ARS

Advances in crop production and preservation are poised for a new location as the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service broke ground for a modernized facility.  The new structure will consolidate all the labs that are currently located at the University of California-Davis.   ARS s...

A team of Agricultural Research Service and university scientists released two new oat germplasm lines to shore up the crop’s defenses against the devastating fungal disease crown rust.  The team specifically created the oat lines so that they could be crossed with elite commercial varieties to fortify them with new genetic sources of resistance to crown rust.  The disease c...

Last week, Agricultural Marketing Service awarded over $2 million for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding to Idaho for Fiscal Year 2024.  The Idaho State Department of Agriculture will take the money and fund projects focused on enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop products and create new market opportunities for the state’s specialty crop producers.   “...

New research from the USDA offers new methods for vineyards to prevent and detect destructive mealybugs.

Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are developing new tests to identify and track the COVID virus in wild and domestic animals.  Funded by the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is implementing $300 million to conduct monitoring and surveillance of susceptible animals for the COVID virus.  Through the initiat...

Agricultural Research Service recently released its first winter pea cultivars specifically developed to be used whole or as an ingredient in human food.  Dr. Rebecca McGee says USDA MiCa, USDA Dint and USDA Klondike will be game changers for growers across the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.   “...

Ag Research was the Farm Bill title before the Senate Ag Committee this week, as USDA and other witnesses testified on the need to fund cutting-edge Ag research, the power behind modern, high-tech agriculture.  USDA research chief Chavonda Jacobs-Young told lawmakers research in need of funding has largely been ignored over the past couple of Farm Bills.   “...

What's the latest when it comes to vineyard soil health?     ARS' Devin A. Rippner talks about the latest research taking place at USDA and how it could impact growers across the Pacific Northwest.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

Brewer's yeast used to make beer is typically discarded once it's no longer needed.  Sometimes, though, the leftover yeast is mixed into livestock feed as a source of protein and vitamins.  According to new research from ARS, there now may be even more reason to continue this practice.  Laboratory result...

Scientists at UC Davis have identified new root traits that help grapevines resist drought, which could be beneficial as the western U.S. continues to face drought year after year. Viticulture and Enology Assistant Professor Megan Bartlett said the industry already has a pretty wide range when it comes to drought tolerant to drought sensitive already in existence in the in commercial root stocks