UF animal scientists receive federal grant to try to increase beef cattle reproduction
UF animal scientists receive federal grant to try to increase beef cattle reproduction
from UF/IFAS
by Brad Buck
Florida’s ranchers raise 895,000 head of adult beef cattle, a sector that directly contributes $511 million in sales revenues to the state and supports an additional $215 million in sales revenues for other industries throughout the state’s economy, according to the most recent estimate by UF/IFAS researchers.
A University of Florida scientist and his colleagues are trying to help ranchers produce beef more consistently by helping them improve their herd’s reproductive performance.
“We anticipate finding tools that beef producers can use to increase pregnancy success in cow-calf operations,” said Mario Binelli, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of animal sciences. “Because reproductive efficiency is key to competitive beef cow-calf operations, new strategies and tools generated through successful completion of our proposed research are expected to contribute directly to long-range improvement and sustainability of U.S. agriculture and food systems.”
Binelli recently received a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study ways to make sure embryos thrive in cattle uteri.
He will get help on the research project from Philipe Moriel, an associate professor at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center and Peter Hansen, a distinguished professor in Gainesville.
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