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Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology Grant assists in $6.8MM Malt Barley Facility development

Letter of appreciation to:

David Desch
[email protected]

Executive Director

Montana Board of Research & Commercialization Technology

PO Box 193

Helena, MT 59624

Dear Dave:

This is to inform you that our Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology Grant activity had a very positive influence on Anheuser-Busch officials and their decision to locate a 6.8 million malt barley handling and storage facility in Sidney, Montana just to the east of our MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC). Both grant projects helped demonstrate the potential for expanded irrigation development and the use of malt barley as a value-added rotational crop with sugarbeets, potatoes, and other high-value crops.

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(FYI- The proposed budget would eliminate grant funds for future projects ($3.65
million for FY04 and $3.65 million for FY 05). For details, look at
http://www.state.mt.us/budget/content/budget/2005_budget/OBPP%20C.pdf Look at the last paragraph on p 91 to see the
reduction of $3.65 million.- R&D is the key to long-term successful entrepreneurial high-revenue economy. Russ)

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In 2002, Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc., (BARI) greatly expanded their malt barley varietal development program in the MonDak region as part of a cooperative effort with EARC. BARI trials with more than 1500 two-row and six-row barley lines were planted and tested at EARC under both irrigated and dryland conditions in 2002 as part of our Research and Commercialization grant projects. Lines were evaluated for yield, agronomic characteristics, and malt quality. Lines included advanced lines for BARI’s nationwide six-row program, BARI’s two-row western malt barley program, and BARI’s international malt barley program. Also included as part of the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology grant activity were cooperative trials with North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota Barley Varietal Development Programs.

These projects are a perfect example of promoting and developing new and expanding agricultural industries and the creation of new wealth through agriculture as part of a regional team effort. Research is definitely an investment in the growth of agriculture and high-value / value-added products and their commercialization. It is very rewarding to have the grant resources to conduct this pertinent research to support irrigation development and the commercialization of high-value and value-added crops including the malt barley industry.

Sincerely,

JERALD W. BERGMAN

Superintendent

Eastern Agricultural

Research Center

1501 N Central Ave

Sidney, Montana 59270

Tel (406) 433-2208

Fax (406) 433-7336

Email: [email protected]

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