AVS: Dairy Science

Learn the techniques of efficiently producing high quality dairy products. Learn skills to respond to market forces that challenge the dairy industry to maximize efficiency, produce a variety of healthful products, and protect the air, water and soil.

A Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Science Dairy Science option from the University of Idaho prepares you to be a professional in the dairy industry.

Explore artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, ultrasound technology, drug administration, diagnostic testing, feeding and milking. Help care for more than 100 milking Holsteins at our dairy research and teaching center.

During your senior year, you will draw on everything you’ve learned when you and your classmates assess the management of a real dairy and recommend improvements; a panel of dairy industry experts will judge your work.

Our faculty members conduct critical research for the dairy industry—Idaho’s leading agricultural industry—exploring such topics as reproduction efficiency, milk synthesis and cow nutrition.

Students are encouraged to complete an internship the summer between their junior and senior year. They work for dairy farms of all sizes and dairy manufacturers.

Prepare for Success

This major is a good fit if you can see yourself:

• Producing essential dairy products such as milk, butter and cheese.
• Improving animal nutrition and reproduction.
• Making business decisions about dairy production, manufacturing and management.

To prepare, you may want to:

• Participate in 4-H activities, volunteer at a county fair,or work for a farm.
• Practice your leadership skills in student office.
• Pay attention to current issues in the news about the dairy and food industry.

Your First Year

Your first year, you will hone your communication skills with course work in writing. You will also take cellular biology, chemistry and the science of animal husbandry.

More advanced major courses cover topics such as advanced dairy management, physiology of lactation, animal reproduction and breeding, and animal disease management.

See the four-year plan.

What You Can Do

With this degree, you may become one of the following:

• Production manager: Manage the production processes of a dairy farm or manufacturing plant.
• Business owner: Direct all operations of a dairy farm or processing plant.
• Research technician: Be a research support scientist or laboratory technician managing the care and well-being of animals used to advance the dairy industry.
• Consultant: Provide technical assistance in the field of animal breeding, health, or nutrition for a large, integrated dairy farm, pharmaceutical firm or dairy processing company.
• Analyst: Gather and interpret data about the dairy industry to support lobbying efforts.

Opportunities

Almost all of our graduates receive job offers upon graduation, with starting salaries of up to $50,000. Dairy scientists generally work for the dairy industry.

You may also want to continue your education. Pursue an advanced degree in disciplines such as nutrition, genetics and breeding, or reproductive physiology. Go to veterinary school.

Current Research

Our faculty members conduct research concurrently with teaching, exploring such topics as reproduction, growth and lactation physiology; meat and dairy science and nutrition; and aquaculture.

On-campus research opportunities are plentiful. Collect and analyze feed samples in the dairy nutrition lab. Analyze the hormone composition of blood in the bovine reproductive physiology lab. Participate in lactation research in an agricultural biotechnology lab. Care for the animals at the dairy center. Paid positions are available.

Activities

Dairy Club: Sponsor the dairy symposium and judging contests, compete in regional and national dairy challenges, attend the Western Dairy Herd conference, and participate in spring field trips and cheese sales.
Livestock and Dairy Judging Teams, Prevet Club, Agribusiness Club: Visit farms, ranches and food processing plants. Evaluate livestock and dairy products. Meet potential employers.

Hands-On Experience

Intern. Get practical experiences like these:

• On-campus dairy center: Choose a short- or long-term internship. Pull calves and shadow the herd manager.
• Dairy farm: Rotate through all phases of the operation from preparing feed to treating sick animals.
• Milk processor: Participate in the business, from equipment maintenance to marketing.

Study abroad. Deepen your understanding of your major —and the world—in countries like these:

• Mexico: Visit family owned dairy farms.
• Taiwan: Tour food production facilities.
• France: Spend time in a country that prizes its cheese.

Facilities

In addition to the dairy center, you’ll have access to facilities such as these:

• Beef center with purebred cows
• Reproductive physiology labs
• Agriculture-biotech labs
• On-campus processing facilities for meat and dairy products