This study was initiated to determine the content and emphasis in animal science instruction by local vocational agriculture departments, extension services, and post-secondary schools in Iowa and to investigate the effects of leaders' characteristics and the geographic and economic areas on the content. From a total population of 75 counties, 75 secondary schools, and all area schools offering programs in the field, sub-divisions of each economic area were made. A random sample of 5 schools and 5 counties for each of the 3 subdivisions was then selected. An analysis of data collected from subject matter survey forms and teacher questionnaires revealed that the areas of study emphasized most were: (1) swine, (2) beef cattle, (3) animal nutrition, (4) dairy cattle, and (5) sheep. The major influencing characteristics cited as instructional variables were: (1) supervisory visits and farmer attendance in the classroom, teaching experience, graduate credits, enrollment and semesters completed by the teacher in preparation, and total instructional contacts in the extension classes. Tables and appendixes supplement the study. (SN)