Welcome to the website of the Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit of the Agricultural Research Service. The scientists here conduct basic and applied research to help producers in the Pacific Northwest provide stable supplies of forage and turf grass seed, wheat, and hop for domestic and export markets. Our research provides new scientific principles that contribute to the improvement of germplasm for global markets, the development of profitable production systems that enhance the quality of regional soil and water resources, and development of value-added uses for these commodities. A new area of research in the Unit is the development of grass germplasm with improved suitability for use in biofuel production to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil imports.  The molluscan aquaculture projects at the Newport, Oregon worksite include ecological and genetic research components to assist that industry in production of shellfish.