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Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability (2015)

Chapter: Appendix D: Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)." National Research Council. 2015. Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/19000.
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D

Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)

The USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics component works to direct scientific knowledge related to agriculture through promoting research and education. The work of REE influences the funding available for animal science research, and the following are areas that were identified as future research focuses:

  1. Invest in the research, development, and extension of new varieties and germplasm, practices, and systems of interest (both domestically and in developing countries) to safely and sustainably increase animal and crop production and its nutritional value. Improve feed and forage use efficiency in animals and identify alternative feed and forage options for animal systems that do not compete for human food and energy needs. Develop and populate a framework for understanding the sustainability (productivity, economic, and environmental) outcomes of agriculture/food/forestry practices and systems.
  2. Invest in research, development, and outreach of new varieties and technologies to mitigate animal/plant diseases and increase productivity, sustainability, and product quality. Establish more sustainable systems that enhance crop and animal health.
  3. Generate new fundamental knowledge through research in genomic sciences and the applications of systems approaches required to enhance the sustainability of agriculture while increasing productivity. Preserve, characterize, and deploy genetic diversity to ensure economic and environmental sustainability and to maintain American agriculture leadership in a global, biobased economy. Conduct biotechnology risk and benefits assessment research that accurately and scientifically inform regulators, product development, and consumer
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)." National Research Council. 2015. Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/19000.
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  1. acceptance, and provide information to FAS relevant to trade issues.

  2. Explain the processes driving the direct and indirect effects of climate variability on natural and managed ecosystems, including feedbacks to the climate system.
  3. Develop knowledge and tools to enable adaptation of agriculture, forestry, and grasslands to climate variability and to improve the resilience of natural and managed ecosystems and vulnerable populations.
  4. Develop knowledge and tools to enhance the contribution of agriculture, forestry, grasslands, and other land management practices to mitigate atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  5. Develop and provide the best available science and technology to inform decision-making and improve practices on water conservation, use, and quality.
  6. Explain the determinants of socioeconomically viable and environmentally sound livestock, forage, and forest production systems
  7. Provide research that helps to understand and define the microbial populations (pathogens and normal flora) in foods and surrounding environments.
  8. Provide research to understand the biology and behavior of foodborne pathogens.
  9. Develop technologies for the detection and characterization of food supply contamination from microbial pathogens, toxins, chemicals, and biologics.
  10. Develop intervention and control strategies for foodborne contaminants along the food production continuum.
  11. Provide research strategies, models, and data that identify and characterize effective management strategies and incentives for food safety improvement and the costs and benefits of improved safety for public health and industry viability.
  12. Recruit, cultivate, and develop the next generation of scientists and leaders with a highly skilled workforce for food, agriculture, natural resources, forestry, and environmental systems, and life sciences to out-educate our global competitors.
  13. Provide effective research, education, and extensions that inform public and private decision making in support of rural and community development.
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)." National Research Council. 2015. Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/19000.
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Page 383
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)." National Research Council. 2015. Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/19000.
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Page 384
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By 2050 the world's population is projected to grow by one-third, reaching between 9 and 10 billion. With globalization and expected growth in global affluence, a substantial increase in per capita meat, dairy, and fish consumption is also anticipated. The demand for calories from animal products will nearly double, highlighting the critical importance of the world's animal agriculture system. Meeting the nutritional needs of this population and its demand for animal products will require a significant investment of resources as well as policy changes that are supportive of agricultural production. Ensuring sustainable agricultural growth will be essential to addressing this global challenge to food security.

Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability identifies areas of research and development, technology, and resource needs for research in the field of animal agriculture, both nationally and internationally. This report assesses the global demand for products of animal origin in 2050 within the framework of ensuring global food security; evaluates how climate change and natural resource constraints may impact the ability to meet future global demand for animal products in sustainable production systems; and identifies factors that may impact the ability of the United States to meet demand for animal products, including the need for trained human capital, product safety and quality, and effective communication and adoption of new knowledge, information, and technologies.

The agricultural sector worldwide faces numerous daunting challenges that will require innovations, new technologies, and new ways of approaching agriculture if the food, feed, and fiber needs of the global population are to be met. The recommendations of Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability will inform a new roadmap for animal science research to meet the challenges of sustainable animal production in the 21st century.

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