Regional and National Project and Committee Objectives
NRSP1 - Research Planning Using the Current Research Information System (CRIS)
1. To improve the timeliness, usefulness, and awareness of the CRIS database through improved
operational, managerial, and technical procedures.
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NRSP3 - The National Atmospheric Deposition Program
1. Characterize geographic patterns and temporal trends in biologically important chemical deposition.
2. Support research activities related to: (a) productivity of managed and natural ecosystems; (b)
chemistry of surface and groundwaters including estuaries; (c) health of domestic animals,
wildlife, and fish; (d) human health; (e) the effects of atmospheric deposition on visibility and
materials; and (f) discern source-receptor relationships.
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NRSP4 - A National Agricultural Program: To Clear Pest Control Agents for Minor Uses
1. Obtain minor use and specialty use pesticide clearances and assist in the maintenance of
current registrations.
2. Further the development and registration of microbial and specific biochemical materials for
use in pest management
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NRSP5 - Develop & Distribute Deciduous Fruit Tree Clones That are Free of Known Graft-transmissible Pathogen
1. Provide a location for the legal introduction of foreign clones of deciduous tree fruits.
2. Produce "virus"-free sources of domestic and foreign deciduous fruit tree cultivars and selections.
3. Provide "virus"-free deciduous fruit tree materials to researchers, regulatory agencies, growers,
and nurseries.
4. Develop and implement new technology for the rapid detection of deciduous fruit tree "viruses."
5. Evaluate "virus" sensitivity of newly developed or introduced deciduous fruit tree cultivars.
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NRSP6 - Inter-Regional Potato Introduction Project
1. Introduce additional germplasm to expand genetic diversity contained in the US Solanum
germplasm collection.
2. Classify accessions with species names which will serve as stable identifiers, and promote
efficient utilization.
3. Preserve all NRSP 6 germpasm in secure, disease free, and readily available form according to
best current technology and conduct research pursuant to improving that technology.
4. Distribute potato germplasm, associated data and advice to all researchers and breeders in a
timely, efficient, and 5. Evaluate the collection for as many important traits as possible
6. Collaborate with foreign potato genebanks for global database development, exchange of
materials and technology, and free access of germplasm.
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NRSP7 - A National Agricultural Program to Approve Animal Drugs for Minor Species and Uses
1. Identify the animal drug needs for minor species and minor uses in major species.
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NRSP8 - National Animal Genome Research Program
1. Develop high resoultion comparative genome maps aligned across species that link
agricultural animal maps to those of the human and mouse genomes.
2. Increase the marker density of of existing linkage maps used in QTL mapping and integrate
them with physical maps of animal chromosomes.
3. Expand and enhance internationally shared species genome databases and provide other
common resources that facilitate genome mapping.
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W006 - Plant Genetic Resource Conservation and Utilization
1. To collect, maintain, evaluate, document, and distribute plant genetic resources for use in the
Western region, the United States, and internationally.
2. To determine the basis for and extend of genetic variation, the geographic distribution of
cultivated species, and their taxonomic relationships with closely related species.
3. To evaluate plant genetic resources for specific desirable traits and develop descriptor data for
GRIN.
4. To collect and disseminate information about plant introductions maintained at WRPIS as well
as information about other germplasm related activities occuring in the Western Region; to
promote interaction between units of the National Plant Germplasm System and the State
Agricultural Experiment Stations of the Western Region, and to evaluate germplasm collection
proposals submitted from the Western Region to the NPGS.
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W045 - Environmental Transformation, Exposure, and Effects of Pesticide Residues
1. Identify, develop, and/or validate trace residue analytical methods, immunological procedures,
and biomarkers.
2. Characterize abiotic and biotic reaction mechanisms, transformation rates, and fate in
agricultural and natural 3. Determine adverse impacts from agrochemical exposure to cells,
organisms, and ecosystems.
4. Determine adverse impacts from agrochemical exposure to cells, organisms, and ecosystems.
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W082 - Reducing the Potential for Environmental Contamination by Pesticieds and Other Organic Chemicals
1. Characterize and quantify the basic chemical and biological processes controlling the behavior
of pesticides, other organic chemicals, and microorganisms in soil, water, and air.
2. Integrate chemical and biological process information for use in models applicable across
different spatial and temporal 3. Provide stakeholders with tools for developing strategies to
ensure sustainable agriculture and to protect natural
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W102 - Integrated Methods of Parasite Control for Improved Livestock Production
1. Control of parasitic diseases using biological and chemical agents and physical methods.
2. Define the roles of pathogenesis, immunomodulation, vaccination and genetic manipulations
in parasite control.
