USDA funds research on crops and climate change

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The federal government is investing $60 million in three major studies on the effects of climate change on crops and forests. The goal is to help farmers and foresters continue producing food and timber while trying to limit the impact of a changing environment.

The three studies are bringing together researchers from a wide variety of fields and encouraging them to find solutions appropriate to specific geographic areas. One study will focus on corn in the Midwest corn, another on wheat in the Northwest and a third on Southern pine forests.

Roger Beachy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture says shifting weather patterns already have had a big effect on agriculture, and the country needs to prepare for even greater changes.

Some two dozen universities will participate in the research.