A new study found that a selection of efficient key plant species can effectively support pollinators in agricultural landscapes. The researchers identified 14 crucial plant species for the whole bee and hoverfly community, highlighting the potential of targeted agri-environmental schemes.
A study has identified areas where nitrogen is removed from agricultural streams, revealing that buffer zones with fine soils and organic matter are effective at reducing nitrate levels. These findings suggest that conserving existing buffer zones and reconnecting streams to them can improve water quality.
Agricultural insurance can have a range of unintended ecological and social consequences, including declining biodiversity and soil quality. Insured farmers may adopt riskier cultivation strategies, leading to further environmental problems.
A grant-funded project has mapped soil erosion intensity across 2.5 million square kilometers of agricultural land in European Russia. Researchers found that ravine erosion is receding, likely due to reduced thawed flow and increased absorption by soil.
The TerraSentia robot, developed by the University of Illinois, can autonomously count plants and measure stem width to estimate biomass. Early adopters will receive consulting services to teach their robot to detect additional traits that drive their business or research.
Climate change may alter desert locust distribution and behavior, potentially increasing agricultural threats in southern Africa. The study suggests maintaining existing monitoring capacities and reviewing prevention strategies to address changing environmental conditions.
Researchers found that mothers who took recommended amounts of folic acid around conception had a significantly lower risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) even when exposed to household or agricultural pesticides. Folic acid intake was associated with reduced autism risk, but did not eliminate it.
The USDA has invested $12.6 million in funding doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships for agricultural science research and education. The program aims to foster a diverse pool of skilled professionals to tackle pressing food system issues, including plant health, production, and animal welfare.
A new study suggests that Jordan may face disastrous droughts if alternative water sources are not implemented. Climate change and water scarcity could lead to a decline in rainfall, higher temperatures, and reduced freshwater supply, making it difficult for the country to meet its water demands.
A long-term study at the University of Kansas investigates how to restore native prairie ecosystems on abandoned farmland. Excess nitrogen has been shown to lead to a loss in plant diversity and simplify the system, favoring only a few species. The research aims to speed up restoration processes and re-establish original biodiversity.
A new study published by a Lancaster University-led team warns that phosphorus losses will increase unless major changes are made to agricultural practices. Climate change will lead to warmer winters, resulting in more phosphorus transferred from agricultural land into rivers and oceans.
The study identified the Atlantic Forest, Gulf of Guinea, and Thailand as regions where agricultural conversion provides higher benefits than environmental costs. In contrast, Latin America, insular Southeast Asia, and Madagascar are considered economically viable conservation targets due to low agricultural benefits and high environme...
A recent Penn State study analyzed the fate of seven emerging contaminants in wastewater treatment plants and groundwater wells. The results showed that soil generally acts as an effective biogeochemical filter, removing most contaminants except during snowmelt events.
Researchers discovered that plant parasitic nematodes activate plant stem cells to form galls on the roots of agricultural crops. This finding holds promise for developing resistant crop varieties and improving crop yields.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded $16 million in grants to 42 1890 historically black land-grant colleges and universities. These institutions will focus on building research, teaching, and extension programs in the food and agricultural sciences.
The USDA is investing $7.6 million in research to help manage pests and beneficial species that affect agricultural crops. The funding will support projects that promote beneficial organisms associated with pests and better understand the fundamental mechanisms of interactions between plants, pests, or beneficial species.
A new study found that reducing meat consumption and adopting organic farming methods can help mitigate environmental degradation, but not at the expense of land use and energy efficiency. The researchers suggest combining different production systems to create a more sustainable agricultural system.
Rice farmers in Taiwan value eco-labels more than financial incentives, according to a study by the Technical University of Munich. The study found that offering an eco-label can encourage farmers to reduce chemical fertilizers and adopt sustainable cultivation methods.
Researchers aim to promote sustainable water for agriculture through stakeholder engagement, testing flexible models in Arizona, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. The project seeks to address complex web of social, economic, cultural, institutional, legal, and biophysical conditions influencing water resource management.
