WASHINGTON --U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman David Obey announced today that the FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations conference report, which was passed out of the conference committee last evening, includes funding for a range of Wisconsin agricultural research, management and conservation projects. Obey is the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. Kohl is the leading Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill provides over $17 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a host of agriculture, nutrition and food safety programs.

"The Wisconsin agriculture community has a long been the leader in numerous research and development programs," said Kohl. "Wisconsin's agriculture community is committed to excellence and innovation. Their example is one that we should all should take pride in. This funding represents the recognition of the importance of Wisconsin's agriculture and I'm pleased to work to see that these worthwhile projects get federal backing.

"Wisconsins involvement in the agriculture sector is recognized and supported by the research, nutrition, conservation and dairy related funding in this bill. When paired with the hard work and long hours of the states farmers and agricultural workforce, this money should help make Wisconsin farming more productive and hopefully more profitable," said Obey.

Among the Wisconsin research projects Kohl and Obey included in the FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill are:

$8 million for the continued expansion of the Nutrient Management and Water Quality Research Center at Marshfield, Wisconsin B This funding for the Dairy Forage Research Center will allow completion of the Marshfield components which enhance sustainable and competitive dairy forage systems; protect the environment; promote animal health; and ensure a safe, healthy food supply.

$2.90 million for the Cereal Crop Research Unit - The mission of the Cereal Crops Research Unit (CCRU), located in Madison, is to develop better barley for US malting and brewing industries and to develop more nutritious barley and oats for consumers. As the only public laboratory to provide quality analysis to US barley researchers and breeders, CCRU plays a critical role in the development of improved germplasm that meets the needs of America's barley industry. The CCRU, which provides an interdisciplinary team of scientists with facilities for basic and applied research, is the result of unique interactions between the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), the malting and brewing industries, and UW-Madison. The construction of a new $11.4 million lab and service facility, which will house seven scientists, is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

$1.874 million for the Organic Transitions Program -- This nationwide program supports research and extension activities aimed at helping farmers transition from conventional farming to organic agriculture.

$682,000 for Midwest Poultry Consortium - The Midwest Poultry Consortium supports and maintains poultry research programs at land grant institutions in 13 states (Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Florida.) Research has emphasized avian diseases, animal welfare, and environmental/waste management issues.

$400,000 for Potato Pest Management - Funds are used to reduce reliance on high-risk pesticides and help create new markets for potatoes under integrated pest management practices. As a direct result of this funding, Wisconsin potato growers are developing niche markets for potatoes (and soon other commodities) that are grown in a sustainable manner.

$562, 519 for a Great Lakes Aquaculture Center -- Although the Great Lakes region is home to approximately 29% of the US population, the lakes generate less than 4% of seafood consumed in the region. The Great Lakes Aquaculture Center at UW-Milwaukee helps alter that equation by identifying and eliminating constraints to aquaculture production.

$497,459 for Michael Fields Agricultural Institute -- This collaborative research effort involves the USDA/ARS Midwest Area, Corn Insect and Crop Genetics Research Unit (of Iowa) and the Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI). Research is focused on breeding corn to increase its nutritional value and suitability for adaptation to conditions where more nitrogen is provided through rotations and manure and where the ability of corn to compete with weeds is important.

$550,000 for UW-Madison's Food Systems Research Group - This group provides research on high-impact issues related to the behavior of firms and markets in the U.S. food system, and assesses the impact of government policies and regulations -- particularly competition and trade policies -- on the organization and performance of the U.S. food system.

$260,000 for Grazing Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison -- This research supplements efforts to investigate and adopt dairy production based on grassland grazing of herds as an alternative to the more conventional systems based on harvested forage moved to confined dairy animals.

$16.46 million Nationwide for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension program B This funding will provide SARE with an allocation of $12,400,000 million for research funding, and $4 million (couldn't find this number) for extension activities.

Obey and Kohl also secured funding for a number of conservation programs, including:

$1.2 million for a nitrogen removal study - This study, conducted by the Sand County Foundation in Wisconsin, would examine how to reduce the runoff of nitrogen and other nutrients from agricultural lands that degrade the nation's water supply.

$1,086,000 for the Conservation Technology Transfer Program - Wisconsin's comprehensive conservation technology transfer program is composed of three integrated elements. The Pioneer Farm at the University of Wisconsin -- Platteville provides research and educational programming regarding the economic and environmental impacts of grazing, confinement and cropping management for beef, dairy and swine production as well as whole-farm runoff, nutrient management and manure management. The cooperative agreement for technology transfer helps bring this work to the county level by providing grants which support county-based educational programs for resource conservation and nutrient management. The Wisconsin Discovery Farm system provides essential, on-the-ground demonstration and educational resources to showcase conservation technology at different locations under different topographical conditions across the state.

$600,000 for Cranberry Conservation Activities - Efficient and sustainable cranberry production relies on accurate management of water resources. These funds help cranberry growers manage water resources and address water quality issues.

