Kansas Wheat seeks innovative research proposals

Applications for research projects that can enhance Kansas wheat producers' profitability are currently being accepted by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Wheat Alliance and the Kansas Crop Improvement Association for the 2019 fiscal year.

These organizations are committed to promoting innovation within the wheat industry by investing in promising research opportunities. Improving wheat producer productivity and profitability through wheat research is at the heart of the Kansas Wheat Commission's mission, and we are proud to partner with other organizations to make a more innovative wheat industry. Each year Kansas Wheat provides nearly $2 million in funding for research projects, such as wheat breeding, wheat quality, disease screening, insect research, phenotyping, genotyping and many others.

"With the current rapidly evolving world of crop technology, Kansas Wheat Commissioners take their job of advancing wheat research very seriously," says Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations for the Kansas Wheat Commission.  "Nearly one quarter of the Commission’s producer-funded budget is appropriated to wheat research."

The applicants should consider three goals when submitting a proposal: selecting research initiatives that support the industry's ability to gain and sustain market share profitably both domestically and internationally, educating Kansas wheat producers about profitable technologies and cooperating with the wheat supply chain in order to adopt and implement technologies and innovations that support the profitability of Kansas wheat producers.

Examples of projects funded through the Kansas Wheat Commission’s two penny wheat assessment include new variety development, production, trait discovery and genetics, testing methods and procedures, value-added uses and consumer preferences. New this year, projects are being sought in the areas of development in winter durum wheat varieties and ancient grains, economic impact of implementation of posted protein scales for wheat by Kansas grain handlers, the use of gene editing for improved wheat varieties,  improved procedures for industrial baking that allow for lower protein wheat and/or less added gluten in formulas, feed use guidelines for cattle, swine, poultry, and other animals, and economic feasibility of a wheat flour mill in western Kansas.

This initial request is for preliminary two-page letters of intent that are due by November 30, 2017.  These 2-page documents will be reviewed by the committee with invitations for full proposals announced by December 20, 2017. Final award announcements will be made in April 2018.

The full Call for Proposals is available at www.kswheat.com/research.