C-FAR Connection - Fall 2007

              IN this ISSUE
Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research
Connection
Vol. 9, No. 3, Fall 2007
C FAR
Illinois Livestock Industry Strengthened through Strategic Research
C-FAR Research: Access and Transparency...................... 2
Improving Health of Illinois Vineyards............................... 4
Ethanol Plant Water Recycling........................................... 5
Get to Know a C-FAR Member............................................ 6
Water Quality Forum........................................................... 7
C-FAR Day at ISU................................................................. 7
Websites to Watch.............................................................. 7
Continued on page 3
Illinois’ livestock industry has a total economic impact of
$3 billion and directly employs about 30,000 individuals.
Although the industry has experienced decline over the
past 30 years, recent data indicate that the rate of decline
has slowed, and, in fact, many new hog, dairy, and cattle
operations are being built or expanded throughout the
state. To assist in strengthening Illinois’ livestock industry,
C-FAR launched a strategic research initiative (SRI) in
2003 called Illinois Livestock Integrated Focus Teams
(I-LIFT). Michael Hutjens, professor of animal sciences at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC),
provides leadership for the SRI.
“Increasing livestock numbers has been a priority
for the major commodity groups in Illinois, in which we
have worked cooperatively through the Illinois Livestock
Development Group (ILDG),” said Jim Kaitschuk,
executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers
Association. “Livestock is essential for the future viability
of agriculture and rural communities in our state. This
research will compliment the ongoing efforts of the
ILDG and provide additional knowledge and resources to
support a growing livestock industry in Illinois.”
The I-LIFT SRI is comprised of four focused
initiatives investigating livestock facility siting, use of
distillers grains in livestock diets, integration of animal
grazing systems into a conventional crop rotation system,
and animal identification for enhanced food quality and
monitoring livestock health. Recent reports submitted by
researchers indicate the following progress.
Livestock Facility Siting in Illinois
The objectives of this initiative are to access compliance
with state regulations by current Illinois livestock facili-ties,
determine reasons and obstacles for noncompliance,
and assist livestock producers in improving compliance
and maintaining positive relationships in their local
communities and beyond.
Researchers completed an on-farm survey of Illinois
swine farms to access their manure nutrient management
plans and practices. Survey findings were incorporated
into an Illinois livestock producer certification program.
During the past year, 11 manure management workshops
MICHAEL HUTJENS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
PROVIDES LEADERSHIP FOR THE ILLINOIS LIVESTOCK
STRATEGIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE.