Farm Bill-Funded Research Programs Critical for Agriculture
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
One critical aspect of the farm bill, which will be up for reauthorization in 2023 is agricultural research. Fruit grower April Clayton says important research has gone into helping them detect little cherry virus, which infects their cherry trees through insect vectors.
Clayton… “Basically, once they bite or land on the tree, the pathogens from the bugs transfer to the trees, and then the tree becomes infected. It leaves the fruit underdeveloped and under color, so it doesn't make grade for the market. Unfortunately, the pathogen is then spread through the root system, and there's no treatment for it. So, we physically have to remove the tree and there's no way that you can replant another tree because you could possibly infect the next tree that you put in.”
Clayton says the farm bill funds research through her local land grant university
Clayton… “We live next to the Washington State University Tree Extension Research Center. Thankfully, because of the farm bill Washington State University received under a million dollars through the farm bill. So, this money will go to help fund research and testing, because right now the only way you can test for the virus is right at harvest time. So, with more research, we'll know more, and we can stop this.”
Clayton encourages farmers and ranchers to advocate for farm bill research programs.