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Grower hopes SAREC data shows whether research produces better bottom lineWyoming Whether research at the University of Wyoming research and extension center near Lingle will meet one of the final producer requirements formed during its creation remains to be seen, said a producer who heads the center's advisory group. The producers' wish for an economist based at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center was fulfilled when John Ritten joined the center last August. Larry Cundall has a wait-and-see perspective. "John fits in well here. I look forward to seeing what he can do for producers," said Cundall, a Platte County producer, during the center's field day July 23. SAREC, formed in 2002, includes 1,522 acres of dry land cropland, 349 acres of irrigated cropland, 1,880 acres of rangeland, 19 acres of irrigated organic cropland and 40 acres of dry land organic cropland. The center was created by selling the R&E centers at Archer and Torrington and using the funds to acquire SAREC. Its mission is to generate integrated crop and livestock research producers can use. The 13-member citizen advisory board, which is led by Cundall, helps guide center efforts. From the beginning of efforts to create SAREC more than a decade ago, producers said they wanted an economist at the site. "They said research is fine, but what about the bottom line?" noted Cundall. "Does it help make money for producers? The original review committee wanted communication from SAREC to the producers and to tie the information into whether it helps them make money. My concern is, now that he is here, that he will have time to work on projects important to producers and to get information to the producers." Ritten, an assistant professor in the UW College of Agriculture's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, has a 45-percent extension, 45-percent research, 5-percent teaching and 5-percent service appointment. Haying, wheat harvesting and irrigation took a toll on participation at field day, but more than 90 still attended. Producers could take three tours: dry land crops, irrigated crops and livestock research. Stephen D. Miller, director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, which manages the four R&E centers in Wyoming (www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/), invited producers to visit the center, ask questions and see if the research is meeting their needs. "If not, tell us," said Miller. "We want to help keep agriculture strong in Wyoming." Miller also announced the SAREC field day would be his last - he is retiring this fall. "I'll miss all of you," he said. "I've been a strong supporter of the R&E centers all my life." SAREC's many research efforts can be seen at www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/Projects.asp. "I think everybody is impressed with Miller and Jim Freeburn, director of operations, at SAREC. They've been here from the very beginning," said Cundall. "Everyone here does a good job. I don't think anyone who comes here and looks at the operations can go away and not be impressed." The residence building for graduate students and faculty members conducting research at the site was completed last fall--the final construction that had been planned at the site. "I'm just on the citizen advisory board, but I'm looking forward to some really innovative research that gets SAREC on the map," said Cundall.
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