Location: Livestock and Range Research Laboratory
Project Number: 3030-31000-019-009-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Apr 1, 2023
End Date: Apr 1, 2028
Objective:
The purpose of this agreement is to carry out cooperative research and to set forth understandings between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Montana State University (MSU) for joint projects and co-location of MSU and/or ARS personnel at research sites and facilities in Montana.
1. It is understood and agreed that while all parties are interested in basic and applied research:
a. The ARS is concerned with conducting research that provide results having regional or national application.
b. The Montana State University and its Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service programs conduct research and outreach that address economic viability and environmental sustainability impacting agriculture, natural resources, and consumers in Montana while providing information that encourages the application of research-based knowledge for end users in Montana and the region/nation.
c. The Montana State University and its College of Agriculture and departments within the College as well as other MSU Colleges and departments are engaged in research on a wide array of areas, such as: ruminant health and production, rangeland and watershed management, animal/plant breeding and genetics, soil sciences, plant sciences, molecular biology, crop health and production, water quality, crop improvement, pest management, irrigation and water management, bioenergy and environmental management covering both basic and applied problems.
2. Investigations, as described in the attachments, as well as other joining projects to be determined, will be in cooperation with the MSU and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), MSU Extension Service, MSU College of Agriculture, and related departments within the College, and other MSU Colleges, departments and units as appropriate to the joint projects.
Approach:
The goal of this agreement is to develop long-term sustainable rangeland, watershed and ruminant management practices for the Northern Great Plains (NGP) and associated intermountain regions and to identify technologies that optimize the use of the region’s soil, native vegetation and water resources with positive environmental impacts. This includes:
1. The development of sustainable soil, nutrient, fire, weed control and water conservation technologies for rangeland management systems that improve native plant diversity, water conservation and nutrient use efficiency and maintains, and improves desirable rangeland health.
2. Advances technologies through the use of genomics and animal breeding to improve accuracy and time interval in genetic selection of beef cattle.
3. Development of best management practices for sustainable rangeland beef production through efficient nutrition, reproduction, and growth for a high-quality protein food for human consumption and improve the quality of life for rangeland managers.
4. The incorporation of advanced soil and water conservation technologies into cropping systems to a) improve water and nutrient use efficiencies; b) improve desirable soil physical, chemical and biological properties; and c) reduces purchased inputs animal and while maintaining profitably crop production.
5. Improved forage crop management practices for ruminant winter supplementation and drought management strategies.
6. Enhanced biological control of target weeds, diseases and insects.
7. Sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to agricultural field crop activities.
8. Developing research partnerships at both ARS and MSU facilities.
Participating in-house projects:
Miles City, MT (Range and Livestock Research):
3030-31000-019-000-D and 3030-21630-005-000-D
NP 101/Food Animal Production
NP 215/Grass, Forage, and Rangeland Agroecosystems
Sidney, MT (Agricultural Systems Research):
3032-13210-007-000-D
NP 211/Water Availability and Watershed Management
NP 212/Soil and Air
NP 216/Sustainable Agricultural Systems Research
Sidney, MT (Pest Management Research):
3032-22000-019-000-D and 3032-21220-003-000-D
NP 304/Crop Protection and Quarantine
NP 305/Crop Production
