UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

  • Equine course Peter Rayne
  • Intro to Animal Industries course
  • DASC course
  • ANFS Ice Cream Making

Animal and Food Science

Animal and Food Science

The Department of Animal and Food Science in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is dedicated to providing quality instruction for students seeking careers in:

  • Livestock production
  • Equine training and management
  • Dairy production
  • Dairy food processing
  • Meat processing
  • Food technology
  • Veterinary technology

It is also our mission to help students develop the communication and problem-solving skills necessary to adapt to a changing society and become productive members of their community.

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Animal and Food Science Department. When you enroll in one of our programs, you will find yourself in a challenging academic environment with ample opportunities to learn in the way that works best for you. Many of our core classes such as Feeds and Feeding, Animal Physiology, and Physiology of Reproduction include laboratory components with significant hands-on learning. All of our animal production courses in dairy, meat animal, or equine also include laboratory sections taught at our farms, where you can put into actual practice the concepts learned in the classroom. 

Our farms have beef, sheep, swine, dairy, and equine herds, all of which are not only cared for, but managed in many instances by student workers. We also have operating meat and dairy processing facilities on our campus, which offer further opportunities for hands-on learning in food processing. There are many extracurricular activities available to our students as well.

Our department has 17 full-time faculty members with expertise in all the core disciplines of animal production including management, nutrition, physiology, genetics/breeding, and health. Teaching is the priority of our department. Most faculty members either have been, or are currently, active animal producers and maintain significant industry contacts in their species of interest.

It is my hope that you will consider our campus as your choice for a rewarding education in dairy science, animal science or food science. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about our programs.

Steve Kelm
Animal & Food Science Department Chair

Variety of majors

  • The Animal & Food Science Department offers a variety of program choices including animal science, dairy science and food science majors as well as a number of different options and emphases within majors.

Faculty dedicated to student success

  • Teaching excellence: Our faculty have been recognized with the national teaching award from the American Dairy Science Association; campus and college-wide teaching awards; and the UW System Teaching Fellows Program.
  • Advising excellence: faculty members are very knowledgeable regarding program requirements and committed to efficient completion of student programs.
  • Open door policy: faculty members are available to students on a daily basis.
  • Mentorship: faculty members routinely mentor significant numbers of students with internships, undergraduate research projects, and international study endeavors.

Hands-on learning

  • Exceptional laboratory experiences: over 50% of courses in the core Dairy/Animal Science curriculum have substantial hands-on laboratory sections where students work with animals.
  • Work opportunities at Laboratory Farms: dozens of students work on a regular basis caring for and managing the livestock including dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, sheep, and horses at the university’s farms.
  • Experiences outside campus: A large number of private dairy farms and stables in the St. Croix valley offer further opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience.

Extracurricular activities

  • Student organizations: UWRF has the nation’s largest Dairy Club, a large and active Block & Bridle Club, a highly recognized Horseman’s Association, an active Poultry Club, outstanding Rodeo Club and more.
  • Social organizations, judging & competitive teams, and academic competitions: the opportunities for student involvement are endless! View CAFES student organizations.

Contact Us

Animal and Food Science
anfdsci@uwrf.edu
715-425-3704
242 Food Science Addition
590 S. Spruce Street
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