Issues Facing Researchers1'2 MARY ANN OTTINGER3 and THOMAS SEXTON4 Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 and USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center-East, Beltsville, Maryland 20705 ABSTRACT Agriculture research spans the spectrum from fundamental to applied research. Researchers in agricultural fields must compete successfully with scientists in their field of research for funding during a time of diminishing resources. In addition, there are pressures on agricultural researchers within their institutions and at the state and national levels that often differ from pressures on scientists in fields other than agriculture. In order to be successful, the poultry scientist must compete for funds, keep current in a rapidly advancing technological environment, and attempt to meet the needs of the poultry industry. (Key words: poultry research, research funding, research directions, flexibility, technological environment) 1992 Poultry Science 71:1322-1324
INTRODUCTION
RESEARCH FUNDING
Table 1 presents the overall changes in funding for poultry research when compared with funding for total agriculture and total animal research. Over the last 10 yr, the proportion of research funding for agriculture that has gone to poultry research has remained constant. It has remained at 3% of the agricultural research dollar and 15% of the agricultural research dollar that goes into animal research. Within animal research, the percentage of funding that has gone into disease versus production research has also stayed constant. It is interesting to look at the research support in dollars per scientist relative to Received for publication August 14, 1991. consumer consumption per capita (Table Accepted for publication March 31, 1992. 2). Poultry has the highest consumption Presented at the 1991 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting in College Station, TX 77843 in Panel with 88 lb (40 kg) per capita, followed by beef, dairy, swine, and sheep. Of these II: Issues in Research. Scientific Article Number A6247, Contribution commodities, the research support for Number 8416 of the Maryland Agricultural Experi- poultry is the lowest. Highest funding was ment Station (Department of Poultry Science). for swine, followed by dairy, beef, and 3 University of Maryland. 4 sheep. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
Complex pressures face researchers in today's world. Today's researcher in agricultural disciplines must compete successfully for funding in many arenas, retain competence in technological advances, interact with a number of disciplines, and be effective in instruction and service to the industry. Poultry scientists traditionally have shown high productivity with relatively modest funding and transfer scientific advances to the industry in the field. These complex pressures and issues will be examined in detail.
1322
1323
SYMPOSIUM: ISSUES IN RESEARCH TABLE 1. What has happened to the poultry research dollar, 1979 to 1989
Category Total agricultural research dollar Total animal research dollar Distribution within animal research Disease Production
Percentage of total budget 3% 15% 39% 61%
RESEARCH DIRECTIONS As mentioned earlier, the researcher is under complex pressures (Figure 1). Major pressures are exerted by the needs of industry, particularly in dealing with their most pressing problems. In addition, the research priorities set by federal and state agencies, which are then reflected in areas targeted for support within the university or research station, determine in large part the research that is "fundable" at a particular time. The area of training is a determining factor in directions that individuals choose to follow during their careers. This may be in spite of the potential for funding of these areas. Departmental resources and the resources of the research unit are critical to provide a base for the research program of an
Industry Needs
TABLE 2. Research dollar support versus product consumption, 1989
Commodity
Dollars per scientist year (1,000)
Poultry Beef Dairy Swine Sheep
226 247 259 282 238
Consumption per capita
($)
(kg) 40 30.5 22.7 27.3 .9
investigator and often are a determining factor in the ability of a researcher to collect preliminary data and keep a steady, relatively high level of productivity. Finally, the nature of the researcher's appointment will affect the amount of time and effort he or she puts towards research. For example, the type and amount of research will differ in individuals having proportionally high extension appointments as opposed to research and teaching appointments. This, in turn, will affect the possibilities for funding and the relative possibility for productivity associated with concentration of effort. In es• sence, the researcher is constantly shifting to accommodate moving targets in the form of keeping up with cutting edge technology and remaining competitive for research funding. Research and Extension constitute a continuum within which the discipline
The Research
Continuum
Level of support
Extension
Research -zTLT"
Researcher Industry applications
Departmental resources
Field Trials
,
_, n
A p p l l e d
Research
Priorities
Biology. F o o d Technology, Nutrition, Economics, Engineering
FIGURE 1. Researchers face complex pressures from internal, external, and discipline-based sources.
Basic research
„ . ,. . , B l °te*™'w
Area of Training
Fundable Research Industry Needs
u
R e s e a r c h
State and Federal Support
Competitive Grants
Influencing Factors
FIGURE 2. Agricultural research spans a continuum from applied to fundamental research. Many factors influence this continuum.
1324
OTTINGER AND SEXTON
WHAT
A R E WE?
