FUNDING THE FUTURE

COLLEGES RECEIVE USDA GRANT FOR NON-LAND-GRANT COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

by CCA Association Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California State University, Chico and the University of Wyoming have received grant funding from the USDA Capacity Building Grants for Non-LandGrant Colleges of Agriculture Program (NLGCA). The grant itself will allow these colleges to fund research, education and outreach programs that will focus on bull development. At Cal Poly, the grant will help fund undergraduate and graduate students, the beef outreach program and help purchase much needed equipment for the betterment of the Cal Poly’s Bull Test Facilities.

“One of my first tasks as a graduate student at Cal Poly, was helping to research and write this grant,” shares animal science graduate student Jordan Williams, San Luis Obispo.

Williams, who completed his undergrad at the University of Wyoming, shared that his decision on where to attend graduate school played into the drafting of the grant. Before he even set foot onto San Luis Obispo’s campus, Williams was figuring out which grant to pursue, what Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department was envisioning for the future of the Cal Poly Bull Test and identifying what to include in the grant proposal.

One of the main objectives of the research program is to use molecular biology to evaluate semen quality of bulls in Cal Poly’s Bull Test. Specifically, the research will investigate the influence of the microbiome and metabolic mechanisms that may influence semen quality. Students will also conduct behavioral assessments of bulls chute-side and in the bull pens to evaluate any behaviors potentially associated with dominance, such as mounting of other bulls.

Overseen by his graduate advisor, Zachary McFarlane, Ph.D., San Luis Obispo, Williams wrote the majority of the project narrative, coordinated with other students on creating graphics to illustrate what the research funds would go towards and planned how the grant would be utilized at the college beef facilities. The grant proposal also included coinvestigators from the three colleges with different specialties.

The grant currently in the works is also funding William’s thesis which involves two components of looking at reproductive physiology in yearling and mature beef bulls from a molecular biology standpoint.

With this research, he is utilizing two different disciplines of molecular biology, looking at the reproductive metabolome and microbiome. Studies in humans and many other animals indicate that the

ON PAGE 52 microbiome and changes in metabolic mechanisms can influence fertility. These insights have helped develop some of the research objectives in the McFarlane lab.

“The grant means a lot to me, to have it be my first job as a graduate student and to receive it on our first try,” Williams said. “I have learned so much from this process that I’m going to carry with me into my future career.”

In the coming years, the goal is to create an exchange program between the three universities enabling students to participate in each college’s programs through research and hands-on activities. A program such as this will also allow students to observe livestock in different production systems and environments and see the production practices that each of these colleges follow. “This grant is a huge learning opportunity for students at Cal Poly, Chico and the University of Wyoming,” Williams said.

The University of Wyoming is forming a bull test of their own and will serve as a great opportunity for students from other universities such as Cal Poly and Chico to observe bulls in high-altitudes and learn how that factors into genetics and fertility. The same holds true for the students at Wyoming who will visit and see the production practices in California. McFarlane said, “The opportunity for students to learn about different production practices can help them in their future careers. Beef production does not take a one-size-fitsall approach to management. Students need to learn that beef production is dynamic, and this experience will help them adapt to the challenges of beef producers in different areas of the country.”

Hard work from those who drafted and submitted the proposal for the USDA NLGCA will open doors for so many deserving animal science students. However, the funds from the grant will also benefit those who buy and consign bulls to the Cal Poly Bull Test.

Past bull test manager and animal science student Jason Dubowsky, San Luis Obispo, explained that one third of the grant will go towards purchasing C-Lock SmartFeed systems for the Cal Poly Bull Test. These automated feeders will enable students to observe feed intake and feed efficiency with the bonus of feeding behavior. The data collected will provide keen insights for bulls participating in the test and improve the service that Cal Poly provides to the beef industry. “Feed efficiency is a trait that is absolutely vital for us to collect at the Cal Poly Bull Test. With persistent drought conditions throughout the United States, it is crucial that we select for these traits moving forward,” McFarlane says. Jeff Clark, another past bull test manager, has served as the sales representative for these feeders aiding in the advancement of the bull test. Clark recently spoke at the Cal Poly Bull Test Field Day prior to the sale about the future of feed efficiency and the Cal Poly Bull Test.

“This grant honestly means everything,” Dubowsky shares. “It’s a dream come true and is allowing undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to further examine, learn about and conduct extensive research on the bulls at Cal Poly.”

With the wheels in motion, eager advisors and students, the next step for the grant is to continue to pursue support from university administration to work towards implementing the objectives identified. “This is a monumental experience for young beef producers and I will forever be a supporter of it,” Williams said. Stay tuned to the Cal Poly Bull Test’s social media pages for updates as they approach bull delivery in early May.