3. Integration of parasite control practices into livestock production systems.
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W106 - Multistate Research Coordination, Western Region
1. To facilitate the planning and coordination of Regional Research.
2. To simplify accounting and disbursement of travel funds at each participating State
Agricultural Experiment Station (SAES) for Regional Research planning and coordination.
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W112 - Reproductive Performance in Domestic Ruminants
1. Investigate molecular, cellular, and endocrine mechanisms that limit or control reproductive efficiency in domestic 2. Develop and improve assisted reproductive technologies to enhance sustainability of production systems for domestic
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W122 - Improve Food Safety Through Discovery and Control of Natural and Induced Toxicants and Antitoxicants
1. Detect and identify natural toxicants and antitoxicants in food, food supplements and herbal products.
2. Determine effects and mode of action of toxicants for human health risk assessment.
3. Investigate mechanisms of action of food-borne antitoxicants and other factors that may
improve human health or reduce incidence of disease.
4. Determine effects of agricultural practices and commercial and domestic processing on the
occurrence and transmission of natural toxicants in foods and develop methods to minimize
associated risks.
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W128 - Micro-Irrigation: Management Practices to Sustain Water Quality and Agricultural Productivity
1. To evaluate and refine microirrigation management strategies to promote natural resource
protection and optimal crop 2. To improve, modify, and evaluate microirrigation system design
and components for natural resource protection and optimal crop production.
3. To assess and develop decision criteria for adoption of microirrigation technologies.
4. To promote appropriate microirrigation technologies through formal and informal educational
activities.
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W130 - Freeze Damage and Protection of Horticultural Species
1. Identify and characterize genes whose expression is associated with freeze-tolerance and
winter survival.
2. Identify factors that influence ice nucleation and ice propagation within plants and canopies.
3. Identify factors that influence cold acclimation and winter survival.
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W133 - Benefits and Costs of Resource Policies Affecting Public and Private Land
1. Valuing Changes in Recreational Access.
2. Benefits and Costs of Agro-environmental Policies.
3. Benefits Transfer for Groundwater Quality Programs.
4. Valuing Ecosystem Management of Forests and Watersheds.
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W143 - Nutrient Bioavailability--A Key to Human Nutrition
1. Determine factors affecting bioavailability of selected nutrients that maximize health and
disease prevention.
2. Construct models of metabolism to predict optimal vitamin and mineral intakes.
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W147 - Managing Plant Microbe Interactions in Soil to Promote Sustainable Agriculture
1. To identify and characterize plant microbe interactions that provide suppression of diseases
caused by soilborne plant 2. To understand how biological and environmental factors regulate
microbial populations and the expression of genes responsible for disease control.
3. To develop and implement economic biological control systems to achieve sustainable agriculture.
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W150 - Genetic Improvement of Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for Yield, Disease Resistance, and Food Value
1. Maximize Productivity and Global Competitiveness.
2. Improve Abiotic and Biotic Stress Management Strategies through a Combination of
Classical and biotechnological 3. Elucidate Genetic Controls for Food Quality and Value Added Components.
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W167 - Family and Work Identities During Times of Transition
1. To determine the effects of work and family transitions on identity.
2. To examine the impact of identities on work and family transition outcomes.
3. To determine the effects of work and family transitions on well-being.
4. To examine the association between identity and well-being.
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W168 - Seed Biology, Technology, and Ecology
1. Elucidate fundamental mechanisms underlying seed development and germinability.
2. Develop methods for improving seeds as genetic delivery systems.
3. Define the ecological interactions of seeds with their environment.
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W170 - Chemistry and Bioavailability of Waste Constituents in Soils
1. Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils.
2. Evaluate methods for determining the bioavailability of nutrients, trace elements, and organic
constituents in 3. Predict the long-term bioavailability of nutrients, trace elements, and organic
constituents in residual-amended
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W171 - Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock
1. Understanding the developmental biology and underlying biological mechanisms of
fertilization and embryonic 2. Refine methods for production of genetically modified animals to
improve livestock production efficiency.
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W173 - Stress Factors of Farm Animals and Their Effects on Performance
1. Identify appropriate measures of animal stress and well-being and characterize factors
affecting the biology of the 2. Evaluate management strategies that minimize the detrimental
effects of animal stress.
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W177 - Enhancing the Global Competitiveness of U.S. Red Meat
1. Improving global red meat customer satisfaction by focusing on red meat food safety issues
(HACCP, pathogen reduction, residue problems) and red meat quality issues (tenderness,
palatability, flavor, leannes, perishability, appearance) through new technologies (Hydrodyne,
instrument grading, image analysis, rapid tests, irradiation, steam pasteurization process,
elastography and others).
