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Tag: Farming

Tracking weeds to stop them in their tracks
Weeds like Palmer amaranth can spread by seeds that end up in livestock feed. A new method helps track contaminated manure so farmers can fend off this pest
Uncovering best practices for cover crops to optimize production
Research findings point to benefits of ‘planting green’
Spanish degree takes Iowa State senior on global adventures
What was supposed to be a one-off summer job as a farmhand in high school turned into a lifelong passion for agriculture that led Adam Bittner to Iowa State, to a Spanish degree and to travels around the globe.
Finding the best lentil varieties for every farm
A recent study measured how environmental factors and plant genetics come together to influence lentil yields and nutritional content
Sesame cultivation: expansion versus temperature stress
Increasing genetic diversity protects against total crop failure
Why mix varieties of wheat in a field?
Increasing genetic diversity protects against total crop failure
Measuring nitrogen in green manures
Finding ways to determine nitrogen levels will help breeders help farmers

Hemp goes ‘hot’ due to genetics, not environmental stress
A new Cornell University study debunks misinformation on websites and in news articles that claim that environmental or biological stresses – such as flooding or disease – cause an increase in THC production in hemp plants.
Balancing nitrogen for sunflowers
Sunflowers need nitrogen to survive, but too much can decrease the quality of seeds
New centre to train experts in crop resilience
University of Adelaide experts are part of a new research centre that will train the next generation of scientists to develop more resilient crops.
Tomato production 101: Distinctions beyond the “fruit or vegetable” debate
What’s the current research on our favorite BLT ingredient?
Microbes promote lima bean growth
Researchers identify which lima bean inoculants provide economical and environmental benefits
The big potential of little millet
Overlooked little millet is a promising grain for our future climate. New research shows which varieties perform the best.
Farm marketing success linked to natural, cultural assets
Farmers markets and roadside stands are more successful in communities with more nonprofits, social enterprises and creative industries, according to a new Cornell University study.
The best bioenergy crops for the North Carolina Piedmont
Research shows options with high yield and low water use
$10M grant funds study of dairy’s carbon footprint
A new $10 million grant aims to help the U.S. dairy industry become at least carbon neutral while supporting farmer livelihoods – providing important insight for New York state, which ranks fourth in milk production nationwide.
Tile drainage impacts yield and nitrogen
Draining waterlogged farm fields helps crops but can leach nitrogen into waterways. A three-decade-long experiment is helping farmers strike the right balance.
Sustainable Agronomy Conference expands virtual format
Fourth annual conference offers free registration for the 6-week series.
Bioreactors chip away at nitrogen pollution
A recent study shows bioreactors effectively remove nitrogen over time
Maximizing returns from double-crop soybean
Updated research will help farmers choose maturity group and seeding rate for double-crop soybeans
From farm to plate: Where do global consumer dollars flow?
A team of researchers, led by Cornell University professors Chris Barrett and Miguel Gómez, has developed the “Global Food Dollar” method, which distributes the consumer’s net purchasing dollar across all farm and post-farmgate activities.
Is carbon the ‘crop’ of the future?
An increasing awareness and concern about the environment, changes in government policy, America’s re-entry into the Paris Agreement and a robust demand for carbon offsets all point toward an appetite for a different type of agricultural crop – carbon.
Grant expands Cornell efforts to reach New York farmworkers
As COVID-19 bore down on New York state, the Cornell Farmworker Program used mobile phone technology to provide rapid guidance and clear health information in multiple languages to the state’s farmworkers. Now, new federal funding will expand the program and further integrate the initiative with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE).
Why is it important to increase genetic diversity in crops, especially in soybean?
U.S. soybean breeding programs have slowed as current varieties are too closely related

