Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station

MAES is often mistakenly thought of as the University of Minnesota fields and facilities on the St. Paul campus and at Research and Outreach Centers across the state. While those are important places for our work, MAES is not a physical place but rather a research program that engages hundreds of University of Minnesota faculty and staff and reaches thousands of Minnesotans statewide.

Learn more about MAES research in some of Minnesota's key industries:
Corn | Soybean | Small grainsPoultry | Swine | Dairy | Forests

  • Two RARF projects funded in response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in livestock outbreaks

    MAES has awarded $135,000 from the Rapid Agricultural Response Fund (RARF) to support two research projects in response to recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in livestock. 

    Led by multidisciplinary teams from the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, along with Extension specialists, the projects are investigating how H5N1 influenza A virus spreads among livestock and potentially into poultry and  the time required for dairy herds to produce virus-free milk, restore milk production levels, and eliminate H5N1.


  • Plant a Triumph® Apple Tree this Spring

    With its exceptional apple scab tolerance, delightful flavor, and ease of cultivation, Triumph is the perfect addition to any backyard or home orchard. 

    Triumph® apples have a pleasantly tart flavor, coupled with a well-balanced sweetness, making it great for fresh eating or adding a burst of flavor to your favorite recipes. Triumph® also boasts two genes that fight against the dreaded apple scab fungus, reducing the need for chemical sprays and making it an eco-friendly choice for organic growers and homeowners looking for lower maintenance trees.

    Triumph® was released in 2021, and in the years since, licensees have grown out rootstocks and are now supplying trees to interested local garden centers. “Since Triumph® is such a new variety it may not be widely available just yet but check with your local nursery or garden center to see if they are planning to carry it,” explains Bedford. “Be sure to let them know that you’re interested in growing a Triumph® tree.”


  • Leveraging the Expertise of the UMN Research Analytical Laboratory

    As the year progresses and labs buzz with activity, the Research Analytical Laboratory (RAL) at the University of Minnesota is ready to assist researchers across a wide spectrum of disciplines. 

    Located on the St. Paul campus within the Crops Research Building, the facility offers comprehensive analytical services, specializing in soil, plant, and water samples. Whether you're delving into environmental studies, agricultural research, or any other scientific inquiry, RAL provides state-of-the-art equipment and expert assistance to ensure the success of your projects. 

    Ex​plore RAL’s offerings, including but not limited to soil fertility analysisplant nutrient assessments,​ and water quality testing​.