Find out more on what our students think about their course:
Bryan Harte
"After completing an undergraduate degree in Animal Science I returned to the Emerald Isle and started working with Grassland Agro. Grassland Agro are first and foremost a fertilizer company which also have a range of ruminant mineral supplements. I was in this job for just under a year, and at this stage I had spoken to a number of senior management in Grassland Agro and also in different companies about career progression. They all had different opinions, however the one thing they all agreed on was that a MSc would practically be a “must have” in the not so distant future.
It was at this stage I started to begin to look into the different MSc options. With a keen interest in livestock function and nutrition, the MSc in Livestock Science at Aberystwyth University seemed to provide everything I was looking for! The course was broad enough that many different aspects of livestock science were covered while also allowing you to focus on what really interested you, by allowing you to choose the titles of your assignments and dissertation. An excellent night life and rugby may have also contributed to the decision to come to Aber. . . . .
For my dissertation I worked with Professor Jamie Newbold investigating the effects of a plant extract (saponins) on the protozoal population in the rumen. After completing the lab work I moved home to Ireland to write up the dissertation. I was also lucky enough that Grassland Agro had held my position, so I was able to start working straight away when I moved home. On a typical day I meet with a few merchants which sell our stock and also walk potato, wheat and silage crops which were treated with our fertilizer. The purpose of walking such crops is to demonstrate to the farmer the benefits of using our products, so they will hopefully continue to buy the product.
The knowledge and experience I gained from completing an MSc in Livestock Science is vital in an industry which is increasingly getting more technical and complex. Having now completed the MSc I am very confident I have many of the skills required to progress my career within the agricultural industry."
Manod Williams
"Studying towards an MSc in Livestock Science was a highly beneficial choice in terms of academic and personal development. The course was challenging. It provided a detailed understanding of the biological function of livestock species, their management, and how we can work towards providing sustainable global food security. With this, I firmly believe that the course would provide the candidate with the knowledge and frame of mind to fulfil any role within the livestock sector, or indeed to pursue further academic studies. I was lucky enough to gain a scholarship from the Coleg Cymraeg to study for a PhD focused on using GPS as a means of detecting the early onset of lameness in dairy cattle. I may not have achieved this without studying for the MSc; a choice I can be proud of having made and one which will certainly improve my employability should I choose to follow other roles within livestock production having completed the PhD."
Xenofon Dimitrakopoulos
"I was working as a Veterinary Surgeon in the Greek Livestock industry for three years when I felt the need to improve my knowledge and understanding in the area of livestock nutrition. A significant number of health issues in livestock derive from improper nutritional management and I was seeking a course which could enrich my knowledge and offer me the potential to implement on-farm nutritional strategies. The Livestock Science MSc in Aberystwyth University was the most suitable for my needs. IBERS is globally the most recognizable institute in livestock nutrition, combining numerous aspects of animal science. Vast research on livestock productivity, microbiology, genetic improvement in both livestock and plants are a few of the scientific areas covered in IBERS.
So here I was in Aberystwyth. A small, but 'big', town at the same time. Nice memories with my fellow students and professors but most importantly a scientific lift off. During the course I had the opportunity to discover in depth the connections between livestock nutrition, productivity and disease development. State of the art laboratories with the latest equipment, a library with vast resources and teaching personnel always willing to assist, turned the course into a journey to knowledge.
This last year scientifically I was more equipped, ready to provide solutions for farmers and the feeding industry. With my dissertation I made my contribution to the research on bovine lameness investigating the impact on productivity. However Livestock Science MSc added to my personality as well as scientific knowledge. Cooperation with students from all around the globe, team work and above all getting to live in original Welsh scenery and getting to meet the true warm Welsh people.
After my Welsh journey I returned to Greece and applied my knowledge to my clients. Running a mixed animal veterinary practice is a hard task itself however my experience in IBERS assisted me in providing optimal nutritional services, which add extra value to my practice.
If your target is professional improvement and scientific enrichment in the livestock nutrition area do not hesitate to become a member of the vast IBERS family. Pob lwc"
