General Information:

The Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory offers nearly 1500 acres for teaching, research and extension requests made by NCSU faculty. A number of departments in the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) make use of this field laboratory, including Botany, Crop Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Soil Science, Animal Science and Poultry science. Students from the college of Veterinary Medicine use animals at this site for clinical studies.

Dairy Education Unit

The NC State University Dairy Education Unit plays a vital role in the teaching and research activities of the faculty at NC State University. The Unit provides the infrastructure, animals, and NC State University expertise needed to tackle agricultural industry problems. Research projects cover a wide range of topics such as improving milk production, decreasing health disorders, altering milk components to improve milk quality and nutritional attributes of milk, improving management techniques, and improving environmental management. It is not all research -- it is business too. The milk from the dairy is provided to the Department of Food Science for processing and sale of fluid milk, ice cream and other dairy products by the Pilot Plant.

Beef Education Unit

Beef cattle research includes pasture studies that attempt to use mineral supplements to improve digestive efficiency and animal performance. Positive results from this study would allow growers to grow better cattle on less feed. Other studies have explored the use of agricultural by-products as feed supplements for winter forage grazing calves.

Swine Education Unit

Several projects are underway at the Swine Education unit. Results from one of the projects will greatly increase our knowledge about some of the many factors that influence fertility. Another project seeks to discover the causes of swine gastric ulcers, or "bleach out'. It is estimated that bleach outs cost the U.S. swine industry millions of dollars each year. As with dairy and beef cattle, swine researchers are studying the usefulness of agricultural by-products as protein sources. Finally, initial results using "biofilters" have shown that certain materials can be used to effectively reduce odors associated with swine facilities. Positive results will benefit both homeowners and the swine industry.

Poultry Education Unit

Research conducted at the Poultry Education Unit has resulted in revolutionary changes to management practices used by the poultry industry. The Poultry Education Unit is credited for introducing the industry to black-out rearing programs for broiler breeders, vertical air movers to aid in brooding and litter management, fly control programs, hatching egg storage programs, improved egg incubation protocols and methods used to reduce the environmental impact of poultry farming.

STUDENT PART-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Refer to specific Unit or Crew on Application

• Dairy Education Unit - Opportunity for students to earn while they learn. Students will work in an automated milking parlor, operate the feed and manure handling facilities, be involved with herd replacement rearing, and other dairy labor tasks. Work hours are scheduled around classes to include weekends and holidays.

• Shop Crew - Support projects by maintaining field crops. Duties include all aspects of crop production from planting through harvest. Assist with construction, repair, renovation and maintenance of buildings, fences, roads, and grounds. Ability to work in outdoor conditions year-round. Physically able to lift 100 lbs. or more. Hours are Monday through Friday.

• Shop Mechanics Crew - Assist with repairs, maintenance and renovations to buildings, water, irrigation and animal waste system components. Operate equipment, inventory and receive supplies. Ability to work in outdoor conditions year-round. Physically able to lift 100 lbs. or more. Monday through Friday.

• Swine Education Unit - Limited housing available. Support research and teaching needs through involvement with all aspects of swine production. Hours are scheduled around classes to include weekends and holidays.

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This page was last reviewed on 6/24/05 by webmaster