A new effort led by UTIA aims to help nursery growers adopt automation technologies, addressing the industry's labor shortage. The LEAP Team will identify labor constraints and opportunities, as well as prioritize automated technologies for nursery production systems.
A recent study in northern Uganda found that bushmeat hunters and women who cook the meat are aware of the potential for zoonotic diseases, but their practices are often driven by financial gain rather than precaution. The survey also revealed that many hunters disguise primate meat to avoid detection, posing a risk to public health.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been chosen to coordinate a regional effort to address farmer and rancher stress in the South. The three-year project aims to provide stress management assistance for people in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations as well as their families.
Rachel Painter, a University of Tennessee Extension professional, has been recognized nationally for her work with local Master Gardeners. Her efforts have helped increase the volunteer retention rate from 30% in 2016 to nearly 75% in 2019.
A three-year study is investigating the agronomic, economic, and ecological outcomes of organic grain production in Tennessee. The research team will explore tillage and cover crop management for organic corn-soybean-wheat rotations to identify changes that can increase profitability and environmental sustainability.
The UT Agribusiness Academy aims to increase Tennessee secondary students' exposure to agribusiness content and career opportunities, bolstering curricular success. The grant-funded project will provide online modules and professional development components for 60 teachers over three summers.
Researchers at UT Institute of Agriculture use gas chromatography-olfactometry to identify 49 odorants in Tennessee whiskey, including nine new discoveries. The study reveals that the Lincoln County Process decreases malty and rancid aromas while retaining desirable flavors.
A three-year research project funded by the USDA aims to analyze consumer preferences for US beef and estimate demand in select countries. The study will provide insights on economic implications of trade policies and strengthen the US beef export market.
A team of University of Tennessee researchers is collaborating to develop an international research coordination network (iRCN) focused on food, energy, and water resources. The goal is to support sustainable urban systems worldwide by merging global resources and coordinating FEW-focused research.
Researchers investigate how genetics influence rumen microbiome in cattle, seeking to identify host genomic markers for heritability. The study aims to manipulate microbiomes to enhance agricultural production and develop more sustainable cow-calf systems.
Hongwei Xin, UT AgResearch Dean, is recognized for his global leadership skills in animal production environment, welfare, and sustainability. He has published over 600 refereed journal articles and has worked on various initiatives to facilitate linkages between academics, research, and economic development.
The University of Tennessee Extension's Cotton Nitrogen Management publication has been awarded a Blue Ribbon by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The publication, authored by Lori Duncan and Tyson Raper, provides recommendations for optimizing nitrogen use efficiency in cotton production.
Alvin R. Womac, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been recognized as an ASABE Fellow for his contributions to equipment systems for spray application technology and biomass logistics systems. His research has led to improvements in pesticide spray application safety and environmental impact.
The U.S. Botanic Garden and American Public Gardens Association have awarded $378,000 to 28 public gardens in the US, including the Helping Hands Kitchen Garden at the University of Tennessee Gardens, Knoxville. The funds will help sustain urban agriculture programs and increase produce donations to local food banks.
The University of Tennessee is one of 26 institutions to receive a REEU grant, focusing on integrated pest management. Nineteen students have been selected for the internship program, which will provide training in modern agricultural technology, communication and leadership skills.
Scientists at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have discovered that host contact rates and habitat structure significantly impact the transmission of Bsal among eastern newts. Adding habitat complexity and reducing population density can curtail transmission rates, similar to COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
A new system of cameras and vision software is being developed to monitor commercial broilers' activity levels, providing a common assessment tool for farmers, retailers, and consumers seeking to support better animal welfare.
The University of Tennessee Extension is launching a new effort to address the opioid crisis in rural Tennessee through the PROMPT TN program. The project aims to develop opioid-specific resources and train community members to prevent addiction, focusing on underlying causes and risk factors.
Tyson Raper has made significant contributions to cotton profitability through his research on high-residue cover crops and nutrient rate optimization. His work evaluating crop heat units for modern cotton varieties is also being recognized with the Cotton Researcher of the Year award.
A new study published in Nature reports the genome sequence of the blue-petal water lily, finding evidence of genetic innovations that may have led to the evolution of floral scent and other traits in early-diverged flowering plants. The research sheds light on the early evolution of all angiosperms.
A graduate student at the University of Tennessee has developed a new nanocellulose-based material that provides outstanding air filtration performance, with potential to remove over 99% of fine particles in air. The filter is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making it highly promising for indoor air purification applications.
Researchers found that recycling nutrient-rich industrial waste products can enhance soil health while reducing carbon emissions and maintaining crop yields. The study used heat-inactivated spent microbial mass (SMB) as a fertilizer, which provided similar crop yields to conventional fertilizers but at greater rates.
The project will evaluate producer preferences for bull genomics and physical traits, as well as feedlot preferences for feeder cattle genetic testing. Researchers hope to provide valuable information to producers to enhance marketing opportunities and improve market efficiency.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to manage its forested research properties under the highest standards for forest management. Through this partnership, UT will sell carbon credits to benefit society and fight climate change, while also promoting sustainable forestry practic...
A new grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research aims to map the Asian longhorned tick's spread and provide farmers with mitigation strategies. The project involves a tick-surveillance network and will enhance awareness about the pest, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is developing a 'fresh electric farm' to produce nutritious crops in controlled environments, reducing carbon footprints. The first crop being studied is kale, grown in a storage container under bright LED lights.
