Urgency to Address Infrastructure in Animal sciences-A Preliminary Report

Abstract The purpose of the ASAS Public Policy Committee (PPC) is to help ASAS shape public policy and public opinion on current issues affecting farms and companion animals. PPC sets goals to make federal agencies aware of the scientific expertise and resources available within ASAS that could be used to develop science-based federal policies affecting poultry and livestock production. Recent reports point to a poor state of agricultural facilities at public colleges of agriculture which puts research priorities related to adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, food safety, zoonotic disease preparedness, animal populations and their care, diet-health, nutrition, biosecurity, new biobased packaging, energy innovations, and advanced market analysis at risk (APLU, 2021). To ascertain input specific to the Animal Sciences (AS), an IRB approved ‘Survey About Infrastructure in Animal Sciences’ (#22-495) was offered by the PPC to department heads and faculty of Animal Science programs across the country. The survey instrument was constructed to allow open-ended responses as well as 5-point Likert scale questions regarding participants views about infrastructure (IF) and thereby learn what members closest to the animal sciences community perceive to be the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement in our research infrastructure. Analysis of coded responses in the open-ended questions among varied disciplinary arenas within AS revealed ‘facilities’ as the largest Grand Challenge. About 98% of respondents affirmed sustainable food and animal production is a critical national asset in terms of economic growth and development and 98% indicated an overlooked maintenance of IF in AS undermines national food security. Additionally, 68% indicated the state of core labs, at least for AS programs are only average or below. All respondents (100%) agreed that without comprehensive investment in infrastructure within AS, the USA will continue to fall behind in competing with other countries in areas of research. Study results provided insight into potential consequences of deferred maintenance which should elevate awareness of urgency to address the deficiencies. Since IF needs included future workforce development and working environments, an eroded IF and consequences of deferred maintenance threatens the capacity of AS to pursue Grand Challenges in research and ability to create future workforce readiness of graduates from AS programs.