A nationwide team of agriculturists recommends a 'whole-system redesign' of US agriculture to achieve long-term sustainability. The approach would balance production goals with environmental, social, and economic concerns by incorporating innovative agricultural systems such as organic farming and mixed crop and livestock systems.
Agricultural companies have shown a stable and profitable performance over the past several years, outperforming the S&P 500 index with an 8.6% market value increase from 2007 to 2011. The top-performing sectors were fertilizer, equipment, and seed and genetic companies.
Researchers used satellite imagery and an artificial neural network to classify and monitor irrigated crops, achieving high accuracy rates. The study aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce water waste in Mediterranean countries.
The GPFARM-Range computer model allows ranchers to test various scenarios involving forage yields, weight gains, and stocking rates under different weather conditions. This research supports USDA's priority of promoting agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change.
A Danish study examines the relationship between soil texture and nutrient leaching in agricultural fields. The results show that injecting dairy slurry into loam soil reduces phosphorus leaching, while its effect on sandy loam and loamy sand is limited.
The ACS National Meeting featured symposia on nanotechnology, bioactives, and regenerative medicine, including sessions on cell-based therapeutics and novel biomaterials for tissue engineering. The meeting also highlighted innovative approaches to address global energy demands through biotechnology.
The University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has partnered with several institutions to receive a $9.6 million grant from USAID to increase agricultural production and food security in northern India.
A four-year USDA-funded grant will improve agricultural productivity and nutrition in Mozambique through a trilateral cooperation between the US, Brazil, and MSU. The initiative aims to create economic opportunities for low-income farmers by training them on technology and marketing fresh produce.
Researchers discover parasites within the fungus help it adapt and overcome plant defenses, leading to rapid evolution and devastating impact on agricultural yield. The study could lead to significant advances in developing new agricultural techniques for protecting cereal crops from infection.
The University of Illinois has received a $662,836 NSF grant to establish a program mentoring Latino undergraduate students in quantitative biology and informatics. Four cohorts of students will participate in one-year research experiences, receiving fellowships for their work.
A new study found that reforestation at home often leads to deforestation abroad in developing countries. International trade in forest products increased the demand for imported timber and agricultural products, contributing to net deforestation. Strengthening cooperation and certification systems can help mitigate this issue.
Excess nitrogen in groundwater and water bodies harms aquatic life; new denitrifying bioreactors can treat agricultural runoff and urban wastewater at a lower cost. Research confirms successful operation in various settings, including agricultural fields and small townships.
A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and other institutions reveals that expanding croplands in the tropics releases nearly twice as much carbon per unit of food produced compared to temperate regions. The findings highlight a pressing need to balance agricultural production with carbon sequestration.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that agricultural pesticide poisoning is the single most common means of suicide worldwide, with significant variation in case fatality rates among different pesticides. The authors argue that basing regulation on human toxicity, rather than animal data, could help reduce suicides and improve pu...
Researchers will analyze climate change and human-driven changes in hydrology's effects on agricultural production and land use in Asia. The study aims to estimate how climate change affects downstream water resources and food production.
The University of Illinois College of ACES will strengthen rural farmers' livelihoods by modernizing agricultural Extension systems in 20 poorest developing countries. The five-year project aims to transform these systems to increase farm incomes and improve rural poverty, using sustainable natural resource management practices.
Researchers from USDA's Agricultural Research Service found that subsurface injection of liquid manure can reduce ammonia emissions from dairy farms by 65% compared to surface broadcasting or shallow incorporation. This method limits manure nitrogen losses from volatilization, improving air quality and soil health.
The USDA has signed a partnership with TechComm to facilitate agricultural research collaborations between businesses and universities in the Southwestern US. The agreement aims to commercialize USDA-developed technologies, creating new business ventures and job opportunities.
A new study suggests Oregon's land use planning program has largely protected farm and forest operations while promoting scenic views, water quality, and environmental amenities. However, it has also enabled the growth of 'hobby farms' that may not prioritize agricultural production, but still contribute to rural beauty and job creation.
The study found that over 80% of new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, with significant implications for global warming. The research suggests that the rate of deforestation may be slowing, but the demand for agricultural production is expected to continue growing.
