$2 million will benefit ultra-modern Foundation Seed Facility
By Mark Scott
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
April 28, 2015
Fast facts:
- The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board furthers its commitment to support agriculture research programs and facilities in Arkansas by allocating $2 million to construct a new Foundation Seed Facility in Stuttgart
- Money for the program will come from tariff rate quota funds generated from the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotions agreement
- The new facility will be operated by the Little Rock-based University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
(552 words)
$2 million will benefit ultra-modern Foundation Seed Facility
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LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board has directed $2 million to help construct an innovative Seed Foundation Facility at the state’s Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. The facility will assist scientists and researchers to bring new higher yielding, high quality rice varieties to market so Arkansas farmers can profitably grow rice that meets worldwide demand.
The center, along with the new Foundation Seed Facility, is operated by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The new facility is expected to cost $8.6 million, and construction will begin this summer and be completed in 12 months.
“The Rice Research and Promotion Board has always been forward-thinking in how it applies research to advance Arkansas agriculture, and we sincerely appreciate their commitment to ensuring Arkansas will remain the epicenter of rice production and rice research,” said Mark Cochran, vice president for the UA System’s Division of Agriculture. “The board has been a valuable partner with us for more than 30 years now, and our united partnership means better results for our state’s economy and all Arkansans.”
The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board consists of nine rice producers nominated by industry organizations and appointed by the governor.
"The cooperative relationship between the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the Rice Research and Promotion Board and the rice farmers of Arkansas is alive and well, as evidenced by the construction of this new Foundation Seed Facility," said Marvin Hare, chairman of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. "This commitment is an excellent example of the great things we can accomplish when the entire rice industry works together toward the common goal of sustainable rice production in Arkansas.”
The $2 million for the new facility will come through tariff rate quota funds generated for domestic rice research from the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which established an annual tariff rate quota for U.S. rice exported to Colombia. The funds are reserved only for research efforts and are allocated by the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and the Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board have both previously made contributions to the new facility as well.
SEED FACILITY WILL SUPPORT ARKANSAS FARMERS
The facility will contain both seed cleaning and storage capabilities with the ability to serve more than 25 rice, soybean and wheat varieties each year. Along with the ability to clean seeds to Plant Board-specified guidelines, the facility will be able to handle both genetically modified and non-genetically modified seeds. Cold storage will also be available for long-term seed storage.
The new facility will continue cooperative research efforts between the promotion board and the Division of Agriculture that have already resulted in the development of new technologies related to fertility, pest control, irrigation, and weed control, in addition to the development of new rice varieties.
BOARD CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE RESEARCH
The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board was formed in 1985 by the General Assembly to administer the rice checkoff program. Under the program, rice farmers contribute 1.35 cents per bushel for rice research and the first buyer of rice contributes 1.35 cents per bushel for promotion and market development efforts. The program provides approximately $2.5 to $3 million annually for research efforts conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
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The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture makes a positive impact for that key industry through the research done by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the teaching done by the Cooperative Extension Service. Its mission is to advance the stewardship of natural resources and the environment, cultivate the improvement of agriculture and agribusiness, develop leadership skills and productive citizenship among youth and adults, enhance economic security and financial responsibility among the citizens of the state, ensure a safe, nutritious food supply, improve the quality of life in communities across Arkansas, and strengthen Arkansas families. You'll find the Division in all 75 Arkansas counties, on five university campuses, at five research and extension centers and at eight branch experiment stations. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
Media Contact: Mark Scott
Chief Communications Officer
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 686-2544
mscott@uasys.edu
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