Award honors contribution of Noble Foundation researcher

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - April 7, 2010

ARDMORE, Okla. — Noble Foundation scientist Joe Bouton, Ph.D., recently received the Garry D. Lacefield Public Service Award during the 30th Annual Kentucky Alfalfa Conference in Cave City, Ky.

Bouton, senior vice president and director of the Forage Improvement Division, received the award for his significant contribution to the production of new varieties of forages (plants that livestock consume, such as grasses and legumes) during his career as a researcher both at the Noble Foundation and the University of Georgia.

"Improved forages are a vital component of the agricultural industry and life in general," said Mike Cawley, president and chief executive officer of the Noble Foundation. "Without improved forages, agriculture would struggle to maintain the ever-growing demand for affordable food. Dr. Bouton has dedicated his career to improving forages, which in turn has helped countless agricultural producers succeed and contributed to the overall productivity of agriculture in the United States. He is a worthy recipient of this award."

During his 30-year career, Bouton has improved key traits within forages like tall fescue and alfalfa. His research programs have helped develop commercial products like Alfagraze, Max Q tall fescue, and Durana and Patriot white clovers, all varieties that have been bred to have improved quality and durability. States like Kentucky, that produce large amounts of forages, reap substantial economic benefit from key improvements to the forages, Bouton explained.

"Knowing the importance of this work for that particular group in that particular state makes this award very important for me," Bouton said. "To sit in a room filled with farmers who say you've helped them in some small way really gets to the heart of the matter. I'll cherish that moment for a long time."

Bouton continues his internationally recognized research at the Noble Foundation. Currently, he leads the Noble Foundation's Forage Improvement Division, which translates basic plant science research into tangible plant varieties that can be used by agricultural producers in Oklahoma, North Texas and similar climate regions worldwide.

The division focuses on the development and improvement of grazeable and harvestable forages. Forage Improvement researchers use a broad range of techniques to accomplish plant improvement, from conventional breeding to the use of emerging biotechnologies, such as genomics and transgenics.

After improved varieties are successfully created, their performance is analyzed through extensive evaluations. The group also designs crop management plans to capitalize on the plant's value-added traits and performs animal grazing trials to assess the impact and safety of new traits.

10-020

For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.