Oat Research Appropriations
The National Oat Improvement Committee (NOIC) and North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) support funding for the Cereal Crops Research Unit. More nutritious, health-promoting oats and barley are goals of scientists at the USDA-ARS Cereal Crops Research Unit (CCRU). Researchers are identifying and studying antioxidant chemicals in oats and barley that may play a role in protecting humans from degenerative diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers. Additional support is also needed to ensure that there is enough funding to support the research efforts of currently employed scientists and to allow two vacated scientist positions to be filled.
USDA-ARS Cereal Crops Research Unit Madison, Wisconsin
Amount Requested: $500,000 USDA-ARS Salaries and Expenses
The National Barley & Oat Improvement Committees thank Congress for approving funding of $11.4 million to enable the construction of a new USDA-ARS Cereal Crops Research Unit (CCRU) on the campus of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The new CCRU was dedicated on April 5, 2007.
Prior to the construction of the new facility, funding was sufficient to pay salaries, maintain the laboratories and equipment in the old building, and support a modest level of research. However, funding is insufficient to meet a substantial increase in operating costs for the new building and maintain programs for eight CCRU scientists (two positions are vacant). Funding for research has been reduced further due to recent cutbacks in the FY08 ARS operating budget (rescission and no funding for mandated salary increases). The 60 year old facility was 16,000 gross square feet (GSF). The new CCRU is 38,000 GSF and maintenance costs, utilities, and the salaries of building maintenance personnel have increased substantially. Additional support is also needed to ensure that there is enough funding to support the research efforts of currently employed scientists and to allow two vacated scientist positions to be filled. For FY2010, we are requesting $500,000 in increased funding to enable the CCRU to effectively meet its mission.
Research Mission
Better barley for America’s malting and brewing industries, and more nutritious, health-promoting barley and oats are the goals of scientists at the USDA-ARS Cereal Crops Research Unit (CCRU). Researchers are unlocking the mysteries of germination (malting), where barley grains become storehouses of enzymes to break down starch and protein that support fermentation to produce beer. They are identifying and studying antioxidant chemicals in barley and oats that may play a role in protecting humans from degenerative diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers. Research is also directed at developing barley with resistance to Fusarium head blight. The researchers also collaborate with barley and oat researchers to breed improved varieties of these grains by analyzing the quality of breeding selections and other experimental samples. This team approach is improving the quality of genetic stocks. The Unit has a broad mission: 1) conduct basic research to identify and understand the biological processes affecting the growth, development and properties of cereal grains, 2) to evaluate these findings for potential improvement of cereal quality through germplasm development or altered production practices, and 3) to provide support for barley and oat breeding and applied research programs within ARS and at State Agricultural Experiment Stations. Their customers are other researchers, plant breeders, oat and barley processors, the malting and brewing industries, and consumers. Due to the increased operational costs of the new facility, the Unit has reduced its scientific staff, its support of offsite ARS and state researchers, and its research on oat and barley nutritional quality. The Unit currently has five working scientists, sixteen support personnel, graduate and undergraduate students, and unit scientists are training varying numbers of post-doctoral research associates. The requested funding will allow the re-establishment of the Unit’s research and support efforts on oat and barley nutritional quality.
last updated February 6, 2009
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