Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was held virtually and in cooperation with the NCAC6 Animal Science administrators.  The Chairs of the two groups started the meeting with individual introductions from Cliff Lamb (Chair of SAC-2) and Cling Krehbiel (Chair of NCAC6).

Administrative Advisors for both groups were present and provided reports and comments relative to their regions and valuable to all members involved (Mike White of the NC group and Hongwei Xin of the S group).

Notably, Mike White commented that there are some concerns that some projects lack true collaborations. Although good work is being conducted, it appears that the project is serves as resource for reporting on personal program accomplishment rather than a venue for fostering true multistate collaboration. This sentiment was largely agreed upon by members of both Sections.  Mike asked that project administrative advisors and Chairs/Heads provide guidance on this topic and promote collaborations and proper reporting of collaborations among projects. To this end, Mike suggested that projects include a section in their annual report that highlights multistate collaborations, such as joint publications, grants, and symposia.

Clint Krehbiel, Chair of NCAC6, guided the group through a review of each of their projects (information not included in this report).

Cliff Lamb, Chair of SAC-2, guided the group through a review of each of the Southern Region projects.

S-1074

Future Challenges in Animal Production Systems: Seeking Solutions Through Focused Facilitation

Monitor: Todd Applegate

Administrative Advisor: Elizabeth Parker

Todd Applegate reported very positive progress, from a truly multi-disciplinary & national group (encompassing plant/soil, ag & bio engineers, economists, animal scientists, & social scientists). The group has been successful in obtaining NSF funding via the water/energy/food nexus. The NIMMS lists 28 faculty, with publications from the 2020 report listing 22 publications. The group meets approximately monthly for targeted discussions (virtually), as well as with targeted break-out groups. Concerns are only related to specific progress to objectives (as they had been written), but are they are productive none-the-less. While funding into environmental and sustainability has waned in recent years – they are poised well for future funding opportunities.

Todd Applegate made motion to recommend approval to continue project

Neal Schrick seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously

S-1076

Fly Management in Animal Agriculture Systems & Impacts on Animal Health and Food Safety

Monitor: Charlie Rosenkrans

Administrative Advisor: David White

Charlie Rosenkrans reported that S1076 concluded their third year with a meeting in January 2021, and due to timing of the evaluation, their third report had not been posted at NIMSS.  Therefore, the review is based on their 2019 and 2020 annual reports and material posted on the official S1076 NIMSS site (https://www.nimss.org/projects/18522).  Both annual meeting minutes/reports were informative.  The project committee is commended for embracing a wide range of participants including research scientists from academia and USDA, Extension scientists, and industry partners and scientists.  The group has developed an outstanding website hosted on wix ( https://www.veterinaryentomology.org/s1076-project ).  That website includes excellent information and is presented in a very logical and public-friendly manner.  That site clearly demonstrates the project participants commitment:  having been awarded the “Excellence in Multistate Research Award” for their previous version of the project.  One of the expectations of a multistate project is that the project participants actually work together to solve the proposed questions and to develop educational materials as a team.  Group S1076 has succeeded at both of those goals.

While the group appears to be collaborative and productive, the official site and annual reports were lacking critical information.  The review committee would like to read clearly stated accomplishments and impacts for each of the five project objectives.  Neither the 2019 nor the 2020 report included those sections.  In addition, the review committee would like to see the annual list of publications associated with each objective of the project.  And finally, the wix website is outstanding, but for the ease of reviewers (department chairs/heads, upper administrators, USDA personnel, and legislative staff) we recommend that an active weblink to the wix site be prominently shown on the NIMSS site.

Charlie Rosenkrans made motion to recommend approval to continue project

Clint Rusk seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously

S-1081

Nutritional Systems for Swine to Increase Reproductive Efficiency

Monitor: Dave Gerard

Administrative Advisor: Bob Godfrey

Dave Gerard reported on S-1081.  This project meets in conjunction with NCCC42 Committee on Swine Nutrition (13).  The current objectives are to: 1) determine the effects of boron supplementation on sow reproductive performance; 2) determine the effect of phytogenic feed additives on sow reproductive performance; and 3) determine the effect of altered gestational feeding of sows on sow productivity and longevity as well as offspring robustness. They always meet shortly after the first of the year, this year January 5-6 2021.  Collectively, this has been historically quite a productive group.  At the same time, S-1081 is maturing and the importance of the topic may be waning, at least in this region.  In fact, there has only been a few publications over the past several years.  The project expires in 2023.  I move the project be continued/approved.

