Sep 21, 2015

University of Illinois’ ACES reducing crop production research

In the coming year, the University of Illinois’ College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) is reallocating its state resources in crop production research at its St. Charles, DeKalb, Brownstown and Dixon Springs research centers. Crop production research resources at these centers will be reduced or reallocated, while agronomic field research will progress at the flagship facilities on the South Farms in Urbana, in upgraded facilities at Monmouth, the Orr Center, and with cooperating producers in Illinois.

The decisions were driven by budget considerations, and by the need to allocate limited resources, according to the university.

ACES will continue several off-campus field operations as valuable components of its research portfolio. Beef cattle research will continue and may expand at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center and at the Orr Center.

The ACES Department of Crop Sciences delivers research and education in the areas of crop production and systems, bioinformatics, environmental sciences, genetics, integrated pest management, plant breeding, plant molecular biology and physiology, plant pathology, weed science and more.

Inquiries regarding the ACES Research and Education Centers should be directed to Neal Merchen, associate dean for research and director of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, College of ACES, at 217-333-0240, or [email protected].