By 2050 the world's population is projected to grow by one-third, reaching between 9 and 10 billion. With globalization and expected growth in global affluence, a substantial increase in per capita meat, dairy, and fish consumption is also anticipated. The demand for calories from animal products will nearly double, highlighting the critical importance of the world's animal agriculture system. Meeting the nutritional needs of this population and its demand for animal products will require a significant investment of resources as well as policy changes that are supportive of agricultural production. Ensuring sustainable agricultural growth will be essential to addressing this global challenge to food security.

Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability identifies areas of research and development, technology, and resource needs for research in the field of animal agriculture, both nationally and internationally. This report assesses the global demand for products of animal origin in 2050 within the framework of ensuring global food security; evaluates how climate change and natural resource constraints may impact the ability to meet future global demand for animal products in sustainable production systems; and identifies factors that may impact the ability of the United States to meet demand for animal products, including the need for trained human capital, product safety and quality, and effective communication and adoption of new knowledge, information, and technologies.

The agricultural sector worldwide faces numerous daunting challenges that will require innovations, new technologies, and new ways of approaching agriculture if the food, feed, and fiber needs of the global population are to be met. The recommendations of Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability will inform a new roadmap for animal science research to meet the challenges of sustainable animal production in the 21st century.

Contents

• THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
• Committee on Considerations for the Future of Animal Science Research
• Preface
• Abbreviations and Acronyms
• Summary
  • THE COMMITTEE'S TASK
  • COMMITTEE'S APPROACH TO THE TASK
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
• 1. Introduction: Overview of the Challenges Facing the Animal Agriculture Enterprise
  • CHALLENGES TOWARD THE YEAR 2050
  • COMMITTEE'S APPROACH TO THE TASK
  • DEFINING AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
  • THE ROLE OF AND NEED FOR R&D IN ANIMAL SCIENCES
  • STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT
  • REFERENCES
• 2. Global Food Security Challenge: Sustainability Considerations
  • FUTURE DEMAND FOR ANIMAL PROTEIN
  • 20th CENTURY EXPANSION IN PRODUCTIVITY
  • THE WAY FORWARD
  • CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY
  • THE PREDICAMENT OF SUSTAINABLE ANIMAL AGRICULTURE
  • REFERENCES
• 3. Animal Agriculture Research Needs: U.S. Perspective
  • INTRODUCTION
  • RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
  • REFERENCES
• 4. Global Considerations for Animal Agriculture Research
  • INTRODUCTION
  • REFERENCES
• 5. Capacity Building and Infrastructure for Research in Food Security and Animal Sciences
  • INTRODUCTION
  • REFERENCES
• 6. Recommendations
  • Overarching Recommendations
  • Recommendations for U.S. Animal Agriculture
• A Committee on Considerations for the Future of Animal Science Research
• B Statement of Task
• C Glossary
• D Key Strategies Involving Animal Agriculture Being Focused on by USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE)
• E USDA ARS Proposed FY 2015 Priorities
• F Animal Health Priorities from a 2011 USDA NIFA Workshop
• G Results of a USDA ARS- and NIFA-Sponsored Workshop on Animal Health
• H Summary of NOAA/USDA Findings on Alternative Feeds for Aquaculture
• I Goals for Priorities Identified by the EU Animal Task Force
• J USDA NIFA Investment in Animal Science by Species (Subject of Interest)
• K Animal Science Investment by Knowledge Area
• L USDA ARS Animal/Agriculture Research FY 2010–FY 2014

This study was supported by a grant from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation under award number OPP1097068, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Pork Board, Tyson Foods, Inc., the U.S. Department of Agriculture under award number 59-0208-2-169, and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.