Date: 02/25/2009

Final
CSU Experiment Station

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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07:34 AM -- Colorado State University Agriculture Experiment Station

Dr. Lee Sommers, Director, Colorado State University Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), explained that the mission of the CAES is to conduct research that addresses the economic viability, environmental sustainability, and social acceptability of activities impacting agriculture, natural resources, and consumers in Colorado (Attachment A). The CAES was established in 1888 when the Colorado General Assembly's ratified the provisions of the Hatch Act. The federal Morrill Act of 1862 provided for public higher education by establishing colleges in every state and territory that were endowed through grants of public lands. The federal Hatch Act provided research at these institutions by authorizing a state agricultural experiment station for each state. Dr. Sommers explained that the CAES supports 8 off-campus research centers (10 sites) to conduct research to meet agricultural production needs in different regions of the state. The CAES budget for FY 2007-08 was $40.1 million including $13 from federal grants, $9 million from state moneys, $8.5 million from nonfederal grants, and $4.6 million in cash. Dr. Sommers also described research projects to improve wheat, potatoes, pinto beans, and dry land cropping systems. He also responded to questions from the committee regarding the development of drought and heat resistant crops.

090225AttachA.pdf

07:44 AM

Dr. Sommers described the development of an animal identification technology using retinal scanning by the CAES and research on food safety that has been used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also described research in the Arkansas River Basin concerning vegetable production and water use by crops. In response to a question from the committee, he explained that the study for water use in by crops in the Arkansas River valley received a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and described the need for long term funding for the weighing lysimeter research project that measures water use by crops. He also described weed management programs on agriculture experiment station lands and funding needs for such efforts.

07:58 AM --
Institute for Livestock and the Environment

Jessica Davis, Director of the Institute for Livestock and the Environment (ILE), soil science and Extension Specialist at Colorado State University, explained that the U.S. is the world's largest consumer, producer, and exporter of beef and that the livestock industry contributes over $3 billion to Colorado's economy (Attachment B). The mission of the ILE is to solve problems at the interface of livestock production and science-based environmental management. It seeks to bring together faculty members from various disciplines across the Colorado State University campus to balance issues of economic growth in the livestock industry with the environment. The ILE includes five interdisciplinary teams specializing in water conservation and quality, air quality and emissions, ecosystems, pathogens, and pharmaceuticals that are addressing a cross-section of issues from land conservation to environmental practices and energy issues related to livestock production. Professor Davis explained that the 2008 federal Farm Bill included money for farm and ranch land protection and grassland reserve.

090225AttachB.pdf

08:07 AM

Professor Davis responded to questions from the committee concerning research conducted by ISL on animal waste disposal, endangered species, game damage, and biofuels.