Animal Nutritionist Offers Roadmap to Success
IIB's Gerry Dick discusses ag careers with Adrienne Woodward from United Animal Health.
While in college, Adrienne Woodward could have sworn her career would lead her down an equestrian path.
She grew up in west Texas.
“Had horses growing up my whole life. That’s where the whole thought into agriculture (as a career) came in,” said Woodward.
She majored in equine studies and focused on the gastrointestinal tract of horses, which eventually led to research in swine.
Woodward is now the manager of swine and specialty product research for Sheridan-based United Animal Health Inc., a global animal nutrition company. The company manufactures feed for swine, dairy and poultry. Research is a pillar of the company’s operations.
“The more we can show how our products work…the more confidence we can provide to anybody who wants to use our products,” said Wood during the Ag+Bio+Science podcast presented by AgriNovus Indiana. “That’s why research is so important to this company.”
The livestock nutritionist is featured in the recently launched AgriNovus Indiana Field Atlas, a career exploration platform.
The online tool is designed to connect high-school and college students to diverse opportunities in agbioscience.
“I wish I had this when I was starting college. When I started, I never thought I’d be in Indiana doing swine research. I’m a horse girl from Texas,” said Woodward, who shared a laugh with Inside INdiana Business and podcast host Gerry Dick.
She says there are many opportunities in Indiana’s agbioscience sector. Woodward encourages students to look at all options, even if they differ from the original career path.
“I get that you have dreams you want to pursue. And that’s fantastic. But if your dreams merge, or swerve or take a U-turn, go with the flow and see where it leads you,” encouraged Woodward. “You might just find your dream was taking you in a different direction and you never knew.”
The weekly Ag+Bio+Science podcast includes conversations with leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Indiana’s vast agricultural industry.
The full podcast will be available Monday morning. Click here for more information on how you can listen.