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.
The US Department of Agriculture is offering $130 million in funding for foundational agricultural research, education, and extension projects. This funding supports sustainable and productive plant and animal production systems, including certified organic production.
A new agricultural monitoring system, AgriRover, utilizes Mars exploration technology to assess soil quality. The project, led by the University of Strathclyde, aims to enhance precision farming practices through force feedback-controlled robotic systems.
A University of Illinois study reveals declining sulfur levels in agricultural areas, with negative balances in some watersheds and rivers. Farmers may need to apply sulfur fertilizer in the future, particularly on fields with less soil organic matter.
The cooperative extension program has been instrumental in keeping farmers on the farm, with the federal program helping to retain over 137,000 agricultural businesses. By leveraging research from land grant universities, the program provides education and learning opportunities to farmers and citizens alike.
Soil has the potential to sequester more carbon than the current atmosphere, and climate-smart agricultural practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil fertility. Several methods, including reducing tillage and applying biochar, can be used by land users to abate emissions and sequester carbon.
The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.
A study found that agricultural expansion in the Cerrado biome reduces water recycling, affecting rainfall patterns. Double cropping can help mitigate this effect by increasing evapotranspiration rates.
The USDA has awarded grants to 11 universities to research the use of nanotechnology in improving food safety, enhancing renewable fuels, increasing crop yields, managing agricultural pests, and more. The research aims to develop innovative solutions for addressing key challenges in agriculture.
Michigan State University has been awarded $4.4 million from the US Agency for International Development to strengthen its efforts in food security policy and research in Mali. The grant will support policy initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity, nutrition, and livelihood resilience.
A recent NUS study found that international trade causes significant economic losses in tropical countries, with annual losses totaling US$1.7 trillion. The researchers suggest implementing measures such as an ecosystem services tax or price premiums for environmentally friendly agricultural produce to reduce deforestation and environm...
A Cornell University-led initiative, GREAT, aims to create more inclusive agricultural systems by addressing priorities of both women and men researchers. The project will train over 200 researchers across sub-Saharan Africa on gender-responsive research.
A new study by Brown and Tufts universities found that climate change can reduce agricultural production in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso by 9-13% with a 1 degree Celsius temperature increase. The research considered crop yield, land area, and double cropping to provide a more comprehensive understanding of climate change's effects.
Excavations in the Jordan Valley revealed a prehistoric village with cultural characteristics typical of both the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age. The site shows evidence of artistic tradition, size, and investment in architecture more typical of early agricultural communities.
New research reveals a clear parallel between antibiotic resistance in medicine and similar genes detected in agricultural soils treated with animal manure. The study found that repeated use of antibiotics in agriculture can increase soil bacteria's capacity to acquire new resistance genes.
Research by University of East Anglia suggests that African agricultural policies aimed at alleviating poverty may be making things worse for the poorest. The 'green revolution' policies in Rwanda have been shown to strip smallholder farmers of their main productive resource, land, and exacerbate poverty.
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to extract high-purity silica compounds from agricultural waste using ethylene glycol and ethanol. This process could significantly reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with traditional methods.
Timothy Paine, a renowned entomology professor at UC Riverside, has been awarded the Excellence in College and University Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences. His innovative teaching methods have improved student learning outcomes, and he is recognized for his dedication to inspiring young minds.
Recent policy changes in Europe's agricultural sector could lead to higher sugar prices, increased production of high-fructose corn syrup, and more affordable sugary foods. This may disproportionately affect lower socioeconomic groups and widen health inequalities.
Two University of Toronto scientists developed a new research framework to measure agricultural impacts using functional trait-based ecology. The approach focuses on how plants respond to and affect changes in their environment, providing insights into crop diversity, nutrient cycling, pest repellence and drought mitigation.
A University of New Hampshire scientist has discovered a promising target for combating plant parasitic nematodes, which cause significant crop damage worldwide. The phosphodiesterase enzyme (PDE) inhibitor compound may provide a safer alternative to traditional chemical pesticides.
The EU loses approximately 970 million tonnes of soil annually due to water erosion, equivalent to a one-metre-depth loss from Berlin-sized area. Soil erosion by water accounts for the greatest loss in Europe, with agricultural lands accounting for 68.3% of total losses.
Researchers from Concordia University and the University of Tennessee found that preserving natural habitats is crucial for maintaining bat populations. The study analyzed data from 9,552 hours of bat call recordings and found that bats need natural habitats to survive, even in highly modified agricultural landscapes.
A 30-year study found Northern China's soil moisture decreased by 6% since 1983, with optimal levels now below 40%. The researchers attribute this decline to increased fertilizer use and crop types with high water demands, posing a risk to agriculture and the fresh water supply.
CAM research provides a roadmap for increasing agricultural production by developing water-efficient crops and improving existing non-CAM crops. The emerging discipline has tremendous potential for applications, attracting growing interest from academia and industry.
A study by the University of Exeter found a 35% decline in bird species in agricultural habitats compared to natural areas. The researchers recommend incorporating patches of natural vegetation into agricultural landscapes to maintain biodiversity.
A UK land cover map has shown a decline in semi-natural habitats and agricultural land between 2006 and 2012. Coniferous forest clear-cutting dominated the changes, with over 100,000 hectares lost.
Researchers at Wayne State University aim to determine contaminant prevalence in urban agriculture soil, identify risk factors and develop guidance for safe and sustainable gardening. The project will provide urgently needed information on physical, chemical and biological contamination in urban agricultural environments.
A graphic novel is being tested to educate Spanish-speaking agricultural workers about noise-induced hearing loss. The digital novella aims to improve knowledge and attitudes towards wearing hearing protection devices. The pilot study plans to assess the impact on 30-40 ag workers in Wyoming and Colorado.
A major international study reveals that only two percent of wild bee species are responsible for pollinating 80 percent of global crops. This finding underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly among common wild bee species such as the common eastern bumblebee and red-tailed bumblebee.
A two-year study on bumble bees in Alaskan agricultural areas reveals declining populations of the western bumble bee species Bombus occidentalis, which is infected with Nosema and social parasites. The research provides baseline data for understanding reported patterns of bumble bee declines in North America.
In June, nearly three-quarters of all fires in the North China Plain occur, fueled by wheat residue burning. The practice, though prohibited, remains common due to its cost-effectiveness in clearing fields and fertilizing soil.
UCSB, UC Davis, and PowWow Energy receive $2.3 million in funding to deploy a method to measure groundwater use and provide irrigation best practices for California's major crops such as alfalfa, almonds, pistachios, and tomatoes. The project aims to optimize agricultural water and energy efficiency during drought years.
A promising new solution for improving water quality is the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), a systematic approach to identifying best options for reducing nutrient losses and erosion within a watershed. The framework provides an inventory of conservation possibilities, allowing farmers and stakeholders to choose th...