The digestive tract of a cow is home to a diverse population of bacteria and microbes representing about 2,000 different species. There are good guys. There are bad guys. And there are the guys who can cause trouble if the situation is right.

In agricultural research, scientists across disciplines often find themselves working to address the same issues as colleagues at other institutions. To help advance and streamline this important work, funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows land-grant university scientists to work collectively to answer questions with a broad scope.

Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal agriculture consultant and advocate for the autism community, is no stranger to overcoming challenges. So when Grandin stepped to the podium and told a crowd of young people to think their problems through and face what scares them, they listened.

Bobby Smith’s first job was on his family’s dairy farm in Boaz, Alabama. He felt right at home when University of Georgia Cooperative Extension hired him to work with farmers in Morgan County, one of the state’s most productive dairy regions, 18 years ago.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension will hold the Beef Cattle Short Course on Tuesday, March 6, one day before the annual Tifton Bull Evaluation Sale. Both events will be held at the Tifton Bull Evaluation Center in Irwinville, Georgia. 

The University of Georgia Forage Team updated the grazing paddocks on the university’s Black Shank Farm in Tifton, Georgia. In an effort to share the most up-to-date containment options available, the team hosted a Fencing Field Day.

Francis Fluharty joins the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as the new department head of the Department of Animal and Dairy Science. His career has been devoted to assisting food animal producers through research and educational programs aimed at improving animal health and growth. Fluharty has also worked to improve profitability, as food animal agriculture must be economically-sustainable for farm families.

It’s football season, and tailgating before a game is a traditional part of the experience. Unfortunately, grilling your favorite cut of beef means increasing the potential for foodborne illness due to improper handling of food. These reminders from the University of Georgia Meat Science and Technology Center will provide you with grilling skills to keep foodborne illness far from your fall tailgating get-togethers.

I am passionate about youth livestock projects. I think youth livestock projects, like showing hogs, cattle, goats, lambs or even horses, are one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences out there for youth today. How many other activities teach the level of responsibility that’s required of someone showing an animal at a livestock show?