U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Northeast Area
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        
                Northeast Area Cities

                    Washington, D.C.
                            Newark, Delaware
                            Boston, Massachusetts
                            Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC)
                            Beltsville, Maryland (BARC)
                            Frederick, Maryland
                            Orono, Maine
                            Geneva, New York
                            Ithaca, New York
                            University Park, Pennsylvania
                            Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
                            Kearneysville, West Virginia
                            Leetown, West Virginia
                            Burlington, Vermont


                    Civil Rights & EEO Policy StatementsSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Northeast Area Docs USDA History Exhibit







1910-1919headline bar   Dairy herd improvement program begins keeping detailed records of milk output and other characteristics used to decide breeding management. During the first 10 years, average yearly milk production increases from 5,354 pounds to 6,637 pounds per cow. Today, milk production of cows in the program has increased more than fourfold.Sewell Wright is considered one of the founders of the science of population genetics. His pioneering work leads to dramatic improvements in domestic livestock.The Dairy Barn (Building 167) is built in 1913. This is the first building at Beltsville and is the site of the first research activity. Land is acquired in 1919 at Glenn Dale, MD for the Plant Introduction Station commonly known as Bell Station.Discovered that trichinae, which causes trichinosis, can be reduced in pork by proper refrigeration, leading to new, effective meat inspection control measures.During WWI, scientists fulfill an Army request to improve the wool output of sheep, important for soldiers and consumers in a time before synthetic fibers. Animal husbandry is also responsible for selective breeding of stallions used to sire horses suited for use by the Army. Research on homing pigeons is also conducted. A major food problem - the short shelf life of butter- is solved when researchers show that the traditional use of sour ripened cream shortens the shelf life of butter compared to using pasteurized sweet cream. This basic process is still in use today.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov