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Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Texas Tech announces nearly $30M USDA grant for Davis College

Texas Tech announces nearly $30M USDA grant for Davis College

Texas Tech received a $28.9M federal grant to establish the Food Science, Safety, and Workforce Development Complex in the new Davis College Flagship Building.

USDA NIFA Awards $16.2 Million to Michigan State University for Greenhouse Modernization

USDA NIFA Awards $16.2 Million to Michigan State University for Greenhouse Modernization

Michigan State University (MSU) has secured over $16.2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) to modernize its Plant Science Research Greenhouse Complex. This grant, provided through the Research Facilities Act Program, will be matched by MSU, bringing the total investment to more than $32.5 million. The funding aims to enhance research capabilities, improve educational opportunities, and strengthen innovation within the agricultural sector. The Research Facilities Act Program supports the construction, renovation, and modernization of research facilities for agricultural studies, promoting research, teaching, and extension activities, and training future scientists. The renovated facilities will focus on improving agricultural productivity, increasing profitability, strengthening domestic agricultural markets, promoting sustainable resource use, and enhancing resilience against pests, diseases, and environmental challenges. Matt Daum, assoc...

Florida Watermelon Growers Adopt Controlled-Release Nitrogen to Enhance Efficiency and Reduce Environmental Impact

Florida Watermelon Growers Adopt Controlled-Release Nitrogen to Enhance Efficiency and Reduce Environmental Impact

Watermelon growers in Florida's Suwannee Valley are increasingly utilizing controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) to manage nitrogen application. This region, which accounts for over one-third of Florida's watermelon acreage and is the largest producer in the U.S., faces challenges due to its sandy soils being prone to nitrogen leaching. Research conducted by the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center—Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV) since 2019 has demonstrated that CRF can maintain crop yields comparable to conventional fertilizers while significantly reducing nutrient loss. CRF works by coating nutrients with a semipermeable polymer, allowing for gradual release aligned with the crop's growth stages. This method helps to mitigate environmental concerns such as groundwater contamination and improve nitrogen use efficiency. Both full-season and partial-season CRF programs have been evaluated, with partial-season programs, which combine preplant CRF with in-season fertigation, proving to be a popular a...

New Research Indicates Regenerative Organic Food is More Nutritious Than Conventional Counterparts

New Research Indicates Regenerative Organic Food is More Nutritious Than Conventional Counterparts

A new report from the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) and food-testing company Edacious reveals that food grown to Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standards is measurably more nutritious than conventionally grown food. Lab analyses of dozens of ROC products showed higher levels of omega-3s in ground beef, increased phosphorus content in legumes, and a significantly lower omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in meat compared to USDA reference values. For instance, ROC ground beef exhibited 124% to 388% higher omega-3 levels than the USDA reference. Additionally, all ten legumes tested demonstrated 16% to 584% more phosphorus than their USDA counterparts, with some also qualifying as rich sources of selenium. This research, which is in its first year of a four-year partnership, aims to provide concrete data supporting the claim that healthier soil leads to healthier food. Brands like Niman Ranch, Patagonia Provisions, Lundberg, and Charcutnuvo are participating in this testing, which goes beyond standard nutrit...

AI Enhances Livestock Monitoring and Agricultural Efficiency

AI Enhances Livestock Monitoring and Agricultural Efficiency

AI Enhances Livestock Monitoring and Agricultural Efficiency

Namibia's Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Threatens Beef Exports to U.S. and Global Markets

Namibia's Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Threatens Beef Exports to U.S. and Global Markets

Namibia's Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Threatens Beef Exports to U.S. and Global Markets

Animal Food Market Projected to Reach $890.8 Billion by 2033, Driven by Poultry Feed and Precision Nutrition

Animal Food Market Projected to Reach $890.8 Billion by 2033, Driven by Poultry Feed and Precision Nutrition

Animal Food Market Projected to Reach $890.8 Billion by 2033, Driven by Poultry Feed and Precision Nutrition

Buckwheat growers hope new markets can help it reach more tables

Buckwheat growers hope new markets can help it reach more tables

For Paige Hansen, changing the food system starts with changing the ingredients

Enthusiasts hope the organic farm staple buckwheat can reach more fields and tables

Enthusiasts hope the organic farm staple buckwheat can reach more fields and tables

For Paige Hansen, changing the food system starts with changing the ingredients

Global Cotton Stocks Projected to Reach Lowest Level Since 2011, Driving Price Increases

Global Cotton Stocks Projected to Reach Lowest Level Since 2011, Driving Price Increases

Global Cotton Stocks Projected to Reach Lowest Level Since 2011, Driving Price Increases

Polestar nears US sellout of remaining 2026 models as ban looms

Polestar nears US sellout of remaining 2026 models as ban looms

By Harshita Mary Varghese and Marie Mannes STOCKHOLM, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Polestar is close to selling out its remaining model year 2026 cars in the US, CEO Michael Lohscheller told Reuters on Thursday, as the Swedish automaker faces a US ban on selling new vehicles from the next model year.

Today in history, October 22

Today in history, October 22

Today in history, October 22