A new chimeric ranavirus, RCV-Z2, discovered in North America has the potential to decimate tadpole populations quickly through multiple transmission pathways. The virus can spread efficiently through direct contact, necrophagy, and waterborne transmission.
A global collaboration of scientists has examined the diversification of plant species, genes and genomes across 1 billion years. The study, published in Nature, involved 200 researchers from over 30 countries, including University of Tennessee faculty members C. Neal Stewart Jr. and Ed Schilling.
Timothy Young, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been named a Fellow by the International Academy of Wood Science. This international honor recognizes his significant contributions to wood science and research globally.
Researchers from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture join a global call for responsible synthetic biology development. The authors highlight four major areas where improvements are needed to advance the field, including genome design, DNA synthesis, genome editing, and chromosome construction.
Researchers aim to address sustainable food systems for a growing population by developing an optimal food system from an economic and resource-use perspective. The study will examine the role of trade in making resource use more efficient and providing safe and nutritious food.
Matthew Devereaux, a UT human development specialist, has been honored with the National Excellence in Extension Award for his visionary leadership and innovative programming that positively develops youth in afterschool settings. His research on social-emotional learning programs has shown significant gains in student grades and stand...
Tennessee has been selected for a $454,000 Dairy Business Innovation Initiative grant from the USDA to help the state's dairy industry diversify product markets and improve farm income. The project aims to assist Tennessee dairy farmers in developing higher-value uses for dairy products through processing and marketing specialty products.
John Campbell, a retired UT Extension specialist, was inducted into the National Association of County Agricultural Agents' (NACAA) Hall of Fame for his commitment to community service and effective leadership. He served nine counties as an area farm management specialist and helped develop state-wide programming.
A team of researchers, led by Sean Ryan, documents the invasive history of the small cabbage white butterfly, which they attribute to human activities such as trade and migration. The study uses DNA analysis from over 3,000 submitted butterflies to reveal the butterfly's spread across Europe, Asia, Siberia, North America, and New Zealand.
Cristina Watkins, a UTIA doctoral student, has won a national scholarship to study the connection between wilderness areas and diverse societies. Her research focuses on socio-demographic groups' values of wilderness areas and creating accessible opportunities for minority groups in outdoor recreation.
The UTIA senior design team developed a pilot technology to enhance stormwater infiltration in rain gardens by inducing fractures in compacted soil layers. This technique could save homeowners and property owners time and money by unclogging failed rain gardens.
Researchers found that mixing glyphosate with dicamba formulations consistently lowered the pH of the spray solution below 5.0, a critical value according to dicamba application labels. The study suggests that glyphosate in tank mixes could be a culprit behind dicamba drift and volatility issues.
The UTIA/Blühen Hemp Agronomic Research Program will provide much-needed research data to enhance the success of hemp farmers in Tennessee. The four-year program aims to support agronomic practices and improve crop yields.
The University of Tennessee has been awarded a grant to develop a more sustainable way to manage Nashville's organic wastes. The project aims to reduce methane emissions and create jobs in the local community by using anaerobic digestion technology.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture faculty members received six awards from Epsilon Sigma Phi for their commitment to Extension and outreach work. The honors recognize their leadership and service in six categories, including Continued Excellence Award winner Janie Burney.
Studies show that both temperature and glyphosate increase dicamba volatility, leading to increased off-target movement and damage to crops. Researchers recommend avoiding mixing glyphosate with low-volatile dicamba formulations, such as XtendiMax, to minimize the risk of injury to non-dicamba-tolerant plants.
Researchers will develop an integrated database of socioeconomic and financial data to create an index identifying a community's ability to pay for loans. The framework aims to prioritize drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects and provide policy options to support economically stressed communities.
A team at UTIA will determine key parameters for efficient logistics systems using innovative approaches, including evaluating alternative preprocessing technologies and modeling techno-economic analyses. The study aims to expedite commercialized cellulosic biofuel production by balancing cost and quality in feedstock logistics.
Neil Rhodes, a professor at UTIA, has been named Fellow of the Southern Weed Science Society for his significant contributions to the field. He was recognized for his tireless work on herbicide stewardship and dedication to mentoring young professionals.
Larry Steckel, a UTIA professor, received the Outstanding Educator Award for his contributions to weed science education. He developed training modules addressing dicamba herbicide drift issues, leading to significant reductions in damaged crop acres in Tennessee.
Heather Sedges Wallace, a family life specialist at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been recognized with a national Early Career Achievement Award. Her award-winning research focuses on addressing human issues from a systems-based perspective, particularly technology's influence on daily life.
Tyson Raper, a University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture assistant professor, was honored as the 2019 Beltwide Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year. He has led the university's education and research efforts involving cotton production, working closely with producers and industry groups.
Researchers developed intelligent spray technology that uses laser and sensors to apply exact amount of pesticide needed, reducing costs by up to 70%. The technology also reduces environmental impact by minimizing drift and loss to the ground.
The Southern Risk Management Education Center named two University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) projects among its top three for 2018. Advanced Online Marketing Strategies helped 567 farmers reach customers, while Implementing Biosecurity measures positively impacted producers to the tune of $328,000.