American Society of Animal Science

American Society of Animal Science
Name	American Society of Animal Science
Abbreviation	ASAS
Formation	1908
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	Champaign, Illinois
Region served	United States
Membership	Researchers, educators, industry professionals

American Society of Animal Science is a professional association that brings together scientists, educators, and industry professionals involved in livestock, poultry, and companion animal research, linked to institutions such as Iowa State University, University of California, Davis, Texas A&M University, Cornell University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Founded in the early 20th century alongside organizations like the United States Department of Agriculture and the Land-grant university system, the society interacts with entities including the National Institutes of Health, National Academy of Sciences, Food and Agriculture Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration to advance animal science and public policy.

History

The society traces origins parallel to developments at Iowa State University, Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Missouri, Kansas State University and collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution and the American Veterinary Medical Association during the Progressive Era. It matured through the interwar period, engaging with programs at Rutgers University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University and responding to wartime research priorities set by the Office of Scientific Research and Development and postwar initiatives like the Morrill Land-Grant Acts. Throughout the 20th century the society connected with international forums such as the International Livestock Research Institute, World Organisation for Animal Health, International Union of Biological Sciences, and academic partnerships at University of Florida, Auburn University, University of Georgia, Purdue University.

Mission and Objectives

The society’s aims align with stakeholders such as the United States Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and professional peers including the American Society for Nutrition, American Dairy Science Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Society for Neuroscience. Core objectives include fostering research at centers like University of Kentucky, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, Washington State University; promoting best practices reflected in guidance from the World Health Organization and collaboration with regulators such as the Environmental Protection Agency; and supporting career development connected to employers like Tyson Foods, Cargill, Incorporated, Smithfield Foods, Zoetis.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises faculty from University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Tennessee, Mississippi State University, industry scientists from Monsanto, DuPont, Dow AgroSciences, and government researchers from Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The society’s governance structure echoes models used by American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, Institute of Food Technologists, featuring elected officers drawn from leaders at institutions such as Kansas State University, Colorado State University, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and advisory input from consortia including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Poultry Science Association.

Publications and Journals

The society publishes peer-reviewed outlets comparable to journals like Journal of Dairy Science, Poultry Science, Livestock Science, Journal of Animal Science and collaborates with publishers similar to Elsevier, Wiley-Blackwell, Springer Nature. Editorial boards have included scholars affiliated with North Carolina State University, University of California, Riverside, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, and the publications cite research funded by National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, European Research Council and foundations such as the Gates Foundation.

Conferences and Meetings

Annual and regional meetings draw presenters from University of Arizona, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of California, Berkeley, University of Maryland, and international delegates from CIMMYT, CGIAR, International Food Policy Research Institute. Conferences feature symposia paralleling sessions at Society for Range Management, American Society for Horticultural Science, Entomological Society of America and workshops sponsored by corporations such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Venues have included cities hosting events for American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Ecological Society of America.

Education, Outreach, and Awards

Educational outreach partners have included 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Smithsonian Institution, National 4-H Council and university extension networks at University of Nebraska, Penn State Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Award programs mirror honors from bodies like the National Academies, Wolf Prize, Borlaug Award, American Veterinary Medical Association and recognize contributors from institutions such as University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Yale University, and industry leaders at Perdue Farms, JBS USA. The society supports students and postdoctoral scholars with fellowships and scholarships modeled after programs at Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Fulbright Program.

Research Areas and Impact

Research themes include genetics and genomics work connected to Broad Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, The Jackson Laboratory; nutrition studies referencing methods from Wageningen University, University of Sydney, University of Copenhagen; animal health research in coordination with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Organisation for Animal Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiatives. Impact is seen in collaborations with agricultural businesses like ADM (company), Bunge Limited, regulatory changes influenced by studies considered by the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, and adoption of technologies developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University. The society’s work informs policy dialogues at White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, supports sustainability goals of the United Nations, and advances applied science used by producers represented by National Cattlemen's Beef Association and National Pork Producers Council.

Category:Professional associations based in the United States