Senate: $2.87 Billion for Ag Research (Plus $60M in University Earmarks)

The Senate on Tuesday approved a 2010 spending bill that would increase spending on agriculture research by about 5 percent over the current year level and direct about $60 million to specific universities in earmarks designated by individual senators. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (formerly known as the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) would receive $1.306 billion under the legislation, while the Agricultural Research Service would get $1.229 billion. The food and agriculture institute would receive $1.257 billion under the competing House bill.