2. Enhancing the ability of the red meat and livestock industries to capture value yby reducing
industry generated quality defects (improvements through better genetics, calf and feedlot
management, processing), extending display life of retail cuts (vitamin E, sanitation), increasing
value-added product development, and improving packaging and shipping containers for
prevention of product deterioration.
3. Evaluating the transmission of economic signals throughout the market by analyzing the
efficiency of current market structures and the impact of alternative pricing systems (value based
marketing, formula pricing, contractual alliances), market structures, and trade agreements
(NAFTA, GATT, and others) and address the issue of price reporting/discovery for these
alternative pricing systems and markets.
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W181 - Modifying Milk Fat Composition for Improved Manufacturing Qualities and Consumer Acceptability
1. To identify and characterize important regulatory steps in fatty acid synthesis and desaturation
and their positional distribution on glycerol in milk fat.
2. To quantify modification of milk fat composition by manipulating the diet of the cow.
3. To characterize the effects of modified milk fats on physical, chemical, manufacturing, and
sensory properties of dairy
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W183 - Improvement of Rural and Agricultural Sample Survey Methods
1. To test procedures and develop conceptual models for reducing measurement error in
self-administered mail surveys and telephone interviews.
2. To model the effects of response categories and question order on relations (co-variances)
among variables.
3. To test procedures and develop conceptual models of the effects of cognitive and motivational
factors on nonresponse errors in mail and telephone surveys.
4. To integrate and disseminate the results of the experiments for survey practitioners.
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W185 - Biological Control in Pest Management Systems of Plants
1. Goal A. Import and Establish Effective Natural Enemies. (Classical biological control).
2. Goal B. Conserve Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control of target Pests.
3. Goal C. Augment Natural Enemies to Increase Biological Control Efficacy.
4. Goal D. Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impacts of Biological Control.
5. Goals A, B, and C represent the three major areas of applied biological control (i.e., the
introduction, augmentation, and conservation of natural enemies). Goal D represents another
very important, yet often neglected, goal of applied biological control, that of evaluation of
environmental and economic impacts of biological control.
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W186 - Genetic Variability in the Cyst and Root-Knot Nematodes
1. Characterize genetic variability as related to PPN responses to resistance, environment,
biological processes, and 2. Determine nematode fitness and adaptability relative to
environment, host plant, and host plant resistance.
3. Design and develop management strategies for cyst and root-know nematodes relative to
genetic variability.
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W187 - Interactions Among Bark Beetles, Pathogens, and Conifers in North American Forests
1. Characterize the role of biotic and abiotic factors in predisposing trees to bark beetle attack
and subsequent 2. Characterize interactions among conifer hosts, bark beetles, their natural
enemies, and vectored fungi.
3. Characterize the taxonomic diversity and genetic structure of key fungal pathogens and
symbiotic fungi associated with insects on North American conifers.
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W188 - Improved Characterization and Quantification of Flow and Transport Processes in Soils
1. To study relationships between flow and transport properties or processes and the spatial and
temporal scales at which these are observed.
2. To develop and evaluate instrumentation and methods of analysis for characterization of flow
and transport at different 3. To apply scale-appropriate methodologies for the management of soil
and water resources.
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W189 - Biorational Methods for Insect Pest Management (IPM): Bioorganic and Molecular Approaches
1. To identify and understand the origin and perception of insect semiochemical systems with the
goal of applying this knowledge to insect management.
2. To identify and understand the physiological mode of action of plant metabolites for
development of novel biorational methods of insect management.
3. To develop insect regulatory peptides and proteins, including various enzymes and
insect-specific toxins, as novel agents for plant protection.
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W190 - Agricultural Water Management Technologies, Institutions and Policies Affecting Economic Viability and Environmental Quality.
1. Evaluate the farm-level economic and environmental implications of alternative
resource-conserving irrigation technology and water management systems.
2. Apply alternative methodologies to evaluate economic, environmental and social impacts of
potential technology, policy, and institutional changes affecting water resources for irrigated agriculture.
3. Evaluate alternative institutions and policies for resolving competing agricultural and
environmental water demands.
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W191 - Factors Influencing the Intake of Calcium Rich Foods Among Adolescents
1. To identify the most salient motivators and barriers influencing the consumption of calcium
rich foods among 2. To assess knowledge and attitudes towards calcium rich foods among adolescents.
3. To assess calcium intake among adolescents.
4. To determine variation in motivators and barriers, attitudes and knowledge and consumption
of calcium rich foods across age, gender and selected ethnic groups.
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W192 - Rural Communities and Public Lands in the West: Impacts and Alternatives
1. Continue to develop and refine economic models and methodologies in Western States to
analyze public land issues.
2. Assess the social impacts of public land policies on selected communities and households in
western states.
3. Identify the constraints to policy alternatives mandated under existing and proposed federal
legislation and policy.
4. Continue to support the Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands through membership
on the Technical Committee and Project Teams, as requested.
2. Assess the social impacts of public land policies on selected communities and households in
western states. 3. Identify the constraints to policy alternatives mandated under existing and
proposed federal legislation and policy. 4. Continue
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W193 - Resilience to Violence Among At-Risk Youth
1. Measure variables confirming risk and protective mechanisms (i.e., of resilience) in children,
families, schools, and 2. Align individual, family, school, and community variables ecologically
and developmentally to describe predisposing and situational resilience to violence perpetration
and victimization.
3. Write a research monograph and generate implications and ideas for program development
useful in prevention-oriented professionals.
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W194 - Community Economic Development by Merchandising, Producing, and Distributing Textiles and Sewn Products
1. To assess innovative merchandising, production, and distribution of textiles and sewn products.
2. To evaluate consumers' responses to textiles and sewn products and to innovative processes of
merchandising, producing, and distributing textiles and sewn products.
3. To develop, and compile responses to, creative strategies for merchandising, producing, and
distributing textiles and sewn products.
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W195 - Water Quality Issues in Poultry Production and Processing
1. Develop Methods for Proper Management and Recycling of Poultry Production and
Processing Waste to Improve Water 2. Determine Water Quality Factors That Affect Poultry
Performance and Market Product Quality.
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WCC001 - Beef Cattle Breeding in Western Region
1. Develop World Wide Web(WWW) site for distributing information on genetic improvements
of beef cattle including WCC-1 publications.
2. Develop and provide education materials to assist producers in implementing crossbreeding systems.
3. Maintain a record of tissue stored on pedigreed populations for potential DNA extraction and analysis.
4. Conduct training for seedstock producers on basic genetic concepts and methods for genetic
improvement of beef 5. Exchange information, discuss research results, plan new research,
examine new developments, discuss future problems, plan cooperative research and share ideas
for interdisciplinary involvement in beef cattle breeding.
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1. To coordinate improved water use and management practices.
2. To coordinate development of efficient cultural and maintenance practices for use in an
integrated plant management (IPM) system.
3. To coordinate breeding and genetic improvement for adapted cultivars.
4. To coordinate stress tolerance research using cultural and genetic manipulation.
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WCC020 - Virus and Virus-Like Diseases of Fruit Crops
1. Promote and improve communication and cooperation among entomologists, plant
pathologists, horticulturists, and other professionals concerned about plant health to determine
the vectors of virus and virus-like diseases and to investigate the role of vector biology in the
epidemiology of diseases.
2. Encourage, facilitate, and speed work on the cause and control of newly detected diseases and
disorders by increasing contacts and communication on newly discovered problems likely to be
caused by viruses or virus-like agents.
3. Facilitate rapid adoption and proper use of newly developed techniques and information that
aid in the characterization and detection of virus and virus-like plant pathogens.
4. Evaluate regional fruit tree inventories of operational clean stock programs with
horticulturists to select superior clones for use by industry.
5. Provide a source of research information and service to quarantine and certification agencies,
to germplasm repositories, experiment station and government administrative agencies
nationwide and the tree fruit, small fruit and grapevine
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WCC021 - Revegetation and Stabilization of Deteriorated and Altered Lands
1. Promote interdisciplinary approaches to the stabilization and revegetation, and where
appropriate to the restoration of biodiversity andecological function, of altered and disturbed
lands using WCC-21 member expertise in the fields of soil science, hydrology, plant science,
ecology, rangeland sciences, geomorphology, forest science, wildlife biology, and animal 2.
Conduct field tours of altered/deteriorated and revegetated lands to review technology, make
recommendations and broaden experience of WCC-21 participants and hosts.
3. Promote technology development and transfer on all aspects of revegetation and reclamation
of lands in the western 4. Disseminate information about WCC-21 activities through a web site,
poster presentation at meetings, and workshops of professional societies and related associations.
5. Discuss durrent issues, determine research needs, and coordinate future research activities
relating to the area of revegetation and reclamation.
Identify resources available through the committee that can be used for instruction through the
inclusion of materials on the WCC-21 home page.
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WCC023 - Textile and Apparel Research Coordination
1. Form partnerships among academic faculty, extension specialists, and apparel and textile
industry leaders to develop research and outreach projects beneficial across the Western region.
2. To provide leadership in facilitating information exchange among western region universities
and between the western region and International Textile and Apparel Association.
3. To continue fostering communication of ongoing Western Region research programs
nationally and internationally.
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WCC027 - Potato Variety Development
1. Develop and exchange information on promising new potato selections among scientists and
industry representatives.