A Duke University study reveals that larger patches of tropical forest are being lost worldwide due to industrial-scale agricultural expansion. The trend is most pronounced in Southeast Asia and South America, where clearings for large-scale agriculture account for more than half of all observed forest loss between 2000 and 2012.
Agricultural production improves hive health by providing adequate food resources and nectar yields, outweighing pesticide risks. Bees in agricultural areas had better colony thermoregulation and higher brood production than those in non-agricultural environments.
Researchers tracked the impact of Brazil's Soy Moratorium on deforestation and soy production in Mato Grosso. The study found a significant reduction in deforestation after the moratorium took effect, with a shift towards more efficient agricultural practices.
Researchers propose five broad research priorities to understand relationships between beneficial microbes and plant health, aiming to improve agricultural productivity and sustainable practices. The 'core microbiome' and functional mechanisms of microbiome assembly and resilience will be studied to develop new tools for analyzing micr...
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $800,000 to enhance distance education in the agricultural sciences for students in remote geographic regions. This funding will support higher education institutions in US insular areas to develop online courses and programs in food and agricultural sciences.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $1 million in funding to strengthen food and agricultural science education in insular areas. This program aims to increase the number of students pursuing food and agriculture careers by strengthening institutional capacities in instruction and curriculum.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $18 million in funding to support the next generation of agricultural science professionals. The program aims to strengthen pathways for students and researchers in agriculture-related fields, from primary school STEM education to fellowships for new scientists.
A recent study found that cover crops can mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing soil carbon sequestration. The research suggests that cover cropping can be an effective adaptive management tool to maintain yields and minimize nitrogen losses as the climate warms.
Ants cultivated and maintained vast subterranean farms producing fungi, dating back to 30 million years ago. These ancient agricultural ants have evolved complex societies, with crops dependent on ant farmers for survival.
The USDA has allocated $150.2 million through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to support projects addressing key agricultural, food, and natural resource problems. The funding aims to develop innovative technologies and sustainable management strategies for livestock, crops, and critical underlying resources.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $400,000 to increase women and minority representation in the agricultural science workforce. Eligible applicants can apply for funding through NIFA's Women and Minorities in Science program.
African forests, which feed and provide subsistence means to at least 100 million people, are being cleared at a rate of over 10% by 2025 due to expanding agricultural production. The study recommends policies that prioritize forest conservation and local control of land to mitigate deforestation.
Researchers call for a coordinated effort to understand plant-microbiome interactions to improve plant health and agricultural productivity. Five key research priorities are proposed to address nutrient use, stress tolerance, disease resistance, microbiome assembly, and functional mechanisms.
The USDA has announced $300,000 in funding for initiatives offering farm safety education and certification to youth in agricultural production. The program aims to provide industry-recognized credentials and ensure vocational curricula align with current regulations.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded over $5 million in grants to support research and extension experiences for undergraduate students in agriculture. These fellowships aim to prepare students for careers in the agricultural sciences, focusing on food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
Researchers aim to quantify soil mass balance, production rates and lifespan in agricultural landscapes with unknown data. Soil erosion threatens food security, costing the US tens of billions annually.
A global study found steadily increasing ammonia concentrations from 2002 to 2016 over four major agricultural regions. The increases are broadly tied to crop fertilizers, livestock animal wastes, changes to atmospheric chemistry, and warming soils.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that honey bees favor agricultural areas over urban neighborhoods for nectar and pollen. The discovery suggests that farmland can be a superior source of food for honey bees, contradicting the assumption that urban areas are more attractive to them.
A new study suggests that investing in agriculture can improve food production and regional productivity, but also risks expanding agricultural land into natural forests. The region's future development will have profound implications for millions of people.
The agricultural robot is a semiautonomous system that gathers and transmits real-time data on crop growth and development. It uses various sensors and cameras to capture phenotypic information and assess environmental conditions, enabling crop breeders to make actionable decisions and improve yields.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded grants totaling $4,790,100 to non-land-grant universities for agricultural science programs. These grants will support education, research, and outreach activities in agriculture, renewable resources, and related disciplines.
