With global population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, livestock and poultry genetics are critical to meeting world protein demand. Yet genetic diversity is fading: up to 30% of global livestock breeds are currently at risk and cannot be replaced if lost. This paper addresses urgent challenges in protecting remaining genetic diversity, including characterizing animal populations for conservation priorities, improving cryopreservation technology, expanding breed databases, and developing private-public partnerships among rare breed associations, universities, federal agencies, and NGOs to ensure the long-term continuity of germplasm repositories.

Conflicting values in society about animal use lead to ongoing debate about what constitutes a good life for farm animals. Applied ethicists take two broad approaches: one focuses on the consequences of using animals in particular ways, the other on the morality of that use regardless of consequences—reflected in "animal welfare" and "animal rights" perspectives. This task force report examines current issues in agricultural animal production, the origins of welfare concerns, major scientific advances since the 1997 CAST Task Force Report, and outstanding challenges and priority areas for future research, coordination, and outreach in agricultural animal welfare.