Profile: Undergraduate Haley Betters ’24 pursuing career in agricultural science

By Caitlin MacBride Berg ’10, Director of Alumnae Relations

Haley Betters ’24’s passion for animals has led to a fascinating first year at Virginia Tech. Double majoring in animal and poultry science and dairy science, Betters has immersed herself in hands-on learning experiences that are shaping her future in the industry.

The transdisciplinary approach to her program focuses on academics, research, and community outreach. So far she has worked at the school’s sheep barn, conducting parasite research and providing postnatal care for lambs, and she has gained practical experience by performing ultrasounds on pigs and artificially inseminating cows. Her research project on pet behavior explored the connections between cat owners and how their behaviors affect their pets.

Betters also works a demanding schedule at The Virginia Tech Dairy Science Complex - Kentland Farm, a state-ofthe-art facility featuring the cutting edge dairy science technology on a 35-acre site. From 1 a.m. milking shifts to feeding calves and managing afternoon farm duties, she is gaining firsthand experience in dairy farm operations.

The bird flu outbreak has underscored for her the importance of her future work in the agricultural sector. Strict biosecurity precautions are in place, limiting her ability to directly work with poultry. She has learned that while caging chickens is more effective in preventing the spread of disease, consumers prefer free-range chicken eggs for ethical reasons.

“Keeping the environment sterile and limiting and tracking access is a big factor of how farms contain disease,” she said. “That’s why free-range chicken eggs are so much more expensive. It’s much harder to control and track disease when the chickens are mingling and all together.”

Betters is making an impact not only through her studies, but also through leadership roles. As the Leadership Chair of Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority, she has played an active role in supporting farms impacted by Hurricane Helene, collaborating with local high schools, and organizing food drives. Her dedication to the field extends to the Heifers Club, where she has participated in the acquisition and raising of show heifers, some of which she had the opportunity to showcase at the Virginia State Fair.

This summer, she has an internship at the Cleveland Zoo, where she hopes to expand her knowledge of animal care beyond farm life. In the future, she hopes her work assisting at the All-American Dairy Show in Pennsylvania will help her secure an internship outside of Cleveland.

Betters credits Magnificat, and an all-girls education, with instilling confidence as she entered a traditionally male-dominated field. She also found that her global class experience at Magnificat helped her develop strong public speaking and research presentation skills—both essential for her work in dairy evaluation and her studies.

Alumna Advice: Haley Betters ’24

“Explore different areas and aspects of schools. Don’t be nervous. Put yourself out there—bet on yourself.”