Researchers found that fields amended with poultry litter can accumulate significant levels of arsenic, which can then migrate into nearby streams and rivers. The study highlights the importance of controlling point sources of arsenic and suggests management practices to protect local regions from agricultural pollutants.
A new report by the American Society of Agronomy highlights the role of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions and capture. The study finds that adopting conservation agricultural systems can increase carbon sequestration and reduce GHG emissions. However, knowledge gaps remain in understanding the effectiveness of these practices.
The AWARD Fellowship program recognizes and supports top African female scientists conducting critical food security research. Since its inception in 2008, the fellowships have empowered over 1,600 women scientists to strengthen their research and leadership skills.
A new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine reveals that there was no significant difference in injury prevalence between ethnic minority and majority groups of Chinese farmers. The US-China Agricultural Injury Research Training Project successfully trained Chinese scholars, expanding collaborative research act...
A team of scientists has developed an application of rare earth elements to control and track phosphorus runoff from soils receiving livestock manure. The method reduces phosphorus solubility and can be used to label and track soil erosion and sedimentation during storm events.
A new yeast strain, TMB3130, has been developed to ferment pentose sugars, significantly improving aerobic growth rate and biomass concentration. This breakthrough enables the efficient production of ethanol from non-food materials, such as agricultural residues.
A North Carolina State University study finds that agricultural workers in states requiring unemployment insurance spend 4.6 weeks fewer unemployed than those without insurance, earning 9% less upon re-hiring. Workers with access to benefits can find better-paying jobs.
A new model has estimated that large amounts of organic nitrogen are stored in the soil beneath fields in Nebraska and Maryland, where corn and soybean crops are grown. The study found that leaching accounted for most of the nitrogen lost from the soil, particularly in irrigated areas.
The report assesses environmental, social, and agricultural characteristics of GMS nations and outlines changes needed to meet future food demands. Technologies and practices can help farmers use water more efficiently, increase crop yields further and adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service have formulated low-fat cake mixes and frostings using Fantesk, a microdroplet of trans-fat-free cooking oil encapsulated in cornstarch or wheat flour. These innovations produce cakes with better texture and volume while containing up to 50% less fat.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are working to understand the causes of heat stress in cattle and develop management strategies to mitigate its effects. They have identified 11 influential factors contributing to animal susceptibility, including coat color, health history, and temperament.
A new tool has been developed to analyze and manage a wide range of ecological services in agricultural ecosystems. Ecosystems that maximize agriculture tend to have fewer hidden ecosystem services, such as water purification and climate moderation, compared to more diverse landscapes.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington has demonstrated a link between gastroschisis, a congenital abdominal wall defect, and exposure to atrazine, an agricultural chemical. The risk of gastroschisis increased for women who conceived in the spring and resided near areas with high surface water contamination.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released new geospatial data products, including satellite images of agricultural land cover across most of the nation. These cropland data layers can be used to monitor crop rotation patterns, land use changes, and water resources.
A study by Oregon State University economists found that countries like France and the US fare well due to competitive crop production and few trade barriers. In contrast, low-income countries suffer from higher trade restrictions and below-average productivity.
Researchers introduced a single bacterial gene into yeast to improve bioethanol production from agricultural waste, increasing ethanol yields while eliminating major byproducts glycerol and acetate. The innovation addresses second-generation bioethanol challenges, enabling more efficient and sustainable production.
A new study projects variable impacts of climate change on maize and bean harvests in East Africa, presenting both threats and opportunities for farmers. With adequate investment, the region can achieve food security despite predicted declines in staple crop production.
A study examines how public officials obtain information about debatable scientific issues, including agricultural biotechnology. Results show that Texas legislators relied more on the Cooperative Extension Service, while state FFA officers preferred online sources.
African biosafety regulators will receive science-based information on biotechnology, protecting farmers, consumers, and the environment. The initiative aims to reduce poverty through improved agricultural practices.
Agricultural scientists at TUM created indicators and models to analyze, assess and optimize the sustainability of agricultural enterprises. The new indicator model describes farms as systems based on their material and energy flows, enabling accurate calculations of emissions, climate balance and biodiversity.
