Animal Science Students Win First Place in Competition for Third Consecutive Time
The Cal Poly team previously won first place in this competition in 2019 and 2020.
Cal Poly animal science students used their knowledge of drought, livestock and rangeland management to win a recent regional competition, the 2022 Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon. The win advances the team to the national American Society of Animal Science competition in June.
They competed in four events: a written exam, oral presentation, a practicum of eight labs, and a quiz bowl. For the oral presentation, students were asked to identify key strategies and tools available to ranchers and land managers to help mitigate the impact of severe drought and maintain water in western landscapes — a relevant topic throughout California and beyond. The Cal Poly team focused on how animal genetics, rangeland management, water storage, and feed selection are all tools that producers can implement in times of drought.
"The Academic Quadrathlon is a true test of a student’s ability to apply the knowledge they gain in the classroom,” said Animal Science Department Assistant Professor Zach McFarlane, who mentored the team. “Our incredible students in the Animal Science Department truly embody Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing motto. The 2022 team will represent the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science with pride.”
Cal Poly hosted the regional completion and welcomed the teams from five other Western U.S. universities, including Chico State, Fresno State, Colorado State University, New Mexico State University, and Oregon State University.