More Research Dollars Going Into Grain Crops

Story by Don Molino

LSU AgCenter associate vice-chancellor Dr. Rogers Leonard says the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board has awarded almost $1.5 million in research and extension projects, most of which are focused on applied areas.

"Most of those areas," says Leonard, "are those which can help a farmer increase his profits at the end of the year, things that they can actually use on farm. It helps them to reduce their input costs, or increase overall yield or quality of the grain production on the farm. And both of those will add up to a greater net income at the end of the day."

Leonard goes on to point out producers are looking for farm gate value "...something that will give them a return on their investment-their investment in research and extension-usually on an annual basis."

That's why most of the projects funded this year by the board are short term rather than long term projects.

"One of the projects for what breeding has been in place for an extremely long period of time," says Leonard. "And as anyone who plants wheat in Louisiana knows, there are a number of varieties that are well adapted and high yielding for Louisiana's conditions."

(This report is a service of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board)