New applications in biotechnology are revolutionizing genetic improvement of livestock. Dr. Cassady's research program will focus on improving efficiency of food animal production using genetics. Both cutting edge molecular and traditional quantitative techniques will be employed. In beef cattle Dr. Cassady is the leader of a multidisciplinary team whose objective is to improve the quality and efficiency of beef production through improved nutrient utilization. The team members have expertise in nutrition, endocrinology, and genetics. This research is currently supported by the American Angus Association and the Braunvieh Association of America The objective of Dr. Cassady's pig research is to evaluate phenotypic measures of pig behavior and to estimate phenotypic and genetic relationships among measurements of pig behavior, growth, and survival. The objective will be achieved by quantifying multiple indirect measures of pig behavior and pig performance on hundreds of pigs of differing genetic backgrounds.