Agriculture + Lifestyle
CAES prepares future livestock producers
by Jennifer Whittaker
GFB Publications Editor
Posted on December 2, 2024 4:17 AM
The GFB Board of Directors, their spouses and GFB staff met with UGA President Jere Morehead and CAES Dean Nick Place during a visit to Athens in August./Photo by Logan Thomas
The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) is committed to preparing tomorrow’s farmers and ranchers to raise livestock.
“We haven’t lost sight of production agriculture,” said Dr. Francis Fluharty, head of the CAES Animal & Dairy Sciences (ADS) Department. “Food production is national security.”
While giving the Georgia Farm Bureau Directors a tour of the CAES ADS Building & Meat Sciences labs in August, Fluharty discussed what his department is doing to prepare students and to help livestock and dairy producers on their farms.
A student-run/faculty-led Angus farm is being developed on campus that will give students credit for an advanced beef production class.
Students interested in dairy science can participate in the Jersey Active Management by Students program in which students make decisions about the breeding and culling selection at the UGA dairy.
In addition to the UGA beef farm near Athens, the ADS department operates three other sizeable beef farms across Georgia where research is conducted to address production and forage issues Georgia cattle producers face. The ADS department also operates teaching sheep, swine and horse farms near Athens where students get hands-on experience with raising livestock.
“Over forty percent of our undergrads participate in research projects during their time at UGA,” Fluharty said.
Student recruitment
CAES is working to reverse the trend of livestock exhibitors choosing out-of-state schools.
“I go to Perry and see smart kids showing livestock, but they’re going out of state. If you’re a really good kid in your county FFA or 4-H livestock program, I want your name,” Fluharty said. “We’ve got great things to offer students at UGA. We’ve got the only Regenerative Swine Science research major in the U.S. We had the 2022 National Meat Judging Team Champions.”
Fluharty mentioned the UGA CAES Rural Scholars Program that focuses on helping students from rural communities thrive at UGA, especially if they’re a first-generation student.
“We care and we’re trying to reach your kids to get them enrolled,” Fluharty said.
UGA’s Poultry Science department is housed in a new $54.1M facility./Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
CAES Poultry Sciences Building highlights state’s top commodity
The new UGA Poultry Sciences Building is a $54.1M facility located just southwest of Ag Hill beside the Family & Consumer Sciences College.
Dr. Todd Applegate, CAES Poultry Science department head, welcomed the GFB group to the new building along with UGA President Dr. Jere Morehead and CAES Dean Dr. Nick Place.
Applegate said UGA’s Poultry Science department offers four undergrad majors: avian biology; poultry science; animal health; and biological sciences.
“There are a lot of exciting things happening on this part of campus,” UGA President Morehead said. “Thank you for being here and your willingness to learn about the agriculture research we’re doing.”
Morehead announced he has tapped GFB President Tom McCall to fill the seat on the UGA Research Foundation previously held by Abit Massey.
UGA President Jere Morehead & GFB President Tom McCall chat during the GFB Board’s visit to Athens in August. Photo by Logan Thomas