ASI Provides Feedback to ARS
April 21, 2006 -- The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) along with many other stakeholders from animal agriculture met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to review research that has been conducted during the 2001 to 2006 cycle and to provide planning advice for the 2007 to 2011 research cycle. ARS strives to improve production efficiency of individual components which are often realized in the total system, leading to sustained food animal productivity and profitability.
The two primary ARS sheep research stations (Clay Center, Neb. and Dubois, Idaho) have provided valuable and usable animal science research to the industry.
Under the leadership of ASI?s Production, Education and Research Council chair, Lyndon Irwin, Ph.D., ASI reported guidance and recommendations for future research endeavors as a result of a half-day, small ruminant breakout session at the workshop. The three priorities include:
- further investigation into the issue that reproductive efficiency limits profitability;
- characterize genetic variations among breeds, animals within breeds and alleles in distinct production environments; and
- investigate suboptimal nutrient intake, utilization and partitioning.
?We are very pleased with the quality of research ARS has conducted for the sheep industry and believe the research is justified,? commented Irwin. ?With the year-on-year growth the industry has just experienced, we strongly encourage continued sheep industry research with focus on these three broad priorities.?
Other participants from the sheep industry were David Greene, Maryland producer, and Paul Rodgers, ASI?s deputy director of policy.
Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 303-771-3500
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