By Blake Jackson
Kentucky State University is strengthening career-focused education in dairy and livestock production by expanding practical learning opportunities for students. A key component of this initiative is the Animal Nutrition course, which combines academic instruction with real-world applications tied directly to farm management and production decisions.
Nutrition plays a decisive role in farm profitability. With nearly 70% of operating costs linked to feed and related inputs, understanding ration quality, preservation methods, and digestive efficiency is critical for success in modern livestock operations. The course is designed to ensure students grasp both the science and the business implications behind feeding strategies.
Throughout the semester, students engaged in hands-on labs that reinforced classroom concepts. For those without prior livestock experience, these activities provided essential exposure.
In the lab, students dissected a rumen to study the structure and function of a cow’s stomach compartments, linking anatomy to applied feeding practices. They also developed skills in feed production and storage, techniques that help producers manage shortages during winter months or extended dry conditions.
Recognizing dairy’s continued importance to the U.S. agricultural economy, the course places strong emphasis on silage production. Although large-scale silage operations are limited on campus, students practiced small-scale production methods aligned with industry standards.
To broaden their experience, Dr. Valens Niyigena arranged a collaborative visit to Eastern Kentucky University’s dairy program. During the visit, students observed commercial silage systems, advanced dairy technologies, and robotic milking equipment used for milk harvesting, data tracking, and early disease detection. They also examined rumen function in live, cannulated animals and analyzed microbial samples under a microscope.
“The cannulated steer was very useful to show how rumen digestion works and viewing rumen microbial population was very educational to me,” said Jacob Wells, a student in the course. “In the future, I plan to educate producers and I would love to show them a cannulated cow in order to enhance their understanding in animal nutrition.”
Students interested in hands-on experience can enroll in AFE 307 (Animal Nutrition) in Fall 2026 or contact Dr. Niyigena and the Kentucky State Animal Science team for Extension-related dairy activities.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Kentucky, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle