Nearly 75 percent of all animal species are insects and other arthropods. Many profoundly impact people and the Earth’s ecology. Some insects pollinate a third of our food crops. Others destroy one-fifth of the world’s total crop production annually. Given the importance of arthropods, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) helped organize the “i5k Initiative.” The goal is to sequence and …
USDA/NIFA Announces Funding to Grow the Bioeconomy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced six grants totaling nearly $21.1 million to support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Our nation has made great strides in promoting the …
Agri View: Benefits of Agriculture Research
Everett Griner talks about agriculture research in the new Farm Bill in today’s Agri View. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts …
Scientist Recognized for Research in Mosquito-Borne Disease Control
University of Florida entomology professor Jeffrey Bloomquist is known to have a restless curiosity about everything, ranging from insecticide toxicology to mosquito control and resistance. That boundless need to know has paid off for Bloomquist, a faculty member with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. He recently was honored with the American Chemical Society International Award for Research …
UF Researchers to Use Grant to Help Stop Influenza
University of Florida researchers will use a $2.7 million National Institutes of Health grant to study whether they can harness an unusual type of immune cell in pigs to treat and prevent influenza viruses in animals and humans. Although “natural killer T” – or NKT cells — are very rare, they can be very powerful and can stimulate immune responses …
Peanut Breeding Program Works with Students, Growers
By Jaci Schreckengost The peanut breeding program at the University of Florida’s (UF) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Marianna, Florida, is helping growers in the Southeast by creating new peanut breeds. The breeding program uses applied genetics to create varieties with characteristics that will be beneficial to growers, says Barry Tillman, associate professor of the program. Due …
NIFA Support for Food and Agricultural National Needs Fellowship Grants Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $3.1 million in available funding to train the next generation of policymakers, researchers, and educators in the food and agricultural sciences. There is a significant shortfall between the number of jobs being created and availability of graduates with bachelor or higher degrees in the food, …
Funding to Train More Than 100 Future Agricultural Science Professionals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $12.6 million to support the training of 55 doctoral candidates and 52 postdoctoral scholars. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Agricultural science depends on new ideas and new perspectives,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA …
Case Studies Show Big Economic Benefits of Soil Health Practices
Soil health practices such as cover crops and no-till can result in an economic return of over $100 per acre, according to a set of case studies jointly released by the National Association of Conservation Districts and Datu Research, LLC. Cover crops and no-till can limit soil loss, reduce run-off, enhance biodiversity, and more. Naturally, farmers who are considering adopting these practices …
Goodyear Using Soybean Oil-Based Rubber in Tires
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is harvesting some unique “seeds” of innovation as it introduces a new tire technology with support from the United Soybean Board (USB). The first commercial use of a new soybean oil-based rubber compound is helping Goodyear enhance tire performance in dry, wet and winter conditions. A Goodyear team of scientists and engineers created a …