2. Provide uniform, high-quality seed to each participating state for all potato selections being
evaluated in regional 3. Coordinate studies to optimize cultural management, disease and pest
resistance, storage and processing characteristics that result in new potato selections that can be
produced with minimal environmental impact and optimum usage under each participating state's
growing conditions.
4. Strengthen linkages with potato processing and fresh pack industries involved in the
development and acceptance of new potato selections and releases.
5. Discuss major issues facing the scientific community and industry and develop
recommendations for addressing those
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WCC037 - Maximizing the Effectiveness of Bees as Pollinators of Agricultural Crops
1. To coordinate research and exchange information on management techniques which increase
the efficacy of Apis and non-Apis bees as pollinators of agricultural crops.
2. Develop and communicate strategies for the protection of domesticated and native bees from
diseases, parasites, predators, pesticides, and non-indigenous bee species and the Africanization
of European honey bee stocks.
3. To identify non-Apis bees with potential value as manageable species for the pollination of
agricultural crops in both conventional and sustainable agricultural systems.
4. To coordinate investigations on bee-plant relationships which may help elucidate the basis for
plant attractiveness to bees and the evolution of host preference.
5. To disseminate research findings by Committee members to interested individuals in the
research community and commodity groups; to disseminate PC-based pollination models and
other software programs for public use as they become available.
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WCC039 - Coordination of Sheep and Goat Research and Education Programs for the Western States
1. Identify ecologically and economically sound land management practices using sheep and
goats for a) managing and sustaining native plant communities, b) controlling invasive,
non-native plant species, and c) improving nutrient cycling and pest management through
integration of sheep into cropping systems.
2. Improve sheep and goat production efficiency and profitability in range and pasture
ecosystems by a) developing value-based marketing systems for meat and fiber, and b)
improving biological efficiency through better understanding of nutritional, physiological and
genetic events that influence meat and wool production.
3. Identify practices that enhance fiber production efficiency and profitability in sheep and goats
by a) breeding for increased quantity and improved quality, b) developing efficient methods of
evaluation, and c) improving methods of handling
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WCC040 - Rangeland Ecological Research and Assessment
1. Identification of important range research issues and development of research pertaining to
ecosystem management including methods that determine if ecological processes are working
properly and meeting ecosystem needs.
2. Enhanced communication and exchange of ideas on emerging and ecological public policy
issues through committee workshops, field tours, regional symposiums, and sponsored
conferences at professional meetings (e.g., Society for Range Management and elsewhere).
3. Publish joint research articles on important emerging issues pertaining to range assessment
including biological diversity, ecosystem management, and sustainability of rangelands.
4. Coordination among range researchers and managers working on common natural resource
issues having western region application to rangeland issues
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WCC043 - Management of Codling Moth and Related Moths in the Orchard Ecosystem
1. To coordinate and integrate regional efforts facilitated by cooperation, e.g., areawide mating
disrption, biologiacal control introductions, and pesticide resistance monitoring.
2. To enhance the efficiency and predictability of existing technologies based on better
understanding of both the technologies and target pests. This includes improvements in enemies
through modified insecticide rates and timings.
3. To coordinate the evaluation of bothe positive and negative aspects of new chemistries that are
becoming available for management of codling mothc, leafrollers, and other lepidopteran orchard
pests, such as tebufenozide, spinosad, and 4. To coordinate efforts to determine the effects of
alternative moth control strategies on the incidence and resurgence problems of secondary pests
such as aphids, psyllids, stink bugs, and mirid bugs.
5. To develop new tools for delivery of information to grower/consultants clientele to help them
better implement the new MD-IPM strateiesy for pome fruits which has developed over the last decade.
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WCC055 - Rangeland Resource Economics and Policy
1. To coordinate the information that is obtained concerning benefits, costs and tradeoffs that are
involved with using federal lands in alternative ways.
2. To coordinate interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that addresses issues and
alternatives facing livestock producers, land administrators and community leaders concerning
the economic, social, cultural and ecological aspects associated with the management of rangelands.
3. To coordinate the evaluation of proposed policies that may affect the use of public and/or
private rangelands.
4. To foster and improve communications among those interested in the management and use of rangelands.
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WCC058 - Production, Transition Handling, and Reestablishment of Perennial Nursery Stock
1. To provide a forum where integrated research and education approaches are designed
regarding problems facing plant nurseries involved in plant production, transition handling and
reestablishment of perennial nursery stock.
2. To share new research information about transition handling and reestablishment of perennial
nursery stock and identify high priority areas and foster interdisciplinary research and education
projects among WCC-058 scientists.
3. Prepare reviews or summaries of topics relevant to the plant production, transition handling,
and reestablishment of nursery stock with the general research community and other interested
persons by publishing information in journals and on the website of the WCC-058.
