Researchers Developing Corn for Diverse Organic Systems

Dan Corn, Field Crops, Organic, Research, This Land of Ours

Researchers are working on a new type of corn. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Decades of corn breeding efforts emphasizing yield have contributed to modern hybrids with shallower and less complex root systems than their predecessors. Because the breeding and selection of most modern hybrids has taken place in environments with high nutrient concentrations, optimal weed control, …

Dairy Research Centers Celebrate 35 Years

Dan Cattle, Dairy, Research, This Land of Ours

35 Years of dairy research. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The checkoff-funded Dairy Foods Research Centers network is celebrating its 35-year anniversary. It was created to provide innovative, science-backed solutions related to consumer demand as well as business needs and trends. Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) provides the structure and oversight for more than 20 universities that comprise …

New UF/IFAS Blueberry Lab Nearing Completion

Dan Education, Florida, Fruits, Research, Specialty Crops

Research efforts continue with a variety of crops at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and that includes blueberries. And those researchers are looking forward to the completion of the new blueberry lab. UF-IFAS Senior Vice President, Dr. Scott Angle, noted to Southeast AgNet that their top-notch blueberry breeding program will get a boost from this new …

Dairy Checkoff Competition Focusing on “Calming Benefits”

Dan Dairy, Education, Marketing, Research, This Land of Ours

Touting the calming benefits of dairy. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Dairy Management Incorporated’s New Product Competition is accepting applications for innovative products that focus on dairy’s qualities related to calming. The program used to be known as the National Dairy Council New Product Competition. It’s open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to develop products …

New Tomato Variety Approved by APHIS

Dan Fruits, Research, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, USDA-APHIS, Vegetables

There may someday be a new tomato in the produce department. That’s coming up on this land of ours. Norfolk Plant Sciences requested approval from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for a new tomato. The tomato was modified to alter its color and increase its nutritional quality. APHIS found that from a plant pest risk …

Researchers Looking to Help Cattle Producers Build More Heat-Tolerant Herd

Dan Beef, Cattle, Research

Animal scientists are working to help cattle producers build herds that are less affected by heat stress. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025

Watching for Advancements in Ag Technology

Dan Research, This Land of Ours

Keeping an eye on technological advancements. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. This week we’re focusing on technology in agriculture. New and developing technologies often stem from novel concepts, and this requires the modernization of existing approaches to risk assessment and regulation. APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) works to keep abreast of the latest advances in science and …

Science Key Weapon in Fight Against Citrus Greening

Dan Citrus, Research, Research, This Land of Ours

How science is the key weapon in the fight against Citrus Greening. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. This week we’re focusing on technology in agriculture. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) is the bacterial pathogen that causes “citrus greening disease,” one of the most destructive diseases of citrus worldwide. PPQ scientists are harnessing the power of CRISPR/Cas systems to …