2025

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Stay ahead of resistant weeds with herbicide layering

Real Agriculture

Weeds are a constant challenge for farmers, but when they develop resistance to herbicides, the stakes get even higher. For years, the go-to advice was to rotate herbicide groups or mix different modes of action in a single application. While those can still be valuable strategies, this latest approach is making a difference: herbicide layering. Read More Weeds are a constant challenge for farmers, but when they develop resistance to herbicides, the stakes get even higher.

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The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sets its federal policy focus for 2025

NASDA

Press Release ARLINGTON, Va. NASDAs members-led Board of Directors chose five issues to serve as the organizations primary policy focus for 2025. They include the farm bill , food systems , pesticide regulations , PFAS and state cooperative agreement funding. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney remarked on the significance of these issues for 2025. NASDA members have specified these areas as necessary to work on to best support farmers, ranchers and communities nationwide, said McKinney.

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FDA’s Front-of-Package nutrtion label: Open for public comment

Food Politics

With much fanfare, the FDA released its proposed rule for a new front-of-package summary of the Nutrition Facts panel. Ive written about the history of this previously. Of all the options tested ( Food Fix had the best summary ), the FDA picked this onenot my first choice. Why not? I dont think its much of an improvement over this one, produced by industry to head off something that might be more useful.

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Brainfood: Diversity patterns double, Diversification drivers, Polish genetic erosion, Tibetan naked barley diversity, Indian sorghum diversity, Do novo domestication, Eggplant tree, Banana diversity, Pearl millet diversity, Pigeon pea genome, Grasspea genome, Jersey bull diversity

Agricultural Biodiversity

Floristic classifications and bioregionalizations are not predictors of intra-specific evolutionary patterns. You can’t use spatial structures in interspecific diversity to predict spatial structure in instraspecific diversity. Gotta do the hard work, there are no shortcuts. Intraspecific trait variability in wild plant populations predicts neither variability nor performance in a common garden.

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Professor Uauy appointed as Director of the John Innes Centre

Agri-tech

Following an international search, Professor Cristbal Uauy has been appointed as the next Director of the John Innes Centre. Professor Uauy is internationally recognised for his significant contribution to the development of resources and tools available to the wheat research community which allow for the rapid identification of genes for key traits.

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Growing Corn in the Desert, No Irrigation Required

Civil Eats

This story originally appeared on Reasons to Be Chee rful , and is reprinted here with permission. When Michael Kotutwa Johnson goes out to the acreage behind his stone house to harvest his corn, his fields look vastly different from the endless rows you see in much of rural North America. Bundled in groups of five or six, his corn stalks shoot out of the sandy desert in bunches, resembling bushels rather than tightly spaced rows.

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Farmers demand answers on funding freeze

Western FarmPress

Producers attend House Agriculture Committee meeting to underscore the devastating impacts of sudden funding cuts, leaving many with mounting debts after broken contracts.

More Trending

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U.S. withdrawal from WHO could bring tragedy at home and abroad

Berkeley Blog

We interviewed Stefano M. Bertozzi, former dean and current professor at UC Berkeley, about what risks withdrawing from WHO may pose.

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Prepare for winter weather

AgriLife Today

Winter weather with sub-freezing temperatures is forecasted throughout much of the state over the next week.

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AFT and Sol Systems Partner to Advance Agrivoltaics in the Midwest with Kernza® Perennial Grain

American Farmland

The post AFT and Sol Systems Partner to Advance Agrivoltaics in the Midwest with Kernza Perennial Grain appeared first on American Farmland Trust.

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Ruminating with RealAg, Ep 15: Cover crops, winter feeding, and trying new things

Real Agriculture

Cover crops are all the not-quite-so-new rage and the process of integrating them into current agricultural systems has been gaining ground (pun intended). Seeding multiple species in a field can do some fantastic things for the land, such as enhance water holding capacity, improve soil biodiversity, provide added resistance to pests and disease, and improve Read More Cover crops are all the not-quite-so-new rage and the process of integrating them into current agricultural systems has been gain

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Hiring Marketing and Communications Director

NASDA

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is seeking applicants for its Agriculture Director of Marketing. The Agriculture Director of Marketing is responsible for the agency’s overall marketing and strategic planning programs, corporate communication and facilitating client development through marketing and client service programs. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

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The latest on ultra-processed foods

Food Politics

Ive been interviewed a lot lately about ultraprocessed foods. See, for example: New York Times Well Challenge: Day 4: Grocery shop like a nutrition scientist New York Times 10 Ways to Eat Better The New Yorker: Why is the American Diet So Deadly? And Gary Ruskin of US Right to Know sent me this collection of fact sheets. Overview: Ultra-processed foods tied to cancer, diabetes, dementia, depression, early death, and more Ultra-processed foods and early death Ultra-processed foods: increased risk

