**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** SINCE 1951, SCIENTISTS HAVE MET ON A BIENNIAL BASIS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TO DISCUSS THE LATEST ADVANCES IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE MICROBIOLOGY UNDERPINNING DIGESTIVE FUNCTION AND RUMINANT NUTRITION. WHILE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS REGARDING ROLES OF MICROORGANISMS IN RUMINANT DIGESTION, AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EFFICIENCY OF RUMINANT DIGESTION AS A WHOLE REMAIN, NEW PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FACE ANIMAL AGRICULTURE. MANY OF THESE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES HAVE A MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTEXT, AND WILL BE BEST ADDRESSED BY INTEGRATIVE STUDIES IN MICROBIOLOGY, (IMMUNO)PHYSIOLOGY, AND NUTRITION. THE CALLS FOR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON ANTIMICROBIAL USE FOR GROWTH PROMOTION AND PROPHYLAXIS; PRE- AND POST-HARVEST FOOD SAFETY; AND THE IMPACT OF ANIMAL AGRICULTURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF AREAS THAT WILL REQUIRE NEW LINES OF INVESTIGATION IN MICROBIOLOGY, (IMMUNO)PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION.