Livestock and Animal Products Evaluation Certificate

Program Coordinator/Contact

Rosie Nold, Professor and Assistant Department Head
Department of Animal Science
Animal Science Complex 116
605-688-5459

Program Information

Evaluation and judging consists of carefully analyzing animals or products and judging them against a standard that is commonly accepted as ideal. Trained evaluators find rewarding careers in livestock and meats industries positions, including cattle buyer, swine procurement manager, beef carcass sales manager and others. Furthermore, there is high demand for qualified judges at all levels of livestock shows from small, local shows to the national level. Recipients of this certificate will participate in evaluation of many species, including cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and dairy animals, as well as animal products including carcasses, meat products and dairy products, while likely receiving more in-depth evaluation skills on one or more species or products.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students in the Livestock and Meat Animal Products Evaluation Certificate will develop:

• Understanding of United States Department of Agriculture grading standards for relevant commodities.
• Expertise in visual evaluation of livestock and animal products.
• Expertise in evaluation of genetic and economic data, such as livestock Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) and market value of commodities.
• Advanced decision-making skills involving combinations of livestock genetic and performance data, visual evaluation of livestock, livestock and animal products economic data and visual evaluation of animal products.

Course Delivery Format

Hands-on experiences are delivered in the classroom, laboratories, field trips, and at the livestock teaching units.