Event Roundup
2025 RBC/ADS Research Symposium
Each year, the Rhodes community eagerly anticipates the annual research symposium, a hallmark event that showcases the intellectual curiosity and dedication of our students. Undergraduate and graduate researchers stand proudly beside months of rigorous work, bold questions, rich data, and thoughtful conclusions. This year’s symposium was no exception. With passion and precision, students defended, explained, and celebrated the science they’ve carefully crafted over the semester, leaving us inspired and excited for the future of discovery.
32nd Annual Focus on Genomic Enhanced EPDs Bull Sale
This yearly Animal and Dairy Science Department sale in conjuncation with critical public education classes by our Extension faculty is one of our favorite events. This year’s sale featured 35 Service Age Angus Bulls, and 30 Angus-Cross Open Commercial Heifers. As in the past, three Registered Angus Open Heifers were auctioned to benefit UGA Block and Bridle Club and UGA Cattlemen’s Association through scholarships and teaching activities.
50th Anniversary Great Stampede Rodeo
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo (GSSR), a beloved tradition proudly operated entirely by UGA Block & Bridle members. Held in accordance with National Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association guidelines, the event continues to offer high quality rodeo experience while helping student organizers build valuable personal and professional skills. Block & Bridel members are already planning for the 51st GSS Rodeo to be held at the Animal and Dairy Science Teaching Arena. For more information, visit the official GSSR website.
Jinghui Gao Becomes First Graduate of UGA’s Regenerative Bioscience PhD Program
Jinghui Gao made history this summer as the first graduate of the University of Georgia’s Regenerative Bioscience PhD program. Her groundbreaking research focused on ALS. Reflecting on her journey, Jing shared, “Graduating from this program means a lot to me because it represents years of hard work and dedication.”
Read the article on UGA Today: UGA’s regenerative bioscience Ph.D. program celebrates first graduate
UGA Hosts First-Ever Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Livestock and Poultry Farming
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences hosted its inaugural Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Livestock and Poultry Farming on September 2–3, 2025, at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. The event brought together leading experts to explore cutting-edge topics in precision livestock farming (PLF), including frontiers in AI, machine vision and sensor-based pattern recognition, AI’s role in enhancing production efficiency and reducing environmental impact, the feasibility and necessity of PLF, practical challenges in adoption, digital genomics, and the integration of AI into precision agriculture education. The symposium featured ten invited talks from top scientists in the field, two engaging panel discussions, and a graduate student poster session.
More than 120 participants registered for the symposium, with a strong showing from graduate students and early-career researchers. The organizing committee included Drs. Rekaya and Alves from Animal and Dairy Science; Drs. Regmi, Chai, and Li from Poultry Science; and Dr. Doshi from the Institute for AI and the School of Computing.
Welcome Back BBQ Sets Record Attendance!
This August, the Animal and Dairy Science Department kicked off the semester with our annual Welcome Back BBQ. First-year and transfer students received personal invitations to a staff-cooked dinner, where they had the chance to meet faculty, connect with staff, and hear from club officers about upcoming opportunities. With over 150 RSVPs, it was our largest turnout yet. A fantastic start to the year!
Ag Dawg Kickoff: A Beloved Tradition
Ag Dawg Kickoff is one of the most anticipated events of the year for students, faculty and staff at the Animal and Dairy Science Department. Held each August at the UGA Livestock Instructional Arena, it brings our community together with food trucks, Hairy Dawg and the Red Coats and club exhibits from all College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences departments. We are especially grateful to our alumni whose generous support makes this celebration possible year after year.
