Herd of young piglets on hay and straw at pig breeding farm

Resilient Livestock Program

WSU’s Resilient Livestock Program advances precision gene-editing technologies to improve livestock health, productivity, and resilience while supporting food security and agricultural sustainability.  

Research Innovation and Industry Impact

The program is one of the nation’s few academic centers with proven success engineering genetic traits in cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. Through Surrogate Sire technology, the program accelerates the spread of elite genetics, improves herd productivity, and strengthens food supply resilience. Genetic research on bovine respiratory disease has potential economic benefits over $1 billion.

Stakeholder and Policy Leadership

The program works closely with livestock producers and industry associations to ensure research addresses industry needs. Program leaders have shaped biotechnology policy through contributions to Congressional reports and testimony before federal commissions.

Education and Workforce Development

The program prepares the next generation of biotech and veterinary professionals with training in advanced reproductive and gene-editing technologies, strengthening the workforce while advancing WSU’s land-grant mission.


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