Animal Sciences alumni apply genetics across animal agriculture

Purdue Animal Sciences alumni Ryan Schnell and Amanda Minton are applying genetics in turkey and swine production. Although they work in different industries, they share a common goal of improving efficiency, animal health and welfare through genetics.

Early Foundations in Animal Agriculture

Schnell and Minton both came from agricultural backgrounds before coming to Purdue to study animal sciences. Schnell grew up on a hog and beef farm in Dubois County, Indiana. Minton, originally from Cass County, Indiana, grew up raising sheep and participating in 4-H.

Schnell earned a two-year degree from Vincennes University before transferring to Purdue to pursue a career in Animal Agribusiness.

According to Minton, Purdue was her “top and only choice” because of her previous experiences on campus through 4-H.

Their time at Purdue helped shape their career paths in different ways. Schnell points to the relationships he built and the broader understanding of the agricultural industry he gained during his time on campus. Minton credits her involvement in the Animal Sciences Ambassador program with exposing her to a wide range of career opportunities and industry connections.

Schnell credits Ron Lemenager, Ph.D., as one of his favorite and most influential professors during his time at Purdue.

Minton also credits Barry Delks and Mike Neary, Ph.D., with helping shape her career path. She said Delks supported students through networking and internship opportunities, while Neary encouraged her interest in graduate school and helped guide her toward the University of Missouri.

Careers in Genetics

After graduating from Purdue University in 2000, Schnell began his career in the turkey industry in technical services with Farbest Farms. He remained with the company for six years before becoming a Farbest contract turkey grower for the next decade. After his family sold the turkey operation, Schnell returned to Farbest to manage their live haul operations for processing before joining River View Farms as their live turkey production manager.

He later joined Purina Animal Nutrition on its national sales team as a turkey specialist before moving into his current role as senior technical service and sales specialist with Aviagen Turkeys / Select Genetics, a global poultry breeding company.

In his current role, Schnell primarily works with customers across the Midwest, providing technical support and helping improve efficiencies in turkey production. He also supports customers in Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Carolinas.

Genetics plays a major role in Schnell’s work.

“Genetic improvements are crucial in keeping birds healthy and growing efficiently,” Schnell said. “Along with proper welfare practices, it’s all about meat yield and how much product can be produced from the amount of feed that goes into the birds.”

According to Schnell, one thing many people may not realize is that most turkey production in the United States is concentrated in the Midwest and along the East Coast.

Schnell also noted that disease remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges, while one of its greatest opportunities is helping consumers better understand how versatile turkey can be in everyday diets. Looking ahead, he is optimistic that continued advancements in genetics will help create more robust birds capable of overcoming health and environmental challenges more effectively.

After graduating from Purdue, Minton began working for Pig Improvement Company (PIC) as a management trainee before earning her master’s degree in animal science with a focus in swine reproduction from the University of Missouri.

Minton later returned to PIC, working in technical services and reproduction for four years before joining The Maschhoffs as a boar stud service manager. Eventually, The Maschhoffs developed a genetics company called Acuity, which later became AcuFast, a swine genetics company focused on genetic improvement and reproductive technologies.

As manager of reproductive solutions at AcuFast, Minton works with boar stud partners and supports sow farms from a reproductive standpoint. She also serves as a liaison between AcuFast’s research and development team and its commercial farms, helping implement reproductive technologies and research in practical settings. In addition, she oversees the company’s internship program.

“Genetics is really the driver behind everything we do,” Minton said. “From a reproductive standpoint, there’s an opportunity to disseminate those genes in a more efficient way through reproductive technologies. It’s about making progress in the right direction and hopefully at a faster speed.”

Minton said one of the biggest challenges in swine genetics is the time it can take to see genetic changes appear in animals and how those changes translate to commercial production systems. At the same time, she believes new technologies continue to create exciting opportunities within the industry.

“There’s all kinds of genetic technologies coming down the pipeline,” Minton said. “That’s really exciting because it allows us to make improvements faster and improve the performance of our customers and the protein we’re producing.”

According to Minton, many students do not realize how many different career opportunities exist within the swine industry, ranging from nutrition and reproduction to logistics, customer service and production management. She said these opportunities allow students to get involved in many different areas of the industry.

Looking Back and Advice

For Schnell, the relationships he built at Purdue have had a lasting impact throughout his career.

“It’s not always what you know, but who you know,” Schnell said. “Learning how to treat people the right way and do the right thing has made a big impact throughout my career.”

Minton said she still uses the knowledge she gained at Purdue every day in her career.

“It serves as the foundation for everything that I do,” Minton said. “You have to understand the science behind why we’re doing the things we’re doing. Having that strong scientific foundation is important for anything else that comes later.”

Both alumni said the relationships they built throughout their careers have been among their proudest accomplishments, whether with colleagues, customers or others in the industry.

The alumni also encouraged students to stay open to opportunities and try new things.

“You have to be open to opportunities,” Schnell said. “You have to be willing to go where the opportunities are and learn from others.”