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 Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril …
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 …
UF/IFAS Entomologist Gets $200,000 to Help Develop Rapid Zika Detection
A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomologist will use a $200,000 grant from the Florida Department of Health to improve tests for the detection of Zika virus. In 2016, Florida saw 1,272 cases of Zika, which is usually associated with mild symptoms, although severe symptoms may also occur, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and birth defects in babies, …
New ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs Issued
By Kim Kaplan, Agricultural Research Service Research showing a higher dose of vitamin D may benefit pregnant women by reducing inflammation is among the new nutrition and health findings in the latest issue of the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Food and Nutrition Research Briefs. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners …
Scientists Give Old Elm Tree a High-Tech Helping Hand
By Jan Suszkiw, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) In front of the city hall building in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, there’s a weathered old elm tree that’s seen more than 200 years of American history. Throughout those centuries, it has withstood bouts of Dutch elm disease and poundings from brutal storms like 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. This winter, U.S. Department of Agriculture …