April 14, 2005

AgBiotechnology Center of Excellence Established at NDSU

Recognizing the large potential from future developments in agricultural biotechnology, an AgBiotechnology Center of Excellence has been established at North Dakota State University.

“North Dakota has realized more than $700 million in benefits from current crop biotechnology traits, but this is only a fifth of the benefit that has been realized by states that have aggressively pursued biotechnology,” said Bill Wilson, NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics professor.

Ken Grafton, director of the NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station, said the purpose of the center is to facilitate the sustainable, long-term development of agricultural biotechnology in North Dakota.

“It has the potential to increase producer net income,” he said. “This is done through investments that bring about the commercialization of biotech crops.”

Al Skogen, a grower and president of Growers for Wheat Biotechnology Inc., said that as well as being a benefit for growers, the center will benefit small biotechnology companies that have an idea, but have limited resources to proceed.

“These companies will have the opportunity to partner with NDSU and move forward,” said Skogen, former president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association. “It gives them a home in rural America, right here in the country.”

Grafton acknowledged the governor’s office and Legislature’s support for the center and said they should be credited with forward thinking. Funded in part through the Center of Excellence in Genomics established during the 2003-05 legislative session, the center was identified as a catalyst in their rural economic development vision.

Rep. Tom Brusegaard said the center will “facilitate and encourage commercialization of agricultural biotechnology in North Dakota.”
Terry Wanzek, president of the NDGGA and a grower and former state senator, is excited about the development of the center. He says he would like to see North Dakota become a leader in biotechnology.
“Already, it has helped growers to be more efficient and productive,” he said. “I would like to see our growers have this advantage. I believe this is North Dakota’s chance to be a leader, not only in the United States, but globally as well.”

This sentiment was confirmed by state Rep. Michael Brandenburg.
“Thank goodness for people like Al Skogen and Terry Wanzek,” he said. “They took a stand back in the 2001 session to keep this technology in the state. This center is great for North Dakota.”

Five activities are conducted at the center:

• Developing a biotechnology business plan - This includes industry analysis, identifying the relevant biotechnology trait developers that could be collaborators, targeting traits of value in North Dakota and evaluating technology transfer alternatives, commercial practices and regulatory/legislative initiatives to facilitate development and business plans for specific targeted traits.
• Trait research and development in North Dakota - New crop varieties are tested and evaluated to prove they will work under North Dakota production systems.
• Economic research - This includes research to expand commercialization and biotechnology development in North Dakota.
• Policy analysis implementation - The center provides expert research analysis to assist decision makers as they address policy issues.
• Outreach to explain the science and technology aspects of biotechnology from a nonbiased perspective - This includes outreach to producer groups, domestic and international buyers and the marketing and processing sector.

Funding for the center comes from NDSU, North Dakota legislature, trait providers, commodity groups and public- interest groups supporting biotechnology research and development.

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Source: Bill Wilson, (701) 231-7472, william.wilson@ndsu.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.edu

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