UC Davis CLEAR Center

Thanks to $5M FDA grant, UC Davis launched Intentional Genomic Alteration Innovation Center – advancing safe & effective use of gene editing in livestock.

When we invest in science, we invest in healthier animals, stronger farms & sustainable food system.

#UCDavis #FromLabstoLives #SpeakUp4Science

Yesterday we shared a podcast showcasing how farmers & ranchers drive sustainability, innovation & feed the nation. 🗣️

Brandon Lee, a pig farmer on Hawaii's Big Island, uses rotational grazing to keep land & animals healthy. Say it, see it – when we talk about ag, we show it. 🌺 🐖

S5 E21: Sorting through agriculture's stories, the work of the UC Davis CLEAR Center, learning Gen-Z slang and more with Tracy Sellers

Our Senior Content Writer & Media Strategist joins the Sorting Pen! 🚨

"Farmers and ranchers are everything. They're everything to the work we do and stories we tell, and that's our goal with the research, to have real-world impact."

Listen now. 👇

open.spotify.com/episode/3c9r...

Salute to Ag: Aggies Celebrate Their Heritage on and off the field For the second year in a row, the UC Davis CLEAR Center proudly sponsored the Salute to Ag football game — a unique opportunity not just to celebrate agriculture, but to help agricultural organization...

There's something special about seeing agriculture celebrated under the lights. If you haven't had eyes on it yet, we shared an excellent recap of the Salute to Ag Football Game that brought our whole community together. Catch all the highlights. 👇

clear.ucdavis.edu/news/salute-...

Great seeing our community come together to celebrate farmers, ranchers & ag! Showing up matters. Not just at events, but in sharing the stories behind our food.

High-energy recap of Salute to Ag Football Game + special appearances! 🎬 🌾

Read the recap: clear.ucdavis.edu/news/salute-...

Methane isn't just a challenge in animal agriculture, it's an opportunity. 🚨

New episode on CLEAR Conversations with Dr. Frank Mitloehner explores its climate impact, how we measure it the right way, and how farmers are part of the climate solution. 🎙️

Listen now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hPr...

New paper!📝

Research by PhD student, Jane, shows L-glutamate & aspartate aren't just "non-essential" – they support gut health, reduce diarrhea & boost piglet well-being. Her work could help swine industry improve health & sustainability.🐷

Pilot study: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Happy #PorkMonth! Biosecurity is the first line of defense that keeps pigs healthy, prevents costly losses, and helps farms stay financially viable. At UC Davis, barn managers, students and visitors take it seriously – it's a culture that protects both animals and farmers. 🐖

From the football field to global conversations, Dr. Frank Mitloehner joined FAO's Global Livestock Sustainability Conference in Rome, where he reconnected with friends from his time as first chairman of LEAP Partnership & exchanged ideas with peers advancing sustainable livestock production. 🌍 🐄

Tomorrow is the Salute to Ag Football Game and we can’t wait for you to be part of it! 🏈🌱

Come out to cheer on Team Aggie, celebrate UC Davis’ ag roots, and see how agriculture continues to fuel our communities, our traditions and our food future.

Let’s go Aggies! 🗣️🗣️🗣️

Every legacy has its roots & at UC Davis, those roots run deep. Excited to share second ep. of CLEAR Conversations with strong ties to upcoming Salute to Ag Football Game. It's more than just football, it's honoring ag, the people who make it possible & the pride that brings us all together. 🌱 🎙️

Hear Dr. Frank Mitloehner's take on sustainability in our newly launched podcast, CLEAR conversations. 🌎 🎙️

Full podcast 👉 clear.ucdavis.edu/news/talking...

We welcomed 58 new calves to the UC Davis feedlot today! These beef cattle are part of a study looking at early-life intervention strategies aimed at reducing methane. Our team was up bright and early transporting, unloading, weighing, and tagging each calf. 💛🐂

One week until the Salute to Ag Football Game at the University of California, Davis! It's going to be a great day honoring the grit, drive, and heart of agriculture. 🌱

🗓️ Saturday, September 27
📍 UC Davis Health Stadium

Thank you UC Davis Athletics for your partnership! 🤝

Farming. Food. Sustainability. 🌎

These aren't just buzzwords – they're the future of how we produce & enjoy what's on our plates. CLEAR Conversations breaks down science, stories & solutions shaping ag.

Listen to full ep. ft. Dr. Frank Mitloehner!

▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXOI...

Talking Farming, Food and Sustainability: A New Podcast from the CLEAR Center The way food is produced touches everyone, yet most of us are far removed from the farms and ranches where it all begins. That’s the driving idea behind a new podcast from the UC Davis CLEAR Center. C...

