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Research

Bradford Research and Extension Center aerial view

Each year 34 MU and USDA-ARS faculty members in various disciplines establish more than 25,000 plots at the Bradford Research and Extension Center (BREC). Most of these plots are 10' x 25' whereas others may be a single plant, often used in genetics or physiology.

BREC has increased research and teaching opportunities through the School of Natural Resources in wildlife management with an emphasis on Bobwhite Quail Management.

Native Plants also continue to be a source of research and education as BREC cooperates with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the USDA-ARS.

The main emphasis of the research at BREC is:

  • 60% applied: Research that can be used directly by the farmer. This includes crop production, weed and other pest control, forage production, horticulture and soil fertility.
  • 30% genetics and breeding: Development of new varieties of wheat, soybeans, corn and forages with emphasis on increased quality, yield and nutrition.
  • 10% basic: The backbone of new discoveries in agriculture, though several years away from actual farm use. Examples include plant physiology/genomics and molecular biology.

Future research is unknown; however, an emphasis on renewable energy sources is a likely topic of interest.