Overview

I lead the Cornell Forage Breeding Project to conduct genetic research and develop cool season, perennial forage cultivars with higher yield, multiple disease and insect resistances, and forage quality. My project also conducts research on use of perennial grasses and legumes as feedstocks for the biofuel industry. I teach plant breeding and quantitative genetics; and my project provides extension and outreach information to seed companies, other breeders, extension educators, and producers. As associate dean and director of academic programs, I also provide oversight to the improvement of academic programs in the college.

Research Focus

I lead the Cornell Forage Breeding Project to conduct genetic research and develop cool season, perennial forage cultivars with higher yield, multiple disease and insect resistances, and forage quality. Extensive forage yield evaluations are conducted across New York State on new cultivars of various forage grass and legume species. My project also conducts research on use of perennial grasses and legumes as feedstocks for the biofuel industry.

Outreach and Extension Focus

The Forage Breeding Project interacts primarily with the seed industry, extension educators, and growers to provide information on new forage cultivars and traits that we are working with to improve forage species. This interaction promotes the use of improved cultivars, which provide more economical production of feed for the dairy and other livestock industries. This year, more than 400,000 pounds of seed of Cornell cultivars was sold to growers. This number translates to about to 25-30,000 acres planted. Since these fields last at least four years, a conservative estimate of total acreage of Cornell forage cultivars is more than 100,000 acres. Interaction with the groups mentioned above also provides feedback that helps guide our research objectives.

Instruction Focus

I teach PL 717, Quantitative Genetics in Plant Breeding. I also contribute a two-week unit on plant population improvement in another plant breeding course, a three-hour field session on forage breeding, a one-day lecture and lab on forage breeding in CSS 312, and a two-hour lab session for the Introductory Biology Explorations program.

Additional Links

• http://plbrgen.cals.cornell.edu/people/profiles/viandsdonald.cfm
• Cornell University Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Cornell University Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Cornell University Forage Breeding Project
• Cornell University Forage Breeding Project
• Donald Viands Faculty Web Site
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

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