Livestock and Animal Products Evaluation Certificate

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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.

Requirements for Livestock and Animal Products Evaluation Certificate: 12-14 Credits

AS 101 - Introduction to Animal Science Credits: 3
AS 101L - Introduction to Animal Science Lab Credits: 1
AS 200 - Introduction to Meat Judging Credits: 1-2 (1 credit required)
AS 201 - Introduction to Livestock Judging Credits: 1-2 (1 credit required)
AS 285 - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing Credits: 3
AS 285L - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing Lab Credits: 0
AS 322 - Advanced Livestock Evaluation Credits: 1
AS 400 - Judging Team Credits: 1-2 (1 credit required)

Select from the following

Select a minimum of one credit from the following list. Credits: 1-3

AS 241 - Introduction to Meat Science Credits: 3
AS 241L - Introduction to Meat Science Lab Credits: 0
AS 400 - Judging Team Credits: 1-2 (1 credit required) (Section 1, 2 or 3; cannot use same section as for required credit)
DS 202 - Dairy Products Judging Credits: 1
DS 311 - Dairy Cattle Judging Credits: 2