MSGA Asking Congress, USDA for Functional Genomics Position at U of M

The members of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) are asking for support in establishing a United States Department of Agriculture — Agricultural Research Service position in Functional Genomics at the University of Minnesota (U of M).

Over the last 10 years Minnesota soybean farmers, through their contribution to the National Soybean Checkoff, have invested over $1 million of their own money in the University of Minnesota to address the declining quality of Minnesota's soybean crop. This is not only a problem in Minnesota, it also affects soybean farmers in the upper Midwest growing area. In fact, low protein in Minnesota soybeans cost Minnesota farmers close to $31 million in 2002.

The University of Minnesota has, to the best of their ability and financial resources, provided the personnel and research facilities to tackle this quality issue. However, it appears that this has still not been enough to address this problem, let alone attempts to explore any new opportunities, such as the development of new soy-based/bio-based products for the future. It is critical for soybean producers to look at how to improve our soybeans even beyond just increasing our crude protein. We need to be looking at how we can improve or enhance the building blocks of proteins, which are the essential amino acids. It is also imperative that we provide animals with the best possible feed products, due in part to the continuing improvements in animal genetics to produce better tasting, more nutritional meat and poultry products.

The University of Minnesota is a natural place to employ a functional genomics position. The U of M has a new, $20 million, state-of-the-art Genomics laboratory under construction at their St. Paul campus that could house such a position. In discussions with U of M officials, space would be available at little or no cost to house such a position. Plus, already in place is an excellent team of soybean researchers, like Dr. Jim Orf and Dr. David Somers as well as outstanding Extension personnel, like Dr. Seth Naeve, all of whom would make for a very synergistic team to tackle the opportunities and issues facing Minnesota soybean farmers.

Therefore, MSGA has requested that Congress provide up to $500,000 per year in recurring funds to the USDA-ARS budget to provide for a functional genomics position for Minnesota, housed at the University of Minnesota.