Sustainable Agricultural Systems
The Sustainable Agricultural Systems Program is comprised of plant management system and animal management system. The program goals are to strengthen the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of Louisiana’s agriculture, while being good stewards of the environment and resources. Currently, a significant portion of the public prefers to buy organically grown vegetables and fruits, and meat, eggs, cheese, milk that come from pastured animals. Therefore, the SUALGC orientates its research and information toward organic crop production and pastured animals.The overall goal of the plant and animal production systems research program is to generate empirical information that will enhance economic opportunity and quality of life among small-agricultural producers in the state of Louisiana.
Animal Management Systems
The US Department of Agriculture defines an animal as any live or dead dog, cat, non-human primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or any other warm-blooded animal which is being used, or is intended for use for research, teaching, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet. This term excludes birds, rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus bred for use in research, and horses not used for research purposes and other farm animals, such as, but not limited to livestock or poultry, used or intended for use as food or fiber, or livestock or poultry used or intended for use for improving animal nutrition, breeding, management, or production efficiency, or for improving the quality of food or fiber. With respect to a dog, the term means all dogs, including those used for hunting, security, or breeding purposes.
Animal Science is concerned with the science and business of producing domestic livestock species, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. An animal scientist applies principles of the biological, physical, and social sciences to the problems associated with livestock production and management. Animal Science is also concerned with foods of animal origin: meat, dairy foods, and eggs. The food industry is one of the largest and most important industries in the United States. In addition, animal science is concerned with aspects of companion animals, including their nutrition, care, and welfare.
The animal science research program at SUALGC addresses critical needs to enhance animal productivity and profitability while preserving, protecting and sustaining the environment. The research program includes value-added products and formulations to improve the quality of life among Louisiana citizens.
Plant Management Systems
Plant Management Systems explores vegetable and agronomic production, organic farming and processing, alternative crops production, processing and marketing, and medicinal plants.
Plant: The dictionary definition of a plant is any member of the kingdom Plantae, comprising multicellular organism that typically produces its own food from inorganic matter by the process of photosynthesis, and that has more or less rigid cell walls containing cellulose, including herbs or other small vegetable growth, trees, and shrubs.
Plant Production: The SU Ag Land-Grant Campus Plant Science Program provides stakeholder-driven research and extension activities to our varied clientele (conventional, organic, and sustainable). A special emphasis is placed on small-scale and limited-resource producers and growers.