Researchers developed a method to estimate crop yields from space using high-resolution satellites, which could improve agricultural productivity and test intervention strategies. By combining satellite imagery with computer models of crop growth, they achieved surprisingly accurate predictions of actual productivity on the field.
Dr. Chris Boyer has been selected as an Emerging Scholar by the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) for his research on farm and environmental management. He will receive the award for his demonstrated publication activity and work with UT Extension educators to serve agricultural producers in Tennessee.
The USDA is providing funding to 19 eligible 1890 land-grant colleges to enhance their agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment. This investment aims to educate the future workforce in these critical job sectors.
The USDA is providing $3 million in funding to support Alaska Native- and Native Hawaiian-Serving colleges and universities. The grant program aims to enhance educational equity and develop the local workforce, resulting in increased employment, new business launches, and improved agricultural production.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing funding to improve science education in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. The program aims to increase diversity and retention of students pursuing college degrees in FANH sciences.
Researchers found three key agricultural management plans to curb toxic algae blooms and discovered that Ohio residents are willing to help pay for these practices. However, the funding gap for implementing these plans is significant, with farmers already adopting only 20% of necessary practices.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $3 million in funding for robotics research, application, and education in agriculture. This funding will support research on collaborative human-robot interactions, including the development of customizable robots and infrastructure to lower barriers to entry.
Bacteria carrying a transmissible carbapenem resistance gene have been detected in US farm animals, posing a risk to public health. The finding highlights the need for monitoring farms and re-examining agricultural practices that may be contributing to antibiotic resistance.
A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that certain weeds, like milkweed, can be beneficial to crops and the environment. By incorporating these weeds into agricultural systems, farmers may reduce their reliance on pesticides and herbicides, while also supporting biodiversity and pollinator health.
A University of Kent study suggests that rural areas can provide for both people and wildlife if agriculture is administered sustainably. The study recommends a policy mix combining regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, including strategic land use planning and incentives for sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers at the University of Washington and Labor and Industry found that warmer weather is linked to an increase in traumatic injuries for outdoor agricultural workers in central and eastern Washington. The study, which analyzed over 12,200 claims, suggests that proactive measures are needed to prevent heat-related injuries.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a grant to expand the farm financial management database FINBIN to include Tennessee farms. This expansion will provide benchmark financial information for producers, lenders, and other agricultural professionals, enabling them to make more informed financial decisions.
The USDA has awarded $18.9 million to 12 historically black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities to build or improve agricultural research facilities. These funding awards will support cutting-edge academic research, foster innovation, and ensure equal access to educational opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
A new study finds that trade liberalization could buffer economic losses in agriculture due to climate change, with potential savings of up to 2.5 trillion US Dollars. The research highlights the importance of trade as a key measure to reduce climate change impacts on the agricultural sector.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Vikas Khanna a $259,582 grant to investigate the impact of declining insect-mediated pollination on the US economy. The three-year project aims to expand previous research and explore the economic value of pollination services attributable to managed honeybees and wild insects.
New analysis reveals that 72% of the world's threatened species are imperiled due to human activities such as agriculture, land conversion, and overharvesting. Well-managed protected areas and sustainable agricultural practices can help reduce biodiversity loss.
A 12-year study found that wider riparian buffer zones were more efficient at removing nitrogen from agricultural runoff than narrower ones. The location of the buffer zone and soil conditions also played a role in nitrogen removal efficiency.
A recent study reveals that tree cover on agricultural land has increased globally, capturing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and potentially playing a significant role in mitigating climate change. The research highlights the importance of agroforestry systems in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
A new food-print model suggests that the US can feed up to 800 million people from existing agricultural land with dietary changes. A vegetarian diet with dairy products has the highest carrying capacity, while vegan diets have the lowest.
Researchers investigated how hydraulic fracturing chemicals degrade in agricultural soil and found that co-contamination can slow down biodegradation. They tested three common chemicals and found varying degradation rates, highlighting the need for further studies to understand chemical interactions and their impact on human health.