News

The U of MN West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, has been a forerunner in the development and use for “Green Ammonia” since 2013 when the first-in-the-world renewable hydrogen and ammonia pilot plant was commissioned. The novel pilot plant uses wind power from a 1.65 MW wind turbine to produce up to 25 tons of nitrogen fertilizer (anhydrous ammonia) each year on-site, which is enough to cover approximately 300 acres of cropland.

(National Hog Farmer) Swine researchers are looking at how additional zinc fed in sow diets can provide positive impacts on fetal imprinting. Piglets born with additional zinc in their sows diet enhances robustness during farrowing or pre-weaning survivability and growth.     

(CFANS) Learn how WCROC researchers have had a hand in developing outstanding strawberry cultivars and growing systems for Minnesota.

(KARE 11) Grow with KARE highlights our 2022 Top Ten Annuals from the WCROC. Hear and see which annuals have the most potential for performing well in our region.

(The Land) The University of Minnesota has Animal Science faculty who have successfully studied group sow housing, organic pigs and alternative swine production for several years, including Dr.'s Yuzhi Li and Lee Johnston from the WCROC. They have spent decades developing projects which have measured how well pigs raised in non-traditional or alternative production systems grow, take care of their piglets, and survive.

(Public News Service) In a survey released this fall by the U of MN, 76% of residents said they're concerned about climate change. "I would say we're responding in practical steps...products need to have lower carbon intensities," said Mike Reese, WCROC Director of Operations.

(Star Tribune) The idea [of agrivoltaics] is to place the solar plants of the future in working farmland, generating energy and providing another income stream to farmers. For six years, researchers at the WCROC have been investigating the possible benefits of using solar panels as shade for cows.

(Bloomberg News) The farming world is learning how to blend agriculture with renewable energy installations - and gaining on both ends.

(Dairy Star) Dairy research at the WCROC aims to find ways to help balance and improve most aspects of dairy farming – herd health and longevity, profitability, quality of product and climate issues.

After serving as the director of operations at the WCROC for the last 12.5 years, Professor Lee Johnston has returned fully to his research work in the U's Department of Animal Science. Lee will continue to base his research out of the WCROC. Mike Reese, who has served as the center's renewable energy director since 2001, assumed the leadership role effective August 8, 2022.