Animal Production

Animal reproductive biology involves a multi-disciplinary approach to solve costly reproductive problems and improve reproductive efficiency. Understanding factors that control reproduction provides methodologies for improving reproduction. New reproductive technologies will evolve from research on puberty, ovarian function and cycles, gamete formation and maturation, fertilization, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, and placental function, including maternal-fetal interactions, fetal development and growth, and parturition.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Reducing the age of first breeding in females.
• Improving libido and reducing physical and psychological barriers to mating.
• Methods to control estrus and ovulation.
• Semen metabolism and preservation, and artificial insemination techniques.
• Effects of stress factors on reproductive performance.
• Controlling sex of offspring through sperm separation and other means.
• Increasing the fertilization and conception rate of available ova.
• Increasing the number of potentially fertilizable ova.
• Reducing prenatal, natal, and postnatal mortality.
• Improving mothering ability.
• Methods for early diagnosis of pregnancy.
• Fundamental studies to determine molecular, cellular, and metabolic mechanisms regulating reproduction.
• Development of reproductive technologies.
• Methods to improve spawning efficiency in fish and shellfish.
• Methods to enhance larval rearing in fish and shellfish.

• Nonfarm-raised fish and shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)
• Genetic studies to improve reproductive performance. (Use RPA 303)
• Identification of genes that have an effect on reproduction and how they are controlled or regulated. (Use RPA 304)

The efficiency with which animals convert feedstuffs to human food and other products varies among species, animal products produced, and types of diets. Enhancing the efficiency of nutrient utilization for animal productivity will require fundamental knowledge on a wide range of science areas such as molecular and cellular biology, digestion, metabolic processes, and feed processing technology.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Digestion and metabolism.
• Nutrients required for specific life processes and longevity.
• Hormone and nutrient interactions for maintenance, growth, lactation, and other productivity functions.
• Composition and biological availability of nutrients of animal feed.
• Effects of processing and feeding system on nutritive values of animal feed.
• Alternate sources of nutrients, including forages and agricultural byproducts.

• Reduction of waste carcass fat and proportion of low meat yield cuts. (Use RPA 308)

A critical component for improving production efficiency of agriculturally important animal species is through more effective genetic improvement programs. Achieving this requires the development and application of expanded genetic information and technology ranging from molecular to quantitative and statistical.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Estimation of genetic parameters (e.g., heritability, genetic variances and covariances, heterosis, and breeding values).
• Selection studies.
• Breed evaluation studies.
• Mating systems.
• Development of breeding goals and strategies.
• Identification of genetic defects.
• Incorporation of molecular and genomic information into applied genetic improvement programs.
• Acquisition and preservation of genetic resources.

• Reduction of waste carcass fat and proportion of low meat yield cuts. (Use RPA 308)
• Gene mapping and fundamental molecular genetic and genomic information. (Use RPA 304)
• Gene identification, regulation, and control. (Use RPA 304)

New developments in molecular biology and the emergence of mapping the human genome have led to the development of research to map and understand the genome of agriculturally important animal species. A more complete understanding of animal genome will provide fundamental information important to genetics, physiology, nutrition, and related sciences relevant to animal production.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Gene mapping, linkage and physical.
• Gene identification, function repetition, and control.
• Genetic engineering and gene manipulation.
• DNA cloning and sequencing.
• QTL identification and development of marker assisted selection procedures.

• Application of marker assisted selection in applied breeding programs. (Use RPA 303)

The overall productivity, efficiency, and well-being of agricultural animals is determined by numerous complex and interactive biological processes and interconversions. Research in this area includes studies of the fundamental physiological processes within the animal at the organismal, organ system, cellular, and molecular level.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Chemical and structural organization of animal cells and their specialized properties and functions, including enzymatic machinery and biochemical conversions.
• Organization, structure, and function of organ systems, including endocrine, circulatory/vascular, urinary, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, the sense organs, the common integument and its derivatives, and body fluids.
• Physiology of vital life processes and mechanisms of function and control.
• Neural, hormonal, or other chemical messengers that serve as regulators of physiologic processes and perform integrative functions in the animal.
• Prenatal, neonatal, and postnatal development and growth of animals, including genetic control mechanisms and accretion, deposition, and degradation of proteins and fats in animal tissues.
• Lactation physiology, including alveolar development and involution, milk synthesis, secretion and ejection, milk composition, and patterns of lactation.

• Physiology of reproduction and reproductive processes. (Use RPA 301)

This area includes research on stresses from the effects of climate, handling, and other environmental factors that decrease productivity. Extremes in temperature, humidity, air movement, and noise may lead to lower reproduction, reduced feed efficiency, anorexia, reduced disease resistance, and increased mortality.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Environmental factors that reduce productivity.
• Facilities and equipment that reduce environmental stress.
• Management techniques that enable animals to adapt to stress conditions.

• Stress factors that affect reproductive performance. (Use RPA 301)
• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)
• Genetic factors of animal response or adaptability to environmental stress. (Use RPA 303)
• Physiological responses to environmental stress. (Use RPA 305)
• Behavioral responses to environmental stress. (Use RPA 315)

Animal-based research to compare total production systems is limited due to cost and resource requirements. The development of computer technology, analytic methods, and computer models that simulate animal production systems provide a methodology for critically evaluating alternative production systems and management decisions.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Animal-based studies that compare production systems or segments of production systems.
• Computer simulation models of animal production systems that allow comparisons of various alternative management components and decisions.

• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)

Research on the composition of animal products, factors influencing product quality, and determination of consumer preferences will guide efforts to maximize animal product quality.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Physiology and biochemistry of fats, proteins, and flavor components of animal products.
• Factors responsible for development of flavor and other components of product quality.
• Reduction in undesired fat in animal products.
• Improving wool, hides, and other non-food animal products.
• Determination of consumer preferences and factors influencing product acceptability.

