Awarded Grants
Below is a listing of our awarded grants that tackle big food and agriculture challenges.

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29 Grants found

Decreasing pulmonary-associated mortality in feedlot cattle using refined case definitions and predictive analytics: emphasizing acute interstitial pneumonia and late day BRD

Lungs as a potential source and relationships of ruminal, colonic & fecal concentrations of fusobacterium necrophorum to liver abscesses in feedlot cattle

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Antimicrobial resistance & use tracking through swine production flows on farms in the upper Midwest of the US

Decreasing Pulmonary-Associated Mortality in Feedlot Cattle Using Refined Case Definitions & Predictive Analytics, Emphasizing Acute Interstitial Pneumonia & Late Day BRD

Metabolomic analysis of blood plasma to identify unique biomarkers indicative of liver abscesses

Associations between feeding & management practices of beef-on-dairy cattle from birth to harvest with liver abscesses

Promoting antimicrobial stewardship through improved understanding of how feedlot cattle are classified based on BRD risk

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Modeling for genomic, blood & microbiological markers for liver abscesses in fed beef cattle

Understanding liver abscess pathogenesis & risk-factors of feedlot cattle reared in conventional beef versus dairy management systems

ICASA: Defining the contribution of acidosis to the liver abscess complex using novel challenge model to delineate impacts of diet composition and feeding management on liver abscess pathogenesis

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Acoustic Monitoring to Support Mass Cattle Treatment Decisions

ICASA: Antimicrobial Use Monitoring and Benchmarking in U.S. Feedyards

ICASA: Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle; further delineation of the etiology and pathogenesis

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ICASA: Fecal microbiota transplant to reduce post-weaning diarrhea and antibiotic use

ICASA: Pathogen-host interaction during the development of liver abscesses; local and systemic immune and metabolic responses during Fusobacterium necrophorum challenges

Novel Strategies to Improve the Understanding of Liver Abscess Formation in Beef Cattle

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ICASA: Improving the efficacy of vaccination against mycoplasma hyosynoviae by identifying optimal application times

ICASA: Risk Factors for Lameness in Finishing Pigs

ICASA: Development of a non-invasive model to induce liver abscess formation in cattle

Development of Metrics to Identify Cattle Predisposed to Feedlot Heart Failure

The Real-time Pen-side Detection of Bovine Respiratory Disease by Chemical Analysis

Field-deployable biosensors for antibiotic stewardship

A rapid chute-side antibiotic resistance detection tool to improve antimicrobial stewardship and optimize risk management while controlling bovine respiratory disease

Predictive model development to promote science- based, strategic metaphylaxis administration in beef operations

Development of a science-based management strategy to reduce the use of antimicrobials in high-risk beef cattle

Evaluation of Dietary Tylosin Intake on Incidence and Severity of Liver Abscesses in Feedlot Cattle

A Development of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Vision and Internet of Things for Livestock Health Monitoring

Identifying potential causes of late-day bovine respiratory disease in high-performing feedyard cattle

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Decreasing pulmonary-associated mortality in feedlot cattle using refined case definitions and predictive analytics: emphasizing acute interstitial pneumonia and late day BRD 

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $1,223,474

Total award amount   $2,446,948

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   Colorado State University; Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC; Innovative Livestock Services, LLC.; Kansas State University, Mississippi State University; Nanostring; Texas A&M University; and Veterinary Research & Consulting Services, LLC.

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

This multidisciplinary research team is advancing 2024 ICASA research examining why some feedlot cattle develop deadly lung problems after getting bovine respiratory disease, and how to better predict which animals are at risk. Early findings from their ICASA project highlight patterns that could improve how the industry identifies and manages high-risk cattle. This award provides an additional year of research, bringing the total ICASA investment in the project to $4,893,893.

Lungs as a potential source and relationships of ruminal, colonic & fecal concentrations of fusobacterium necrophorum to liver abscesses in feedlot cattle 

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $101,983

Total award amount   $203,965

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   Cargill, Kansas State University & Yum! Brands

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

This project is investigating the bacteria that cause liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, a common and costly condition affecting animal health and production. By pinpointing the source of bacteria, the researchers aim to help producers better understand the cause of liver abscesses and determine novel targets for interventions.

Antimicrobial resistance & use tracking through swine production flows on farms in the upper Midwest of the US 

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $138,672

Total award amount   $277,344

Location   Pipestone, MN

Matching Funders   Merck, National Pork Board, PIC & Pipestone Research

Grantee Institution   Pipestone Research

This project is tracking antibiotic-resistant bacteria on Midwestern pig farms. The research team is testing pigs of different ages over time to observe how resistance changes as animals grow, and whether it is influenced by the timing and type of treatments. By understanding when resistance is most likely to develop, farmers can make more informed treatment decisions and improve antibiotic effectiveness.

