Feed Grains Research Gets Needed Help

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With public research in breeding getting cut back significantly across North America, some added funding  is always welcomed.  On Wednesday, the Alberta Livestock Meat Agency (ALMA) announced that they are going to invest eight million dollars into feed grains research.  This money will fund projects in the area of varietal development and developing use technologies.

SEE THE PRESS RELEASE

SEE THE FEEDING INITIATIVE FACT SHEET

Gordon Cove Discusses ALMA’s $8 Million Dollar Investment in Feed Grain Research

Although I feel that this not enough to make the difference that is being hyped, it is  a great start.  Grain farmers, ranchers and feeders have the opportunity to benefit from this type of research.  Improved varieties of feed grains improve the returns of farmers and will provide higher levels of competitiveness for the feeding sector.

Jack Deboer (Monarch Feeders) Discusses the Benefits of Feed Grains Research

Improving the feeding efficiency of crops like barley is very interesting and sounds easier said than done.  I will not profess to understand the science behind this but it does make sense.  I will try and follow up on this next week with some plant breeding friends of mine.

As I mentioned earlier, eight million dollars is not a lot of money to improve plant breeding and create better use efficiencies but it is a real start and brings some attention into a sector that needs this kind of funding support.  There is also the opportunity for this money to be leveraged to create access to more dollars.   The other key point is that if successful, it will provide benefits to farmers, ranchers and feeding sector.  And that I like.

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