ARS Food Animal Production National Program (101)

Vision Statement:

The vision for NP 101 is to furnish the scientific community and the food animal industries with scientific information, biotechnologies, and best management practices that (1) ensure that consumers have an abundant supply of competitively priced animal products that enhance human health, (2) ensure domestic food security, and (3) enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and economic and environmental sustainability of the food animal industries.

Mission Statement:

The mission of NP 101 is to foster an abundant, safe, nutritionally wholesome, and competitively priced supply of animal products produced in a viable, competitive, and sustainable animal agriculture sector of the U.S. economy by

1) safeguarding and utilizing animal genetic resources, associated genetic and genomic databases, and bioinformatic tools;

2) developing a basic understanding of food animal physiology for food animal industry priority issues related to animal production, animal well-being, and product quality and healthfulness; and

3) developing information, best management practices, novel and innovative tools, and technologies that improve animal production systems, enhance human health, and ensure domestic food security.

The Components of this Research Program are:

Improving Production and Production Efficiencies and Enhancing Animal Well-Being and Adaptation in Diverse Food Animal Production Systems
Understanding, Improving, and Effectively Using Animal Genetic and Genomic Resources
Measuring and Enhancing Quality and Enhancing the Healthfulness of Meat Products