Project Description
Ruminant animals (e.g. cattle, sheep, goats) have an unambiguous characteristic: they can convert human-inedible resources (e.g. cellulose) into animal products (e.g. milk and meat) for human consumption. Humankind have benefited from this symbiotic relationship with ruminant animals since prehistoric times. When adequately managed, grazing-ruminant ecosystems can be a sustainable and efficient method of producing high-quality protein with reduced environmental impacts in both developed and developing countries. Because of their anatomical evolution (rumen) and their ability to adapt to diverse environment (clime, soil, and vegetation), they inhabit virtually all regions of the world. Humans of all socio-economic and socio-cultural strata have in one way or another relied on ruminant animals for energy and/or protein consumption, wool, and draft power. This relationship has sometimes led to extreme production systems due to economy-of-scale factors in some countries. Such systems may cause irreversible damages to the environment and long-term human well-being. Therefore, appropriate management of ruminant animals is essential to enable long-term, sustainable continuation of this symbiotic relationship within acceptable animal welfare criteria. Education is the first step!
Globalization has imposed changes in economic and political arenas. Certain restrictions by the European Union concerning the use of antibiotics for animal production (including ruminant production), the increase in the demand for red meat in Asian markets, and the spread of worldwide diseases (e.g. BSE – Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy also known as “mad cow” disease) have resulted in new opportunities for efficient production of ruminants in different parts of the world. Brazil and the US together have the largest commercial herd of ruminant animals in the world (http://www.fao.org). Therefore, a production alliance between these two countries is extremely desirable to control and to secure commodity trades worldwide.
A successful Brazil-US production alliance can be achieved through the “Ruminant Production in the 21st Century” project by understanding technical, socio-economic, and environmental differences and strategic possibilities between these countries. Through this project, we will enhance and expand efforts in undergraduate and graduate education to enhance language and cultural understanding, and minimize technical and economic disparities between these countries. This educational exchange between the US and Brazil is imperative to prepare leaders and extend the frontiers of knowledge in sustainable animal agricultural production. Brazil-US business partnerships have increased considerably in the last five years. For instance, in 2007, JBS (Latin America’s largest beef processor, Brazilian owned company) acquired US-owned Swift (the world’s third-largest processor of fresh beef and pork products) and other packing companies in the US, Uruguay, and Australia; JBS Swift (http://www.jbsswift.com) became the largest beef processor in the world. Similarly, major multinational companies based in the US involved in seed, fertilizer, agrochemicals, and animal genetics and feed have large presence in the Brazilian market (e.g., Monsanto, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Cargill, Mosaic). By working with such companies and being aware of their human resource needs, this program will enhance the career opportunities for our students by preparing them not only with technical expertise but also with Portuguese and English language capabilities and an in-depth understanding of Brazilian and US cultures. This proposal uses a framework whereby faculty and students from the institutions travel from their home institution to one of our partners to study, work, or conduct research.
