5) Multistate scientific papers and industry articles will be prepared to summarize results of studies across stations.
6) Publications, both scientific and non-technical, genomic data bases, and bio-informatics tools will be further disseminated by internet (e.g. through the US Swine Genome Coordinator newsletter, Pig Genome Update, and various web sites). Links to these sites from other sites commonly accessed by scientists and producers, e.g., National Swine Improvement Federation, National Pork Board, will be developed. A committee member will be appointed to gather electronic files of appropriate publications or data and to work with web-site managers to keep postings current and accessible.
7) In alternate years beginning with year 2 of the project, industry representatives will be invited to attend committee meetings. Industry representatives will be invited to interact with the committee, hear discussion of the project, see demonstrations as appropriate, give committee members industry input, review the effectiveness of the committees outreach program, and to offer suggestions for improvement. To facilitate and coordinate this outreach component, one committee member will be designated as the industry liaison.
8) Most participants are involved in outreach programs, either through formal extension responsibilities or as speakers at industry field days and conferences. Much of the data generated in this project will require testing and validation in industry herds. As it becomes apparent which technologies have potential for application, members will work with stakeholders to develop testing, validation and implementation projects. Opportunities for this outreach component will be reviewed annually at committee meetings and coordinated outreach projects will be developed.
9) Ample research training opportunities will exist under this project at each of the institutions at the graduate and post-graduate levels, as well as for undergraduate students. Special efforts will be made to target under-represented groups. Specifically, a bio-informatics learning facility will be established at NCAT through a USDA 1890 capacity grant, which will enable outreach to under-served communities and training of students from under-represented groups. Other collaborative training efforts will be developed, for example, NE and NCAT recently submitted a CSREES Higher Education Challenge Grant entitled: "Integrated Undergraduate Learning Experiences in Animal Biotechnology". This includes undergraduate internships in biotech extension and outreach, as well as undergraduate corporate iternships with several pig breeding/genomics companies.