Vision Statement:

The vision for this national program is to furnish scientific information about biotechnologies and management practices that ensure an abundant supply of competitively priced animal products. 

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Food Animal Production Program is to:1) safeguard and utilize animal genetic resources, associated genetic and genomic databases, and bioinformatic tools; 2) develop a basic understanding of the physiology of livestock and poultry; and 3) develop information, tools, and technologies that can be used to improve animal production systems, all to ensure an abundant, safe, and inexpensive supply of animal products produced in a healthy, competitive, and sustainable animal agriculture sector of the U.S. economy. 

This National Program mission follows from the USDA/ARS Strategic Plan (see http://www.ars.usda.gov/aboutus/docs.htm?docid=1766) which, in turn, is directed towards achieving goals mandated by the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area Strategic Plan and the USDA Strategic Plan (see  http://www.usda.gov/ocfo/usdasp/usdasp.htm). 

The research components of this program include:

• Understanding, Improving, and Effectively Using Animal Genetic and Genomic Resources.
• Enhancing Animal Adaptation, Well-Being and Efficiency in Diverse Production Systems
• Measuring and Enhancing Product Quality