Soil Moisture Sensors (or SMS) are a precision agriculture technology on the rise in North Florida. Using electronic sensors at various depths, moisture readings are taken continuously throughout the day. By using this technology, growers are now able to “see underground” and at a distance through cell phone transmission of data. UF/IFAS Extension, as part of the land grant system, …
USDA Invests in Research on Next Generation of Agricultural Technology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 17 grants for research on the next generation of agricultural technologies and systems to meet the growing demand for food, fuel, and fiber. The grants are funded through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Technology is front and center …
Conservation Reserve Program Gets Renewed Attention at Confirmation Hearing
The Conservation Reserve Program got renewed attention at a recent confirmation hearing for nominees for top Department of Agriculture posts. Lawmakers focused on both acreage enrollment and emergency CRP haying and grazing. CRP has always been popular, but low crop prices and continuing droughts and other disasters are spurring renewed interest in the land conservation program. South Dakota Ag Senator …
Researchers Awarded Grant to Improve How Plants Get Nitrogen, Reduce Pollution
A team of researchers at the universities of Florida and Wisconsin-Madison will use a $7.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to pinpoint genes that could improve plants’ ability to access nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Enhancing plants’ nitrogen uptake could increase food security by promoting crop growth in poor soils and could reduce the need …
NMPF Urges Government-Take Action Against Misleading Labeling of “Blue Magic” Milk
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) urged federal and state food regulators to take enforcement action against imitation dairy product “Blue Magic Cashew Milk” for continuing to ignore federal standards of identity for dairy products. In a letter sent today to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, NMPF said that use of …
Peanut Milk Coming Soon to Stores Near You
The dairy alternatives case will soon welcome a new addition, peanut milk. The new, Milked Peanuts – Chocolate is scheduled to roll out in retail stores across the country in January. Tyron Spearman has the story. From: National Peanut Board The dairy alternatives case will soon welcome a new addition…peanut milk! Elmhurst Milked brand just launched a Milked Peanuts – Chocolate which …
Hydroponics Advantages – Disadvantages
Cathy Isom gives us the pros and cons of Hydroponics, and why we shouldn’t do away with soil just yet. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While there are plenty of advantages of Hydroponic farming, especially for anyone living in small spaces and wanting to grow their own veggies indoors, there are certainly a few …
NMPF Urges FDA: Enforce U.S. Standards for Dairy Food Labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) long absence of enforcement of its own food standards has allowed the marketing of hundreds of deceptively labeled dairy imitators – a situation requiring immediate action by the federal government, National Milk Producers Federation officials told the agency during a high-level meeting in Maryland. Food policy staff from the National Milk Producers Federation …
Hydroponics to Improve Yield, Minimize Water Use
Hydroponic growing systems are a means for growers to potentially improve yield, says Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, an assistant professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center at the University of Florida. These systems are a way for farmers to grow crops without soil by using water and a nutrient solution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center …
Funding for Research on Plant-Biotic Interactions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 10 grants totaling $7.2 million for research on the interactions of plants, microbes, and invertebrates. This is the first round of grants awarded through the Plant-Biotic Interactions program, a joint funding opportunity established through a partnership between NIFA and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NIFA …