Abstract
This symposium acknowledges the founders of W112 Reproductive Performance in Domestic Ruminants. The contributions they made laid foundation collaborative efforts that continued over the next half century. The W112 really began in 1969 as a rewritten project involving several Agricultural Experiment Stations. That original project was W-49, that had been in existence at least as early as 1958. Upon approval of the project renewal in early 1970, the project was renamed W112 Reproductive Performance in Domestic Ruminants. The list of names of participants is like a who’s who of reproductive physiologists, too long to enumerate here. Increasing knowledge of physiology and endocrinology were paramount during the early years. Development, improvement, and sharing of analytical techniques improved accuracy of results, safety of procedures, and knowledge to be gained from the research. Concurrently, mechanistic basic and applied studies involving oocyte development, ovulation, sperm development, fertilization, pregnancy, and parturition all brought new understanding of the reproductive biology of domestic species. A good deal of what we currently know of the reproductive biology of ruminant animals finds some basis in laboratories involved in W112 collaborations. The unique nature of these scientists resulted from their mutual respect. Many young scientists found mentors in W112 that assisted us in developing our own research programs. And the support has not ended with research collaboration. It has been common for project participants to share teaching resources and serve on graduate student committees for each other’s students, fostering future involvement in the project. The W112 began slightly more than 50 years ago. Those of us who have been part of this group share a hope that the multistate project named Reproductive Performance in Domestic Ruminants will still be meeting the same goals of collaboration and support among scientists working to further animal agriculture for another 50 years and more.
Groundwater Policy Research: Collaboration with Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas
