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...
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded over $8.5 million in grants to support research, education, and outreach on improving water resource quality and quantity, particularly in areas affected by drought. The grants will help communities develop regional systems for sustainable use, reuse, flow, and management of water.
The USDA has announced $4.5 million in funding for college and university faculty to develop innovative projects advancing agriculture and science education. These grants will focus on preparing the future agri-science workforce, particularly in sustainable textile design and STEM fields.
The NIFA-NSF Joint Plant-Biotics Interactions program supports research on plant-biotic interactions, focusing on fundamental mechanisms and translational efforts. Funding is available for projects addressing agriculture and relevance to plant health, with applications due in June and April.
Climate change poses a significant threat to African food production, with up to 30% of maize and banana-growing areas becoming unviable by the end of the century. Transformation could involve changing crop types, improving irrigation systems, or abandoning agriculture altogether to ensure food security.
A small stand of hybrid poplar trees harvested at the University of Tennessee AgResearch Center will help progress biomass production and a bioeconomy. The trees' woody biomass can be converted into advanced fuels or other biobased products, supporting a sustainable industry in the Southeast.
A new project aims to promote gender-sensitive and ecologically sensitive agriculture in Cambodia, targeting smallholder farmers who produce nearly half of the world's food. The program seeks to improve nutritional status, income, and access to resources, while protecting agro-ecological resources.
Agriculture technology improvements can cut emissions by up to 50%, but reductions in beef consumption are necessary to meet EU climate targets. Cutting back on beef and increasing poultry and pork consumption can help achieve the targets.
Researchers used three long-term datasets to analyze honey bee population trends, identifying the USDA Census of Agriculture as the most accurate dataset for measuring changes in abundance. However, they acknowledged limitations of the data, including lack of information on colony usage and losses.
Rising temperatures and extreme weather events will negatively impact global crop production, leading to higher food prices and scarcity. Global markets with the ability to deliver food where it's needed most can help counterbalance these effects. Trade agreements can significantly moderate the worst effects on food security.
Researchers aim to unlock the secret of nitrogen fixation in legumes, which could revolutionize agriculture by reducing fertilizer usage and saving billions of dollars. The project will use advanced DNA sequencing and computational analysis to understand the signaling between plants and bacteria in the root nodules.
A review of 40 years of science shows organic farming can produce sufficient yields, protect the environment and be safer for farm workers. Organic production can also be more profitable for farmers and create less waste.
A new study published in Reviews of Geophysics strongly suggests that early agriculture helped slow a natural cooling process, leading to the warmer climate we experience today. The research, led by William Ruddiman, analyzed ice-core data and ancient pollen samples to find evidence of human impact on the climate.
A research team led by Hong Li at the University of Delaware has found that adding alum to poultry litter can significantly reduce ammonia and greenhouse gas concentrations. This innovation helps control nutrient emissions, conserves energy, and improves animal welfare, making agriculture more sustainable.
The study sequenced ancient Irish human genomes, providing evidence for massive migration from the Middle East and Pontic Steppe. These genetic influxes are believed to have introduced cultural changes, such as agriculture and bronze metalworking, which may have originated the western Celtic language.
New research shows ancient millet played a key role in the development of multi-crop agriculture, leading to the rise of settled societies. Millet was carried across Eurasia by shepherds and herders, who combined it with other crops to create 'multi-cropping' systems.
Climate change impacts on global food security are projected to be larger in tropical and subtropical regions due to changes in crop and livestock productivity. The report warns that warmer temperatures and altered precipitation patterns can disrupt transportation systems, degrade food safety, and threaten food production.
A new project aims to incorporate ecological processes into Earth system models to predict the effectiveness of land management practices in mitigating climate change. The project, led by Quinn Thomas, will use field data and a state-of-the-art model to better understand key ecological processes and their impact on climate.
Kansas State University researchers are exploring the role of long-distance dispersal in spreading vector-borne infectious diseases. They will evaluate control methods such as limiting animal movements and reducing vector populations to develop rules of thumb for controlling outbreaks.
