Rustici rangeland and cattle research proposals due Nov. 7

Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment funding is available to University of California personnel to support problem-solving research that will benefit California range cattle producers. The goal of this program is to promote collaboration and strengthen the network among research faculty, Cooperative Extension specialists, county-based Cooperative Extension advisors and range cattle producers, and to ultimately provide practical answers to critical issues and challenges facing the industry.

It is anticipated that three or four research proposals will be awarded with a total annual budget typically not exceeding $60,000 per year. Matching funds from other sources that provide leverage will be favorably considered. Funding will also be available to support outreach and extending knowledge activities with budgets not to exceed $10,000 per project.

Research grants run from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2020 or 2021 (not to exceed two years).

Requests for outreach/extending knowledge activities are accepted year-round (not to exceed two years).

Research priorities are refined in regular consultation with representatives from the range cattle industry. Specific issues identified in a recent review are listed below. While the overall interest in the broader existing priority areas remains, cross-cutting proposals which target the specific needs below are also encouraged.

Research priorities for 2019 call (not in order of priority):

• Improving cattle health, genetics, productivity, and quality
• Managing rangelands for multiple ecosystem services
• Enhancing the productivity and profitability of rangeland cattle operations

Research proposals are due Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, to rusticiresearch@ucdavis.edu. For more information, visit http://rangelands.ucdavis.edu/rustici/research-endowment or email rusticiresearch@ucdavis.edu 

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