Benefits of wheat in corn-soybean crop rotations
Adding wheat can boost yields, increase economic return, and improve soil
Building better beans to fight food insecurity
As climate change heats up the air and land making them hotter and dryer, warmer nighttime temperatures make it more difficult to grow beans — a critical source of protein for populations. Researchers are working against this to build more resilient beans.
Tanzanian farmers boost diets with sustainable methods
Diversity of children’s diets and food security improved for households after Tanzanian farmers learned about sustainable crop-growing methods, gender equity, nutrition and climate change from peer mentors.
How does wind erosion affect farming in Washington state?
Windstorms, less organic matter on topsoil and soil degradation among issues
The surprising power of chicken manure
Chicken manure, known as poultry litter, is an age-old fertilizer. New research shows it can improve soils and increase crop yield, a boon for farmers.
What can we learn about agricultural practices from soil archives?
Long-term studies allow for betting understanding of agroecosystem change
Tracking Nitrate in Farm Fields
Nitrogen is essential for crops, but when it gets into the water supply, it spells big trouble. Scientists are trying to help farmers strike the right balance by measuring their fields.
The fight against Palmer amaranth
Nebraska research team helps identify the best weed control program to help farmers control Palmer amaranth in soybean fields
SA hub will help build resilience to drought
The University of Adelaide, as part of an extensive collaboration with industry and the South Australian Government, will lead a new drought resilience hub in South Australia. Announced today, the hub will undertake research, development, extension, adoption and commercialisation activities to improve drought resilience and preparedness on SA farms.

Todd Steinacher named 2021 International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year
Steinacher recognized for his leadership and commitment helping farmers achieve sustainability.

Helping stevia brave the cold
The popular stevia sweetener comes from a tropical crop. New research is helping find the varieties that can grow in colder climates.

Manure improves soil and microbe community
Manure improves soil and microbe community

Chickpea genetics reduce need for chemicals
Researchers uncover natural disease resistance in chickpeas as a harmful pathogen develops resistance to fungicide.
USDA grant seeks to enhance milk production and cow health
An animal scientist studying relationships between insulin and milk production in dairy cows has received a three-year, $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The 20 best places to tackle U.S. farm nitrogen pollution
A pioneering study of U.S nitrogen use in agriculture has identified 20 places across the country where farmers, government, and citizens should target nitrogen reduction efforts.
The 20 nitrogen “hotspots of opportunity”–which appear on a striking map–represent a whopping 63% of the total surplus nitrogen balance in U.S. croplands, but only 24% of U.S. cropland area.
Nitrogen inputs are so high in these areas that farmers can most likely reduce nitrogen use without hurting crop yields.

Cataloguing genetic information about yams
New collection of resources will help yam breeders and farmers

Gift supports Cornell’s Tanzanian cassava efforts
A $2.65 million gift to support Cornell University and partner research in Tanzania will improve distribution of new and more resistant varieties of cassava while empowering women and marginalized groups in the East African nation.

Scarce labor, higher wages in store for NYS farms in 2021
Richard Stup, agricultural workforce specialist, analyzes key issues facing New York state farmers this year.

Nuclear War Could Trigger Big El Niño and Decrease Seafood
A nuclear war could trigger an unprecedented El Niño-like warming episode in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, slashing algal populations by 40 percent and likely lowering the fish catch, according to a Rutgers-led study. The research, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, shows that turning to the oceans for food if land-based farming fails after a nuclear war is unlikely to be a successful strategy – at least in the equatorial Pacific.

Stealing the spotlight in the field and kitchen
New dry beans from UC Davis combine desirable qualities for both farmers and consumers

Framework sheds light on nitrogen loss of producing common food items
Differences in nitrogen loss intensity between livestock and crops confirm the need for change.
New cassava varieties endorsed for release in Nigeria
Five new cassava varieties developed with support from NextGen Cassava, an international partnership led by Cornell University, have been approved for release in Nigeria.

Tepary beans – a versatile and sustainable native crop
This drought and heat tolerant crop can provide nutrition, even when grown in harsh environments.

Keeping California a powerhouse of almond production
Research shows nitrogen efficiency and productivity not a tradeoff

How can farmers grow crops in more coarse soils?
Growing crops in stony soils can be challenging, but feasible