U of M Awards Rapid Agricultural Response Funds to Combat Bovine TB
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (7/17/2008) – Seven research projects focused on providing answers about bovine tuberculosis (TB) have received $386,000 of special funding from the University's Rapid Agricultural Response Fund. The projects focus on filling knowledge gaps in the state's fight against bovine tuberculosis.
The discovery of bovine TB in cattle and deer led to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) downgrading Minnesota's federal status and Minnesota cattle producers facing new federal testing requirements. The University of Minnesota is an active partner working with the Board of Animal Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and other state agencies to reduce the impact of bovine TB on livestock producers.
"Bovine TB poses a serious economic threat to Minnesota livestock production and requires a team effort," said Beverly R. Durgan, Dean, University of Minnesota Extension and Director, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. "This funding will help provide research-based answers to questions about how to control this disease." Leaders from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University reviewed the proposals and made funding recommendations.
"We are committed to wiping out bovine tuberculosis in cattle and deer as quickly as possible and returning our state to TB-free status," said Joe Martin, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and coordinator of the state effort to eradicate the disease. "It will be very helpful to have more information about the disease and how we can most effectively fight it."
The research projects begin immediately and are focused on these key areas:
- Reducing the spread of bovine TB between deer and cattle;
- Evaluating bovine TB testing strategies;
- Testing winter feed practices that may reduce bovine TB transmission;
- Providing Minnesota specific information on how bovine TB spreads;
- Analyzing the economic impact of bovine TB;
- Providing Minnesota producers information about bovine TB; and
- Managing spayed heifers in feedlots.
The Rapid Agricultural Response Fund was created by the Minnesota Legislature to address urgent agricultural and natural resource industry issues. Each year the Minnesota Legislature provides the University more than $1 million for the program. Other currently-funded projects primarily focus on crop issues and other animal diseases. Details on the projects recently funded and all Rapid Agricultural Response Fund projects can be found at www.rapidresponse.umn.edu
For information on bovine TB, call 1-877-MN TB FREE (668-2373) or visit www.mntbfree.com.
Contacts:
Beverly R. Durgan, Dean, University of Minnesota Extension and Director, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station 612-624-2703
John Byrnes, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 612-625-4743