Our new podcast, "CLEAR Conversations" out now! 🎙️

Each ep. turns complex science into digestible conversations about livestock sustainability & explores how our food is produced.

Up first – Dr. Frank Mitloehner & Tracy Sellers on farming, food and sustainability.

clear.ucdavis.edu/news/talking...

Not all water is the same. On dairy farms, green, blue & gray water each serve a purpose.👇

🟩 Rainwater held in soil
🟦 Freshwater drawn from rivers, lakes or wells
⬜ Recycled wastewater

Farmers & researchers are working together to make every drop count for sustainable animal agriculture.

We're just two weeks away from the Salute to Ag Football Game at @ucdavis.bsky.social!

🗓️ Saturday, September 27
📍 UC Davis Health Stadium

Discounted tickets available. Just use CLEAR at checkout to save. Thank you UC Davis Athletics for your partnership! 🤝

🎟️: www.gofevo.com/event/Agday2

Reduced, Reused, Recycled—How Water is Managed on Western U.S. Dairies How do California dairy farms manage their water to make the most of this precious resource during these years of drought and keep their cattle healthy and productive?

By managing each type efficiently, California dairies have cut water use by 90 percent in 60 years.

It’s a powerful example of how science and stewardship can work together to secure our natural resources while feeding the world. 🌍 💧

clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/r...

Farmers and researchers are working together to improve sustainability in animal agriculture. 🤝

Understanding the three types of water is key:

🌱 Green water is rainwater held in soil

🚰 Blue water is from streams, lakes & groundwater

♻️ Gray water is recycled water

Reduced, Reused, Recycled—How Water is Managed on Western U.S. Dairies How do California dairy farms manage their water to make the most of this precious resource during these years of drought and keep their cattle healthy and productive?

DYK❓Western U.S. dairy farmers are managing 3⃣ types of water to improve sustainability on farm. 🐄

🟩 Green – rainwater held in soil
🟦 Blue – surface or groundwater
⬜️ Gray – recycled wastewater

Optimizing each type essential for future of ag. 👇

clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/r...

A Salute to Ag, Under the Lights On September 27, 2025, the CLEAR Center is thrilled to once again sponsor the UC Davis Salute to Ag Football Game, a one-of-a-kind celebration of agriculture and athletics!

Join us on September 27th as we cheer on both the game and the people who keep agriculture thriving every single day. Discounted tickets available using promo code, CLEAR at checkout. 🎟 2/2

clear.ucdavis.edu/news/salute-...

Cheering for the game and the people behind agriculture! 🏈 🐄

We're proud to team up with UC Davis Athletics once again to sponsor this year's Salute to Ag Football Game! Excited to stand behind the grit, determination and heart of agriculture for the second year in a row. ✨ 1/

YouTube video by CLEAR Center at UC Davis Is Gene Editing the Future of Farming?

Full explainer video on YouTube. 👇 3/3

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkxQ...

In livestock, this means we can:

🔶 Make animals more resistant to disease

🔶 Improve animal health and welfare

🔶 Support sustainable farming

It's absolutely science in action – using precision to protect animals, farmers and our food system. 2/

What is CRISPR-Cas9 and why does it matter in livestock❓

CRISPR Cas-9 is a precision gene-editing tool that acts like molecular scissors. Scientists can cut, remove, or replace specific genes in DNA with incredible accuracy. ✂️ 🧬 1/

This is science in action – bridging molecular biology, agriculture and sustainability to strengthen global food security. As leaders in livestock innovation, we see this not just as a win for pork producers, but as a glimpse into the future of agriculture. 3/3

Researchers are using CRISPR to precisely edit the pig genome, removing the CD163 protein required for infection by Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). The outcome: pigs inherently resistant to a virus that has caused significant financial loss in the pork industry. 🧬 2/

Using CRISPR Gene Editing to Combat PRRS Virus in Pigs For over three decades, pork producers worldwide have grappled with the relentless threat of PRRS—a virus that not only harms pig health and welfare but also disrupts pork production, strains sustaina...

CRISPR isn't just transforming human medicine, but it's also reshaping animal agriculture. 🗣️ 1/

clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/u...

Using CRISPR Gene Editing to Combat PRRS Virus in Pigs For over three decades, pork producers worldwide have grappled with the relentless threat of PRRS—a virus that not only harms pig health and welfare but also disrupts pork production, strains sustaina...

A small and safe genetic change with the potential to transform the future of sustainable pork production.

Read more about using CRISPR gene editing to combat PRRS virus in pigs from one of UC Davis CLEAR Center's newest explainer. 👇

clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/u...