Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today announced that several of his funding requests for South Dakota were included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today.
"Agriculture is a vital component of our state's economy, and the continued strength of our farmers and ranchers is necessary for our state's continued economic health," said Thune. "The projects I have requested funding for will help South Dakota producers continue to meet our nation's food and renewable energy needs. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure our agriculture priorities are addressed as the appropriations process moves forward."
South Dakota Specific Provisions Requested by Senator Thune:
SDSU-North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory Biomass Crop Production
$1.25 million for exploring and developing new uses for biofuel production co-products, such as dry distiller's grains. Dry distiller's grains are a potential feed source for livestock.
SDSU Ruminant Nutrition Consortium
$563,000 for continued ruminant nutrition research and education. This research program will add value to grain and forage crops through ruminant livestock (beef, sheep, bison and dairy). SDSU leads this collaborative program with, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, and the University of Wyoming. The objective of the program is to add value to grain and forage crops through ruminant livestock through the assessment of available resources, opportunities, constraints leading to the expansion of ruminant livestock production.
SDSU Crop Integration and Production
$400,000 to continue research integrating pulse crops and other emerging opportunities into regional production systems in order to diversify agriculture and improve economic options for producers. SDSU leads this cooperative program with North Dakota and Nebraska.
SDSU Seed Technology Center
$350,000 for the SDSU Seed Technology Center, which conducts research, training and the development of seed technologies to support the safe delivery of new seed traits to producers. Seed will be the means for the continued specialization of crops with traits that enhance the value of crops and the profitability of producers.
Senator Thune is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate later this year.
"Agriculture is a vital component of our state's economy, and the continued strength of our farmers and ranchers is necessary for our state's continued economic health," said Thune. "The projects I have requested funding for will help South Dakota producers continue to meet our nation's food and renewable energy needs. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure our agriculture priorities are addressed as the appropriations process moves forward."
South Dakota Specific Provisions Requested by Senator Thune:
SDSU-North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory Biomass Crop Production
$1.25 million for exploring and developing new uses for biofuel production co-products, such as dry distiller's grains. Dry distiller's grains are a potential feed source for livestock.
SDSU Ruminant Nutrition Consortium
$563,000 for continued ruminant nutrition research and education. This research program will add value to grain and forage crops through ruminant livestock (beef, sheep, bison and dairy). SDSU leads this collaborative program with, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, and the University of Wyoming. The objective of the program is to add value to grain and forage crops through ruminant livestock through the assessment of available resources, opportunities, constraints leading to the expansion of ruminant livestock production.
SDSU Crop Integration and Production
$400,000 to continue research integrating pulse crops and other emerging opportunities into regional production systems in order to diversify agriculture and improve economic options for producers. SDSU leads this cooperative program with North Dakota and Nebraska.
SDSU Seed Technology Center
$350,000 for the SDSU Seed Technology Center, which conducts research, training and the development of seed technologies to support the safe delivery of new seed traits to producers. Seed will be the means for the continued specialization of crops with traits that enhance the value of crops and the profitability of producers.
Senator Thune is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate later this year.