From Innovate 2012: Research in animal agriculture-A high return and a globally valuable investment in our future

Abstract

• With public investments in US animal agriculture research lagging behind inflation rates while middle income countries are maintaining or increasing their agricultural research budgets, the United States will have to find new strategies to remain a global leader in food production and efficiency. • Past investments in research have resulted in an era of abundant, high-quality, safe and environmentally sustainable animal production systems and products. Unprecedented increases in productivity and efficiency in crop and livestock production have enabled a rapidly expanding domestic and global population to be fed better and at reduced cost. • Meeting future demands for food worldwide well require even greater advances in food production and productivity and adoption of new technologies only new and novel research discoveries can deliver. Sustained growth in investment is necessary to provide the quality and quantity of animal research in the future that will be required to maintain and enhance our capacity to feed the world in a safe, environmentally sustainable, nutritious, and affordable way. • Declining support is compromising research capacity and research outputs. Change is needed now. Meaningful change will require identifying new funding models, establishing new partnerships with public and private entities, and reinvigorating federal funding programs. Only with a reinvestment in animal research from federal funding agencies and new investments from new partners will the United States remain a global leader in feeding the world in the future.