Explore

NASA Integrates Satellite Data to Enhance Watershed Management Across the U.S.

NASA Integrates Satellite Data to Enhance Watershed Management Across the U.S.

NASA, in collaboration with the University of Mississippi and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Sedimentation Laboratory, has enhanced the Agricultural Integrated Management System (AIMS) by integrating satellite data. This project aims to fill data gaps in watershed management by using NASA's remotely sensed data to model moisture and other conditions on the ground. The AIMS platform now includes data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System, Phase 2 (NLDAS-2), which provides near real-time land-surface modeling data. This integration allows for improved simulations of runoff, sediment, and agricultural pollution loadings, aiding in better land management and water quality decisions.

NASA's NLDAS-2 Dataset Enhances Watershed Monitoring Across North America

NASA's NLDAS-2 Dataset Enhances Watershed Monitoring Across North America

NASA's North American Land Data Assimilation System, Phase 2 (NLDAS-2), is a near real-time land-surface modeling dataset designed to improve watershed monitoring, drought analysis, and agricultural planning. The dataset, which spans from January 1979 to the present, provides hourly data on precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, and potential evapotranspiration across central North America. Researchers at the University of Mississippi have integrated NLDAS-2 into the Agricultural Integrated Management System (AIMS), a tool developed in collaboration with the USDA. This integration allows for advanced simulations of runoff, sediment, and agricultural pollution, particularly in areas lacking local climate observations. The updated AIMS 3.0 platform aims to support decision-makers in managing water resources and improving land use practices.

U.S. Agriculture Department Predicts Lowest Wheat Harvest in Over 50 Years

U.S. Agriculture Department Predicts Lowest Wheat Harvest in Over 50 Years

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecasted that the 2026 wheat harvest will be the smallest since 1972. This decline is attributed to drier conditions and rising input costs, which have made wheat farming less profitable. Farmers are facing challenges such as increased fertilizer and fuel prices, leading to reduced profit margins. As a result, some farmers are altering their crop rotations, opting to plant more profitable crops like corn and soybeans instead of wheat. The dry conditions have forced early harvesting to salvage crops, further complicating the situation for wheat farmers.

USDA Initiates June Agricultural Survey to Inform Key Crop and Grain Reports

USDA Initiates June Agricultural Survey to Inform Key Crop and Grain Reports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), has launched the June Agricultural Survey to gather critical data on crop acreage and grain stock levels for 2026. This survey will involve over 90,000 agricultural producers nationwide, aiming to collect detailed information on planted and harvested acreage, including biotech crops and grain inventories. Joseph L. Parsons, NASS administrator, emphasized the importance of this survey in maintaining accurate and transparent agricultural reporting. The data collected will support decision-making for farmers, ranchers, researchers, private industry, and policymakers. The survey results will contribute to several major USDA reports, including the annual Acreage report and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, scheduled for release on June 30, 2026.

USDA Projects Sharp Decline in U.S. Wheat Production for 2026–27 Crop Year

USDA Projects Sharp Decline in U.S. Wheat Production for 2026–27 Crop Year

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected a significant decrease in wheat production for the 2026–27 crop year. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including adverse weather conditions and reduced planting acreage. The USDA's forecast highlights challenges for farmers and the agricultural sector, as wheat is a staple crop with widespread economic and food security implications. The report underscores the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of these changes on both domestic and global markets.

How the USDA rose from agency to Cabinet department

How the USDA rose from agency to Cabinet department

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has undergone significant changes since its inception in 1862. Initially established as an indep...

163 Years Ago Today, the USDA was established

163 Years Ago Today, the USDA was established

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was established during a pivotal time in American history. On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Li...

NASA FIRMS Provides Near Real-Time Global Fire Data

NASA FIRMS Provides Near Real-Time Global Fire Data

NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) offers near real-time active fire data globally, utilizing satellite observations from MODIS aboard Aqua and Terra satellites, and VIIRS aboard NOAA satellites. This system enables monitoring of active fires and hotspots within three hours of satellite observation. For the U.S. and Canada, data is available in real-time. FIRMS data can be accessed through various formats, including SHP, KML, TXT, and WMS, and visualized on the FIRMS Fire Map or NASA’s Worldview platform. The system is part of NASA’s Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth Observation (LANCE).

Study Reveals Hidden Wildfire Pollutant Causes Thousands of Deaths Annually in the U.S.

Study Reveals Hidden Wildfire Pollutant Causes Thousands of Deaths Annually in the U.S.

New research utilizing satellite data has identified ground-level ozone as a significant, yet often overlooked, pollutant from wildfires, contributing to thousands of excess deaths annually in the United States. The study highlights that states such as Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Florida are particularly vulnerable to ozone accumulation from wildfires. The research estimates that wildfire-derived ozone is responsible for approximately 2,045 excess deaths each year, accounting for nearly 16% of all deaths attributed to wildfire smoke. This finding challenges the progress made under the Clean Air Act, as overall ozone-related deaths had been declining. The study underscores the increasing health risks posed by wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and human activities.

Satellite Data Reveals Wildfire Ozone Pollution Causes Thousands of Deaths Annually in the U.S.

Satellite Data Reveals Wildfire Ozone Pollution Causes Thousands of Deaths Annually in the U.S.

Recent research utilizing satellite data has highlighted the significant health risks posed by ground-level ozone, a less visible pollutant from wildfires. This study, conducted by atmospheric scientists, reveals that wildfire-derived ozone is responsible for approximately 2,045 excess deaths annually across the United States. Unlike the more commonly recognized fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is directly emitted during wildfires, ozone forms through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. The study indicates that certain U.S. regions, including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Florida, are particularly susceptible to ozone accumulation from wildfires. The findings underscore the growing impact of climate change on air quality, as the frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased, doubling the area burned annually since the 1990s.

Farmers Urge Congress for Fertilizer Price Transparency Amid Rising Costs

Farmers Urge Congress for Fertilizer Price Transparency Amid Rising Costs

Farmers and agricultural advocates are urging Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements for fertilizer pricing. During a hearing by the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, stakeholders highlighted the challenges posed by rising fertilizer prices, exacerbated by global conflicts such as the one in Ukraine. Andy Green, a senior advisor at Center Market Strategies, emphasized the need for transparency to help farmers understand price determinants. Trent Kubik, president of South Dakota Corn Growers, criticized the consolidation in the agriculture industry, which he claims has led to inefficiencies and opaque pricing. Kubik advocates for the Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026, which would mandate the U.S. Department of Agriculture to publish weekly market data on fertilizer prices. Senators John Thune and Amy Klobuchar support these transparency measures and call for investigations into monopolistic practices in the industry.

USDA Offers Loan Assistance to Drought-Affected Farmers in Nebraska Counties

USDA Offers Loan Assistance to Drought-Affected Farmers in Nebraska Counties

The United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced loan assistance for farmers in Nebraska counties affected by drought. Governor Jim Pillen revealed that the disaster declaration covers three primary counties, including Keya Paha and Rock, and extends to ten contiguous counties such as Boyd, Brown, and Holt. Farmers in these areas have an eight-month window from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for the assistance. Local FSA offices are available to provide additional information to those impacted.