Multistate Project NE-1010: Breeding and Genetics of Forage Crops to Improve Productivity, Quality, and Industrial Uses

The economics of farming continues to be one of the major agricultural problems in the U.S. One important component of the solution is to increase profitability by crop improvement through plant breeding. Improved forage cultivars provide economic opportunities for livestock and crop farming operations and promote a more stable, sustainable agriculture. Farmers benefit by greater animal product per unit of land or forage produced, and the consumer benefits by maintenance of low cost food. Improved seed production capacity also ensures a satisfactory product for seed producers and a low seed price to the forage grower. All Americans benefit as genetic improvement is the least costly and most stable way to maintain international agricultural competitiveness, decrease the amount of land lost to agricultural production, and protect the environment by decreasing the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.