U of M Awards Rapid Agricultural Response Funds
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (10/03/2007) – Research-based answers to the most important questions facing Minnesota agriculture are a step closer because of recent series of grants provided by the Rapid Agricultural Response Fund. A committee of farm leaders and University scientists reviewed proposals and made recommendations for funding.
The 17-funded projects cover production problems, animal diseases, biofuels, disappearing honey bees and more. Research on the projects will begin immediately. All of the funded projects include an Extension outreach plan to share the results with growers.
“Research-based information is the key to solving many of the issues facing Minnesota agriculture. We are grateful that the Minnesota Legislature provided funds for research on emerging agriculture questions,” said Beverly R. Durgan, Dean, University of Minnesota Extension and Director, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station
The Rapid Agricultural Response Fund was created by the Minnesota Legislature to address urgent agricultural and natural resource industry issues. Each year the Minnesota Legislature provides the University more than $1 million for the program. Newly-funded projects affecting plant problems focus on corn rootworms, soybean sudden death syndrome, soybean aphids, stem and crown rust in perennial ryegrass and potato diseases. Animal issues targeted by the newly-funded projects include swine diseases, dairy housing, green house gases produced by livestock, using biofuel byproducts in turkey diets and cellulitis disease in turkeys. Natural resource issues being studied include the vitality of honey bees, emerald ash borer and Minnesota’s biofuel feed stocks.
The Rapid Agricultural Response Fund has been supporting research efforts at the University of Minnesota since 1999. Details on the projects recently funded and all Rapid Agricultural Response Fund projects can be found at www.rapidresponse.umn.edu
# # #
Contacts:
Beverly R. Durgan, Dean, University of Minnesota Extension and Director, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station 612-624-2703
John Byrnes, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 612-625-4743