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Nibbles: KC Bansal, Mike Jackson, Spain strawberry genebank, Ho-Chunk maize, Heritage varieties, Roman apples, Hazelnut breeding, Old rye, Serbia grapevine herbarium, Horse domestication, Mt Vernon fruits, Worldwide Day of Botanical Art, Pre-colonial African agriculture

Agricultural Biodiversity

Prof. KC Bansal , who used to run the Indian national genebank, gets a much-deserved UNESCO honour. Friend-of-the-blog Dr Mike Jackson on running a rice genebank. UNESCO honour for him too? Spain’s strawberry genebank gets its 15 minutes. University and Native American nation collaborate on regenerating heritage corn varieties. The pros and cons of heritage varieties , according to an American farmer.

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Could this fundamental discovery revolutionise fertiliser use in farming?

Agri-tech

Researchers have discovered a biological mechanism that makes plant roots more welcoming to beneficial soil microbes. This discovery by John Innes Centre researchers paves the way for more environmentally-friendly farming practices, potentially allowing farmers to use less fertiliser. Production of most major crops relies on nitrate and phosphate fertilisers, but excessive fertiliser use harms the.

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Farmers Need Help to Survive. A New Crop of Farm Advocates Is on the Way.

Civil Eats

In 2007, fourth-generation farmer Luciano Alvarado Jr. and his family were looking for a fresh start. Their business had been booming in Florida, where they farmed citrus and vegetables. But after a family member died, they decided to pack up and head to land they owned just outside of Fayetteville, North Carolina, to process their loss in a new place.

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Avian flu explodes in Ohio

Western FarmPress

More than 10 million birds have been affected in the past 45 days.

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25 Books Guiding Us Toward More Regenerative Food Systems

Food Tank

Food Tank is rounding up 25 books about the past, present, and future of global food and agriculture systems to get you through the winter. In Chop Chop , Ozoz Sokoh celebrates Nigerian cuisine through 100 recipes. Insatiable City by Theresa McCulla explores race, power, and social status in New Orleans through the lens of food. And in The Painful Truth about Hunger in America, Mariana Chilton offers a new approach to eliminate food insecurity.

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Health, housing and the path ahead: UC Berkeley researchers on the Los Angeles fires

Berkeley Blog

As a series of historic fires continue to burn in L.A., scholars offer insight into their causes and fallout. The post Health, housing and the path ahead: UC Berkeley researchers on the Los Angeles fires appeared first on Berkeley News.

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Brooke Rollins ’94 to lead U.S. Department of Agriculture

AgriLife Today

Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences former student confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture The post Brooke Rollins 94 to lead U.S. Department of Agriculture appeared first on AgriLife Today.

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5 Technology Patents from John Deere and What They Might Mean for the Future of Precision Agriculture

Global Agtech Initiative

One of Deeres defining features is its patent portfolio, which provides insight into its strategic priorities and technological advancements, says analyst Shane Thomas. The post 5 Technology Patents from John Deere and What They Might Mean for the Future of Precision Agriculture appeared first on Global Ag Tech Initiative.

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“Huge missed opportunity”: Wheat Growers’ chair blasts $300 million OFCAF announcement

Real Agriculture

The Canadian governments plan to inject another $300 million into its On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) over the next three years is drawing sharp criticism from the chair of the Wheat Growers Association. On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay formally announced the commitment to continue paying farmers an incentive to implement on-farm practices around cover Read More The Canadian governments plan to inject another $300 million into its On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) over th

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NASDA Collects Key Farm Economic Data for USDA’s TOTAL/ARMS3 Survey

NASDA

News Article Starting in February, NASDA field enumerators headed to farms nationwide to conduct the TOTAL/ARMS3 survey part of USDAs Agricultural Resource Management Survey. This survey gathers important data on farm finances, including income, expenses, debt and family finances. In addition, the survey includes the Tenure, Ownership and Transition of Agricultural Land survey, which gathers detailed data on land tenure and records all land rented out for agricultural use.

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Most enlightening report of the week: GAO on infant formula

Food Politics

After two years of work, the Government Accountability Office has just published: WIC Infant Formula:Single-Supplier Competitive Contracts Reduce Program Costs and Modestly Increase Retail Prices. Heres its quick summary: Over half the countrys infant formula is bought through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

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Nibbles: KC Bansal, Mike Jackson, Spain strawberry genebank, Ho-Chunk maize, Heritage varieties, Romman apples, Hazelnut breeding, Old rye, Serbia grapevine herbarium, Horse domestication, Mt Vernon fruits, Worldwide Day of Botanical Art, Pre-colonial African agriculture

Agricultural Biodiversity

Prof. KC Bansal , who used to run the Indian national genebank, gets a much-deserved UNESCO honour. Friend-of-the-blog Dr Mike Jackson on running a rice genebank. UNESCO honour for him too? Spain’s strawberry genebank gets its 15 minutes. University and Native American nation collaborate on regenerating heritage corn varieties. The pros and cons of heritage varieties , according to an American farmer.

