Federal Grant Award Summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Research received a $300,000 project grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), awarded March 1, 2026, with completion targeted for February 28, 2029. The research addresses piglet pre-weaning mortality, a significant economic and welfare concern for the U.S. swine industry, through investigation of gestational probiotic feeding strategies. The project will deliver three primary products: (1) microbiome analysis of reproductive tissues to determine how lactobacillus-based probiotic supplementation during gestation influences the pioneer microbiome in piglets; (2) practical impact data on piglet survival and growth performance from commercial swine farm trials; and (3) scientifically validated, producer-accessible management recommendations for improving piglet quality and pre-weaning survival rates through evidence-based probiotic interventions.

The research integrates discovery-oriented microbiome characterization with applied on-farm validation to generate actionable strategies addressing a critical production challenge. By examining how maternal gestational nutrition programs the piglet microbiome and post-natal immune function, the project aims to produce management protocols that producers can readily implement to enhance animal welfare and economic performance. Findings will be disseminated to swine producers through peer-reviewed publications and technical guidance documents, contributing to AFRI's broader mission of advancing agricultural productivity and animal health through competitive, merit-reviewed research.