Innovations

Monsanto grants fund insect pest research

Monsanto recently awarded six research grants as part of its Insect Management Knowledge Program (IMKP).

The program, which started in early 2013 as the Corn Rootworm Knowledge Program, provides merit-based awards of up to $250,000 per award per year for up to three years for outstanding research that will not only enhance the collective understanding of insect management, but help address significant challenges and issues in agriculture.

“The valuable research that is being generated through this program will provide industry and academia further opportunity to enhance our collective understanding of insect management, leading to even more effective solutions for farmers in the future,” said Dr. Sherri Brown, vice president of science strategy for Monsanto and co-chair of the program.

Brownfield talked to Brown about the IMKP program.

AUDIO: Dr. Sherri Brown

One of the grant recipients is Dr. Matthew O’Neal, an associate professor of entomology at Iowa State University.  O’Neal oversees research related to the management of insect pests of annual crops, with a focus on soybeans and soybean aphids. We visited with O’Neal about how he will be using the grant from Monsanto.

AUDIO: Matthew O’Neal

For a list of other grant recipients and a link to their projects, click here.