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WCC060 - Science and Management of Pesticide Resistance
1. To facilitate cooperation and information exchange among disciplines, professional societies,
and agencies in recognizing the magnitude of the pesticide resistance problem and in formulating
sustainable strategies to prevent or delay resistance development in pest populations.
2. To coordinate activities of action committees with industry participation, scientific symposia,
and other meetings on the subject of pesticide resistance for maximum effectiveness and
reduction of duplication.
3. To disseminate information on new developments in resistance, minutes and activities of
action committees, reviews of pertinent literature, and a schedule of upcoming meetings and
training courses by means of a newsletter in paper and electronically-accessible form.
4. To coordinate research activities in fundamental aspects of resistance mechanisms, detection
and monitoring of resistance in the field, and development of sound recommendations for
resistance management and prevention on a regional level.
5. To oversee and guide efforts to establish a permanent funding base for activities such as the
newsletter that provides service on a national and international level.
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WCC066 - Integrated Management of Russian Wheat Aphid and Other Cereal Aphids
1. Facilitate integrated pest management approaches at the field and landscape level to manage
cereal aphid pests in the western U.S.
2. Coordinate biological control, host plant resistance and cropping system research including
evaluation of natural enemy performance and resistant cultivars alone and in combination in
order to identify complementary management systems.
3. Coordinate research in genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of cereal aphids that aids
in facilitating implementation of integrated management strategies in diverse agricultural systems.
4. Coordinate research in genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of cereal aphid natural
enemies that will aid in defining the role and enhancing the impact of cereal aphid predators and
parasitoids in diverse agricultural systems.
5. Enable Cooperative Extension personnel to exchange information, provide current knowledge
of regionally adapted integrated pest management tactics, have input in research prioritization,
and evaluate adoption of recommended management
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WCC067 - Western Coordinating Committee for Sustainable Agriculture
1. Coordination of Region-wide Efforts: Stimulate multi-state projects (WCC-67 will work to
identify common areas of collaboration, with a focus on sustainable production systems, direct
marketing and value-added. Other possible focus issues are medicinal and culinary herbs,
agro-forestry, and sustainable programs for under-served clients). Require an annual written
report from each participant and cooperator (a standard reporting format will be developed and
distributed with the minutes each year). Annually, provide regional sustainable agriculture
priorities to be included in the minutes and given to Western SARE.
2. Outreach and Education Function: Each meeting will have one 'action' theme as the focus of
the meeting. Identify priority areas under these themes to be considered by Western SARE for
future RFPs, and provide a pool of proposal reviewers for the Western SARE's competitive
grants programs. Increase awareness, among the regions sustainable agriculture stakeholders, of
the activities and needs of the regions efforts through presentations at the WCC-67 meetings on
these target themes. Encourage on-farm research.
3. By invitation, WCC-67 will build partnerships and expand collaboration between agencies and
organizations that have a sustainable agriculture mission: Between the Agricultural Experiment
Stations and Cooperative Extension, Between Land-Grants and NRCS, EPA, ARS, FSA, etc.
Between this committee and other sustainable agriculture groups such as Leopold Center,
WSU-CSANR, UC-SAREP, etc. Between landowners, NGOs, farmers, ranchers, commodity
groups, agribusiness, etc.
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WCC069 - Coordination of Integrated Pest Management Research & Extension/Educational Programs for the Western United States & Pacific
1. Foster cooperative regional research and extension programs that solve critical pest
management problems by enhancing communication among stakeholders, IPM research
scientists, IPM extension specialists, and other professionals involved with integrated pest
management strategies in the west.
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WCC072 - Agribusiness Research Emphasizing Competitiveness
1. Coordinate research, extension, and teaching objectives of agribusiness researchers and
educators by drawing on the expertise of academic and industry professionals in the agro-food system.
2. Maintain and develop electronic communication methods that facilitate the exchange and
dissemination of information among industry, government, and academia in the agro-food system.
3. Promote investigation and development of research methodologies and analytical techniques
and their application to issues related to agribusiness management.
4. In designated and appropriate forums, share research findings related to agribusinesses that
will enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. agro-food system.
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WCC077 - Biology and Control of Winter Annual Grass Weeds in Winter Wheat
1. Broaden the scientific discipline base to discover the ecology, biology and economic
thresholds of annual grassy weeds in cereals and to formulate sustainable integrated management
programs for those species in winter wheat. A multi-strategy approach is emphasized to
incorporate improvements as new techniques appear
2. Integrate recently discovered selective herbicides for annual grass weeds in cereals into a
balanced integrated approach to reduce or eliminate development of herbicide resistance in
winter annual grasses. Incorporate herbicide resistant cereal crops in the program where appropriate.
