The 2004 academic year has been one of considerable anticipation for dairy faculty and students. As reported in the 2004 Animal Industry Update, the ISU Dairy at Ames was closed in late 2003. The ISU Dairy at Ankeny became the site for teaching and research activities until a new farm can be opened. Progress on the new farm plan and on dairy faculty hires has been very positive and will be the basis for much of this report.

New faculty members have joined the teaching team and program-related building projects have begun to take shape. Student numbers in animal and dairy science undergraduate majors and graduate programs remained strong. University enrollment dropped by exactly 1,000 students between 2003 and 2004, but dairy science increased. Steady enrollment in animal and dairy science reflects confidence in the career market. Placement rate for dairy science, reported for the previous academic year, remained 100%. Salary information for 2004 projects average starting wage at about $35,000.