Nebraska Corn Board Call for Proposals

Rick Koelsch, Nebraska Extension

Nebraska Corn Board is now accepting proposals through January 30, 2015 for 2015 projects. Although listed as a "research" program, the projects funded by the Corn Board include Extension and applied research programs targeting crop production, environmental management, youth development and nutrition/health issues.

The 2015 Request for Proposals states that the research priorities are:

• Increase the demand and usage of corn and /or corn products;
• Research into the various aspects of life cycle analysis that affect corn and or corn ethanol, keeping in mind a systems approach,
• Examples (but not limited to) such as nitrous oxide emissions, irrigation efficiency and fuel use, model elasticity variables;
• Research that optimizes the environmental stewardship practices of present and future corn production systems,
• Livestock production systems vs. crop production systems;
• Research of federal policy that effect corn, livestock, trade and/or ethanol.

One need expressed by members of the Corn Board suggests projects that place the results of funded projects in the hands of Nebraska producers would be valued.  Proposals that build upon current research projects or partner with new proposals to expand the reach of the research presents an opportunity for Extension professionals to consider for submitting a proposal. Below is a listing of currently funded that may serve as a possible starting point for a future partnership or as an idea of the types of projects the Corn Board is funding:

Benchmarking productivity and efficiencies of irrigation water and nitrogen in corn-based cropping systems is led by Patricio Grassini.   The objective  is to analyze NRD producer-reported data to provide proof-of-concept for measuring irrigated corn systems efficiencies.

Corn-derived Resistant Starches to Improve Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome is led by Amanda Ramer-Tait & Jens Walter. Resistant starches (RS) derived from corn offer tremendous potential to support the health of our population, including improved insulin sensitivity, reduced weight gain, etc. Our research will provide important knowledge of how a corn-based ingredient can improve health.

Decide NOW is a project led by Robert Tigner, Jessica Johnson and Cory Walters to increase implementation of marketing strategies. Decide NOW will allow producers to step away from the classroom with the tools needed to implement and modify grain marketing plans. The main component of Decide NOW will be customizable electronic post‐harvest marketing plan with a built in reminder system.

Determining the Feeding Value of Distillers Grains in Cattle Diets (Matt Luebbe, Jim MacDonald, and Galen Erickson).  The majority of ethanol plants in Nebraska started removing a portion of the corn oil from the thin stillage stream resulting in a lower fat distillers grains (DGS) byproduct. With the support of the Corn Board, this project will evaluate deoiled distillers after they became available to producers.

Foliar Analysis in Nutrient Management for High Yield Corn is led by Charles Shapiro and our Extension soils specialists.  Corn has a high rate of nutrient uptake during the V4 to VT stage and demand may exceed the supply. Our hypothesis is that nutrient responsive fields or areas in fields can be identified and remediated through a combination of soil and plant analysis.

Innovative Youth Corn Challenge by Brandy VanDeWalle, Aaron Nygren & Amy Timmerman
The Annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge will continue for 4-H and FFA members working in teams. Youth are challenged to produce the most economical, highest yielding corn in comparison to their typical production system. 

Managing Corn Stover Removal with Cover Crops to Optimize the Environmental Stewardship Practices of Corn Production (Humberto Blanco).  Harvesting or grazing corn stover addresses a major forage supply need in Nebraska but creates the potential for soil erosion and degradation of soil productivity. Cover crops may reduce adverse effects. This onfarm and research plot project is assessing the interactive effects of corn stover removal and cover crops on soil characteristics, erosion, and crop yields.

Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (Keith Glewen & Gary Zoubek).  Corn growers typically ask the question “does this new production practice or a specific input work to improve the corn yield on my farm and does it provide an economic payback”? On-farm research can help a grower answer those important questions.

Promoting Adoption of In-Season Canopy Sensor-Based Nitrogen Fertilization of Corn Through the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (Richard Ferguson, Joe Luck & Keith Glewen).  The project will promote the adoption of in-season nitrogen fertilization for corn for increasing N use efficiency and reducing environmental impact on groundwater quality. It will also  increase grower’s familiarity with the use of crop canopy sensors to generate an economic optimum in-season nitrogen rate.

Sustainable Corn and Soybean Production (Roger Elmore & Humberto Blanco).  We propose exploring sustainable corn-soybean production systems that incorporate cover crops. Our objectives are to determine the feasibility of utilizing cover crops, in corn and soybean cropping systems. The field activities will be conducted in research plots at four Nebraska sites – both irrigated and rainfed.

Extension Funding Opportunity in AFRI

by Rick Koelsch

Buried in NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundation Program (traditionally a research based funding opportunity) is a new CARE initiative ripe for Extension-led proposals.  The Request for Proposals is found at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation_mod.pdf. 

The CARE (Critical Agricultural Research and Extension) program is described on pages 31-32 of the RFA as a $5 million program designed to address high profile regional and national concerns limiting our food production systems.  It was added to the Foundation Program in 2014 by NIFA for the first time at the request of multiple agricultural organizations.

Several phrases within this call for proposals make it particularly appealing to application focused research, including on-farm research, and extension including the following ...

