By Andi Anderson
The Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA) has allocated over $2.5 million to 23 new research and outreach projects led by Michigan State University (MSU) researchers and MSU Extension educators.
This funding, sourced from the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) budget, marks a continued effort to support and advance the state’s animal agriculture sector since the initiative's inception in 2014.
“Animal agriculture faces many short- and long-term challenges, including managing infectious diseases, improving animal welfare and bolstering environmental sustainability,” said James Averill, associate director of MSU AgBioResearch and one of the leaders of M-AAA.
This statement highlights the crucial nature of the funding in tackling immediate and future agricultural challenges.
The funded projects cover a broad spectrum of critical issues facing industry. These range from dairy cattle disease management and enhancing dairy cattle fertility to developing tools for honeybee health protection and controlling diseases in silage corn.
The diversity of these projects underscores the comprehensive approach taken to address both current and emergent problems within the sector.
Tim Boring, MDARD Director, emphasized the importance of these investments.
“Investing in research to address key issues in animal agriculture like the current highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak or the impacts of regenerative agriculture practices is essential to the long-term viability of Michigan animal agriculture,” he noted, reinforcing the state's commitment to supporting its agricultural base.
Among the notable 2024 projects, Adam Lock, a professor in the Department of Animal Science, will focus on optimizing the use of high oleic acid soybeans in dairy cattle diets.
His research aims to enhance milk fat and protein yields without negatively impacting the cows’ body weight. Another significant project led by Richard Pursley, also a professor in the Department of Animal Science, will attempt to boost dairy herd longevity by improving the fertility of multiparous cows.
Meghan Milbrath, an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, is set to develop new honey bee protection tools against bacterial diseases.
This project will create beekeeper resources and develop a training protocol for dogs to detect disease-infected hives, offering a novel approach to managing hive health.
These projects collectively aim to bolster Michigan's agricultural productivity and sustainability, ensuring the state remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation and efficiency.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-univsersity-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education