Education

Ph.D., Animal Science (Livestock Behavior, Handling, and Welfare), Colorado State University, 2015
M.S., Animal Science (Livestock Behavior, Handling, and Welfare), Colorado State University, 2013
B.S., Animal Science, Colorado State University, 2010
A.A.S., Business Administration (Applied Management), National American University, 2002

Teaching

ASCI 270: Fundamentals of Animal Behavior and Welfare
Summary: Examine various ways humans use and interact with animals in society. Focus on fundamentals of animal behavior, animal welfare principles and issues.

ASCI 370: Animal Welfare
Summary: In-depth exploration of the issues involved in animal use. The historical, biological, ethical, and social aspects of human/animal interactions in Western culture.

Research

The focus of my research is improving animal outcomes through a better understanding of facility design, handler skill level, and training practices. My lab studies the relationships between handler skill, facility design, and safety and well-being of animals and humans. 

Extension

The focus of my Extension program is to increase workforce integration of evidence-based measures of skill, safety, and well-being for humans and animals. Activities include stockmanship and humane animal handling training for slaughter establishments, livestock auction markets, and private producers; and assistance in preparation for third-party animal welfare assessments.

Selected Publications

• Karly N Anderson, Emma M Hamilton, Ashlynn A Kirk, Arquimides A Reyes, Ruth Woiwode, Perle E Zhitnitskiy, Kurt D Vogel, Quantification of cooling effects on basic tissue measurements and exposed cross-sectional brain area of cadaver heads from Holstein cows > 30 mo of age, Translational Animal Science, Volume 8, 2024, txae042, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae042
• Ty B Schmidt, Jessica M Lancaster, Eric Psota, Benny E Mote, Lindsey E Hulbert, Aaron Holliday, Ruth Woiwode, Lance C Pérez, Evaluation of a novel computer vision-based livestock monitoring system to identify and track specific behaviors of individual nursery pigs within a group-housed environment, Translational Animal Science, Volume 6, Issue 3, July 2022, txac082, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac082
• Woiwode, R., Grandin, T., Kirch, B., & Paterson, J. (2016). Effects of initial handling practices on behavior and average daily gain of fed steers. International Journal of Livestock Production, 7(3), 12-18.
• Woiwode, R., Grandin, T., Kirch, B., & Paterson, J. (2016). Compliance of large feedyards in the northern high plains with the Beef Quality Assurance Feedyard Assessment. The Professional Animal Scientist, 32(6), 750-757.