Purdue University has secured three grants totaling over $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
These grants, part of the Animal Nutrition, Growth, and Lactation Program, aim to advance research on cattle and swine health. The funding, alongside a broader investment of $13 million, will support critical studies in the field.
One project led by Jon Schoonmaker, an associate professor of animal sciences at Purdue, focuses on understanding the effects of nontherapeutic antibiotics on intestinal health in cattle.
The team will examine microbial populations, their metabolites, and the overall impact on the animals' well-being. The research aims to develop effective alternatives to antibiotics, reducing their use and the associated risks of antibiotic resistance.
Jonathan Pasternak, along with John Radcliffe from the University of Kentucky, will investigate nonpathogenic factors that influence thyroid hormones in pigs.
By studying the cause-and-effect relationship between hormone levels, growth, and development, the research team aims to improve management practices and treatments to enhance production efficiency in swine.
Rafael Neves, an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and his team will focus on identifying the relationship between skeletal muscle metabolism and ketosis in dairy cows.
Ketosis is a metabolic disorder with substantial economic implications for the dairy industry. The research seeks to uncover the role of skeletal muscle in energy balance and explore potential solutions to mitigate the impact of ketosis.
These projects, supported by the USDA grants, will significantly contribute to advancing livestock health and production practices.
By understanding the underlying mechanisms and exploring alternative approaches, researchers aim to improve animal welfare, reduce antibiotic use, enhance production efficiency, and address metabolic disorders in livestock.
Photo Credit: Perdue University
Categories: Kentucky, Livestock