FAIR 2012FAIR 2012: Final Synthesis and Introduction <strong>of</strong> PrioritiesAt the culmination <strong>of</strong> a yearlong effort to develop a national forum<strong>of</strong> scientists, educators, industry personnel, health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, andgovernmental representatives, we find that the premise for findingconsensus on research, educational, and outreach priorities remainsremarkably similar to that identified in a similar exercise undertakenin 1998 and published in 2002 (FAIR, 2002). At that time, the focuswas on scientific animal agriculture, competitive farmers and ranchers,safe and nutritious food, improved animal health, and enhancedenvironmental stewardship. In 2002, these needs motivated a call forenhanced public investment in research and education to fuel the“creation <strong>of</strong> industries and export pr<strong>of</strong>its that sustain communitiesand rural economies across the country” (FAIR, 2002). The sights in2002 were clearly focused on US agricultural issues.The stakes in 2012, however, and the arena in which those stakeswill play out, are vastly different from those identified in 2002.Then, the US economy was strong and growing, and the UnitedStates was the leading exporter <strong>of</strong> animal protein to the rest <strong>of</strong> theworld. Since then, the worldwide economy has faced tremendouschallenges. Although the United States is on pace to have recordexports <strong>of</strong> animal protein in 2012, the country no longer leads inall major categories <strong>of</strong> animal protein exports. At the same time,other countries have expanded their exports and taken a prominentplace on the world agriculture stage. The world population reached7 billion recently, and global projections suggest 9 billion people by2050—an astronomical number that will double the need for foodand increase competition for limited resources.That competition, in combination with climate change, loss <strong>of</strong> biodiversity,and degradation <strong>of</strong> resources (Foley et al., 2011), will bejuxtaposed against the survival <strong>of</strong> the planet itself, and so publicinvestment in research and education is more critical than ever.Pardey and Alston (2010) make a compelling case for agriculturalproductivity research based on rate <strong>of</strong> return (benefit:cost ratios <strong>of</strong>up to 20:1), reduction <strong>of</strong> food production costs, and greater accessto food by the poorest people, who spend the greatest proportion <strong>of</strong>their income on food. Foley et al. (2011) suggest a number <strong>of</strong> scenariosby which increased food production and decreased environmentalharm from agriculture can co-exist; and Foley (2011) proposes afive-step plan by which we can achieve food production goals whilereducing environmental damage. Clearly, the sights in 2012 must befocused globally.In considering these issues and the provocative talks and discussionsthat occurred at FAIR 2012, game changers are clearly needed as wepropose research priorities for the next decade and beyond. Fundingfor agricultural research has stagnated due to budgetary challengesand a lack <strong>of</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> the importance <strong>of</strong> food and the environment.A breakdown in the interconnectedness between livestockand crop production could easily have a disruptive and game-changingimpact on public health and societal well-being. Climate change,catastrophic weather events, governmental breakdowns, overzealousprecautionary regulations, war, and other societal upheavals arepotential contributors. Globally, we are all in this together and weneed to ensure that the linkages do not break; the United States musttake a lead role in this.Another major determinant <strong>of</strong> future success will be our ability topush the frontiers <strong>of</strong> science. We must challenge our fellow scientiststo make new discoveries that will lead to significant advancesin meeting the expected demand for meat and dairy products by2050. We must attend to the pipeline at both the undergraduateand graduate levels to ensure that we meet the scientific and leadershipneeds for the future. A much deeper understanding <strong>of</strong> animalbiology and postmortem processes, coupled with rapid translation<strong>of</strong> revolutionary breakthroughs that leads to swift development andimmediate adoption <strong>of</strong> new technologies, is necessary to keep ourplanet healthy and meet the increasing global demand for animalfood products.Recent work on residual feed intake (RFI) provides evidence <strong>of</strong> substantialvariation among animals in the efficiency with which theyuse dietary energy, as well as evidence that selection can increaseenergetic efficiency. We need to understand the underlying physiologymore fully and use that understanding as a guide in applyingappropriate genetic selection. This comes with two caveats: (1)animals must not become more efficient by becoming fatter; and(2) selection for low RFI may adversely affect immune function.Many vaccines are less effective than we would like them to be, andadvances in vaccinology could lead to more effective vaccines. Thisis important in the United States but perhaps even more importantin the developing world. It may also be especially important in aquaculture.Some applications may not be related to diseases: a currentexample is immunocastration, but there may be other approaches touse vaccines to alter physiology and productivity.A balanced approach to funding and conduct <strong>of</strong> research is alsoneeded. Currently, with the creation <strong>of</strong> the National Institute <strong>of</strong>Food and Agriculture (NIFA), huge multidisciplinary grants are theorder <strong>of</strong> the day. Although multidisciplinary and transdisciplinaryresearch is critical, not all sound research adapts easily to the currentformat for proposals. Funding streams should be considered,and increased funding for agriculture research by agencies other thanthe USDA is imperative. With the historical rate <strong>of</strong> return (20:1)on investment in agricultural research, the USDA must examine itsfunding structure and ensure that the maximum return on investmentis not impeded by governmental restrictions.4
FAIR 2012ReferencesFAIR (Farm <strong>Animal</strong> Integrated Research). 2002. <strong>Animal</strong> Productsfor the Next Millennium—An Agenda for Research and Education.http://www.fass.org/fair2002.pdf. <strong>Animal</strong> Agriculture Coalition,Washington, DC, and <strong>Federation</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Animal</strong> <strong>Science</strong> <strong>Societies</strong>,Champaign, IL.Foley, J. A. 2011. Can we feed the world and sustain the planet? Sci. Am.305:60–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican1111-60.Foley, J. A., N. Ramankutty, K. A. Brauman, E. S. Cassidy, J. S.Gerber, M. Johnston, N. D. Mueller, C. O’Connell, D. K. Ray,P. C. West, C. Balzer, E. M. Bennett, S. R. Carpenter, J. Hill, C.Monfreda, S. Polasky, J. Rockström, J. Sheehan, S. Siebert, and D.Tilman, and D. P. M. Zaks. 2011. Solutions for a cultivated planet.Nature 478:337–342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature10452.Pardey, P. G., and J. M. Alston. 2010. For want <strong>of</strong> a nail:The case for increased agricultural R&D spending. AmericanBoondoggle: Fixing the 2010 Farm Bill. Accessed April 19, 2012.http://www.aei.org/AmericanBoondoggle.5
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