Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today announced funding levels for fiscal year 2008, which were approved by the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill includes several priorities for which Senator Thune specifically requested funding.
"The importance of these projects to South Dakota's agriculture economy cannot be overstated," said Thune, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "I am pleased to know that these priorities are being funded at sufficient levels to ensure the bright future of farming and ranching in South Dakota. As the appropriations process advances, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure South Dakota's priorities are addressed."
South Dakota Specific Provisions Requested by Senator Thune:
North Central Agricultural Research Lab
$3,984,733 for North Central Agricultural Research Lab, in Brookings, SD to research and improve pest management practices, such as Northern Corn Rootworm and the Soybean Aphid.
South Dakota State University- Biomass Crop Production
$1,463,174 to fund and support a new effort in researching corn-based ethanol at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, and North Central Agricultural Research Lab in Brookings, SD. This research will support the development of the domestic biofuels industry by developing new value-added biobased products such as industrial chemicals and livestock feed.
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks Animal Damage Control
$742,000 for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to continue funding the Animal Damage Control program. Since 1974, this program has played an important role in managing wildlife and controlling predatory, nuisance, and diseased animals.
Ruminant Nutrition Consortium
$625,000 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.
Crop Integration and Production/Pulse Crops Consortium/Integrating Cropping Systems
$300,000 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.
South Dakota State 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.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is slated to consider this measure on Thursday. Once approved by the Appropriations Committee, this funding measure is expected to be considered by the full-Senate later this year.
"The importance of these projects to South Dakota's agriculture economy cannot be overstated," said Thune, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "I am pleased to know that these priorities are being funded at sufficient levels to ensure the bright future of farming and ranching in South Dakota. As the appropriations process advances, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure South Dakota's priorities are addressed."
South Dakota Specific Provisions Requested by Senator Thune:
North Central Agricultural Research Lab
$3,984,733 for North Central Agricultural Research Lab, in Brookings, SD to research and improve pest management practices, such as Northern Corn Rootworm and the Soybean Aphid.
South Dakota State University- Biomass Crop Production
$1,463,174 to fund and support a new effort in researching corn-based ethanol at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, and North Central Agricultural Research Lab in Brookings, SD. This research will support the development of the domestic biofuels industry by developing new value-added biobased products such as industrial chemicals and livestock feed.
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks Animal Damage Control
$742,000 for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to continue funding the Animal Damage Control program. Since 1974, this program has played an important role in managing wildlife and controlling predatory, nuisance, and diseased animals.
Ruminant Nutrition Consortium
$625,000 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.
Crop Integration and Production/Pulse Crops Consortium/Integrating Cropping Systems
$300,000 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.
South Dakota State 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.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is slated to consider this measure on Thursday. Once approved by the Appropriations Committee, this funding measure is expected to be considered by the full-Senate later this year.