The 900-acre research center was established in 1945 for agricultural field research and pure seed increase. Today, it specializes in crop research and Extension education activities, and in foundation seed production. The surrounding area includes the largest durum wheat producing counties in the state. Forty percent of the nation's durum is produced in counties served by the Center. With gently rolling land and 16.5 inches of annual precipitation, the Center's main research efforts involve grain variety evaluation, weed control, tillage and fertilizer tests.
Research is done on small grains, oilseeds, row crops, legumes, forages and some specialty crops.
Production is evaluated for no-till and conventional tillage systems. Included are sunflower, canola, pinto and navy beans, crambe, lentils, dry peas, mustard and lupins. More than 1,500 owned, rented and contracted acres are planted for Foundation seed production. This recently increased from 600 acres in response to producer needs. Extension programs were added to the existing research site in 1976 to cover 10 surrounding counties and Fort Berthold.