• Bees and honey. (Use RPA 211)
• Processing techniques for improvement or development of food and non-food products from animals. (Use RPA 502 or 511)

Research in this area includes studies to manage animal diseases that represent a major hazard to the production of an adequate and wholesome supply of animal products. Diseases are a constant threat to the economic welfare of the livestock, poultry, and fish producer. Losses result from mortality, reduced productivity, cost of treatment or immunization, cost of regulatory programs, and condemnation of meat at the processing plant.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• The nature of causative agents involved in animal diseases.
• Mechanisms of disease resistance and immunity.
• Interrelationships among environment, genetics, and infectious agents in the etiology of diseases.
• Methods of diagnosis, prevention, treatment, control, and eradication of diseases, including development of equipment.
• Methods of keeping infectious diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and rinderpest, out of this country.
• Evaluation of alterative control methods.
• Understanding mechanisms involved in transmission of diseases to animals, including the role of vectors such as insects, ticks, and mites.
• Integrated control systems.

• Disorders due to improper nutrition. (Use RPA 302)
• Disorders resulting from pollution. (Use RPA 133)
• Bloat and disorders due to ingestion of toxic plants, etc. (Use RPA 314)
• Disorders due to environmental stress. (Use RPA 306)
• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)

This research area includes studies of pests and external parasites, including insects, ticks, mites, and other parasitic arthropods that reduce animal productivity. Economic losses result from reduced efficiency of weight gains and milk and egg production, as well as the added expense of labor charges and drug costs. Studies include research on more cost effective methods of control.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Biology and life history of pests.
• Biosystematics/taxonomy.
• Use and development of irradiation, chemosterilants, attractants, repellents, and other non-insecticidal approaches to insect control.
• Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of insecticides by insects feeding on or in animals.
• Biological control of insects.
• The nature of insect resistance to chemical controls.
• Evaluation of alternative control methods.
• Development of methods and equipment for applying or using control materials.
• Integrated control systems.

• The role of insects, mites, and other arthropods in disease transmission. (Use RPA 311)
• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)

Research in this area includes studies of internal parasites such as various kinds of worms, flukes, and protozoa. Emphasis is on reducing losses, including those due to mortality, reduced yield, condemnation of meat, feed wastage, and cost of drugs.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Biotic relationships in parasitism.
• Biosystematics/taxonomy.
• Biocontrol and management practices that minimize reliance on chemicals.
• Safe chemical means including systemics for combating parasites.
• Effective means of diagnosing parasitic infestation.
• Evaluation and development of control methods and equipment.
• Study of heritable traits, breeding, and selection to improve resistance to parasites.
• Integrated control systems.

• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)
• Insects, ticks, leeches, and mites. (Use RPA 312)

Research in this area focuses on reduction of losses in productivity in livestock, poultry, and fish operations due to toxic chemicals, pesticides, poisonous plants, predators, ingestion of metal and other foreign bodies, and other hazards.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Determining the specific sites and mechanisms of poisoning, bloat, and other disorders to learn the bases of these phenomena.
• Toxicology and safe levels of residues of pesticides and other chemicals, natural or synthetic, used directly on or ingested by livestock and poultry.
• Methods of reducing ingestion of pesticides or other chemicals in or on animal feeds.
• Reasons for inter-species differences in detoxification mechanisms and sensitivity to poisoning by pesticides and other chemicals.
• Developing animal management practices that minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals that leave toxic residues or that reduce the level of residues.
• Prevention or alleviation of "hardware disease," and effects of plants that cause bloat, poisoning, or deformities of livestock.
• Developing methods for combating nuclear radiation hazards to livestock.
• Methods for reducing animal losses from predators.

• Breeding and selection of feed crops for reduced content of toxic components. (Use RPA 203)
• Pesticides and other toxic substances applied to or ingested by livestock and poultry when the emphasis is clearly on reduction of the toxic content of foods consumed by humans. (Use RPA 711)
• Disorders resulting from pollution. (Use RPA 133)
• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)

The proper stewardship and care of food animals requires research to understand the husbandry needs of each animal species in a variety of management systems and physical accommodations. Scientific knowledge, professional judgment, and humane concerns are essential to developing effective animal care and use programs, and research related to and contributing to the welfare/well-being of food animals encompasses many broad areas of scientific study.

Areas of research include but are not limited to:

• Fundamental studies related to the assessment of animal well-being, including measures of adaptation and adaptiveness, measures of social behavior and spacing, physiological measures, and measures of cognition and motivation.
• Management/confinement production systems related to animal welfare/well-being.
• Controlled environments and environmental factors, including temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, lighting, and sound related to animal welfare/well-being.
• Housing and equipment design; pen/cage design and densities; feeding, watering, and bedding practices related to animal welfare/well-being.
• Handling, restraint, transport, and husbandry practices, such as castration, tail docking, debeaking, and others related to animal welfare/well-being.
• Humane slaughter, euthanasia, and analgesia related to animal welfare/well-being.
• Behavior patterns related to animal welfare/well-being.
• Disease prevention techniques and practices, including management practices, disease detection and surveillance, assessing disease risks, vaccine development, parasite control, and others specifically related to animal welfare/well-being.

• Etiology of disease, disease agents, internal and external parasites, and toxic hazards. (Use RPAs 311-314)
• Genetics of disease resistance. (Use RPA 303 or 304)
• Production management systems as related to production efficiency and economic viability. (Use RPA 307)
• Nonfarm-raised fish, shellfish, game and fur-bearing animals, and other wildlife. (Use RPA 135)