Beef cattle research in the next decade

Priorities for research in beef cattle are proposed in the areas of nutrition, breeding, reproduction and health. Research in nutrition should be concerned with enhancing utilisation of cellulose and non-protein nitrogen. Cattle breeding projects should concentrate on the synthesis of genotypes suited to specific environments, while in the area of reproduction, wastage remains the most important problem. Improvement of diagnostic tests and vaccines would result from intensified research into subcellular function of causative organisms. Major contributions to animal health could emanate from studies of the genetic basis of disease resistance. The very small number of veterinarians employed in animal production research tends to deprive health of its proper place as a central feature of production.