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New and upgraded MU facilities aim to strengthen Missouri agriculture

The University of Missouri is expanding its ag research, education and workforce development capabilities with four new and upgraded facilities.

That includes processing and equipment updates for Missouri Foundation Seed.

Denny Mertz farms in eastern Missouri and is a board member on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, which supports the program.

“It’s important for farmers to do some research with their own funding to get new traits and new genetics into the soybean line,” says Mertz.

Creed Barn, part of the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics at MU’s Beef Farm, is completely renovated with state-of-the-art handling equipment and a new lab. Missouri Cattlemen’s Executive Vice President Mike Deering says the center helps support the state’s cow-calf sector.

“We have some of the best seedstock producers in the world right here in Missouri, and this center is meant to ramp that up with quality genetics, making sure we’re on the cutting edge,” says Deering.

There’s also a new fermentation lab for the Grape and Wine Institute, and the new Michael L. Parson Meat Lab.

“The work, the science, the research and education that’s going to be happening in all of these new facilities is going to ensure the next generation of ag leaders in Missouri have the tools they need to be successful into the future,” says Chris Chinn, Missouri Ag Director.

University of Missouri President Mun Choi says these facilities should make Missouri agriculture more productive.

“We can’t be more proud of our efforts to do that.”

There were ribbon cuttings for all four facilities at the University of Missouri on Friday.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Denny Mertz, Missouri farmer and board member on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Mike Deering, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Chris Chinn, Missouri Ag Director.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with President Mun Choi, University of Missouri.