RESEARCH IN THE FUTURE
Figure 3 looks at researchers today. Many researchers have trained in traditional areas of poultry science. However, Food Safety International Trade Further P r o c e s s i n g as advances in technology occur, researchForeign Markets ers in poultry science are rapidly changPoultry Science ing, not only in name, but also in the Behavior. Genetics. Instruction. essence of what they do. This provides Food Technology, Immunology. Management. Nutrition, Physiology them tremendous advantages for the presBiomedical ent and future in that they have or need to Applications acquire the flexibility and tools to move Germplasm forward rapidly. Cryopreservation In summary, poultry scientists should FIGURE 3. Poultry sdentists are researchers in look forward to the challenges of the numerous fields, which are often interdisciplinary in balancing act that everyone needs to nature. master for successful competition. However, as long as the future is approached with flexibility, success will be within reach. Poultry scientists must not limit themselves out of the market. Rather, they areas reside (Figure 2). Pressures exerted should present themselves well and let on researchers force this continuum to their accomplishments be known in all become interrupted and in the process scientific circles, not just poultry science. cause a loss of the information flow from Poultry scientists can build upon what the more fundamental sciences towards they already have and position themselves for a strong future. application. Gene R e s e a r c h and A p p l i c a t i o n s
Ornithology Conservation
INTRODUCTION
RESEARCH FUNDING
Table 1 presents the overall changes in funding for poultry research when compared with funding for total agriculture and total animal research. Over the last 10 yr, the proportion of research funding for agriculture that has gone to poultry research has remained constant. It has remained at 3% of the agricultural research dollar and 15% of the agricultural research dollar that goes into animal research. Within animal research, the percentage of funding that has gone into disease versus production research has also stayed constant. It is interesting to look at the research support in dollars per scientist relative to Received for publication August 14, 1991. consumer consumption per capita (Table Accepted for publication March 31, 1992. 2). Poultry has the highest consumption Presented at the 1991 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting in College Station, TX 77843 in Panel with 88 lb (40 kg) per capita, followed by beef, dairy, swine, and sheep. Of these II: Issues in Research. Scientific Article Number A6247, Contribution commodities, the research support for Number 8416 of the Maryland Agricultural Experi- poultry is the lowest. Highest funding was ment Station (Department of Poultry Science). for swine, followed by dairy, beef, and 3 University of Maryland. 4 sheep. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
Complex pressures face researchers in today's world. Today's researcher in agricultural disciplines must compete successfully for funding in many arenas, retain competence in technological advances, interact with a number of disciplines, and be effective in instruction and service to the industry. Poultry scientists traditionally have shown high productivity with relatively modest funding and transfer scientific advances to the industry in the field. These complex pressures and issues will be examined in detail.
1322
1323
SYMPOSIUM: ISSUES IN RESEARCH TABLE 1. What has happened to the poultry research dollar, 1979 to 1989
Category Total agricultural research dollar Total animal research dollar Distribution within animal research Disease Production
Percentage of total budget 3% 15% 39% 61%
RESEARCH DIRECTIONS As mentioned earlier, the researcher is under complex pressures (Figure 1). Major pressures are exerted by the needs of industry, particularly in dealing with their most pressing problems. In addition, the research priorities set by federal and state agencies, which are then reflected in areas targeted for support within the university or research station, determine in large part the research that is "fundable" at a particular time. The area of training is a determining factor in directions that individuals choose to follow during their careers. This may be in spite of the potential for funding of these areas. Departmental resources and the resources of the research unit are critical to provide a base for the research program of an
Industry Needs
TABLE 2. Research dollar support versus product consumption, 1989
Commodity
Dollars per scientist year (1,000)
Poultry Beef Dairy Swine Sheep
226 247 259 282 238
Consumption per capita
($)
(kg) 40 30.5 22.7 27.3 .9
investigator and often are a determining factor in the ability of a researcher to collect preliminary data and keep a steady, relatively high level of productivity. Finally, the nature of the researcher's appointment will affect the amount of time and effort he or she puts towards research. For example, the type and amount of research will differ in individuals having proportionally high extension appointments as opposed to research and teaching appointments. This, in turn, will affect the possibilities for funding and the relative possibility for productivity associated with concentration of effort. In es• sence, the researcher is constantly shifting to accommodate moving targets in the form of keeping up with cutting edge technology and remaining competitive for research funding. Research and Extension constitute a continuum within which the discipline
The Research
Continuum
Level of support
Extension
Research -zTLT"
Researcher Industry applications
Departmental resources
Field Trials
,
_, n
A p p l l e d
Research
Priorities
Biology. F o o d Technology, Nutrition, Economics, Engineering
FIGURE 1. Researchers face complex pressures from internal, external, and discipline-based sources.
Basic research
„ . ,. . , B l °te*™'w
Area of Training
Fundable Research Industry Needs
u
R e s e a r c h
State and Federal Support
Competitive Grants
Influencing Factors
FIGURE 2. Agricultural research spans a continuum from applied to fundamental research. Many factors influence this continuum.
1324
OTTINGER AND SEXTON
WHAT
A R E WE?
RESEARCH IN THE FUTURE
Figure 3 looks at researchers today. Many researchers have trained in traditional areas of poultry science. However, Food Safety International Trade Further P r o c e s s i n g as advances in technology occur, researchForeign Markets ers in poultry science are rapidly changPoultry Science ing, not only in name, but also in the Behavior. Genetics. Instruction. essence of what they do. This provides Food Technology, Immunology. Management. Nutrition, Physiology them tremendous advantages for the presBiomedical ent and future in that they have or need to Applications acquire the flexibility and tools to move Germplasm forward rapidly. Cryopreservation In summary, poultry scientists should FIGURE 3. Poultry sdentists are researchers in look forward to the challenges of the numerous fields, which are often interdisciplinary in balancing act that everyone needs to nature. master for successful competition. However, as long as the future is approached with flexibility, success will be within reach. Poultry scientists must not limit themselves out of the market. Rather, they areas reside (Figure 2). Pressures exerted should present themselves well and let on researchers force this continuum to their accomplishments be known in all become interrupted and in the process scientific circles, not just poultry science. cause a loss of the information flow from Poultry scientists can build upon what the more fundamental sciences towards they already have and position themselves for a strong future. application. Gene R e s e a r c h and A p p l i c a t i o n s
Ornithology Conservation
