Looper Michael L, Jennings John A, Daniel Rivera J
Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA.
Transl Anim Sci. 2022 Jan 29;6(1):txac019. doi: 10.1093/tas/txac019. eCollection 2022 Jan.
Ruminants serve a valuable role in sustainable agricultural systems, specifically in the conversion of renewable resources from grasslands, pasture, and other by-products into high-quality human food. Recognizing forage and grasses are grown on 25% of arable land, suitable agronomic practices for management of grazing livestock are necessary for the economic sustainability of the livestock enterprise, whereas at the same time, minimizing water and soil erosion. Demographics of undergraduate animal science students have changed over the last several years with more students from urban backgrounds and with interests other than traditional animal agriculture. Thus, continued emphasis on education programs supporting grazing livestock industries becomes that much more important. In addition, newer technologies to measure production on range and pastureland have emerged, thereby increasing opportunities for further training and education. Based on an email assessment of 10 land grant institutions, typically one MS student/yr and one PhD student/3 to 4 yr graduates with an advanced degree in forage agronomy. Overall budget reductions which impact operational costs, internal funding for research projects and graduate student stipends, force universities to focus in areas with the best chance of monetary return. Challenges with funding faculty positions outside of a department's emphasis area typically result in the question "Should forage agronomy students be trained in Departments of Animal Science or Agronomy/Plant/Soils Sciences?" It could be argued that either department is the best fit. Forage agronomy requires training in the basics of plant and soil science, but the application of those sciences within a Department of Animal Science relates more to animal science/production than to traditional crop production such as cereal grains. Animal science departments must communicate the meaningful context of forage agronomy in an active learning environment developing students' ability to critically think and solve problems. Those providing technical expertise to livestock producers can no longer make recommendations based solely on production efficiency and profitability. Instead, best management practices must include the impact of grazing livestock on the environment and environmental sustainability. Cooperative agreements between departments should be discussed to adequately support student development in this critical subject matter.
反刍动物在可持续农业系统中发挥着重要作用，特别是在将草原、牧场和其他副产品中的可再生资源转化为优质人类食物方面。鉴于25%的耕地用于种植饲料和牧草，因此，采用合适的农艺方法管理放牧牲畜对于畜牧企业的经济可持续性至关重要，同时还要尽量减少水土流失。在过去几年中，本科动物科学专业学生的人口统计学特征发生了变化，越来越多的学生来自城市背景，且兴趣并非传统的畜牧业。因此，持续重视支持放牧畜牧业的教育项目变得更加重要。此外，出现了用于测量牧场和草地产量的新技术，从而增加了进一步培训和教育的机会。根据对10所赠地大学的电子邮件评估，通常每年有一名硕士研究生，每3至4年有一名获得牧草农学高级学位的博士研究生毕业。总体预算削减影响了运营成本、研究项目的内部资金以及研究生助学金，迫使大学将重点放在最有可能获得货币回报的领域。在一个系的重点领域之外为教师职位提供资金面临挑战，这通常会引发一个问题：“牧草农学专业的学生应该在动物科学系还是农学/植物/土壤科学系接受培训？”可以说，这两个系都很合适。牧草农学需要植物和土壤科学基础知识的培训，但这些科学在动物科学系的应用更多地与动物科学/生产相关，而不是与谷物等传统作物生产相关。动物科学系必须在积极的学习环境中传达牧草农学的重要背景，培养学生批判性思考和解决问题的能力。那些为畜牧生产者提供技术专长的人不能再仅仅基于生产效率和盈利能力提出建议。相反，最佳管理实践必须包括放牧牲畜对环境和环境可持续性的影响。应该讨论各系之间的合作协议，以充分支持这一关键主题的学生发展。
