The Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA) will invest $2.6 million in 2019 to support research and outreach that directly benefits the animal agriculture industries, according to an announcement from Michigan State University.

The initiative’s primary goals are to address short- and long-term critical industry priorities linked to sustainability, including managing antibiotic resistance, curbing infectious diseases, improving animal welfare and boosting environmental stewardship, the announcement said.

“I’m proud that, as we enter the fifth year of M-AAA, we’ve been able to collaborate successfully with the animal agriculture industries and the state of Michigan to offer timely, valuable information and potential solutions to critical issues,” said George Smith, associate director of Michigan State University AgBioResearch and associate dean for research in the university's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. “On behalf of the M-AAA leadership team, I want to thank the state of Michigan for its third consecutive year of financial support for M-AAA and the commodity organizations for their continued commitment to the program.”

Michigan State said 20 projects were chosen for funding in 2019. Grants are awarded in one of three categories: research, extension or seed funding.

“We really value the ability to help direct university research toward issues that are affecting farmers today,” said Mary Kelpinski, chief executive officer of the Michigan Pork Producers Assn. “Serving as one of the reviewers allows me the opportunity to make sure the funded research proposals are benefiting today’s farming needs and future challenges. Farming has changed over the years, and we need to continue to find ways to raise more food in a safer, more sustainable manner to feed our growing populations.”

Among the funded projects are:

* Michigan State Extension meat quality education Jeannine Schweihofer is examining shelf-life and packaging concerns associated with uncured, vacuum-packaged meat products. The objective is to increase efficiency for processors, enabling the production of larger batches of products while reducing the time and resources expended.

* Maninderpal Singh, an assistant professor in the Michigan State department of plant, soil and microbial sciences, is leading the first project to receive joint funding from M-AAA and Project GREEEN (Generating Research & Extension to meet Economic & Environmental Needs), which operates a competitive grants program similar to M-AAA for research and outreach within plant agriculture.

Singh is seeking to improve the management of ear rot and fungal contamination of corn silage, a valuable feedstuff for cattle, swine and poultry. Contamination can result in health challenges for these animals.

* Elizabeth Ferry, a Michigan State Extension educator, is using M-AAA funding to provide outreach and training on emergency response preparedness for accidents or emergencies that involve livestock. First responders often don’t have the training or equipment to handle livestock trailer accidents. This training will help first responders know what equipment is needed and how to use it to safely and humanely move livestock.

“The dedicated funding drives more targeted research to address Michigan-specific issues,” said Ron Bates, director of the Michigan State Extension Agriculture & Agribusiness Institute. “M-AAA improves our ability to quickly and effectively communicate these research results back to Michigan farmers in forms they can use to improve their farm businesses.”

A complete list of 2019 projects is available at maaa.msu.edu/projects.

M-AAA is a partnership among the Michigan animal agriculture industries, Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, the College of Veterinary Medicine, AgBioResearch and Extension.

M-AAA, which began in 2014, includes following industry organizations: Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, Michigan Cattlemen’s Assn., Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Horse Industry, Michigan Meat Assn., Michigan Milk Producers Assn., Michigan Pork Producers, Michigan Sheep Breeders Assn., Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (associate member).

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