The USDA has committed $17.6 million to advance livestock health through research on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF). Funded by NIFA, this initiative supports projects to develop vaccines and improve welfare practices for dairy cattle, poultry, and swine.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a substantial investment of $17.6 million aimed at bolstering the health and welfare of livestock across the country. This funding, allocated through the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will support research into two critical areas: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF).
NIFA Director Manjit Misra emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Protecting the health and welfare of agricultural animals is integral to ensuring a safe, sustainable, resilient, and ethically-sound food system. Healthy livestock are more productive and less likely to harbor and spread diseases that can affect humans.”
The investment is part of USDA’s “One Health” approach, which integrates efforts to address issues impacting people, plants, animals, and ecosystems. The funding includes $12.7 million for 27 projects under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Diseases of Agricultural Animals program and $4.8 million for 10 projects through the AFRI’s Welfare of Agricultural Animals program.
Key projects funded include:
- University of Georgia: Researchers will develop mass vaccination strategies against HPAI, with potential benefits for other respiratory viruses affecting poultry and livestock.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Scientists will design and evaluate engineered vaccine antigens for ASF, aiming to create a vaccine for disease control in swine.
- University of Missouri: The team will work on safer and more effective swine influenza vaccines to reduce both animal and human influenza infections and prevent zoonotic transmission.
The AFRI Welfare of Agricultural Animals program supports research into improving livestock management practices and enhancing animal welfare. Notable projects include:
- Purdue University: Researchers will explore strategies to improve heat tolerance in ducks, providing long-term solutions to climate change impacts on poultry production.
- University of Vermont: Scientists will study early-life calf management to enhance long-term behavioral development and reduce stress in dairy cattle, aiming to improve welfare and longevity in the dairy industry.
This significant investment by the USDA reflects a commitment to advancing livestock health and welfare, addressing critical challenges in animal agriculture, and ensuring a robust and resilient food supply.
