PROCEEDINGS - American Society of Animal Science

living from agricultural enterprises. For example, with
issues dealing with food safety consumers are now
stakeholders and farms operations with less than $10,000
annual sales are increasingly more important. Student
demographics in animal sciences have changed
drastically in the past three decades (Hallford, 2003).
Reduced funding combined with expanding and more
diversified stakeholders are challenging problems but the
science-based information we provide does not vary.
Animal Science Departments have met the challenge by
adapting systems of delivery to an expanded clientele.
New issues. Animal science programs
throughout the West have changed. For example, CSU
hired Dr. Temple Grandin in 1990 to provide expertise in
animal care, developed the Center for Red Meat safety in
1992 and recently added a new faculty member in
livestock waste management. These types of shifts in
expertise are evident in many Universities. Clearly,
Animal Science departments have responded to our
increasingly varied stakeholders by adding new
programs and expertise.
Politics. The typical animal scientist does not
enjoy politics except to complain when political
decisions have a negative impact on animal agriculture.
Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on your point of
view) our profession has become highly involved in the
political process during the past three decades. For
example, most clientele organizations have Political
Action Committees (PACs) and lobbyists in Washington.
Universities employ lobbyists and our professional
society has focused on the “Washington Scene” since the
early 1990’s. Much of the political activity has dealt with
appropriations but the increase in highly funded activist
groups is an area we have dealt with by providing
science-based information. It is difficult to measure
political success. Animal agriculture has lost funding,
government regulations have increased and a multitude
of inaccurate claims about the food we produce exists.
However, what would have happened without influence
in Washington As stated in the movie Young
Frankenstein “It could have been worse!”
Summary
Dr. James Meyer, animal scientist and former
president of University of California, has written a white
paper (Meyer, 2000) dealing with the Land Grant
University. He recognizes the challenges facing the Land
Grant system but in a series of recommendations calls for
strong and consistent leadership (he believes the College
Dean is pivotal) that maintains balanced roles of
teaching, research and extension with a goal of serving
stakeholders. An analysis of decisions made during the
1980-2010 time period will require a retrospective view
and should be scheduled for the 2020 WSASAS meeting.
References
Grossman, R and C. Leroux. 1996. Research grants
actually add to tuition costs, study reveals.
Tribune Kingston, RI
Hallford, D. M. 2003. The changing face of animal
science in New Mexico. Proc. WSASAS 54:3-5.
Lehming, R. E. 1997. Do academic research costs drive
up undergraduate tuition Issue Brief NSF 97-
313.
Meyer, J. H. 2000. The historical trek of the Land Grant
College of Agriculture, ECOP/ESCOP Joint
Planning Committee Report
Straayer, J. A. 2008. Saving the Land Grant university.
Rocky Mountain Collegian. Fort Collins, CO
Willham, R. L. 2008. Change: An Illustrated History of
the American Society of Animal Science.
American Society of Animal Science, Savoy,
IL.