Animal Health
Animal health plays a vital role in agriculture. Animals, both domestic livestock and wild, face many health risks, including inadequate nourishment, disease, and yes like humans, stress. Healthy animals are more productive and tend to cost less to maintain on farms and lands.
Here at ARS, we take the health of animals very seriously. Animals on our farms are cared for daily by experienced staff and veterinarians, many of whom were raised on a farm or ranch and cared for animals all of their lives. ARS researchers who specialize in animal health deliver scientific information and tools to detect, control, and eradicate animal diseases that impact agriculture and public health. Important to ARS research efforts are diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. To monitor and assure healthy animals, ARS research focuses on animal feeding and nutrition, and we look at biological markers and signs that can be used to improve animal health.
Check out our research projects below:
In This Section

How Can an App Beef Up Cattle Production?
A team of ARS researchers is developing a web-based tool that will help cattle producers select the best bull for their herds.
Learn more
Fish the Desert? Farm the Inner City?
Aquaponics is an innovative blend of aquaculture and hydroponics.
Learn more
Seaweed: It’s Not Just for Sushi Anymore
Seaweed farming is the fastest growing sector of American aquaculture and ARS scientists can help farmers cash in.
Learn more
Can Seaweed Lessen Climate Change?
ARS scientists are exploring how a seaweed species could potentially reduce methane emissions in livestock production.
Learn more
Reducing Ammonia Pollution from Cows
Red clover as a feed ingredient to help cows excrete less ammonia into the environment.

ARS Helps Fill Nets with Better Salmon
The National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center has been improving America’s Atlantic salmon for nearly 20 years.
Learn more
ARS Efforts to Boost Oyster Production
An ARS scientist in Rhode Island has joined a team of researchers working to restore oysters.
Learn more
Fly Frass Forms Fabulous Fish Food
ARS researchers have developed a feed supplement that increases the weight of fish and helps keep them healthy.
Learn more
Using Clay to Fight Fish Disease
ARS scientists have unearthed a natural material that helps prevent a deadly fish disease.
Learn more
Eat Fish! Which Fish? That Fish! Go Fish!
Scientists are studying ways to lower the cost of farming fish while improving omega 3 content and fillet quality.
Learn more
Check Out Our Cool Map
Use our interactive map to find out what revolutionary research is being conducted in your state.
Take a Look