Perennial crops offer a solution to unsustainable agricultural systems by producing more, requiring less input, and maintaining soil health. Increasing landscape diversity can also boost populations of pests' natural enemies, reducing the need for pesticides.
Research found that DOC losses from tile drains were not affected by crop management practices, but drainage hydrology and manure application played a role. The study highlighted the importance of understanding DOC contributions to surface waters in agricultural watersheds.
The new grants will study the use and impacts of nitrogen, essential to life but also causing environmental problems such as climate change. The research aims to improve data-collection methods and quantify necessary reductions in nitrous oxide emissions to reduce agricultural pollution.
Scientists from the POLARCAT campaign found that agricultural fires in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and other countries are releasing large amounts of soot into the atmosphere, accelerating melting of snow and ice. This report highlights the importance of controlling these emissions as a supplemental strategy to reduce carbon dioxide.
Representative Hinchey recognized for his strong support of a national research portfolio that invests in all sciences. He has been a long-time champion for the agricultural and biological sciences, recognizing their key role in addressing society's challenges.
A perspective article published in International Journal of Private Law suggests that the prairies can capitalize on environmentally friendly farming practices and produce renewable energy sources. The author proposes solutions such as marketable sod, fertilizers, bio-methane, and artificial wetlands to address climate change.
Researchers found that nitrous oxide production rates in small stream sediments are linked to nitrate availability. The study suggests that management efforts to reduce nitrous oxide production should focus on limiting nitrate transport to stream ecosystems.
Experts from Queen's University are in India to advise on reducing parasitic infections that destroy plants and animals, costing the world economy $200 billion annually. The delegation will share their expertise on managing drug resistance in livestock and promoting modern agricultural practices.
A study published in the Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education found that workshops improved Iranian pastoralists' understanding of rangeland management techniques, leading to better land utilization. The results showed a significant impact on concepts like animal-rangeland equilibrium and grazing duration.
Researchers will analyze the genome of five wheat varieties using new DNA sequencing technology to generate tools for breeders to select key agricultural traits. This project aims to speed up current breeding programs by highlighting natural genetic variation between wheat types.
Research suggests that US public funding for specialty crops is inadequate, with production value growth not matched by research spending. Increasing funding could lead to lower fruit and vegetable prices, promoting healthier diets among Americans.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered plant-associated bacteria that can improve plant growth on marginal land, increasing biomass and carbon sequestration. The findings have implications for sustainable biofuel production without competing with food crops or agricultural land.
The Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) aims to increase grain production by 5 million tons annually, benefiting six million poor rural households. The project will focus on sustainable cereal production in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal through the development of new crop varieties and technologies.
A study led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found global yields of biofuels crops to be overestimated by 100-150%, highlighting the need for more realistic expectations. This information can empower countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biofuels.
Green areas in Randstad region may disappear due to lack of targeted agricultural policy, according to Dutch researcher Evelien van Rij. A distinction must be made between traditional Dutch landscapes used for recreation and other agricultural areas to guarantee their continued existence.
The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has released a complete draft assembly of the soybean genetic code, making it available to researchers. Preliminary studies suggest that the soybean genome contains as many as 66,000 genes, more than twice the number identified in the human genome.
Experts warn that cuts in funding for agricultural research and programs could be catastrophic for millions of smallholder farmers in Africa. Targeted investments in areas like controlling stem-rust infections and boosting small-scale fisheries could greatly boost crop yields and lift families out of poverty.
The program aims to develop advanced statistical methodologies for implementing USDA surveys and analyzing survey results. Four focus areas have been identified: multivariate imputation, new design and estimation methodologies, automated editing and imputation methods, and statistical multi-source predictive models.
The US Agency for International Development has awarded a $1 million grant to Virginia Tech to enhance agricultural productivity and trade barriers in Africa. The project aims to increase yields, reduce crop risks, and promote long-term productivity growth through science-based methods.
The University of Illinois is receiving a $2 million NSF grant to develop sustainable biofuels infrastructure. Researchers will examine the engineering, social, environmental and economic constraints of building a sustainably-supporting bio-economy.