PARSIPPANY, N.J., December 5, 2024 鈥擹oetis announced it has entered a collaboration with Colorado State University鈥檚 AgNext to advance research in sustainable animal production. Together, Zoetis and AgNext are poised to shape the future and set new standards for sustainable management practices using animal health and genetic data.
鈥淏eef and dairy producers currently define sustainability as healthy animals that are more productive and are therefore more resource-efficient and sustainable animals, which is true. However, specific benchmarks and data have been elusive in the industry,鈥 said Dr. Mike Lormore, Head of U.S. Cattle and Pork Technical Services for Zoetis. 鈥淭his research will allow us to obtain specific data to establish baselines and eventually to help producers, veterinarians, and nutritionists make more informed decisions to meet sustainability goals.鈥
The collaboration strives to close data gaps on technology and management practices that can enhance the efficiency of livestock production while ensuring the well-being of animals and addressing the industry’s evolving sustainability needs. The first study is focused on establishing baseline greenhouse gas emissions that reflect an industry-typical production environment聽for fed cattle and accounts for the standard health treatments animals typically receive.
The second study is a lifecycle assessment of beef and dairy production systems to support industry knowledge of the effect animal genetics and animal health interventions like vaccination and parasite control have on sustainable beef and dairy production.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) found that improving animal health can increase livestock productivity and welfare, and ultimately help farmers mitigate emissions and contribute to climate solutions.
“By leveraging animal health technologies and expertise at Zoetis and Colorado State University, we aim to increase the understanding of improved management to sustainability using this animal health data,鈥 said Dr. Kim Stackhouse Lawson, Director of AgNext. 鈥淭his will enable us to develop strategies that enhance animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and economic efficiency for livestock producers.”
鈥淶oetis鈥 animal health experience and genetic capabilities combined with AgNext’s expertise in advancing sustainability in the beef and dairy industries through their impactful research to improve animal health, productivity, and environmental stewardship, strengthens this collaboration,鈥 said Shari Westerfeld, Vice President, Sustainability Customer Engagement at Zoetis. 鈥淭his collaborative agreement demonstrates our commitment to support farmers, ranchers and producers in meeting their goals to raise healthy animals, to sustainably provide nutritious foods and meet the growing protein needs of the world’s population, now projected to grow to approximately 10 billion people by 2050.”
To learn more about sustainability efforts from Zoetis and AgNext, visit Zoetis聽听补苍诲听.
About Zoetis
As the world鈥檚 leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide 鈥 from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. The company鈥檚 leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $8.5 billion in 2023 with approximately 14,100 employees. For more information, visit聽.
