Dairy and food animal management is the business and biology of farm animals
Studying the business of animal agriculture and the biology and management of farm animals can lead to improvements in our food production systems that benefit animals, farmers, consumers, and the environment.
As a Dairy and Food Animal Management major you will:
- Gain a fundamental understanding of animal science, food and animal agriculture, business, management, and the application of economic principles to dairy and food production systems
- Explore specialized topics in animal health and welfare, land and water stewardship, precision livestock farming, food safety, and sustainable global agriculture
- Discover how dairy and food animal management connects to real-world issues and meets the needs of today’s dairy, livestock, poultry, and meat industries
Career Paths
Dairy and food animal management graduates are prepared for a variety of careers that require a strong background in agribusiness, animal biology, farm management, livestock production management, meat industry, technical services and consulting, research, and outreach.
Here are just a few examples of what our dairy and food animal management graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Get involved. Find your people.
Explore some of the dairy and food animal management-related student organizations at UW–Madison:
Beyond student organizations, explore additional opportunities to get involved in animal or agriculture-related organizations on campus:
Join a competitive team
There’s opportunities for you to compete nationally with fellow students—visit farms around Wisconsin and judge dairy cattle at national competitions as part of the Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Team, evaluate a well-managed dairy farm business and then recommend management enhancements at the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, or compete in one of the many annual horse shows with the Wisconsin Equestrian Team.
Join an on-campus research lab
Participate in independent or mentored research with internationally recognized department faculty who study nutrition, genetics, lactation, reproduction, animal welfare, herd management, and more.
Develop real-world laboratory skills, practice public speaking, build your network on campus, and learn first-hand from faculty, staff, and graduate students.
Gain real-world experience with internships
100% of dairy and food animal management students complete an internship or field experience. Work at Bucky’s Varsity Meats, UW–Madison’s student-driven meat shop, the USDA Meat Plant, or a local farm or agribusiness.
Each dairy and food animal management student gets paired with a faculty mentor who will help you explore internship opportunities and offer career advice.
Learn through hands-on lab courses
Interact with animals during lab courses with visits to on-campus animal facilities such as the Dairy Cattle Center or poultry research labs. Gain hands-on experience with animals while learning about reproduction, animal nutrition and genetics, dairy herd management, lactation physiology, meat science, and processing.
Beef, swine, sheep, and additional dairy animal facilities are located at Agricultural Research Stations near campus.
Study abroad and gain a global perspective
Travel internationally and complement your coursework and research with a study abroad program. Study animal nutrition in the Netherlands, animal physiology in Ireland, or animal agriculture and sustainable development in Mexico.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs.
1
On-campus meat processing plant
100%
Students who complete an internship or field experience
$262,000
In-department scholarships offered yearly
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences
260 Animal Sciences Building
1675 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-3308
Want to learn more about dairy and food animal management?