Nematodes are a billion dollar threat to agriculture each year. Plant scientists at the University of Missouri and the University of Bonn in Germany have discovered that nematodes use a specific hormone to help them feed on the plant. This discovering could allow scientist to develop plants with resistance to the pests. “Cell cycle regulation is a key aspect of … Read More
Four Named to ARS Science Hall of Fame
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the USDA’s chief intramural scientific research agency, has named four scientists to the Science Hall of Fame. Their accomplishments are in the fields of sustainable farming, fruit tree breeding, air quality, climate change, crop mineral nutrition and discoveries in genomics. They were honored for outstanding, lifelong achievements in agricultural science and technology at a … Read More
New #USFRA Consumer Attitudes Study
During the Farm Progress Show this weed, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced the results of a new survey on consumer views on farming and ranching sustainability. “For USFRA, no question about agriculture is off the table,” said USFRA chair Nancy Kavazanjian during the press conference. “We want to make sure farmers and ranchers are involved in the most … Read More
New Milestone in Sequencing of Barley Genome
In 2000 a team of scientists at the University of California began work to sequence the genome of barley. The work is time consuming since it is a large and highly repetitive genome that is difficult to fully sequence. Recently researchers announced they have unlocked nearly two-thirds of the barley genes. This information is expect to not only expand our knowledge … Read More
USDA Finds Ways to Save Water with Sorghum
While there’s plenty of water in Texas this year, the recent drought in the state has many farmers looking for options more tolerant to drought. A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist is giving sorghum farmers some much needed guidance in how to save water by using less-than-optimal amounts of it. Susan O’Shaughnessy, an agricultural engineer with the USDA’s Agricultural … Read More
Peanut Research Future Includes Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is new to the peanut research world but Doug Britton who manages the Agricultural Research Program at the university believes they are bringing a new perspective and expertise to the table. “Georgia Tech has a great engineering and science faculty,” said Britton. “A lot of things that we develop are in manufacturing or other aspects of engineering and … Read More
Students Gather for Future of Crop Science Institute
Des Moines, Iowa, recently played host to 62 student delegates meeting for the inaugural Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Crop Science Institute. This news release from the group says this one of four AFA Leader Institutes, which connect passionate, talented college students from 25 universities from 21 different states to various sectors of the agriculture industry. “Career exploration is an … Read More
Monsanto Opens Wheat Technology Center
A new center is promising to bring together people and processes to drive innovation in wheat breeding. This news release from Monsanto says the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Filer, Idaho, for the grand opening of Monsanto’s Wheat Technology Center, which will serve as the company’s core U.S. wheat breeding R&D facility. “The Wheat Technology Center gathers some of … Read More
Visiting the @BASFAgProducts Midwest Research Farm
Seymour, Illinois near Champaign is the location for the BASF Midwest Research Farm (MWRF), which the company has developed into a showcase for the latest in crop development trials and stewardship practices. “Several years ago we were farming about 45 acres worth of plots at this site and not really doing a whole lot of customer interaction,” said BASF Crop … Read More
AGree Report Calls for Food & Ag Research Reform
A new report calls for reforms in food and ag research. AGree, a group that’s supported by leading foundations that fund food and agriculture, international development, and health and well-being, unveiled its comprehensive report on food and ag research, “Research & Innovation: Strengthening Agricultural Research,” which includes nine recommendations to strengthen the impact of public research dollars by reforming the … Read More