Colorado State University Snags Top Animal Science Program Ranking

Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences secured a top-10 position in meat and poultry industry universities in a recent ranking by Meat and Poultry magazine.

Colorado State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was recognized for its comprehensive pathogen reduction laboratory and the Center for Red Meat Safety. The college also was recognized for cutting-edge research by faculty on quality, palatability and food safety and because research facilities are upgraded annually to remain progressive.

"Our departmental mission focuses on serving the livestock industries and developing the next generation of leaders," said Daryl Tatum, head of the Department of Animal Sciences. "While we can’t concentrate our efforts on rankings, it is gratifying to be recognized by a prominent industry publication such as Meat and Poultry Magazine as a university program that is ‘walking the talk.’"

The ranking, which was announced in the November issue of the magazine, also mentioned John Sofos, Temple Grandin, Glenn Schmidt, Gary Smith, Daryl Tatum and Keith Belk as notable faculty members.

Rankings were based on a survey of 30 schools that evaluated the number of students enrolled in meat and poultry-related programs as well as the number of faculty, types of facilities and names of better-known researchers. The 30 schools also anonymously ranked peer universities.

This is the second year that the magazine has ranked academic institutions for their work in providing the industry with savvy graduates and sound research information – and the second year that Colorado State has been among the magazine’s top 10. Colorado State is the only university in the ranking that does not have a poultry program.

Meat and Poultry Magazine is read by industry leaders in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.