Animal & Food Sciences

Beef

Kentucky has the largest beef cow herd east of the Mississippi

Dairy

One way we are helping dairy farmers is through the study of precision dairy farming, which is the use of technologies to monitor behavioral, physiological, and production changes in dairy cattle.

Equine

UK Alum Tom Hammond Proud to Share Beauty of the Bluegrass During Breeders' Cup

Food Science

FOOD SCIENCE is the application of science and technology to the manufacturing, production, processing, product development, packaging, preparation, evaluation, distribution, utilization, and safety of food products.

Poultry

Poultry is Kentucky's number 1 agricultural industry as well as the number one food commodity.

Meats

Meat Science involves everything from growth and development to hot dogs. The University of Kentucky has a fully functional USDA inspected meat processing facility designed for teaching and research.

Sheep

Sheeprofit Day, a nationally recognized field day, has been attended by sheep producers from the state and region for 33 years.

Swine

The SWINE program identifies the needs and opportunities of the swine industry in Kentucky, and tailors research, teaching, and extension programs to assist the swine industry in meeting those needs.

4-H & Youth

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences offers projects and activities in the areas of beef cattle, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, equine, and food science.

Butcher Shop

The University of Kentucky Butcher Shop is located in the basement of the W.P. Garrigus Building and is open to the public Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00 to 5:00pm.

Animal Sciences at the University of Kentucky has a long and interesting history. It started as part of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station (KAES) in the late 1800s. As the teaching program in Agriculture grew after the A&M College was established, the employees of the KAES developed courses in the Animal Sciences dealing with meat animals, dairy, poultry, and horses. Early courses related to Veterinary Science were taught under one of the umbrellas of Animal Husbandry.

As research and teaching programs evolved, Extension programs were developed under the direction of T.R. Bryant. The Department has had several types of organization. Originally the functions of the KAES and College were officially separate, even though the research group taught classes. This gradually changed, and in 1912 the College and Experiment Station merged into a joint teaching-research unit; most faculty had joint teaching-research appointments. Extension faculty and staff were included later.