"Projects will focus on critical problems faced by producers, including those implementing innovative production methods."Address "critical problems that require partnership and close coordination among researchers, extension experts, and producers."
"Funded projects will quickly yield solutions or practices that can be rapidly implemented."
"Producers and/or producer group engagement is required."
"Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate collaboration with recognized stakeholder groups."

As I review this language, the opportunity appears tailor-made for 1) applied research moving from research sites to field application and for 2) stakeholder identified challenges for which we have practices or technologies that need evaluation on commercial farms under a broader range of field conditions. The work being done by Extension teams leading our Soybean Management Field Days, On-Farm Research Program, GMO resistant weed field days, crop residue utilization for beef systems, and our Ag Water Management Network are examples of effort that are a solid fit for the criteria of this RFA.  A well done proposal on any of these or similar topics that includes a strong stakeholder role should compete well for these funds.

If you have an idea for a proposal, I might suggest that you assemble a short summary of your idea and share with with the NIFA program leader, Dr. Martin Draper at (202) 401-1990 or mdraper@nifa.usda.gov.  Marty is an individual who has a solid understanding of applied research and extension needs and of the production related challenges faced by agricultural producers.  I would also be willing to visit with you further if I can be of assistance. 

Please note that proposals will have a limit of $150,000 and letters of intent are due on June 4 with invited proposals due on August 7.
------------------

Language pulled from 2014 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundation Program, page 31-32  ...  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation_mod.pdf 

1.     Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE)

Background

Despite prior investments in basic and applied research, critical problems continue to impede the efficient production and protection of agriculturally-important plants and animals. These problems may be local, regional, or national, and may call for work focused on one or more scientific disciplines. However, all need immediate attention to meet producer needs. Finding and implementing solutions to these critical problems require partnership and close coordination among researchers, extension experts, and producers. Funded projects will quickly yield solutions or practices that can be rapidly implemented by producers.

The CARE program area addresses the following priorities of the 2008 Farm Bill: A. Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; B. Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; C. Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; D. Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment; E. Agriculture, Systems and Technology; and F. Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities

The AFRI CARE program area directly aligns with the Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan (www.ree.usda.gov/ree/news/USDA_REE_Action_Plan_02-2012_2.pd and specifically addresses: Goal 1 – Local and Global Food Supply and Security; Goal 2 - Responding to Climate and Energy Needs; Goal 3 – Sustainable Use of Natural Resources; Goal 5 – Food Safety; Goal 6 – Education and Science Literacy; and Goal 7 – Rural-Urban Interdependence and Prosperity.

In FY 2014, AFRI invites Integrated research and extension applications for Standard and FASE Grant types relevant to the priority of the CARE Program Area described below.

Letter of Intent Deadline – June 4, 2014 (5:00 p.m. ET); see Part IV, A for instructions

Program Area e-mail for Submission of Letter of Intent– CriticalAg@nifa.usda.gov

Application Deadline – August 7, 2014 (5:00 p.m. ET)

Total Program Funds – Approximately $5 million

Proposed Budget Requests -

·   Standard Grants must not exceed $150,000 total (including indirect costs) for project periods of up to 3 years and are not renewable.
·   Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants must adhere to the guidelines outlined beginning in Part II, D. 3.
·   Requests exceeding the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

Program Area Priorities – Each application must address the following Program Area Priority:

1.     CARE

Program Area Priority Code – A1701
Program Area Priority Contact – Dr. Martin Draper (202) 401-1990 or mdraper@nifa.usda.gov

Develop and implement solutions to critical producer problems associated with animal and crop production, protection, or product quality. Emphasis will be placed on achieving results that can be applied by the producer as quickly as possible following project completion. Applications should include justification of why the issue is critical and how project outcomes will rapidly impact the stakeholder community. The project must include stakeholders.

Other Program Area Requirements:

• Producers and/or producer group engagement is required during development of the application to ensure that funded projects are designed to provide solutions to stakeholder needs. Further, these stakeholders should also be involved in the implementation of the project.
• Strict focus on a short to medium-term application of results is an important component of this program area. Projects must demonstrate outcomes within the project period.
• Projects will focus on critical problems faced by producers, including those implementing innovative production methods.
• Projects must have a high degree of coordination between research and extension components. Both functions should be engaged from inception through implementation of the project.  
• Project applicants must identify if their project is extension-led or research-led.
• All applications must include a logic model detailing the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. See Part IV C.3g for details on how to create a logic model and how to attach this information to your application.
• Project budgets should reflect how the research and extension activities will be achieved, including how they are integrated.
• Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate collaboration with recognized stakeholder groups and submitted by investigator(s) with experience in using local, regional, or national resources and in conducting time-critical research and extension.
• All applications must adhere to the requirements beginning in Part IV.
• Applications from, and collaborations with, small to mid-sized institutions, minority-serving institutions, and/or EPSCoR states are strongly encouraged.

SPECIAL NOTE: Applications to this program should uniquely fit into this program and should not be eligible for submission to other existing AFRI program areas or priority areas.