The University of Arkansas has been heavily involved with the American Society of Animal Science this year. Not only have faculty and graduate students represented the U of A on a national scale but they also represented the U of A department of animal science and UA System Division of Agriculture at the ASAS Joint Annual Meeting held July 8-12 in Indianapolis.

The annual meeting offers a diverse scientific program offering more than 2,200 oral and poster presentations showcasing the scientific work of more than 3,000 scientists. In addition to the variety of scientific programming, students were able to participate in valuable student competitions while enjoying a full itinerary of social activities.

Angie Mays, a previous ASAS national graduate director and alumna from the U of A department of animal science, helped organize activities for the event. Mays helped to plan the Undergraduate Lunch and Learn, Graduate Student Lunch and Learn, Graduate Student Symposium and ASAS Student Mixer. At both Lunch and Learn events, students got first-hand advice from professionals in the animal sciences. These formal and informal networking opportunities allow attendees interaction with over 1,500 organizations each year at the Joint Annual Meeting.

"JAM is a great place for Animal Science faculty to present their recent research findings, network with colleagues, and establish new collaborative relationships with the industry and other university faculty," said Michael Looper, head of the animal science department. "This year, the Bumpers College Department of Animal Science and Division of Agriculture were well represented at JAM.  Numerous departmental faculty and graduate students were engaged in learning novel research findings from around the globe."

Multiple U of A professors contributed lectures and discussions at this year's JAM. Shane Gadberry led a session on "Production, Management and the Environment," including information about cattle health and meat quality. Elizabeth Rumley also gave a talk titled "Developing a curriculum addressing legal issues in animal agriculture." The goal was to provide legal information that would be useful for scientists and producers. There were also several posters and oral presentations by other U of A faculty and students that are available by searching the JAM program PDF.

Mays recently passed the torch to current U of A graduate student Brandon Smith as the ASAS national graduate director. He will be assisting Beth Kegley on the ASAS board of directors and will take over Mays' previous responsibilities at next year's JAM.

"The ASAS Board of Directors was instrumental in putting together JAM this year," said Madeline McCurry-Schmidt, scientific communications associate for ASAS. "Dr. Beth Kegley is very active as a director-at-large for ASAS, and will be part of the team planning next year's JAM."