Animal Science Technology: Livestock Science Major

Not ready to tie your future to a single species? Lakeland’s Animal Science Technology: Livestock Science Major is a two-year diploma at the Vermilion campus that gives you a broad view of the livestock industry from both the production side and the business side.

Courses in this major are species specific. You choose beef or dairy production for in-depth study, and you also learn about bison, horses and other livestock, which gives the Livestock Science Major its wider reach than the single-species majors. Learning starts with livestock handling and moves through the whole production cycle of breeding, feeding and selling, while separate threads build the leadership, business and marketing skills needed to run or support a mixed livestock enterprise.

Classroom time is balanced with ample hands-on work on the college farm. As part of a Student-Managed Farm, Powered by New Holland, team you make decisions and solve problems for real animals rather than case studies. If you choose the practicum route instead, you apply your learning through a project and a capstone presentation. After graduating you can earn a second diploma in agribusiness in one additional year, enter Lakeland’s Bachelor of Agriculture Technology, or transfer 60 credits into the University of Alberta Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Animal Science major, or a University of Lethbridge Agricultural Studies degree.

Livestock Science graduates work as livestock support technicians, feedlot or ranch workers and managers, feed and animal health sales representatives, livestock research assistants and farm hands on bison or mixed operations. The major suits students who enjoy working with many kinds of animals and want to keep their options open across the whole livestock industry.