$263,000 for Driftless Area Initiative - The Driftless Area is a unique region in the Upper Mississippi River Basin that encompasses southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and part of northwest Illinois. Bypassed by the glaciers that covered much of the Midwest, this region has a diverse but fragile ecosystem. Land use is significantly changing in the region with meat and dairy production rapidly being replaced by tilled crops. This funding will identify and encourage economically viable farming operations and practices to address these challenges.

$225,000 for beaver damage mitigation--These funds will be used to mitigate damage from wild beavers in Wisconsin.

$120,000 for the Wisconsin Land and Conservation Association - This funding supports the next generation of conservationists by providing college students with valuable field experience working with natural resource professionals and landowners. Internships vary from county to county depending on local needs. Many interns help landowners with programs such as CREP and other wildlife related efforts.

$1.7 million for the National Consortium for Rural Geospatial Innovations - Administered through the University of Wisconsin, these funds provide mapping and planning resources for farmland preservation, emergency preparedness, growth management, land records modernization and other purposes through cooperative arrangements with Penn State, University of North Dakota, University of Arkansas, Central Washington University and others.

$950,000 for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative -- The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative in Wisconsin supports important technical assistance and competitive grants for demonstrations and applied, on-farm research.

Among the Wisconsin dairy-related programs Kohl and Obey included in the FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill are:

$2.5 million to continue Wisconsin's Value Added Dairy Initiative - Product development, packaging and market placement assistance are among the most critical needs of emerging processors who are working to diversify and modernize Wisconsin's dairy sector. This project also promotes dairy modernization among dairy farmers. In addition to the federal and state resources involved, this effort enjoys considerable pro-bono support of recognized dairy industry experts. Response has far exceeded expectations, with more than 100 emerging businesses utilizing this expertise to date and more coming forward each month.

$2 million for Animal Identification Tracking - Premise registration and animal identification continue to be a priority for American agriculture and Wisconsin. Wisconsin's prototype premise registration system has served as a model in recent years as the nation recognizes the importance of reliable animal agriculture information. The Wisconsin Premises Registration Act requires all areas where livestock are kept to register by November 1, 2005.

$600,000 for the Babcock Institute at UW - The Babcock Institute links the US dairy industry to dairy farmers and processors around the world through educational programs and technology transfer to strengthen the dairy industries of developing countries as potential clients. It also aims to increase international commercial and scientific collaboration to enhance responsiveness to overseas markets.

$298,000 for Dairy Industry Revitalization - Through the UW Extension service, these funds provide support and mentoring to beginning dairy farmers, dairy modernization summits, design and management options for low-cost retrofit milking parlors and related activities

$238,000 for Quantitative Analysis of Alternative Milk Policies - This is a special research grant for UW-Madison and University of Missouri to provide needed, timely analysis of dairy policy changes, including trade-related matters. This project provides a one-stop shop for those seeking analysis of alternative dairy policies.

$13.189 million to fight Johnes Disease - Funding to combat Johne's Disease, a contagious bacterial disorder that dramatically reduces milk production in infected herds. Wisconsin's work in this area has been augmented by federal funding ranging from $1 million to $1.35 million annually in recent years.

Additionally, Obey and Kohl included funding for the following extension programs:

$817,000 for Urban Horticulture - This UW Extension initiative provides educational resources for greenhouse, landscaping, fruit and vegetable farming and community-based gardening in urban/suburban areas. Programs include business management and organization, marketing, intensive production systems, pest diagnostics, integrated pest management, and multi-lingual personnel management.

$315,000 for Rural Technology - This collaborative effort between educational institutions in Wisconsin and Hawaii seeks to keep rural youth engaged in engineering and technology careers, illustrate the importance of technology to rural and agricultural pursuits and helps create technology-related business opportunities in rural areas.

$250,000 for Agricultural and Rural Entrepreneurship Education (UW-Madison) - This earmark supports extension programs to help value- added agriculture producers explore new markets, develop strategic plans, create farmers market and online business opportunities and perform realistic assessment and decision making by rural and farm families regarding these alternatives.

$190,000 for rural business enhancement at UW-Platteville -- This funding is for a center at Platteville that will identify strategic, high-growth industry clusters, and develop an action plan that utilizes the region's assets to further the region's comparative advantages within the clusters.

$4.563 million for the Agr-Ability program - This program provides education and assistance to more than 800 farmers and farm workers nationwide with disabilities. The goal of the project is to assist farmers with disabilities to farm successfully. Easter Seals of Wisconsin is a partner of the program.

$2 million for grants to youth organizations - This funding provides support for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts 4-H and FFA for their ongoing work in rural areas.

The conference report on the FY06 Agriculture Appropriations bill will now go before the full House and Senate for final ratification and then will be sent to the President to be signed into law.

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