On May 16, 2019, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) blueprint, published in “Frontiers and Genetics,” will serve as a guide for research and funding in animal genomics for 2018-2027 that will facilitate genomic solutions to enable producers to meet increasing future demands for animal products by a growing world population.  The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute for Food and Agriculture and Iowa State University teamed up with federal, academic and industry scientists to publish the blueprint titled, “Genome to Phenome: Improving Animal Health, Production and Well-Being.” A previous blueprint, which covered 2008-2017, met many of its goals.

To develop the blueprint, ARS, NIFA and animal genomics experts convened a workshop, which was supported by Iowa State University through a grant from NIFA. During the workshop, experts in three categories—”Science to Practice,” “Discovery Science” and “Infrastructure” generated new objectives for characterizing the microbiome, enhancing the use of gene editing and other biotechnologies and preserving genetic diversity. Goals in the previous plan were updated within many genome research topics.

The blueprint addresses precision genomics—matching management to the genetic potential of the animal. This effort was successful thanks to a collaborative network of scientists from ARS, land-grant universities, genetics companies, breed associations and biotechnology companies, said NIFA National Program Leader Lakshmi Matukumalli.