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.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are conducting a four-year study on forage production for organic dairy herds in the southeastern US. The project aims to identify suitable forage combinations that promote productivity, animal health, and economic efficiency.
A new series of assays explores how African smallholders can meet SDG2 by using biosciences to protect crops from diseases and pests, increase yields, and promote food security. The results provide recommendations for policymakers, educationalists, and those interested in smallholder agriculture.
UCSF scientists call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture, citing concerns about human health and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Experts say switching to antibiotic-free meat could create a market and drive down prices.
A national nitrogen budget for Denmark shows significant reductions in nitrogen emissions from agriculture, but other sectors like energy production and transport remain major contributors. New initiatives, such as organic farming expansion and electric vehicles, aim to further reduce nitrogen losses.
The Center for Agriculture and Food Security and Preparedness at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is developing a national training program for produce food safety with a $1.5 million grant from the FDA.
New research suggests offering financial incentives for farming industries to mitigate environmental impact has a positive effect on greenhouse gas reduction and increased biodiversity. However, the study finds that current agriculture funding models are 'perverse subsidies,' promoting negative actions in both the long and short term.
Researchers found that humans carried more antibiotic-resistant staphylococci than farm animals they worked with. The study suggests a low health risk to close contact workers and milk consumers through exposure to resistant bacteria originating from milk.
A new feed supplement has been shown to reduce dairy cow methane emissions by 30% without affecting feed intake, fiber digestibility, or milk production. This could have significant implications for global climate change, as animal agriculture is a major source of methane emissions.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and international partners uncover proof of trial plant cultivation 11 millennia earlier than conventional ideas suggest. The study reveals early humans had gathered over 140 species of plants, including weeds mixed with edible cereals, indicating basic knowledge of agriculture and foresight.
A five-year grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture will support a graduate training program combining laboratory research and practical application to enhance food safety in the produce industry. The program aims to develop tested, validated methods to reduce food safety risks in an affordable way.
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.
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.
Groundwaters in southern Western Australia have pH levels as low as 2.4 and salinities up to 28%, affecting bedrock and sediments. Human activities like mining and agriculture contributed to this extreme acidity, with deforestation and irrigation using desalinized seawater exacerbating the issue.
A comprehensive study by Washington State University scientists David Crowder and John Reganold reveals organic agriculture has significant profit margins compared to conventional farming. Despite lower yields, organic agriculture offers greater environmental benefits and can expand its share in sustainable food production.
Researchers argue that adding genes from wild cousins can strengthen crops without losing natural traits, benefiting organic farmers. Precise genetic engineering could make 'rewilded' crops compatible with organic agriculture values.
A Virginia Tech team, led by Amy Pruden and Monica Ponder, is examining the impact of antibiotic use in agriculture on human health. They aim to identify ways to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the food chain.
A study of thousands of human bones reveals a gradual decline in leg bone strength as Europeans adopted agriculture and settled down, while arm bone strength remained steady. Researchers found that lifestyle changes, such as reduced mobility, were more significant contributors to the shift than urbanization or nutrition.
Recent research showed that replacing chemical fertilizer with organic manure significantly decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming improved crop yields while reversing the agriculture ecosystem's role as a carbon source, becoming a carbon sink.
The study found that self-DNA regulates plant populations and coexistence among organisms like algae, protozoa, fungi, and animals. The discovery could lead to new pharmacological applications in agriculture and medicine.
A recent study found that organic farming systems provide greater economic value than conventional systems, with ecosystem services like pest control and nitrogen release generating higher profits. The research suggests that government incentives or market rewards can encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture.
Researchers at UC Davis are receiving $5 million in grants from the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding will be used to develop new technologies and methods to prevent cross-contamination in produce processing, identify genetic traits of lactic acid bacteria found on fruits and vegetab...
A group of scientists, economists, and agriculture experts is working together to develop sustainable farming practices that minimize environmental pollution. The goal is to increase food production while ensuring farmers can make a living and the environment remains healthy.
