AgNext researchers continue their work exploring how the beef industry can improve planning and response to infectious disease outbreaks thanks to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). Through funds granted by the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, researchers will study foot and mouth disease (FMD) preparedness in beef systems. AgNext researchers Frank Garry, John Ritten, and Jason Lombard along with CSU social scientists James Hale and Jeni Cross, will work to discover how to remove barriers and incentivize adoption of preparedness measures for an outbreak of FMD in the different sectors of beef production.
This group of researchers will look specifically at which incentives may be most suitable for producers along the beef production cycle so they can best understand how to support adoption and implementation of biosecurity plans. The research team intends to engage directly with cattle producers, financial institutions, cattle transportation companies, allied industries, meat packing organizations, regulatory officials, veterinarians, livestock markets and auctions, and extension educators.
The AgNext team will host FMD listening sessions that explore barriers and incentives that affect motivation to adopt preparedness measures across the production system. The outcome of this project will be a collection of incentive pathways that could be used to motivate beef industry participants to adopt preparedness measures such as enhanced biosecurity and cooperation as cattle move through the supply chain.
This project focuses on the long-term impacts of FMD preparedness plans that could ensure improved resiliency of our food system. Researchers are looking to help producers participate in a preparedness plan for their operation.


Jenn "JR" Rieskamp
Head of Strategy and Communication