Production efficiency and animal well-being will be enhanced through integrated systems research. The Southern Region farm gate value of animal commodities accounts for approximately one-sixth of the U.S. agricultural gross national product. This farm gate value will increase because the Southern Region has geographic factors that favor diverse animal production systems, including aquaculture and other new exotic animal enterprises. Because of its relative complexity, animal agriculture in the Southern region has a special need for systems research involving broader coalitions of disciplinary research encompassing a holistic approach to problem solving. This includes research related to animal production systems that embrace animal health, nutrition, genetics, feed and forage production, waste management, food safety, and human nutrition.
Special emphasis is placed on environmental, economic, and social issues.
Much of production research has shifted from individual disciplinary studies to integrated systems studies where the interaction between the various components are defined. New knowledge and technology are generating systems that will provide the opportunity for producers to optimize returns, be more friendly to the environment, and provide the potential to enhance the quality of animal products and animal well-being. Efforts to map the animal genomes are progressing and will accelerate genetic development of livestock and aquatic species. Modern biotechnology, derived from human health research, is providing enhanced diagnostic methods and immunological techniques for improved animal health. Increased investment has occurred to objectively assess and improve animal well-being.