Yellowstone Times

Research efforts at Montana State University (MSU) have received another year of support from the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee (MFAC), advancing studies focused on soil health, water use efficiency, and developing new crops. This continuation of funding highlights the committee's commitment to boosting research and education through a levy on commercial fertilizers, which annually contributes funds to support such initiatives.

The MFAC comprises agricultural producers, as well as representatives from the MSU College of Agriculture and MSU Extension. According to Darrin Boss, associate director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture, “It is always a pleasure to interact and work with the MFAC selecting research projects that are directly focused on producer impacts through collaborative efforts across the fertilizer industry.” He also noted that this year's selection process was "exceptionally competitive."

This year, MFAC funding amounts to approximately $441,000, an increase from $394,000 in 2024. The funds will support over two dozen MSU faculty and graduate students from various departments, including Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Research Centers, among others.

Several projects were awarded funding. Chengci Chen leads "Fertility Management for Optimum Yield and Quality of Soy and Dry Beans in Eastern Montana," aimed at helping eastern Montana's agricultural industry adopt alternative crops. Another project by Jennifer Lachowiec, "Optimizing Boron Management for Sustainable Wheat Production and Soil Health in Montana," seeks to understand boron needs to improve crop resilience.

Additionally, Stephanie Ewing's project will manage the Environmental Analytical Laboratory at MSU campus, while Mike Giroux’s research on “Testing Dibutyldithiophosphate as a Seed Treatment to Boost Plant Growth” aims to develop new products for growers. Clain Jones will study sulfur fertilizer's effects on various crops, and Marilyn Dalen will focus on silicon and nitrogen fertilization's impact on wheat production.

Jamie Sherman, Joao Souza, Adam Sigler, Joseph Jensen, and Perry Miller received funding for projects related to barley, soil acidity, nitrogen leaching, winter barley, and winter canola, respectively, among others.

More information about the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee is available online at ag.montana.edu/mfac.