Alabama Livestock Research Report 2024

The livestock industry continues to be a foundation of the state’s agricultural economy, supporting communities, driving innovation, and providing high-quality animal protein for a growing population. Cattle are produced in every county and cattle production represents a $2.5 billion industry in Alabama. With significant contributions from hay, poultry, pork, dairy, and goat production, our animal agriculture sector remains strong, dynamic, and essential. In a recent impact assessment for Alabama agriculture and forestry, the economic contribution of Alabama’s food, fiber, forestry, and green industries was $77.3 billion and 273,271 jobs, which accounts for 10% of Alabama’s workforce. As global demand for high-quality animal protein continues to rise, so do the challenges facing our producers. Innovative, targeted research is needed to ensure the long-term efficiency and resilience of food animal production systems. The Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University remains committed to meeting these challenges. Our faculty, staff, and students continue to develop collaborative, multidisciplinary research and extension programs that support producers and consumers. They are engaged in cutting-edge work that spans nutrition, genetics, reproduction, meat science, animal health, and beyond. We are committed to developing tools and knowledge that not only improve production efficiency but also strengthen the long-term sustainability of Alabama’s livestock systems. It is with great excitement that we introduce the third edition of the Alabama Livestock Research Report. This publication continues our goal of sharing impactful research and outreach conducted by our department, on campus and through our affiliated experiment stations. Inside these pages, you will find highlights from ongoing projects, updates from the field, and insights into the ways we are working alongside producers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to shape the future of animal agriculture in Alabama. We are proud to share this report with you and grateful for the support of our funding partners and stakeholders who make this work possible. Most of all, we thank the faculty, staff, and students whose efforts and curiosity drive the progress you will read about here. We invite you to engage with this work, ask questions, share ideas, and join us as we continue to serve Alabama’s livestock industry through research, education, and innovation. This is our work. Sincerely, Kim Mullenix, Ph.D. Professor and Head Department of Animal Sciences 210 Upchurch Hall, Auburn Univ, AL 36849 [email protected]