agriculture research News
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Science societies support current Farm Bill recommendations
Movement on the 2012 Farm Bill, as previously planned by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, April 25 is currently being rescheduled. But the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is applauding Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts for crafting the ...
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ASA, CSSA and SSSA applaud PCAST for agricultural research enterprise report
Today (Dec. 7) the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a new report on Agricultural Preparedness and the Agriculture Research Enterprise. The report represents an important analysis of the public and private agricultural research structure and current levels of investment. “We are pleased that PCAST focused on the unique challenges and goals of ...
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Introducing system models into Ag Research
In order to develop sustainable agricultural systems that address environmental challenges, more quantitative guidance and site-specific decision tools must become available to producers. Field research requires a quantitative approach to ensure complex interacting factors are taken into account. Process level models of cropping systems are based on synthesis and quantification of important ...
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Science societies commend senate action on farm bill
It sets the next five years of farm policy, including important research programs related to the production of food, feed, fuel, and fiber. Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Senate passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, a move applauded by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). Leaders of the ...
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Mapping and modeling eastern US food production
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are mapping an array of county-level data from Maine to Virginia on weather, soil, land use, water availability and other elements. Then they'll use their map to model potential crop production and find out where local food production could meet current and projected demand—and where it won't. Until recently, low fuel prices have contributed to the ...
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Horn of Africa `should grow more climate-hardy cassava`
Farmers in the Horn of Africa should focus on growing more improved cassava varieties, which are high-yielding and resilient to drought, according to researchers. The improved varieties developed by the Nigeria-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and tested in Ethiopia, may help tackle famine in the Horn of Africa, an area that was severely hit by drought and hunger in ...
By SciDev.Net
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Floods wash away Pakistan`s crop research efforts
The recent Pakistan floods have caused substantial damage to the country's crop research, washing away new seed varieties and test crops planted in the fields, and damaging buildings and equipment, leaving the country's research institutes in disrepair. So far, the floods have killed more than 2,000 people and affected a further 21 million, killed 200,000 livestock and destroyed 4.25 million ...
By SciDev.Net
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Less nitrogen could increase profit & sustainability
More fertilizer doesn't always mean more profit. That's one conclusion from a 10-year study conducted by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists at the agency’s Soil Plant Nutrient Research Unit in Fort Collins, Colo., and colleagues at Colorado State University. From 1998 to 2008, the researchers evaluated and compared potential management strategies for reducing nitrogen and nitrate ...
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Kansas senator honored with soil stewardship award
A long-time champion for agriculture, research, and the United States’ soil resources, Senator Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, will be presented today (Mar. 18) with the 2013 Excellence in Soil Stewardship Award by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). The award recognizes policy makers whose exemplary leadership has strengthened the U.S. agricultural enterprise and the natural ...
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President`s budget proposal includes increase to Ag-related sciences
The Obama Administration rolled out a multi-trillion-dollar budget proposal Monday, February 13, which includes an increase in funding for agriculture related research and development. The $3.8 trillion federal budget proposal shows the U.S. Department of Agriculture would endure cuts of $32 billion over 10 years, largely through the elimination of direct payments, as well as cuts of subsidies ...
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Importance of ag research highlighted with funding
The continuing importance of agricultural research is evident with the proposed funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) in President Obama’s FY 2012 budget. Strong AFRI funding will support land grant, USDA, and industry scientists in meeting global challenges including food security needs, maintaining soil ecosystem health, adapting crops to a changing climate, and ...
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Winners of the 2014 INRA Awards
Five laureates were honoured at the 9th INRA Awards Ceremony for their commitment and findings in such diverse fields as relations between plants and environment, the role of soil microorganisms in the flows of atmospheric carbon or innovative aquaculture. The ceremony took place on 5 November 2014, in the presence of Stéphane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, and ...
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Research funding and skills key to food for post-2015
Public spending on agricultural research must double in the next decade if the world is to successfully move to sustainable methods of food production, says a UN-backed report. This funding must be coupled with long-term investment in the training of agricultural professionals to fill the skill gaps in many developing countries, concludes the report published yesterday by the Sustainable ...
By SciDev.Net
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Identifying federal research dollars for Ag
“Food, Nutrition, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences in the FY 2011 Budget,” is the title of a book chapter written by key staff at American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. Authors Karl Glasener, Director of Science Policy, and Caron Gala Bijl, Science Policy Programs Coordinator, highlight programs and trends across ...
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Foundation for Agronomic Research Names John D. Jones Director
Washington, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute today announced the selection of John D. Jones as the Director of the Foundation for Agronomic Research. Jones will provide oversight of the 4R Research Fund, coordinate a 4R Researcher network, and support other strategies to advance 4R nutrient stewardship. The 4R Research Fund is a science-based research initiative aimed at improving ...
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ALERT: Congressional briefing on anniversary of landsat satellites, future importance
Forty years ago, Landsat Satellites began a vigilant watch, protecting and enhancing the quality of life on Earth by tracking changes on the surface over time, and creating a vast global record of amazing land images and data. But could this effort become even more significant during the next forty years, and beyond? The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil ...
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Rediscovering sound soil management
At the same time that demand for food is soaring along with the world’s population, the soil’s ability to sustain and enhance agricultural productivity is becoming increasingly diminished and unreliable. Fortunately, it’s not too late to restore our soil resources. What it will take, say the editors and contributors to a new book, Soil Management: Building a Stable Base for ...
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Dutch university uses PlantCare technology
Dutch university Wageningen UR uses PlantCare equipment for soil moisture research in their greenhouse horticulture facilities in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. 6 PlantCare wireless sensors, for recording soil moisture and soil temperature, and a PlantControl CX wireless data logger with modem, for sending the data to an email address, are being used. PlantCare’s worldwide patented sensor ...
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Benefits of collaborative research highlighted in ASA, CSSA, SSSA webinar
In these fiscally constrained times, federally-funded researchers face more pressure than ever before to show the greater societal benefits of their research. To that end, many researchers are now working in multidisciplinary teams that combine agricultural, environmental, economic, and social science research in order to better understand the economic and social benefits associated with basic ...
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Banana compost could boost crop yields, a study finds
Using old banana trees to make compost may help boost crop yields while cutting down water and fertiliser use, according to an Egyptian researcher. Banana-based fertiliser could cut about 20 per cent of the water used in irrigating maize and lead to better yields and improved soil properties — such as availability of micronutrients and soil moisture — a researcher at Egypt's National ...
By SciDev.Net
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