Collaborating with Texas A&M University (USA) on research to enhance productive efficiency of beef cattle in tropical environments

• Grant number: 21/08857-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos
• Grantee: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos
• Visiting researcher: Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke
• Visiting researcher institution: Texas A&M University, United States
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

During the proposed program (01/01/2022 to 31/12/2022), Dr. Reinaldo Cooke will be primarily associated with research projects conducted in collaboration with UNESP-FMVZ and funding partners from the State of São Paulo. These projects include "Supplementing ômega-6 fatty acids to Beef cows during the breeding season: impacts on reproductive and productive responses", "Administration of a bovine appeasing substance (BAS) to beef females during artificial insemination protocols: effects on temperament and fertility responses", "Administration of BAS to beef cattle prior to shipping to slaughter: effects on carcass quality", and "Supplementing narasin to Nelore heifers during gestation to optimize their growth and productivity as primiparous cows". Dr. Cooke's participation is critical for the development of these efforts due to several reasons, including elaboration, supervision, interpretation, and publication of results (due to his vast experience in cattle productive and reproductive management), sample collection, laboratorial analyses (samples will be analyzed in Dr. Reinaldo Cooke's laboratory in partnership with academic institutions from the State of São Paulo), as well as planning for future research efforts based on the results acquired from these projects. During the proposed program, Dr. Cooke will teach 2 graduate courses at UNESP-FMVZ that are included in the curriculum of this program, will participate of qualifying/defense exams of his graduate students at UNESP-FMVZ, and will be available to join such exams from other students and academic institutions. It is important to mention that Dr. Reinaldo Cooke received a funding from FAPESP (2012/16856-9; 2014/19485-7; 2016/18216-8), which resulted in several research articles and abstracts, technology/information exchange among academic institutions from the US and State of São Paulo, as well as teaching and outreach activities. However, these previous programs were of short duration (less than 3 months) and completed 5 years before the program proposed herein, when Dr. Cooke was still associated with Oregon State University. Hence, the proposed program differs significantly from the previous program due to the extensive body of research/experience generated by Dr. Cooke in his new institution (Texas A&M University) and for having a longer duration (12 months), which will amplify the scientific output, exchange of knowledge, and benefits to the State of São Paulo resultant from this program. (AU)