USDA invests $17.6M to protect the health and welfare of agricultural animals

Sep 16, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced an investment of $17.6 million to advance agricultural research that protects the health and welfare of agricultural animals. These projects include high-priority research on African swine fever (ASF).

The awards include $12.7 million for 27 projects funded through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Diseases of Agricultural Animals program and $4.8 million for 10 projects funded through AFRI’s Welfare of Agricultural Animals program.

Examples of the 27 funded projects include:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists will design and evaluate ASF engineered vaccine antigens. This work will ultimately lead to development of a vaccine against ASF to aid in disease control and swine health.
University of Missouri researchers plan to develop safer and more effective swine influenza vaccines, with the potential to reduce both animal and human influenza infections, and block potential zoonotic transmission from swine to humans.

The AFRI Welfare of Agricultural Animals program supports projects that evaluate current animal agriculture production practices and/or development of new or enhanced management approaches that safeguard animal welfare and adaption to climate change.

September 4, 2024/ National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ United States.
https://www.nifa.usda.gov

Source : Pig 333

Video: How to Maximize Swine Profitability with U.S. Soy

Are you looking for ways to maximize profitability in swine production? Leading animal nutritionists talk about the "soy effect," asserting the value of using soybean meal (SBM) made from U.S. Soy when formulating feed rations. In this video, Dr. David Rosero, assistant professor at Iowa State University, explains the soy effect and four key reasons for including soybean meal in swine diets for optimal performance and profitability.

Four Pillars of Soybean Meal in Swine Nutrition:
1. Energy Contribution of Soybean Meal in Commercial Diets
2. Soybean Meal as a Functional Bioactive for Animal Health
3. Soybean Meal as a High-Value Protein Source During Late Finisher Diets
4. Soybean Meal-Based Diets to Mitigate Summer Weight Dip
The proven consistency and quality exhibited by U.S. Soy makes for a superior nutritional bundle in animal nutrition, offering a reliable source of protein and energy for high-performing swine.