Bouton honored for years of service in forage breeding

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - January 16, 2012

ARDMORE, Okla. — Noble Foundation professor Joe Bouton, Ph.D., has been honored with the 2012 American Forage and Grassland Distinguished Grasslander Award by the American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC).

The American Forage and Grassland Distinguished Grasslander Award is one of the highest honors given by the AFGC, an international organization dedicated to promoting the profitable production and sustainable utilization of quality forage and grasslands. Bouton received the award during a special banquet at AFGC's annual conference Tuesday, Jan. 10, in Louisville, Ky.

"Dr. Bouton's research and development of new forage species have given farmers and ranchers the opportunity to be more successful in their operations," said Howard Straub, president of AFGC. "His work will be appreciated for many years to come."

Bouton's career in plant breeding has spanned more than 35 years, including the University of Georgia and the Noble Foundation's Forage Improvement Division, which he helped found in 1997 and served as division director from 2004 to 2010.

Throughout his career, Bouton has commercialized 17 cultivars, including 'Alfagraze' alfalfa, "MaxQ" tall fescue, and 'Durana' and 'Patriot' white clovers. As a professor at the Noble Foundation, Bouton continues to conduct breeding and genetics research on forage species for use in pasture and livestock systems throughout the southern United States.

"The most important part of being a plant breeder is providing tangible products to farmers and ranchers," Bouton said. "This award speaks to those efforts here at the Noble Foundation and for me personally. It is validation of the career I've spent working toward developing these new varieties. I am truly appreciative of this recognition."

Bouton was nominated for the Distinguished Grasslander Award by his successor in the Forage Improvement Division, Charlie Brummer, Ph.D. "Dr. Bouton has had a long history of service to the forage community, developing landmark cultivars, providing education and serving various organizations," Brummer said. "He is highly respected within the forage breeding community, and the outcomes of his efforts have provided new options for agricultural producers across the United States."

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Photo:: Professor Joe Bouton, Ph.D.

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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.