The hatch multistate capacity funds will support collaborative research by north dakota agricultural experiment station (ndaes) personnel alongside colleagues at other land- grant institutions,…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded North Dakota State University $1,858,606 under the Hatch Act Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations program (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025.

The funding supports collaborative multistate agricultural research conducted by North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station personnel alongside colleagues at other land-grant institutions. Research areas include plant breeding programs developing crop varieties resilient to North Central climate conditions, plant protection and disease management research, weed science initiatives to reduce weed pressures, and end-use innovation in cereals, food science, and meat science. The award also funds soil health and fertility studies to enhance nutrient use efficiency, sustainability, and carbon sequestration; animal sciences research exploring health and performance through nutrition, epigenetics, and management practices; rangeland research to improve forage quality and wildlife and pollinator habitats; ecosystem services research optimizing agroecosystem health; precision agriculture technology application in animal and crop systems; and economic research assessing agricultural and food system value, trade opportunities, and risks for stakeholders. Research outcomes are intended to provide science-based solutions to producers and stakeholders across the United States for agricultural improvement, food systems, and natural resources.

Performance runs through September 30, 2027, with place of performance at North River, North Dakota.

The hatch multistate capacity funds will support collaborative research by north dakota agricultural experiment station (ndaes) personnel alongside colleagues at other land- grant institutions, advancing key areas of agricultural research. This includes plant breeding programs that develop resilient crop varieties suited to the north central climate, plant protection research to provide disease management tools, and weed science initiatives to develop strategies for reducing weed pressures. Our agricultural products research emphasizes end-use innovation in crops (cereal and food science), livestock (meat science), and bioproducts derived from agricultural feedstocks. Soil health and fertility studies will enhance nutrient use efficiency, sustainability, and carbon sequestration. Animal sciences research will explore animal health and performance through nutrition, epigenetics, and management practices. Rangeland research will investigate ways to improve forage quality through grazing and fire management, while promoting habitats for wildlife and pollinators. The funds will also support research in ecosystem services to optimize ecosystem health in agroecosystems and the application of precision agriculture technologies in both animal and crop systems. In addition, economic research will assess the value of agriculture and food systems, providing insights into trade opportunities and risks for stakeholders. These collaborative efforts will establish scientifically sound research across multiple disciplines, with specific programs focused on crop breeding, disease and weed management, food quality, soil health, animal nutrition, and economic market analysis to benefit north dakota's agricultural landscape. The outcomes of the above research studies will prioritize providing science-based solutions to producers and stakeholders across the united states for the improvement of agriculture, food systems, and natural resources. The outcomes of the research conducted will be delivered in disseminations that include peer-reviewed scientific publication and scientific presentations. The producers and stakeholders of ND and the USA will also receive outcomes from the above scientific studies through research reports to funding agencies (e.g., commodity groups), and through direct communications to producers, agronomists, and consultants at regional meetings and conferences with the ultimate aim to provide public impact.