USDA Invests $17.6 Million in Groundbreaking Research to Protect Animal Health and Strengthen the Food Supply!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has made a substantial investment in the future of agricultural animal health, awarding $17.6 million for cutting-edge research. This funding, aimed at advancing the health and welfare of livestock, is part of the USDA’s One Health initiative, which takes an integrated, collaborative approach to safeguarding the health of people, plants, animals, and ecosystems.
“NIFA’s investment is crucial to ensuring the health and welfare of agricultural animals, which is integral to a sustainable and resilient food system,” said NIFA Director Manjit Misra. “Healthy livestock are not only more productive but also less likely to spread diseases that can impact both human and animal populations.”
Research Focused on High-Priority Animal Diseases
Among the 37 projects funded, $12.7 million has been allocated to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Diseases of Agricultural Animals program, which supports research to maintain whole-animal health. These projects focus on disease prevention, control, and the development of vaccines for critical animal diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and African swine fever (ASF).
HPAI continues to be a significant threat to animal health, trade, and the global economy. ASF, though not a risk to human health, has the potential to devastate the U.S. swine industry and food supply if it were to spread within the country. Key research projects include:
University of Georgia researchers are developing mass vaccination strategies for a common subtype of HPAI, which could lead to breakthroughs for other respiratory viruses affecting poultry and livestock.
MIT scientists are designing ASF vaccine antigens, aiming to create a vaccine that will control the disease and protect domestic and wild swine.
University of Missouri researchers are working on developing more effective vaccines for swine influenza, with the potential to reduce both animal and human flu infections.
Addressing Climate Change and Animal Welfare
In addition to disease prevention, $4.8 million has been awarded to 10 projects under AFRI’s Welfare of Agricultural Animals program, which focuses on improving animal welfare in agricultural production systems, especially in the face of climate change.
Researchers at Purdue University are studying heat tolerance in ducks, aiming to develop breeding strategies and guidelines to enhance the resilience of poultry against rising temperatures—a critical long-term solution to climate change's impacts on poultry farming. Meanwhile, the University of Vermont is investigating how early-life management in dairy calves affects their long-term behavioral development and stress responses, offering insights that could improve care standards and boost the longevity of dairy cattle.
USDA’s Commitment to a Sustainable Food System
These investments are part of a larger USDA commitment to protecting human, animal, and environmental health, while also ensuring a safe and resilient food system. The research supported by NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)—the nation’s largest competitive grants program for agricultural sciences—reinforces USDA’s dedication to addressing critical agricultural challenges.
“These projects reflect the USDA’s proactive approach to not only protecting animal health but also supporting biodiversity, sustainable land use, and improved food security,” added Director Misra.
As these research efforts advance, the potential benefits extend far beyond the agricultural community. Whether through disease prevention, animal welfare improvements, or climate change adaptation, the USDA’s investment in animal health research is poised to strengthen the food system for generations to come.
