Big Dreams in Small Packages: Kylee Oglesby’s Mini-Cow Research
For as long as she can remember, Department of Animal Sciences student Kylee Ogelsby has been surrounded by cattle. Growing up on her family’s cattle operation in Southern Illinois, Ogelsby helps raise about 400 cow-calf pairs per year. These experiences shaped her passion for cattle and ultimately led to her goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
But Oglesby's journey within the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has expanded her perspective beyond the family farm. Through internships, research, and hands-on learning, she has discovered new ways to connect her background to her future career.
Mini Cows, Big Dreams
While most teens are saving up to buy their first car, Ogelsby invested in something different - miniature cattle. At just 14 years old, she launched a cattle business, Long Branch Little Moo’s, as part of an FFA project, breeding and selling calves throughout high school and college.
The “mini cows” might stand only about 36 inches tall, but they’ve brought Ogelsby larger-than-life experiences.
“Anywhere I go, people will say, ‘You’re the one with the mini cows!’” she said. “It’s opened up so many conversations, and I’ve met people I never would have otherwise.” Beyond the cuteness, Ogelsby takes her herd extremely seriously, studying genetics, preventing hereditary conditions, and managing her cattle with the same care as any full-size operation.
“They may be small, but they’ve given me some of my biggest learning opportunities,” she said.
On campus connections
Oglesby’s work with her miniature cattle has been shaped and strengthened by her time at Illinois. The hands-on opportunities she’s found through ANSC have added new layers of knowledge to the lessons she first learned in her own pastures. Ogelsby has worked for three years at the beef farm within the Department of Animal Sciences and participated in the I-BELIEF internship program. Through the internship, she had the opportunity to tour beef farms statewide, learn about rotational grazing, and meet producers at the annual Illinois Beef Association meeting.
“Even though I grew up with cattle, it was eye-opening to see how different farms operate,” she said. “It gave me ideas of what I want to bring back to my own farm someday.”
Applications for I-BELIEF’s summer 2026 cohort are now open.
Ogelsby’s connections have also led her to a research opportunity in an embryology lab at the U. of I. She says opportunities like that are “what make the college of ACES so special.”
Her growing interest in genetics ties back to her miniature cattle. After years of carefully managing her herd to avoid heredity, Kylee is now gaining lab experience in embryology and genetic projects on campus.
For incoming students, Ogelsby emphasizes the importance of getting involved.
“If you don’t have cattle experience, or even if you do, working at the university farms or joining programs gives you that hands-on knowledge you can’t get from the classroom alone,” she said. “You need to actually be with the animals. That experience makes all the difference.