NC State Department of Animal Science had a great time participating in Wolfpack Harvest, bringing together members of the Wolfpack community to celebrate agriculture and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences!

Our department enjoyed the opportunity to connect with attendees, share a little about the world of animal science, and showcase the work happening right here at NC State!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and helped make the event such a fun experience! ❤️ 🐺

10/02/2026

🎥 It's time for another Research in 60 Seconds! 🧪

From the lab to the farm, our graduate students are exploring the science behind animal health, nutrition, reproduction, and production, then sharing what they discover with us!

This week, Emily Treon shares her PhD research on what happens inside the rumen when dairy cows experience subacute ruminal acidosis, a.k.a. SARA. By looking at rumen pH, redox balance, methane production, and antioxidant enzymes, Emily is exploring when oxidative stress occurs and how changes in the rumen environment can impact cow health! 🐄 🔬

Watch the full video to learn how Emily recreastes rumen fermentation in the lab, and why SARA can be a little like heartburn for cows!

NC State- CALS Academic Programs
NC State-Department of Animal Science
NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

09/30/2026

We’re excited to celebrate several NC State alumni with connections to animal agriculture who were recognized at the 2026 CALS Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards! ❤️ 🐺

Congratulations to Bailee Arnold, Summer Lanier, Dr. Kevin Curry Jr. and Alan Sharp on this well-deserved recognition!

From livestock and poultry production to other areas of the animal industries, these honorees represent the many ways NC State alumni are making an impact in animal agriculture and their communities.

We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and their continued contributions to the industries we serve. Congratulations to all!

09/30/2026

We’re proud to celebrate two outstanding Animal Science alumni who were recognized at the 2026 CALS Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards! 🎉 🐺

Congratulations to Dr. Amanda Cross, recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, and Dr. Joe French, recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award!

Their accomplishments and continued impact reflect the many ways our Animal Science alumni are making a difference in their industries and communities.

Please join us in congratulating Amanda and Joe on this well-deserved recognition!

09/21/2026

🥳 Congratulations🎉to Jenna Wagner on her successful PhD defense!