For Immediate Release

May 26, 2005

STATE AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS FUNDED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A major increase in research funding for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to study the causes of mad cow disease, including $1 million to be spent in Pullman, was approved by the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said.

            The incidence of mad cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) has already had a negative economic impact on the Pacific Northwest, including a beef recall in late 1993, and it remains a threat to beef producers.  The Agriculture Appropriations bill for the next fiscal year boosts the research funding account in the Agriculture Department budget by more than $3 million and it also allocates $29.6 million to the Department of Health and Human Services for continued BSE prevention activities, Rep. Dicks said.

            The boost to the ARS research budget increases the agency’s current funding of nearly $10 million specifically directed toward “transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.”   The research is primarily conducted by 15 ARS scientists at Ames, Iowa; Albany, California and in the ARS lab at Pullman.

            The appropriations bill also funds a broad array of agricultural research facilities and projects in the Pacific Northwest, including the following:

 ARS Research Facility in Pullman Washington:   $3,625,000
Funding will be for construction of a new research facility for ARS scientists in Pullman.   ARS and Washington State University have a long history of collaborating on national and regional projects, jointly training students and contributing to the economic productivity and profitability of agriculture on the Pacific Northwest. This facility will strengthen this partnership in plant sciences and contribute to improvements in laboratories and equipment underpinning this research.

Washington Agricultural Competitiveness (IMPACT/CINTRAFOR): $647,000
This ongoing program supports the International Marketing Program for Agricultural Commodities and Trade at Washington State University and CINTRAFOR at the University of Washington. These programs aim to increase the level of agricultural exports from Washington.

Aquaculture Research Initiative:  $764,000
This funding is for a comprehensive research and outreach program at the Northwest Center for Aquaculture Research and Education jointly operated by Washington State University and the University of Idaho. The program will address constraints limiting the aquaculture industry in the Pacific Northwest. Rainbow trout aquaculture will be a particular focus of the initiative.

Organic Cropping Research & Education NW:  $359,000
This program is a comprehensive organic farming research and education effort in five critical areas: develop certified organic experimental land for major crops; organic seed protection and production technology; understudy management for tree fruits, vines, and berries; organic week control methods for annual crops; and effect of product practices on food quality.

Pacific Northwest Small Fruit Center:  $422,000
The Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research is a network of State and Federal ARS scientists and industry cooperators from Washington, Oregon and Idaho who identify priorities and conduct an ongoing coordinated research program on berry and grape crops.

Cool Season Food Legumes:  $564,000
The Cool Season Legume research program was established in 1991 to improve the efficiency and the sustainability of the U.S. dry pea, fresh pea, lentil, and chickpea industries. The ongoing project involves Federal and State university scientists in cooperative research driven by industry needs.

Solutions to Environmental and Economic Problems “STEEP”:  $640,000
This is an ongoing agricultural and environmental research and education partnership to address production and environmental issues in Pacific Northwest agriculture. The STEEP program features a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency and multi-state approach to problem solving, with growers highly involved in setting priorities and program direction.

Protection of the Pacific Northwest Wine & Grape Industry from Plant Viruses:  $ 322,000
This program was developed in conjunction with Washington State University and the wine industry to ensure virus-free vineyards. This funding would speed up the development of the foundation block and the initiation of the extension education program for growers.

Improving the International Competitiveness of Northwest Asparagus: $248,000
The systems analysis research will initially focus on a review of production, packing, and processing systems to identify the most promising areas of increasing efficiency of the entire industry and its international competitiveness. The team of scientists will find methods to improve the productivity of asparagus fields and reduce the costs of production through alternative production and harvesting.

Multi-state Potato Variety Development:  $ 1,497,000
From this budget the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho will receive a total of $375,000 per state for the research effort dedicated to producing new varieties that are resistant to pathogenic diseases, require fewer pesticides to produce, have desirable marketing characteristics and offer Northwest growers additional production choices.

Grass Seed Cropping Systems for Sustainable Agriculture:  $ 450,000
The grass seed industry in the Northwest is facing several environmental and economic challenges including pressure to phase out open-field burning, alleviation of smoke, dust and chemical trespass from crop production areas, and the need to develop the maximum genetic and biological potential. These research needs are being addressed through an ongoing sustainable production system, utilizing the research and technology expertise of scientists from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and USDA-ARS with input from industry representatives.

Jointed Goatgrass-Threat to U.S. Wheat Production:  $355,000
This ongoing project attempts to reduce the impact of jointed goatgrass on wheat production through a multi-disciplinary national research effort among State and Federal scientists. The research focuses on strategic approaches to integrated weed management and control, population dynamics and bioeconomics.

Regional Barley Gene Mapping Project:  $682,000
This national effort is administered by Oregon State University, having been transferred from Washington State University in 1995. The goal is to map genetic attributes of barley and identify economically important agronomic and quality traits that can be incorporated into breeding programs in the Pacific Northwest.

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