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Trends and Projections in Animal Science Administration¹

University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583 and The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210

Abstract

Responses received from a survey sent to animal science departments at all land grant institutions and to primary USD A administrative units with animal research responsibilities served as the basis for this paper. Survey data included responses from 38 animal science departments and five federal administrative units. Major changes occurring during the past 25 yr included: movement toward larger, combined departments that include dairy, poultry and extension; more administrative "checks and balances" with less flexibility; increased support for beef cattle, horses and swine programs and decreased support for dairy cattle, poultry and sheep programs; a general shift from species specific programs to discipline programs; departmental program emphasis evolved from husbandry to science; operational support funding in terms of real dollars peaked in the 1960's with a general decline in recent years; the ratio of state to federal funding support increased at most institutions; expansion of USDA livestock research centers at El Reno, Oklahoma, and Clay Center, Nebraska; course enrollments in animal science increased with dramatic increases in numbers of females and students with nonfarm backgrounds; and most departments obtained improved research and teaching facilities. Current concerns include: maintaining program excellence on reducing budgets; addressing animal welfare issues; effectively communicating with clientele groups and the general public and meeting the increased demand for professionally trained personnel during the next decade. Projected industry changes combined with increased potential for technological advancements resulting from more basically trained personnel are expected to make the next one-quarter century exciting for animal agriculture. Major expected changes include: continuation of the trend for integrating extension with research and teaching; merging dairy and poultry programs into combined animal science departments; stronger discipline orientation; reallocation of resources to more fundamentally based programs; more emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches; more emphasis on consumer and user concerns as well as those of producers; more regional type programs; greater reliance on outside funding support from industry and commodity check off programs with less dependence on federal support.

Key Words: Animal Science Administration • Program Trends • Animal Science Projections

¹ Published as Paper No. 7013 Journal Series, Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Dean, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska.

³ Anim. Sci. Dept., The Ohio State Univ.