Dave Gerard made motion to recommend approval to continue project

Charlie Rosenkrans seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously

SCC-81

Sustainable Small Ruminant Production in the Southeastern US

Monitor: Ralph Noble

Administrative Advisor: Bob Godfrey

Cliff Lamb provided oral report for Ralph Noble.  The project has 2 more years remaining. Ralph comments that the satisfactory progress is being made.  Nine institutions and 25 individual participants are involved (9 Institutions = 6 from 1890’s institutions, 2 from 1862 institutions and 1 ARS Station). In the past reporting cycle, the project listed 18 peer-reviewed publications, 39 abstracts and/or proceedings and 1 book chapter.  Ralph Noble believes the project is serving an important purpose and is successful.  He recommends support for continuation.

Cliff Lamb made motion to recommend approval to continue project on behalf of Ralph Noble

Richard Coffey seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously

SCC-84

Selection and mating strategies to improve dairy cattle performance, efficiency, and longevity

Monitor: John Arthington

Administrative Advisor: Bob Godfrey

John Arthington reported on SCC-84. The project held their annual meeting virtually on November 12, 2020 with 13 participants from 10 institutions (1 international). For the last year, the project reported a total of 39 publications.  Many of these involved multistate collaborations. Kent Weigel commented that the project has existed through many renewals. He suggested that it had recently been reinvigorated with new participants and new collaborations. He was enthusiastic about its future. From their report, the major impacts of this SCC84 group are be summarized as follows: (i) development and implementation of national genetic evaluations for new traits, (ii) development of crossbreeding rotations for dairy farm profitability and feed efficiency, (iii) better understanding of the genetic control of health traits for calves and cows, (iv) improvement in genomic evaluation for future traits, and (v) training of graduate student in dairy cattle genetics.  Collaborated with the National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP) Dairy Committee, Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL), and the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) to improve genetic variation of dairy and optimize economic merit indices.

John Arthington made motion to recommend approval to continue project

Charlie Rosenkrans seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously

SERA-41

Improving Production Efficiency of the Beef Cow Herd in Southern Forage-Based Systems

Monitor: Neil Schrick

Administrative Advisor: David White

Neil Schrick reported that the project is mid-cycle (2019-2024). He indicated that the project continues to be Extension strong. Two symposia planned for the combined ASAS-SSASAS meeting this summer (2021). This group typically is responsible for developing two symposiums for the SSASAS meeting: (1) Kunkle Interdisciplinary Beef Symposium, and (2) SERA 41 Symposia. Other activities continue to be the Mid-South Stocker Conference, etc. Neil commented that the project has several new members and looking to increase membership. Should be continued with additional emphasis placed on promoting research activities. Officers addressed the research need during their meeting a few weeks ago (January 25, 2021) and the need for additional research faculty to join. Admin advisors also discussed this issue. Their strength is definitely Extension but growth in research is expected with new faculty joining the group.

Neil Schrick made motion to recommend approval to continue project

Mike Looper seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously

S-1086

Enhancing Sustainability of Beef Cattle Production in the Southern and Central US through Genetic Improvement

Monitor: Mike Looper

Administrative Advisor: Bob Godfrey

Mike Looper reported that Multi-State Project S1086 is a new rewrite (October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2024) of the former project S1064, Genetic improvement of adaptation and reproduction to enhance sustainability of cow-calf production in the Southern United States , which terminated in September, 2019). Mike reports that the project committee is commended for embracing a wide range of 14 participants from six land grants and Agricultural Experiment Station, University of the Virgin Islands.  The annual meeting for 2020 scheduled in Georgia was canceled due to COVID and no virtual meeting occurred.  He suggested that, while the group appears to be collaborative and productive from the previous project (S1064) termination report, the group did not provide a report of any activities or accomplishments for 2020. The review committee recognizes 2020 was a difficult year for all but requests the group confirm it plans to continue as a regional project group. The review committee assumes the S1086 group wishes to continue as a regional project; however, it recommends communicating with the administrative advisor for clarification on continued efforts.

Cliff Lamb made motion to recommend approval to continue project with the condition that a strong message be sent to members asking them to organize, recruit members, and form meaningful, productive collaborations.

Charlie Rosenkrans seconded motion

Cliff Lamb called for vote of members

Motion passed unanimously