Four Outstanding Research Projects Won Their Region's Excellence in Multistate Research Award; One Will Win the National Award
By the University of Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station — summarized for agInnovation
The agInnovation Excellence in Multistate Research Award program annually celebrates scientists working collaboratively to bring forth solutions to regional or national issues. The intent of the Multistate Research authority is to bring together multiple states sharing priorities and combining their best and brightest in a multi-state collaborative research project.
We are excited to highlight this year's regional project winners, each of which are contenders to win the National Excellence in Multistate Research Award.
Summaries and photos are brief highlights provided from the Impact Statements compiled by Multistate Research Funds Impacts.
Click on the photos and links to read more about each project!
Developing Potato Varieties for Farmers in the Eastern US
Potatoes are a staple food for many people because they are tasty, versatile, filling, nutrient-dense, and affordable and are processed into popular foods like fries and chips.
In the eastern U.S., potatoes are among the top vegetable crops, supporting a multi-billion-dollar supply chain that serves over half the U.S. population, but producers face challenges, such as evolving pests and diseases, rising production costs, shifting consumer preferences, and increasing development pressure on farmland.
Scientists at land-grant universities are working together to develop potato varieties with improved productivity and quality for growers and markets in the eastern U.S.
This project's research strengthens potato supply and value chains, improves profitability and resiliency for potato farmers, and enhances food security.
Improving Reproduction in Cattle & Sheep
Reproductive inefficiency is the greatest constraint on the profitability of U.S. livestock systems. Early pregnancy loss alone costs U.S. livestock producers up to $3.7 billion each year. If reproductive efficiency is not improved, producers will continue to face serious losses, and consumers may experience lower supplies and higher prices for meat, dairy, and other goods from cattle and sheep.
Reproductive efficiency is influenced by a wide variety of factors related to animal health, physiology, genetics, hormones, nutrition, environment, and management practices. No single institution has the expertise, facilities, or resources to address reproductive inefficiency across different species, environments, and production systems.
Since 1970, researchers at land-grant institutions have worked together to shed light on factors that influence the reproductive performance of cattle and sheep and provide data-driven solutions. Their discoveries and recommendations have reshaped livestock industry practices, delivering measurable gains in productivity and resilience.
Optimizing Land & Forage Use for Beef Production
The North Central region is home to 11 million beef cows, 35% of the nation’s herd. Beef production is a vital part of the economies of these states; however, grassland conversion to cropland, widespread woody encroachment, and rising land prices have reduced the availability of land and forage for livestock. The number of cows in the region has steadily declined in recent decades despite stable demand for beef.
Researchers at land-grant universities across the North Central U.S. are working together to help beef producers make the most of land and forage resources now and into the future by:
Identifying ways to increase the productivity of pasture and rangelands.
Identifying alternative forage resources.
Evaluating integrated crop-cattle systems.
Optimizing cow-calf operations that use limited perennial pasture.
Understanding & Supporting the Green Industry
The “green industry” includes nursery and greenhouse producers, landscapers, retailers, and various allied professionals. Consumers rely on the green industry for a wide variety of ornamental plants and landscaping services.
The U.S. green industry generates nearly $520 billion in economic output and supports roughly 2.9 million jobs, but its resilience and competitiveness are threatened by challenges such as rising labor costs, chronic labor shortages, water supply and quality issues, changing consumer demands, and new regulations.
Researchers at land-grant institutions across the U.S. are working together on research and outreach that support improved production, management, and marketing in the green industry.
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