C-FAR Connection - Fall 2009

              IN THIS ISSUE:
Illinois Livestock SRI .....................................................................1
Chairman Hicks: C-FAR and the Appropriation ....................2
Giant Cane Research ...................................................................6
Websites to Watch .......................................................................7
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research • Vol. 11, No. 3, Fall 2009
C-FAR
CONNECTION
ILLINOIS LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INITIATIVE LIFTS INDUSTRY
In 2003, C-FAR launched a strategic research initiative (SRI)
focused on addressing the economic and social challenges facing
Illinois’ livestock industry. Today nearing completion, the research
initiative called Illinois Livestock Integrated Focus Teams (IL LIFT)
has generated an array of management tools and informational
resources that are aiding Illinois livestock operations. University of
Illinois Extension dairy specialist Michael Hutjens has provided
leadership for the SRI, which has been a collaborative effort of faculty
and extension specialists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois
livestock producers, and State of Illinois agencies.
“It is important to recognize the signifi cant contributions made by
our beef, dairy, sheep, and pork producers to Illinois’ economy,” said
Hutjens. “Our goal through this C-FAR research initiative has been to
develop and share information that allows Illinois livestock producers
to successfully compete nationally and worldwide in a sustainable and economic environment.”
The SRI has focused on four areas of research: livestock facility siting in Illinois, using Illinois coproduct feeds
in livestock feeding programs, evaluating Illinois forages used in pasture-based systems, and animal identifi cation for
enhanced food quality and monitoring livestock health. The following results have been realized from this multifaceted
research effort.
Livestock Facility Siting in Illinois
As Illinois livestock facilities modernize and expand, they must meet state and federal requirements for manure handling,
water and air quality protection, and good environmental stewardship in general. Awareness of the regulations usually
THE ILLINOIS LIVESTOCK INTEGRATED FOCUS TEAMS
STRATEGIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE HAS BEEN CRITICAL TO
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
CURRENTLY ASSISTING ILLINOIS’ LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY.