The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $34 million in available funding for projects that promote sustainable water use for food production, processing, and other competing uses. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
USDA Funding to Provide Fellowships for Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced more than $5 million in grants for fellowship opportunities for undergraduate students at colleges and universities. These awards are made through NIFA’s Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduate (REEU) Fellowships program, part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Education and Literacy Initiative.
USDA Announces Funding to Support Antimicrobial Resistance Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $11 million in available funding for projects that mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing public health issue that affects more than 2 million people annually. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
Importance of Agricultural Research
Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research, held a hearing to highlight the importance of agricultural research as part of the committee’s hearing series on the next farm bill. Members heard from witnesses who stressed the important role research plays in ensuring that American agriculture remains competitive and capable of addressing …
Analyzing Disease Mutations Using Online Cattle Genomes
Thanks to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists, a genomic database of U.S. beef cattle is now available online. The complete genomes of 96 bulls representing different U.S. cattle breeds were sequenced by researchers at the Agricultural Research Service‘s (ARS) U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska. The breeds include Angus, Brangus and Hereford. The publicly accessible …
Data Collection Underway for Prospective Plantings Report
The annual prospective plantings report comes out on March 31, but right now Agriculture Department statisticians are gathering information from farmers that will give everyone a better idea of upcoming planted acreage and crop production. Gary Crawford has the story. Play Audio
UNH Research: Organic Pesticides Help Manage Cabbage Aphids on Brussels Sprouts
Severe infestations of cabbage aphids can virtually destroy a crop of Brussels sprouts, making them unmarketable. However, new research from the University of New Hampshire shows that organic pesticides can be effective in managing the pests. The research was conducted by Becky Sideman, a researcher with the NH Agricultural Experiment Station and extension professor of sustainable horticulture production, and her …
UF/IFAS Researchers Find Potential Bugs to Eat Invasive Cogongrass
by: Brad Buck, University of Florida/IFAS A few bugs may be able to chew up some cogongrass, a noxious weed that elbows out pasture grass, golf course greens and valuable ecosystems, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher says. A worldwide research team led by UF/IFAS entomology professor James Cuda and retired entomology professor Bill …
New UF/IFAS Scientist Brings Latest Technology to Battle Against Invasive Species
by Robin Koestoyo, University of Florida/IFAS Carey Minteer, a research professor with expertise in the use of biological controls to manage invasive plants, has joined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Florida has the most invasive species in the country, with 28 ports of entry, including seaports, airports and train stations. Minteer, who is also an expert …
Kakkar Joins UF/IFAS Extension as Invasive Insect Specialist
Garima Kakkar is joining the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to help the state fight invasive pests. Kakkar, an expert in invasive insects, is a UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Multicounty Agent. Kakkar has a diverse range of experience in managing pest insects, and will now serve growers in the world’s premier citrus production region with …