NDSU Leads New Growth in Ag Technology

By Scout Nelson

North Dakota is receiving more than $50 million in federal support to grow agriculture research, expand technology development, and strengthen policy work that helps farmers and ranchers. These investments are part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations legislation and support North Dakota’s growing leadership in modern agriculture.

A major share of the funding goes to North Dakota State University and its research partners. Around $25 million supports research through federal programs that work on better crop yields, disease resistance, and improved production for wheat, soybeans, barley, oats, potatoes, pulse crops, and canola.

Another $18.5 million helps NDSU lead work in precision technology, machine learning, autonomous tools, and data security in agriculture.

Nearly $2.5 million supports the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center. This center provides economic research that helps shape national farm policy. Its work has guided updates to crop insurance, reference prices, and new support packages for producers. Since 2024, the center has received almost $6.5 million in federal support.

North Dakota also receives $5 million for the AgTech Cooperative Agreement between Grand Farm, NDSU, and federal researchers. This includes funds to create a federal research site at Grand Farm.

The partnership works to develop new precision tools that help farmers increase yields and lower input costs, strengthening the country’s competitive position.

An additional $3 million supports ongoing improvements at the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, bringing project funding to $18 million since 2022.

The funding package also supports farmers and ranchers in several key areas. It fully funds Farm Service Agency loans so producers have access to credit. It prevents FSA office closures and provides $500,000 for blackbird control in the Northern Great Plains.

Livestock support includes $13.5 million for electronic identification, along with funding for avian influenza and chronic wasting disease prevention. The package also continues efforts to improve market fairness through support for the cattle contract library and stronger enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university