University of Missouri officials announced Aug. 30 a $6.5 million investment in the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station of university's College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (CAFNR).

According to the announcement, the investment will enhance the university’s ability to share next-generation agricultural technologies developed by University of Missouri researchers with farmers and ranchers.

“CAFNR’s world-class animal and plant researchers use these centers to translate research from the laboratory and evaluate its impact under real field conditions,” University of Missouri chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright said. “Because these projects oftentimes include an educational component, our students also use the research centers for essential field studies. Needless to say, these centers are critical to our ability to deliver innovative applications to Missouri’s farmers and ranchers.”

Cartwright — along with University of Missouri System president Mun Choi, University of Missouri vice chancellor for extension and engagement and system chief engagement officer Marshall Stewart and vice chancellor and dean of CAFNR Christopher Daubert — made the announcement at the Fisher Delta Research Center field day breakfast.

“An investment in the agricultural research centers is an investment in Missouri, especially rural Missouri,” Daubert said. “This is a historic commitment and shows the university’s dedication to the land-grant mission. Like every industry, good agricultural practice changes rapidly, and it’s imperative that CAFNR’s facilities demonstrate the latest approaches to field and farm management to help our communities remain profitable in an increasingly competitive environment.”

The Agricultural Experiment Station operates a system of agricultural research centers across Missouri in an effort to meet the regional needs of agricultural producers and natural resource managers.

The Agricultural Experiment Station takes research discoveries involving plants, animals and natural resources from the lab to the field. Examples of that research include the university's Interdisciplinary Plant Group and Maize Genetics Center, both of which partner with plant breeders located at the research centers to develop more resilient, healthy and productive crops. The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program, developed primarily through Agricultural Experiment Station research, annually enrolls around 8,500 heifers and generates an estimated $17 million in annual impact, the university said.

The investment complements CAFNR’s newly launched strategic plan, Drive to Distinction, and its focus on Empowering Missourians, in addition to current efforts underway by MU Extension and Engagement to meet agricultural challenges facing rural Missourians.

“This support will provide greater collaboration between CAFNR researchers and MU Extension field faculty to deliver higher-caliber programming that better meets the needs of Missouri agriculture,” Stewart said.

“We must invest in modernizing these centers to perform the cutting-edge research needed to grow Missouri’s global presence in agriculture,” Choi said. “Investment in the CAFNR Agricultural Research Center network will stimulate economic development across the state while delivering life-changing advancements to Missouri and the world.”

Agricultural Experiment Station leaders will help determine priority investment areas, such as equipment or facilities, at the network of centers. A new facility currently under construction at the Southwest Research Center in Mt. Vernon, Mo., is one example of the type of project helping to modernize research center infrastructure.

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