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AgriTech Careers for a Sustainable Future

Agri-tech

With a changing climate and rising population, improvements to sustainable agriculture are vital to ensuring global food security for the future. Do you have the interest, ability and passion to be part of this pioneering work? AgriTech combines science, technology and engineering to generate innovative ideas to help solve agricultural problems. Find out more about the exciting world of AgriTech.

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For Farmers, Fitness Programs Can Improve Mental Health, Too

Civil Eats

Cynthia Flores was a farmer for twenty years, and despite doing intense physical labor every day, she never thought of herself as an athlete. It wasn’t until I got into strength training that there was a shift in my mindset, she said. With a new perspective on farming, Flores began to prioritize self-care and be more mindful of her body. As her interest in fitness grew, she began to compete in Strongman events, where athletes face off in Herculean challenges.

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6 secrets to growing 80-bushel soybeans

Western FarmPress

Agronomist Fred Below outlines which factors are most important in soybean production and why including how many bushels each contributes.

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Can Grape Pomace Replace Antibiotics in Poultry Farming?

Food Tank

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently reported a 71 percent decline in U.S. sales of antimicrobial drugs for use in chicken production over the last seven years. As farmers explore alternative means of supporting chicken health and growth, Phytoflock is pioneering a poultry feed additive derived from upcycled grape pomace. The company hopes their product can replace antibiotics while helping to reduce local food waste.

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Astronomers thought they understood fast radio bursts. A recent one calls that into question.

Berkeley Blog

The new ability to pinpoint sources of fast radio bursts places one recent burst in a surprising location. The post Astronomers thought they understood fast radio bursts. A recent one calls that into question. appeared first on Berkeley News.

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Texas A&M AgriLife honors personnel with Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence

AgriLife Today

Individuals and teams recognized for exceptional contributions The post Texas A&M AgriLife honors personnel with Vice Chancellors Awards in Excellence appeared first on AgriLife Today.

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Three R’s and Five C’s of Credit in Farm Business

Agric4profits

When a farmer approaches an institutional agency with a loan proposal, the banker must be convinced of the economic viability of the proposed investment. Each investment activity differs in terms of productivity, making it essential for the banker to evaluate the proposal carefully.

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Profitable Practices: Corn, covers, and cows

Real Agriculture

Grazing corn is becoming increasingly more common. So is grazing cover crops. But what happens when you put the two together? How wide should the corn rows be in order to make space for the cover crop? And is this a profitable way of farming? Byron Long of Long Family Farm at Barrhead County, Alberta Read More Grazing corn is becoming increasingly more common.

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NASDA congratulates Secretary Rollins on confirmation and stands ready to work on shared responsibilities

NASDA

Press Release ARLINGTON, Va. “The National Association of State Departments of Agriculturecongratulates the HonorableBrooke Rollins onher confirmationto lead USDA as the 33rdU.S. agriculture secretary.Rollins policy crafting experience and passion for opportunities for agriculture will contribute tangible impactsfor American farmers and ranchers and people around the globe who enjoy U.S. food products.

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Catching up with (but hopefully not catching) bird flu

Food Politics

Its a big worry. From the Cleveland Clinic: Bird flu (avian influenza) Bird flu (avian influenza) is an infection from a type of influenza (flu) virus that usually spreads in birds and other animals. Sometimes, humans can get bird flu from infected animals. Like the versions of flu that people usually get, bird flu can make you severely ill. It has infected and, in the case of dairy herds and poultry flocks, mass culling: Wild birds Domestic Chickens Domestic Turkeys Domestic Ducks Dairy cattle

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Nibbles: China grasslands, Edible lily, Ag data, China potatoes, CIP genebank, Vavilov book, Ghana seeds, Nutrition enterprises, Seed production films, Khoury pod, Relais & Châteaux

Agricultural Biodiversity

China rehabilitates its grasslands. Not content with that, China breeds a new edible lily. Not sure what food group lilies are in, but farmers are growing more fruits and vegetables , it seems. Still not resting on its lilies, China breeds climate-smart potatoes. No doubt CIP and its genebank is helping with that. There’s a new book on Vavilov and his genebank.

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Introducing the 2025 California Farm Champions!

Caff

Every year, our community honors individuals, farms, and businesses who are making a positive difference in California. Selected from nominations from all over the state, these inspirational change-makers are blazing trails for regenerative agriculture, strengthening our local food systems, and working tirelessly to grow a healthier and more just future for us all.

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