Animal Science

Fish have been migrating to cooler water over the last several decades as the ocean warms. But in Antarctica, the coldest place on the planet, polar species have nowhere to go.

Preliminary research by a UC Davis animal scientist shows that some polar fish have been able to acclimate to warm water or to higher levels of carbon dioxide, but not to both.

New Cooling Technologies Tested at UC Davis Dairy Facility

Innovative cooling technologies tested on dairy cows at the University of California, Davis, are addressing the long-standing challenge of keeping dairy cows cool in heat-stressed California.

Study Reveals Evolutionary History of Imperiled Salmon Stocks

New technologies for analyzing DNA may transform how imperiled species are considered and managed for conservation protection, according to a study published today in the journal Science Advances and led by the University of California, Davis.

Annual auction June 24 at the UC Davis Horse Barn

Whoa Nelly! The annual horse auction will be held Saturday, June 24, at the UC Davis Horse Barn on LaRue Road. For sale will be a variety of horses, including a weanling, 13 yearlings, two broodmares, a gelding riding horse, and two mules fathered by the late and legendary donkey, Action Jackson. All yearlings and the weanling were bred at the UC Davis Horse Barn and raised by students.

Is one sow better than another in group housing?

Piglet #3 is not sure what to make of the empty kiddie pool where she finds herself standing at the UC Davis Swine Research and Teaching Facility. She grunts softly, sniffs at the ribbed-plastic floor, and glances at the humans watching her explore.

“See how she opens her mouth and sucks in air?” asks Professor Kristina Horback, an animal-cognition expert with the Department of Animal Science. “Pigs use their strong sense of smell to gather information.”

Anita Oberbauer selected as new CA&ES associate dean for agricultural programs

Anita Oberbauer, professor and chair of the Department of Animal Science, has been selected as the new associate dean for research and outreach in agricultural programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Her appointment becomes effective July 1.

“Anita comes to us with a wealth of experience as a credentialed researcher, educator, mentor, and administrator,” said CA&ES Dean Helene Dillard. “She is a colleague who is thoroughly dedicated to service.”

Ron Tjeerdema named to NAS committee on dispersants for oil spills

Ronald Tjeerdema, CA&ES Associate Dean for Environmental Sciences, has been named to a select committee for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) that will evaluate the use of dispersants in future oil spills.

 “I am looking forward to contributing my 30 years of experience in oil spill research,” said Tjeerdema, who is a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology and also holds the Donald G. Crosby Endowed Chair in Environmental Chemistry.

Three to be honored at May 2 reception for outstanding student advising

Emma Martinez, Louie Yang, and Carly Tyer are the 2017 recipients of the Harry and Eleanor Walker Academic Advising Award. They will be honored at a reception May 2 at the Robert Mondavi Institute Sensory Theater.

Newborn animals herald springtime at UC Davis

A sure sign of spring at UC Davis is in the wind. It’s the sound of newborns in our animal facilities, a tradition that goes back more than a century to the founding of the University Farm when the first calves were born at the campus dairy.

Researchers find salt-tolerant gene in tilapia

Most fish live either in freshwater or saltwater, but others, including tilapia, have the remarkable ability to physiologically adjust to varying salinity levels — a trait that may be critically important as climate change begins to alter the salinity of ocean and coastal waters as well as the water in desert lakes and creeks.