Yanbin Fang
UWP1
Assignment 2
Kim Swanberg
High Steaks?
Dear UC Board of Regents,
Like the taste of juicy steaks and high quality meats? How about readily
affordable dairy products like milk and ice cream? All those products are a result of
research and work done by the animal science department and it is important the
funding remains intact. The UC Davis campus has always been on the forefront of
agriculture and animal science research – research ranging from meat marbling to
environmental impact. With the release of the new bill proposed by President
Yudof, the funding required to keep the animal science major available to
undergraduates will be gone along with the major itself. Taking away animal
science from UC Davis is taking away a key trait that defines Davis and separates
this campus from all other campuses across the state of California. It is crucial that
funding continues for the animal science major in order to provide incoming
undergraduates the education and inspiration that the animal science department
provides.
Animal science research has proven valuable at debunking myths created by
the media regarding animals. To begin with, an example to prove how valuable the
major is for students is the whole mysterious shroud surrounding artificial
hormones in commercially available cow milk. While the incoming undergraduates
may be unaware to the entire story behind the usage of artificial hormones in milk,
lectures provided by Dr. Mitloehner, bring light on the truth behind such practices.
The usage of hormones solely increases efficiency behind milk production without
any side effects but the media focused solely on the negative connotation of
“artificial hormones” and blew it completely out of proportion (Mitloehner, 2012).
Without the major, young animal scientists wouldn’t be able to learn about
controversies such as the usage of artificial hormones and the research done by the
animal science department here to prove the safety behind it. However, the animal
science major has so much more to offer.
In addition to learning about the truth behind animal practices,
undergraduates are also able to learn about and help professors research
information that has a global impact. In an article on the UC Davis news named
“Don’t Blame Cows for Climate Change,” Dr. Mitloehner explains the myths behind
cows and greenhouse gas emissions along with the experiments he’s done to prove
them wrong (Kerlin, 2009). He has successfully proven that beef cattle is not the
major cause for global warming as pointed out by the United Nations’ published
article, “Livestock’s long shadow.” In the published article, the UN states that “The
Livestock sector is a major player, responsible for 18% of GHG emissions measured
in CO2,” (FAO, 2006) However, Dr Mitloehner’s research with the help of
undergraduates proved that the cattle and swine industry are actually only
responsible for 3% of the nation’s greenhouse emissions while transportation
accounts for a massive 27% (Mitloehner, 2012). The beauty behind this research is
that many assistants in Mitloehner’s lab are either undergraduates from the animal
science major who expressed interest in his work or graduate students who were
influenced by his undergraduate animal science class, ANS 42. Students are able to
see the importance behind the research done in the animal science department
since Dr. Mitloehner’s work has proven to be vital for countries worldwide and he
is now on the newly formed UN board to inform countries about agricultural
emissions.
Furthermore, the animal science major for undergraduates at UC Davis
provides valuable hands on experience due to the research oriented nature of our
campus. Students get to learn proper animal handling and safety precautions since
many of the core agricultural animals are many times bigger than people. This is
quite significant since improper handling can lead to not only compromising safety,
but injuries to the animal as well as the handler. In just the introductory course
offered here, ANS 1, Dr. Famula and his TAs teach handling techniques such as
flipping sheep and handling mice (Famula, 2011). As expected, the welfare of the
animals is a top priority and many of the animal science classes provide detailed
explanations behind techniques and tricks that have been found the most effective.
For example, it’s important that students approach all kinds of cattle from an angle
visible to the cattle, and that each animal has its own flight zone that the handler
must be conscious of.
A legitimate concern however is that much of the basics can be taught at a
technical school such as handling and that funding can be cut for the
undergraduate program to save money. In addition, a Yahoo article written by
Terence Loose states that there aren’t many jobs in the field for animal science
graduates either (Loose, 2010). The problem here though is that it is through the
undergraduate program where students see the passion that the professors have for
their work and become inspired themselves. It’s important that we have a source of
inspired young individuals coming from the undergraduate program that are able
to work with the professors and researchers firsthand. In addition, there are things
that undergraduates learn in the major that isn’t available in handling school.
Professors go in depth into why the procedures are how they are and what they are
and students get to understand the theory behind the practice. We have to take
pride that UC Davis offers one of the best undergraduate animal science programs
to provide the nation with the next generation of animal scientists.
Last but not least, juicy steaks were mentioned and of course they cannot be
forgotten in this discussion. While proper love and individual care can lead to high
quality meats, such a method is unrealistic for feeding a country. In class, students
learn that without breeding and animal science research, meat with more marbling
would often resort in carcasses with very low yield in actual meat (Mitloehner,
2012). Instead, the cattle would end up with lots of fat outside the meat which is
often not used for human consumption. Over the years, animal scientists and
geneticists were able to breed and crossbreed cattle from different regions in order
to maximize the efficiency of each head of cattle. What this means in English is that
cattle would be able to produce higher quality meats with lots of marbling without
sacrificing as much quantity.
Overall, the animal science department has proudly represented UC Davis
since it was founded with research that has put the nation on the forefront of
agricultural efficiency and sustainability. It’s through the undergraduate program
where students learn and appreciate all the research that has been applied in real
world applications. It will be these students that will succeed and so it is absolutely
crucial to provide them with the tools necessary to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Works Cited
Famula, Thomas. "Introduction to Sheep." Class Lecture. UC Davis, Davis. Fall 2011. Lecture.
FAO. "Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options." Livestock's Long Shadow:
Environmental Issues and Options. United Nations, 2006. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a0701e/a0701e00.HTM>.
Kerlin, Kat, and Frank Mitloehner. "Don't Blame Cows for Climate Change :: UC Davis News &
Information." UC Davis News & Information. UC Davis, 7 Dec. 2009. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9336>.
Loose, Terence. "College Majors That Are Useless." Yahoo! Education. N.p., Sept. 2010. Web. 17
Feb. 2013. <http://education.yahoo.net/articles/most_useless_degrees.htm>.
Mitloehner, Frank. "Animal Science Environmental Quality and Welfare." Class Lecture. UC Davis,
Davis. Fall 2012. Lecture.
Mitloehner, Frank. "Beef Nutrition." Class Lecture. UC Davis, Davis. Fall 2012. Lecture.