The Northern Plains Agriculture Research labs gets $4 million in federal funding

The Northern Plains Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney has moved closer to more than $4 million in federal funding, Sen. Max Baucus said Friday.

Associated Press The Billings Gazette

Baucus, D-Mont., said the Senate has passed an agricultural spending bill that includes $2.8 million to finish an expansion of the lab. The legislation also adds $900,000 to help retain staff members and $800,000 for research of noxious weeds.

Baucus, who requested the funding, said the bill has about $16 million for in-state research and projects to boost Montana agriculture.

Baucus said the bill also includes $556,000 to help the Montana State University Sheep Institute develop ways to boost the state’s wool and lamb industry. Baucus said Montana’s sheep industry has been hurt by record increases in foreign imports and a loss of federal price-support programs.

Other state-related funding includes $1 million for the Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration at MSU, $2.5 million for technology transfer for rural areas in Butte and $1.3 million for a cooperative predation management program between Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.

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