University of Florida research projects aid agriculture industries
The University of Florida’s Department of Animal Sciences faculty works closely with industry groups including several livestock associations, Florida Farm Bureau, and others to develop educational programs for their members. Schools, institutes, demonstrations, short courses, and field days are some of the activities resulting from the programs. Extension activities are viewed as a responsibility of the entire department, and faculty contributes to these activities. The Department of Animal Sciences Meat Science Research program is regularly supported by grants from the Florida Beef Council. The meats faculty partners with faculty at Florida A&M University and other departments to cooperate in research.
The meats research efforts address the needs of the Florida producer and meat industry, with projects dealing with beef, quality of crossbred carcasses and meat processing. Dr. Chad Carr and Dr. Dwain Johnson, professors in the Department of Animal Sciences, recently submitted a proposal to Adena Meats on validating the shelf life of fresh ground beef. The objectives of the research proposal were to quantify the color, shelf-life, and microbial soundness of ground beef subjected to industry standard dark storage and aerobic overwrap packaging.