ILIFT Focus Areas

The Focus Areas

Each focus area has an emphasis on partnering with existing research efforts (C-FAR and industry sponsored), use of campus (U of IL and SIU faculty), and field expertise (U of IL Extension), and delivery of results using IL TRAILL (Illinois livestock web based delivery system). Each focus area is summarized below.

Focus 1. Livestock Facility Siting in Illinois.
Illinois livestock facilities that are modernizing or expanding face important factors including state requirements for manure handling, information for local officials and consumers that impact community acceptance, positive impact on communities, and economic considerations (tax income and job creation). With available land resources for nutrient management, by-product and feed inputs for livestock consumption, and large consumer base; livestock facilities can revitalize rural communities and add value to cropping enterprises.

Focus 2. Using Illinois By-Product Feeds in Livestock Feeding Programs.
Ethanol by-product feeds will be abundant in Illinois as new plants come on line. Wet and dry distillers grain can be used successfully in beef, dairy, and swine (limited extent) reducing feed costs while utilizing locally produced by-products from the Illinois corn industry.

Focus 3. Pasture-Based Forage Systems to Sustain Illinois Livestock Producers.
Livestock producers (beef, dairy, sheep, and horses) have developed renewed interest in low input forage based feeding systems that utilizes high quality intensive managed pasture systems with residual forages as alternative winter feeds to lower producing costs, reduce soil losses, and impact water quality. Over one million acres of land are suitable for pasture production. Lower feed costs can allow small and modest sized farm operations to compete and maintain a sustainable farm system.

Focus 4. Animal Identification for Enhanced Food Quality and Monitoring Livestock Health.
Animal identification is emerging as a critical concern for producers, processors, and consumers. Progressive producers see the benefit of individual animal monitoring and ID as production systems continue to increase in scale. Processors see the advantage of individual ID to ensure quality control of meat products from a composition and food safety standpoint. Consumers are increasingly interested in the source of their meat, milk and poultry, and are often willing to pay more for source-identified products. Therefore a simple, effective system to permanently identify animals from birth to market is needed to meet these demands.