3. Coordinate research and technology transfer efforts initiated and funded by the Jointed
Goatgrass Research Initiative and other sources and disseminate research findings on jointed
goatgrass management to producers in appropriate formats. Research priorities for the National
Jointed Goatgrass Research Program-2000 include: A. Integrated management: Combine
individual practices into systems that will minimize weed impact, be profitable, and
environmentally sustainable B. Technology transfer: Develop materials to increase awareness
and communicate prevention and management strategies C. Management of herbicide resistant
wheat: Continue to determine the potential benefits and problems of resistant wheats and how
they can be integrated into the management system D. Seed dormancy and longevity: Perform
studies on seed dormancy to determine how cultural control practices could be enhanced E.
Bioeconomic modeling: Determine economic thresholds for wheat yield and quality losses.
4. Develop a reference library on winter annual grass species and a home page on the World
Wide Web to facilitate information sharing and technology transfer related to winter annual grass
weeds.
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WCC081 - Systems to Improve End-use Quality of Wheat
1. Coordinate approaches for the development of all types of wheat grown in the PNW for both
domestic and export end 2. Facilitate information exchange between research groups and
industry representatives on end use quality needs for all market classes of wheat.
3. Evaluate the quality of regional nursery entries and improve strategies and procedures for
quality evaluation.
4. Use regional nursery data to identify genotype by environment interactions as they influence
variations in end use 5. Utilize molecular and biochemical tools to improve end-use quality of
adapted cultivars.
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WCC084 - Community, Institutional Change and Migration in Rural America
1. Promote the interaction and collaboration fo researchers studying population change,
environment, and sustainability of nonmetropolitan communities and high-amenity areas in the
West. This will include maintaining contact with members of the two other regional projects
(WCC-76 and W-192) that consider other aspects of nonmetropolitan population change.
2. Coordinate work toward a better understanding of the impact of migration on rural
community structure, culture, and adaptation in a changing regional economy with distinctive
subcultures. This will entail a consideration of the public policy changes that occur in response to
high rates of in-migration.
3. Organize research directed to the interations of national aging trends with distinctive regional
age structures influenced by migration.
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WCC089 - Potato Virus Disease Control
1. To provide a regional forum for the exchange of ideas through cooperation and collaboration
among those involved in potato virus disease research for the long term goal of improving plant
health and crop sustainability. Inherent in this is the pursuit of shared grant and funding
opportunities, where appropriate, by WCC-89 participants.
2. To assist participants in the identification, transfer and utilization of knowledge, methods and
resources. Additionally, resources will be directed toward dissemination of information to
concerned parties for implementation of 3. To act in an advisory capacity with regional and
national organizations for the purpose of evaluating concerns, recommending policies and
reviewing quarantine and seed certification issues, and other pertinent matters as they relate to
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WCC091 - Improving Stress Resistance of Forages in the Western United States
1. Exchange research approaches and results relating to the physiology, genetics, and breeding of
stress resistance in forage species.
2. Identify forage species, cultivars, and experimental lines with potential to extend the livestock
grazing season during the late fall and winter.
3. Encourage adoption of research findings into more appropriate management systems on
western grazing lands.
4. Exchange information in a timely fashion on the availability and adaptability of new
germplasm and cultivars of forage
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WCC092 - Beef Cattle Energetics
1. To facilitate a timely exchange of research data, information and ideas among scientists drawn
from multiple disciplines, extension personnel, industry representatives, and other parties
interested in the measurement and interpretation of energy metabolism in beef cattle and the
development of this knowledge for improved production programs.
2. To foster cooperative research relationships within the group and add interested new members
with diverse backgrounds to enhance the group's discussions.
3. To plan and hold a symposium in conjunction with a major scientific meeting (either the
Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science or the national American Society of
Animal Science) reviewing the state of knowledge for energy metabolism in beef cattle and
identifying hypotheses for consideration and new areas of research.
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WCC093 - Western Region Soil Survey and Inventory
1. To develop more effective mechanisms for direct input from the Experiment Stations into the
National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS).
2. To coordinate pedologic research activities in soils and ecosystems of the western region
(including properties and processes of volcanic soils; influence of soil and weathered rock on
water quality and supply; the role of soils in understanding the history, function, and degradation
of arid, semiarid, and high elevation and high latitude ecosystems; and the use of soil survey
information for land management), with emphasis on activities that benefit NCSS goals of soil
survey 3. To identify and directly involve all NCSS cooperators in western regional research
related to soil survey and ecosystem management, especially NCSS cooperators from USDA
Forest Service USDI Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, the military services,
state agencies, and the private sector.
