By Scout Nelson
Darla White, Administrative Secretary, highlights the important role of the Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center at NDSU in supporting research and education. The facility brings together many types of animals and provides space for studies focused on growth, nutrition, and reproduction.
The center is celebrating its 25th anniversary and continues to serve as a flexible research facility. It opened in 2001 after major upgrades changed it from a poultry center into a space that supports many livestock species. The facility houses cattle, sheep, swine, and smaller animals such as rodents and birds. It also includes classrooms, laboratories, and surgery rooms for learning and research.
The facility is designed to adapt to different research needs. Inside, spaces can be adjusted for each project. Manager Justin Gilbertson works to make the facility easy to use for both researchers and animals. “A lot of times we have to build or retrofit things to make projects work,” he says.
Justin has many years of experience managing the center and works with a team that includes staff and student workers. Students gain hands-on experience while supporting research projects and daily operations. The facility also hosts classes that help students learn about animal science and production.
One key advantage of the center is its ability to collect detailed data. Each animal can be monitored individually, especially in feeding areas. This helps researchers better understand animal behavior and nutrition.
The center also features a unique waste system. Animal waste moves through slotted floors into a deep pit, where it is processed and later used as fertilizer. “It’s one huge toilet,” Ashley Ressler says.
The facility can hold up to 1,600 animals and supports many research projects each year. “We would love to get a lot more research out here,” Justin says. The center continues to play a key role in advancing animal science and education.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock, Hogs, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Goats & Sheep, Poultry