RESEARCH & UTILIZATION

KEY ISSUES – RESOLUTION

Research & Utilization

Research should be directed at providing maximum economic value of ag products and cutting-edge technology to producers. This commitment must be focused on producers competing in world markets, equipping them with tools to add value to the commodities, and protecting our environment.

  1. MGGA supports federal, private and other funding of an accelerated research program for the control of sawflies, wheat blossommidge and other detrimental insects in Montana including a parasite implementation program.
  2. MGGA supports research of out‐crossing of biotech plants into crops and weeds and the determination of a reasonable thresholdfor adventitious or accidental presence of bio‐tech traits in non‐biotech crops. (Revised 2009)
  3. MGGA endorses the joint National Association of Wheat Growers/US Wheat Biotechnology Position Statement.
    (Revised 2009)
  4. With respect to glyphosate tolerant wheat, MGGA strongly encourages biotech providers to introduce the crop with volunteercontrol packages that are readily available and at least as cost effective as current generic glyphosate production systems. (Revised2014) 
  5. MGGA supports research aimed at improving and increasing the end uses of Montana wheat and barley, including research utilizingadvanced breeding technologies. (Revised 2018)
  6. MGGA supports the concept that the use of CRISPR, and similar single‐gene editing techniques, does not make an organism geneticallymodified. (New 2020)
  7. MGGA supports promotion, research and expansion of Montana bio‐based products including farm grown biofuel and lubricants. (Revised 2020)
  8. MGGA supports research for higher value crops including industrial and non‐food uses.
  9. MGGA supports a base budget increase for MAES (Montana Ag Experiment Station). (Revised 2014)
  10. MGGA encourages filling all vacancies in the Montana Ag Experiment Station (MAES) system. (New 2013)
  11. MGGA supports the expansion of agricultural research and education within the Montana University System. (New 2015)
  12. MGGA supports MSU Extension programs to better transfer technology from MAES (Montana Ag Experiment Station) and the MSU (Montana State University) system to Montana producers. (Revised 2016)
  13. MGGA strongly encourages transparency in the MSU tech transfer process. (New 2015)
  14. MGGA supports MSU plant breeding and development programs capturing significant market value from the commercialization of any varieties or intellectual properties released to the public or licensed to private industry and the return of all proceeds to the plant development program. MGGA encourages MSU to pursue a framework of variety release that meets that goal. (New 2015)
  15. MGGA supports separate state funding specifically for long range building for Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. Once funding is allocated, MAES will have complete budgetary control. (Revised 2016)
  16. MGGA supports the long‐range building plans of Montana Ag Experiment Station facilities. (Revised 2020)
  17. MGGA supports research and education to develop new control methods for herbicide resistant weeds and problem grassy weeds. (Revised 2014)
  18. MGGA supports the development and research of proactive management strategies for noxious weeds and invasive plants that are known or thought to present a problem. (New 2016)
  19. MGGA supports the exploration and production of commercial fertilizer in the US. (2008)
  20. MGGA supports increased research and education for farm produced green manure and other fertility systems which can replace commercial fertilizer.
  21. MGGA supports the concept that any farm data generated on the farm belongs to the farm operator. (Revised 2018)
  22. MGGA supports credible climate research that benefits Montana agricultural producers. (Revised 2017)
  23. MGGA supports the retention of the insect unit at the USDA Ag Research Service Lab in Sidney. (New 2016)
  24. MGGA opposes county or local governments having the power to regulate the cultivation, registration or labeling of seeds. (New2016)
  25. MGGA opposes the use of buckwheat in cover crop mixes. (Retained 2017)
  26. MGGA supports federal, private and other funding for research on cause, effect and solutions for soil acidification and soil salinity.(Revised 2020)
  27. MGGA opposes the Food and Drug Administration releasing results of investigations without peer review or adequate scientific review. (New 2019)
  28. MGGA supports the development and use of Blockchain/Traceability technology within the commodity and food processing industry. (New 2020)
  29. MGGA opposes a national wheat checkoff. (Revised 2018)
  30. MGGA supports the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee and their activities and mandates that the appointment of director(s) shall be from candidates recommended by at least one of these organizations: the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA), the Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF), the Montana Farmers Union (MFU), or the Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE). (New 2014)
  31. MGGA supports the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee in exercising autonomy over daily operations and the allocation and use of funds from their checkoff program. Particularly in its ability to increase pay for its professional staff. (Amended 2024)
  32. MGGA supports the Montana State Grain Lab, including policies that will make the State Grain Lab sustainable and timely. (2008) (Amended 2024)
  33. MGGA supports the Montana State Seed Lab, including policies that will make it sustainable. (2008)
  34. MGGA supports funding for the Montana State University Schutter Diagnostics Lab. (New 2012)
  35. MGGA supports the development of robotic farm equipment. (New 2020)
  36. MGGA supports development of a more consistent phosphorous soil test given the increase in soil acidification. (New 2021)
  1. MGGA supports the development of the Precision Ag program at Montana State University. (New 2022)
  2. MGGA supports the separation of Montana Wheat and Barley Committee from State Administration. (New 2022)
  3. MGGA supports additional FGIS Grain Labs in Montana. (New 2024)
  4. MGGA supports the Montana Department of Revenue in reallocating a portion of marijuana tax revenue to the benefit of Montana agriculture. (New 2025)
  5. MGGA supports the Montana State Grain Lab in utilizing private grain labs. (New 2025)
  6. MGGA supports increasing HATCH Act Funding for agricultural experiment stations from $265 million annually to $300 million annually. (New 2025)
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