A Dartmouth-led team is studying the environmental and financial benefits of converting methane gas from cow manure into electricity and heat on Vermont and New York dairy farms. The project aims to quantify how integrating food and energy production affects farm viability and environmental impacts.
MSU researchers are using big data analytics to help farmers adapt to climate variability, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and algal blooms. The project aims to integrate crop models with satellite imagery and UAVs to promote water-, nutrient- and climate-smart technologies.
A new study suggests that a record drought in Syria (2006-2010) was likely stoked by ongoing manmade climate change, contributing to the 2011 Syrian uprising. The researchers found that the drought destroyed agriculture and drove dispossessed farmers to cities, exacerbating poverty and government mismanagement.
The study identified nearly 3,000 genetic markers that will help researchers investigate the genetic variation within and between different species. The new data will enable scientists to uncover why certain legume crops succeed where others fail.
The Global Conference on Inland Fisheries emphasizes the significant role of freshwater fish in global development, food security, and ecosystem health. Experts urge policymakers to prioritize inland fisheries, which provide vital protein, micronutrients, and economic benefits for millions worldwide.
Researchers found that rates of hillslope erosion before European settlement were about an inch every 2500 years, while during peak land disturbance in the late 1800s and early 1900s, rates spiked to an inch every 25 years. This indicates a 100-fold increase in soil loss due to human activities.
A new study by IIASA researchers finds that climate change impacts on crop yields could lead to a 18% decline in global caloric production or a 3% increase by 2050. The researchers identified likely needed adaptations and transformations for global agricultural systems, highlighting the importance of irrigation and regional connections.
A new study suggests that biotechnology and traditional agriculture can be compatible approaches toward sustainable agriculture. Combining computer modeling and field research, the international team found that diverse patchwork of crops in northern China slowed adaptation to genetically engineered cotton by a wide-ranging insect pest.
Scientists studied wild grasses in the Fertile Crescent to identify traits suitable for agriculture. They found that wild relatives of current crop plants have bigger seeds and less bushy stems, making them ideal for farming. This research could help shape the future of food production by understanding the past.
A systematic overview of over 100 studies reveals organic agriculture yields are higher than previously estimated, with certain practices further shrinking the productivity gap. Organic farming can be a competitive alternative to industrial agriculture when it comes to food production.
A Kansas State University research project developed a simulation model to assess the impact of vaccination strategies and livestock herd types on foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. The study found that effective control methods can be implemented while minimizing harm to the livestock industry.
Researchers used tree-ring data and computer programs to create a finely scaled map of ideal Southwest growing regions for the past 2,000 years. The study suggests that localized climate change contributed to the depopulation of ancestral Pueblo people in southwest Colorado, with some areas becoming highly suitable for maize agriculture.
Researchers found differences in grasshopper types and numbers between undisturbed and post-agricultural woodlands, challenging conventional ecological wisdom. The study suggests new strategies are needed to promote ecological recovery in disturbed environments.
The review highlights oats' role in improving satiety, with a higher viscosity of oatmeal beta-glucan compared to ready-to-eat cereals. Oats also show potential benefits for digestive health, with resistant starch boosting beneficial bacteria in the gut.
A recent study published in Nature found that no-till farming often leads to yield declines compared to conventional tillage systems, except in dryland areas where it can show promise. Implementing all three conservation agriculture principles is crucial for maximizing yields and minimizing environmental impacts.
A recent study reveals that diverse plant communities yield greater results than monocultures, utilizing resources more effectively and providing a protective shield against pests. This new approach to agriculture promotes biodiversity and can lead to increased food safety and sustainability.
A special issue of the American Journal of Botany highlights the importance of basic plant science for pressing global issues like applied agriculture. Research fields include plant ecology, evolution, and phylogenetics, which provide tools for cultivated plant production and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that modern-day Europeans have ancestry from three previously unrecognized groups: hunter-gatherers, early farmers, and a newly identified group of ancient north Eurasians. This discovery shifts scientists' ideas on human migration and interaction across the globe thousands of years ago.