4. To continue representation of Experiment Station pedologists in the National Cooperative
Soil Survey at regional and national work planning conferences
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WCC095 - Vertebrate Pests of Agriculture, Forestry, and Public Lands
1. To identify and evaluate research and educational needs including damage assessment,
integrated management strategies and materials, new target-specific wildlife management
practices, studies of relationships between wildlife pests and endangered species, development of
new non-lethal approaches to wildlife damage management, and trends in social attitudes
affecting the use of technologies.
2. To coordinate efforts between governments, universities, and private industry in gathering
data for registrations of chemicals for repelling, mitigating, or controlling vertebrate pests to
make it cost-effective to register the essential 3. To identify resources to accomplish the
committee's goals, and to disseminate information and educational materials to researchers,
teachers, stakeholders, and other interested parties.
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WCC097 - Research on Diseases of Cereals
1. The specific objective of the committee is to provide a forum for the coordination of
cooperative efforts in cereal pathology in the western U.S., specifically through interactions at
annual meetings, the exchange of biological material and methodologies, the development of an
electronic bulletin board for small grain disease, and the publication of appropriate research and
extension materials.
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WCC099 - Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish
1. Provide a forum for geneticists, physiologists, nutritionists, biotechnologists and others
interested in the aquaculture of molluscan shellfish to exchange ideas and information on
molluscan reproduction, chromosome and genetic manipulation techniques, broodstock
management and breeding programs.
2. Co-ordinate research efforts among scientists on the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
3. Identify research needs for enhancement of commercial molluscan production while
maintaining environmental quality.
4. Provide industry members with up-to-date research information that will lead to optimal
broodstock management and breeding programs to enhance commercial production.
5. Publish committee reports and documents.
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WCC101 - Assessing the Chinese Market for U.S. Agricultural Products
1. Foster greater understanding of China's potential and likely ability to import and export food
to and from markets in Asia and the Pacific Rim. The significance of developments in China's
agricultural sector for U.S. producers and agri-businesses will be assessed through research
targeted toward those products for which U.S. agriculture competes (or may compete) for the
Chinese market and against China in third markets. This research will establish appropriate
methodologies 2. Dissemination of research on China's food and agricultural economy to a wide
audience, including policy makers, agri-business interests, researchers, and students. The primary
vehicles for circulating this information are the WCC-101 annual meetings and related
conferences, meeting proceedings, and the WCC-101 website (china.wsu.edu).
3. Continue to make steps towards developing a database of historic and current Chinese
economic statistics and establishing criteria for generating reliable data series for the future.
4. Enhance the existing bi-national network of U.S. and Chinese analysts. The network would
facilitate joint research, outreach, exchange and funding activities among committee members
(both U.S. and Chinese) and industry.
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WCC102 - Climatic Data and Analyses for Applications in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1. Coordinate collection and dissemination of weather and climate data and information in the
western U.S. and serve as a forum for discussion of related issues.
2. Identify weather and climate issues and support research related to agriculture and natural
resources in the West.
3. Map climatic elements in the West over a range of scales.
4. Promote application of weather- and climate-based products in agricultural and natural
resource management.
5. Promote access to real time climate elements and products in order to improve monitoring of
natural resources issues (i.e. drought, agriculture, fire).
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WCC103 - Nutrient Management and Water Quality
1. To improve nutrient management recommendations based on soil, water and plant analysis
results and other management strategies in the western region by: a) exchanging nutrient
correlation and calibration data b) working toward uniformity of recommendations across state
boundaries and incorporating new analytical and interpretive methodology c) coordinating
research and educational projects.
2. To develop more effective use of soil, water, plant, compost, etc. analysis information in the
following priority areas: a) reducing environmental impact of nutrient application from fertilizer,
manure, biosolids, etc. b) assessing nutrient cycling in natural and managed systems c)
improving nutrient use efficiency to increase profitability d) developing improved nutrient
sampling methodology and recommendations e) improving regional laboratory analytical
accuracy and precision.
3. To improve extension education in the use of soil, water and plant analysis for
environmentally sound crop production practices by: a) coordinating regional efforts among
government agencies, private industry and universities b) encouraging communication of
research needs from extension specialists and private industry representatives to government and
university researchers c) providing a forum for discussion of research results and subsequent
regionally coordinated technology
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WCC109 - Seafood Marketing and the Management of Marine and Aquacultural Resources
1. To identify significant economic interdependencies among markets, management and
aquaculture, both public and private, for species of particular interest to the western states.
2. To develop and test hypotheses about the relevant economic relationships, with particular
reference to the linkages between fishing regulations and market results.
3. To collaborate in organizing and conducting workshops, meetings and conferences to identify
policy issues, to consider alternative research methods and data needs, and to review approaches
taken in other parts of the U.S., other countries, and with other resources.