Decreasing Pulmonary-Associated Mortality in Feedlot Cattle Using Refined Case Definitions & Predictive Analytics, Emphasizing Acute Interstitial Pneumonia & Late Day BRD 

Year Awarded  2024

FFAR award amount   $1,223,474

Total award amount   $2,446,948

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   Colorado State University, Innovative Livestock Services, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding K-State Mississippi State University, Nanostring, Texas A&M University and Veterinary Research & Consulting Services

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), commonly called “shipping fever,” is a serious animal welfare concern and costs U.S. ranchers about $900 million annually. BRD infected cattle generally die from late day pulmonary disease triggered by secondary bacterial diseases, like acute interstitial pneumonia. A multi-disciplinary team is researching how to prevent late day pulmonary disease from developing in these cattle to provide veterinarians and producers with information to make informed prevention and treatment decisions and help the beef industry use antibiotics more judiciously.

Modeling for genomic, blood & microbiological markers for liver abscesses in fed beef cattle 

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $633,462

Location   Lubbock, TX

Matching Funders   Genus ABS, Hy-Plains Feedyard, LLC, Texas Tech University, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Grantee Institution   Texas Tech University

Liver abscesses in cattle are a significant problem for beef and dairy cow producers, jeopardizing animals’ health and costing producers approximately $30 million annually. The condition occurs when bacteria cross from an animal’s gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream and accumulate in the liver. This research is investigating genetic markers and biomarkers that contribute to the formation of liver abscesses to allow producers to make more informed breeding and management decisions to reduce susceptibility in cattle and reduce reliance on antimicrobial treatments.

Understanding liver abscess pathogenesis & risk-factors of feedlot cattle reared in conventional beef versus dairy management systems 

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $600,340

Location   Canyon, TX

Matching Funders   West Texas A&M University

Grantee Institution   West Texas A&M University

Liver abscesses in cattle are a significant problem for beef and dairy cow producers, jeopardizing animals’ health and costing producers approximately $30 million annually. The condition occurs when bacteria cross from an animal’s gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream and accumulate in the liver. This research is evaluating liver abscess development in feedlot cattle reared in conventional beef versus dairy management systems to provide insight into liver abscess pathogenesis and identify biomarkers that assess the risk of liver abscessation.

Metabolomic analysis of blood plasma to identify unique biomarkers indicative of liver abscesses 

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $248,641

Total award amount   $497,282

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   Cargill, Kansas State University, Tyson Foods, United Animal Health

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

Liver abscesses in cattle are a significant problem for beef and dairy cow producers, jeopardizing animals’ health and costing producers approximately $30 million annually. The condition occurs when bacteria cross from an animal’s gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream and accumulate in the liver. This research is evaluating a comprehensive ‘biochemical fingerprinting’ in blood plasma collected from beef cattle with and without abscesses in the liver. Unique biomolecules in the blood of cattle with liver abscesses can help detect the onset and progression of liver abscesses and can aid evaluating antibiotic alternatives for prevention.

Associations between feeding & management practices of beef-on-dairy cattle from birth to harvest with liver abscesses 

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   300000

Total award amount   600000

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   Animal Welfare Consulting and Research, Cargill, Deer Creek Feeding, LLC, Hy-Plains Feedyard, LLC, Syracuse Dairy, Tyson Foods, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

Liver abscesses in cattle are a significant problem for beef and dairy cow producers, jeopardizing animals’ health and costing producers approximately $30 million annually. The condition occurs when bacteria cross from an animal’s gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream and accumulate in the liver. It is commonly controlled by treating entire groups of animals with antibiotics – including healthy ones – because it is difficult to determine which animals are infected. This research is evaluating the associations between feeding and management practices of beef-on-dairy cattle for which it is commonly believed the rate of liver abscesses is two to three times greater than beef cattle crossed with other beef cattle.

Promoting antimicrobial stewardship through improved understanding of how feedlot cattle are classified based on BRD risk 

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $124,948

Total award amount   $249,911

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   Kansas State University, Beef Marketing Research, Cactus Research, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Hy-Plains Feedyard, Innovative Livestock Services, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services, Zoetis

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

The livestock industry is plagued by bovine respiratory disease (BRD), an infectious condition that can spread through a herd and comprises an estimated 80% of antibiotic treatments. Kansas State University researchers are collecting data to improve understanding of how feedlot cattle are classified based on BRD risk. The data can be used to comprehensively assess health risks and interventions, and as a result, optimize health management strategies for specific cattle populations, improve animal well-being and encourage more efficient antimicrobial use.

Acoustic Monitoring to Support Mass Cattle Treatment Decisions 

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $50,000

Total award amount   $104,128

Location   Atlanta, GA

Matching Funders   Cactus Research, Ergense, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, McDonald’s Corporation, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services

Grantee Institution   Ergense Inc.

The livestock industry is plagued by bovine respiratory disease (BRD), an infectious condition that can spread through a herd and comprises an estimated 80% of antibiotic treatments. The standard procedure for cattle arriving at a feedlot is to isolate and observe them, after which workers decide if the entire pen should receive antibiotic treatment based on various animal health factors. To reduce treatment subjectivity, this research is developing an audio monitoring technique that uses machine learning to analyze acoustic signatures of animal vocalizations to inform the BRD treatment decision.