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Animal
And Alternative Livestock
Research Team
Team Mission
The Animal,
Poultry and Alternative Livestock Research Team at Tennessee State
University has a statewide, nationwide, and worldwide mission to explore
alternative livestock for small scale farmers and to enhance sustainable
animal agriculture enterprises through research and education.
Team
Overview
Animal
agriculture in Tennessee and the nation is diverse, with farmers and
ranchers raising traditional livestock as well as considering
non-traditional livestock alternatives. The thrust of this team is to
address issues concerning breeding, nutrition, basic physiology,
production, management, and marketing of traditional and alternative
livestock and conducting research activities of relevance to the economy
of Tennessee and the nation. Research efforts in the area of
non-traditional alternative livestock include guinea fowl and goats. Our
research activities in traditional areas are represented by beef cattle
and chickens. Specific goals of the team are based on the following
concerns: 1) the desire for alternative meats is increasing because of
increasingly diverse U.S. consumer demographics; 2) the need for
alternative enterprises to replace tobacco, a major cash crop in
Tennessee, because the demand for tobacco products is declining; 3) the
limited acreage typically found on small farms affect the economic
viability of agricultural enterprises; and 4) increasing concern over
management practices that could compromise the safety of livestock
products and public health.
Team Objectives
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To enhance adoption
and economic viability of meat goat and guinea fowl by limited
resource farmers and to improve their income generation. |
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Evaluate economic
impact and marketing strategies for the goat industry in Tennessee. |
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Conduct applied and basic research in meat goat nutrition and
evaluate various forage systems for meat goat production. |
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Assess metabolic
indices in meat goat and beef cattle consuming endophytic tall
fescue to identify mechanisms through which ergopeptine alkaloids
linked to fescue toxicosis reduce productivity in these farm animals. |
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Characterize the
extent of genetic variation among meat goat breeds for economically
important reproductive, growth, and fitness traits. |
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Optimize nutrient
requirements and management practices for improving reproductive and
production efficiency of the guinea fowl. |
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Contribute to
Tennessee State University’s efforts in promoting excellence in
research through publications, seeking extramural funding for
research, and in training students. |
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Overview