Location: Genetics and Animal Breeding
Project Number: 3040-31000-104-017-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 15, 2024
End Date: Jun 15, 2028
Objective:
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) maintain a strong cooperative relationship at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) since the development of the Center over 50 years ago. The USDA-ARS and UNL work cooperatively with over 120 employees from each institution on site to conduct collaborative, multi-disciplinary research focused on improving the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of complex integrated livestock production systems for producer stakeholders across the USA. Specific research programs are focused on improving genetics/genomics, reproductive efficiency, lifetime productivity, nutrition and growth, meat quality and safety, animal health and well-being, and environmental/nutrient management. This cooperative agreement is a continuation of that effort.
The University provides 100% of the personnel to produce and care for the ARS and UNL owned livestock, as well as crops and forages produced on-site to feed livestock at the research center. ARS provides the overall financial management of the center, strategic vision, priorities; and scientific leadership and research support, and laboratory expertise. This partnership with UNL is critical to the efforts of the multidisciplinary team of ARS scientists at the Center. These ARS scientists are engaged in a multitude of collaborative research projects with UNL faculty located in Lincoln as well as UNL faculty from around the state.The University provides personnel to produce and care for the ARS owned livestock, as well as crops produced to feed livestock, at the research center. ARS provides the management of the Center, strategic vision, priorities, scientific leadership and laboratory expertise. The UNL support effort provides assistance to a multidisciplinary team of ARS scientists at the Center. These ARS scientists are engaged in a multitude of collaborative research projects with UNL faculty located in Lincoln as well as UNL faculty from around the state.
Approach:
The USDA ARS USMARC will provide strategic operational leadership, laboratory expertise, technical supervision, land, facilities, infrastructure, and research equipment to support this effort. USMARC and UNL will cooperate to provide equipment necessary for farming, ranching, and animal care.
In alignment with the strategic research vision of the center, UNL will provide 100% of the qualified personnel necessary to care for and manage the livestock and farm/ranch involved in studies, and the safe operation, care, and maintenance of required infrastructure. UNL will gather and manage field data in conduct of research projects as appropriate.