February 2, 2024
Veterinary scientists amass $673,589 in food agriculture research grants
The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture, or ICASA, recently announced three grants for Kansas State University veterinary researchers, through the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, or FFAR. The animal agriculture industry is committed to doing its part to lessen antimicrobial resistance and ensure antibiotics are effective for people and animals.
Natalia Cernicchiaro, associate professor, and David Renter, MacDonald professor, both in the department of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, received $124,948 grant to improve understanding of how feedlot cattle are classified based on bovine respiratory disease risk. These researchers, both with the Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology at K-State, are gathering information from industry stakeholders on current practices and knowledge gaps related to antibiotic metaphylaxis administration for bovine respiratory disease.
Additionally, Cernicchiaro and Renter are designing a survey of feedlot managers, veterinarians and other decision-makers to establish what information is used to classify bovine respiratory disease risk and animal treatment. These data can be used to comprehensively assess health risks and interventions, and as a result, optimize health management strategies for specific cattle populations. The outcomes of this research will improve animal management and well-being, give more accurate information about cattle health risks for bovine respiratory disease and encourage more efficient antimicrobial use. K-State, Beef Marketing Group, Cactus Research, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Hy-Plains Feedyard, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services and Zoetis provided matching funds for a $249,911 investment.
Raghavendra Amachawadi, associate professor of food animal therapeutics in the department of clinical sciences, received a $300,000 grant to evaluate the associations between feeding and management practices of beef-on-dairy cattle, a beef production system that uses beef cattle semen to breed dairy cows. The practice increases the value of dairy calves, as beef-on-dairy calves have feedlot performance, carcass quality and meat quality attributes similar to conventional beef cattle. Although no published data currently exist, it is commonly believed that the rate of liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy cattle is two to three times greater than beef-on-beef cattle. The research team is planning to conduct a comprehensive analysis of feeding and management practices to determine their associations with and timing of liver abscess development. An understanding of the epidemiology of liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy cattle can identify opportunities and interventions to reduce antibiotic use.
Matching funds were provided by Syracuse Dairy, Animal Welfare Consulting and Research, Deer Creek Feeding, LLC and ICASA partners Tyson Foods, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services, LLC, Hy-Plains Feedyard, LLC and Cargill for a total $600,000 investment.
T. G. Nagaraja, university distinguished professor of veterinary microbiology in the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department, received a $248,641 grant to evaluate a comprehensive "biochemical fingerprinting" in blood plasma collected from beef cattle with and without abscesses in the liver. Unique biomolecules in the blood of cattle with liver abscesses can help detect the onset and progression of liver abscesses and can aid evaluating antibiotic alternatives for prevention.
Matching funds were provided by K-State and ICASA partners Tyson Foods, Cargill and United Animal Health for a total $497,282 investment.