Animal Sciences

Images of sperm captured through image-based flow cytometry show irregularities that can affect fertility. From left to right, the images show a knobbed acrosome, nuclear vacuoles and mitochondrial aplasia and piriform head.

April 3, 2023

Putting the AI in AI

Peter Sutovsky, professor of animal sciences, and one of his postdoctoral researchers, Lauren Hamilton, were recently awarded a $1.3 million grant by USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support their work in creating artificial intelligence they hope will not only help farmers and the agriculture industry, but couples battling infertility, too. “We want to translate this into any area of science where it can be beneficial,” Sutovsky said. “That could be livestock, humans or even endangered species.” The project itself involves examining tens of thousands of images of sperm samples from 85 genome-sequenced bulls for…
Team with award

March 26, 2023

Mizzou Academic Quadrathlon Team Takes Top Honors

The University of Missouri Academic Quadrathlon team took home first place during the 2023 American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Midwest Academic Quadrathlon competition. The event took place during the Midwest Section annual meeting, which was held in mid-March in Madison, Wis. The Quadrathlon competition consists of a laboratory practicum, written exam, oral presentation and quiz bowl. The team will now represent MU at the National American Society of Animal Science in July. The team includes:

March 24, 2023

2023 AFA Institute Selections Include Several CAFNR Students

Several CAFNR students were recently chosen as 2023 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Animal Institute and Food Institute selections. AFA experiences connect students to a diverse community of peers and professionals who are passionate about food and agriculture. The goal of the experiences is to challenge the way students think about themselves, their potential career and the agriculture industry. 2023 AFA Animal Institute Selections: 2023 AFA Food Institute Selections:
MU livestock judging team.

Feb. 23, 2023

Mizzou Livestock Judging Team Finishes Third at Dixie National

The Mizzou Livestock Judging Team recently finished third at the Dixie National Collegiate Beef Judging contest, held in Jackson, Miss. Along with the third-place overall finish, the team finished third in Reasons, Market Steers and Continental Cattle. The group earned fifth-place markings in Brahman Cattle and English Cattle as well. Jenna Blessing, a senior agriculture major, finished sixth in Market Steers. Pictured, left to right: assistant coach Clint Bailey, senior, agriculture; Shane Vehige, junior, animal sciences; Sam Wheeler, junior, agriculture; Grant Stafford, junior, agriculture; Brady Schnelten, junior, animal sciences; Addie Thessen, junior, plant sciences; Blessing; Allison Eitel, senior,…
Ag Building

Feb. 22, 2023

2023 CAFNR Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program Winners Announced

The second batch of proposals funded by CAFNR’s Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program has been announced. The Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program supports nascent, collaborative, multi transdisciplinary research with the goal of developing a competitive proposal for federal funding. The following proposals were selected (listed by the PI, Co-PI/s and title of the project):
Two white men in suits stand in front of a mural holding a plaque and smiling

Feb. 14, 2023

Animal Sciences Professor Named Distinguished Alumnus

Randall Prather, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, was recognized as the 2022 Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) Distinguished Alumnus on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Prather obtained his bachelor’s (1982) and master’s (1984) degrees from Kansas State ASI. Prather has been a Mizzou faculty member since 1989 after completing his PhD and Postdoc at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “The ASI Department is proud to recognize Randy Prather as the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus,” said Mike Day, Kansas State ASI department head. “His impact extends from his foundation in animal agriculture and reproductive biology…
A white man with white hair and a white, neatly-trimmed beard in a dark grey button-up shirt stands in front of a sign that reads,

Dec. 18, 2022

National Academy of Inventors Names MU’s Randall Prather to 2022 Fellows Program

Prather is one of only 169 academic inventors to receive the prestigious honor this year.
Senior Spotlight graphic featuring student wearing graduation cap and gown.

Dec. 12, 2022

Senior Spotlight: Paige Williams

Williams will graduate with a degree in animal sciences.
Ryan Chapski, a sophomore animal sciences major, is in his second year as a member of Marching Mizzou. He said he has enjoyed being part of such a historic band – especially one that continues to honor years of tradition. Photo courtesy of Marching Mizzou.

Nov. 15, 2022

Honoring Decades of Tradition

Ryan Chapski, who plays trombone, is in his second year as a member of Marching Mizzou.
While Sarah Keely grew up in a family of musicians, she didn’t get actively involved with music until she was in the sixth grade. She began playing the French horn that year and soon realized that she wanted to dive straight in. When Keely joined Rock Bridge’s marching band she started playing the mellophone, which is used as the middle-voiced brass instrument in marching bands in place of the French horn. Photo courtesy of Sarah Keely.

Nov. 15, 2022

A welcoming environment

Sarah Keely, who plays mellophone, is in her second year as a member of Marching Mizzou.