{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,26]],"date-time":"2026-08-26T09:02:55Z","timestamp":1787734975505,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,1,12]],"date-time":"2024-01-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1705017600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":11,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,1,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:p>Animal scientists face an increasing need to communicate with the lay public because of the public\u2019s interest in the origin and production of animal-sourced foods. Consumers\u2019 increased interest infers a critical need for effective communication skills among animal science graduates. Effective communication skills are mandatory if students are to explain scientific information and mitigate misinformation about livestock production. The purpose of our study was to investigate the communication styles and communication effectiveness of upper-level animal science students enrolled in a beef cattle production and management course at Texas A&amp;M University across five semesters (N\u2005=\u2005241; spring 2018\u2005=\u200561, summer 2018\u2005=\u200515, Fall 2018\u2005=\u200554, spring 2019\u2005=\u200555, and fall 2019\u2005=\u200556). Male animal science students (n\u2005=\u200525; 32.9%) preferred assertive and direct communication (a driver communication style) and female students (n\u2005=\u200532; 19.4%) preferred collaborative and accommodating communication (an amiable communication style). Students were moderately experienced with beef cattle production (M\u2005=\u20053.09, SD\u2005=\u20051.07) before enrolling in the course; however, former beef cattle experiences did not influence their preferred communication style [F(10, 230)\u2005=\u20050.36, P\u2005=\u20050.96]. Researchers also observed students\u2019 communication skills during an end-of-semester beef cattle production and management project presentation and identified strengths and weaknesses. Students demonstrated strong, in-depth animal industry knowledge, an ability to connect beef production techniques to management success, and critical thinking skills when answering questions. Oral communication skills warranting improvement included integrating visual aids and\/or visual slides to support findings, using improved stage presence and confidence, and sharing responsibilities when presenting as a team. Finally, completion of a supplemental communication training module, intended to develop oral communication skills, significantly improved [F(1, 55)\u2005=\u20054.16, P\u2005=\u20050.046] students\u2019 beef cattle production and management project presentation scores. As students become aware of their communication preferences and tendencies, they become equipped to adjust their communication practices and techniques when needed. Through this study, we gained insight into students\u2019 communication tendencies and skills, which can be used to provide curricular recommendations and enhance students\u2019 workforce readiness.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1093\/tas\/txae007","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,1,11]],"date-time":"2024-01-11T21:19:17Z","timestamp":1705007957000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Beefing up communication skills of upper-level animal science students"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"8","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6292-1532","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Shannon L","family":"Norris-Parish","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, New Mexico State University , Las Cruces, NM 88003 , USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Holli R","family":"Leggette","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843 , USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Theresa","family":"Pesl Murphrey","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843 , USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jean A","family":"Parrella","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA 24060 , USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Audra","family":"Richburg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843 , USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andy D","family":"Herring","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843 , USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,1,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"2024020216414250100_CIT0001","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"385","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10030385","article-title":"Consumers\u2019 concerns and perceptions of farm animal welfare","volume":"10","author":"Alonso","year":"2020","journal-title":"Animals"},{"key":"2024020216414250100_CIT0002","author":"American Society of Animal Science","year":"2022"},{"key":"2024020216414250100_CIT0003","author":"American Society of Animal Science","year":"2022"},{"key":"2024020216414250100_CIT0004","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.4195\/nse.2011.00002","article-title":"Designing effective writing assignments for students in the animal sciences","volume":"42","author":"Barry","year":"2013","journal-title":"Nat. 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