North Central Archives - Page 8 of 8

Land-grant universities nationwide work together to sustainably manage nematodes

Nematodes are tiny, usually microscopic, roundworms that are incredibly common and widespread. They account for 80% of all individual animals on Earth. Some nematode species are beneficial to agriculture, while others have major detrimental impacts. Plant-parasitic nematodes can lead to poor soil and low crop yields. In the United States, annual economic losses due to nematode infection of crops [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story California, Connecticut, Cornell University, Florida, Hawaiʻi, Michigan, Michigan State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Research, Soil Health, Southern, Tennessee, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Tennessee, Western

Wisconsin farmers learn strategies to implement practices that protect local waterways

Agriculture is the dominant land use in Wisconsin. Current farming practices have a significant impact on soil and nutrient loss to surface and groundwater. The majority of water bodies included on Wisconsin’s Impaired Waters List are a result of excess phosphorus, creating eutrophic conditions – and many are located in predominately agricultural watersheds. Groundwater pollution from agriculture also presents [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Ecosystem Services, Extension, North Central, University of Wisconsin, Water Resilience/Management, Wisconsin

Indiana urban farming project teaches city dwellers how to grow food

When large grocery stores move out of urban areas, fresh fruits and vegetables become harder for city dwellers to access. In Gary, Indiana, only four grocery stores sell fresh produce for the city’s 76,424 residents. To increase opportunities for Gary residents to learn how to grow food, Purdue Extension launched a four-year urban farming project. Extension created a 10-week urban [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Community Development/Engagement, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Indiana, North Central, Purdue University, Workforce Development and Readiness

Wisconsin farmer focus group program aims to improve profitability

Following record-high farm income in 2022, Wisconsin farmers in 2023 saw rising interest expenses, increasing debt and reduced working capital due to lower-than-expected commodity prices. To make sound, strategic financial decisions, the University of Wisconsin Extension partnered with 12 agricultural associations and community organizations, including the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, to implement focus group discussions with more than 120 participants. The [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Economic Development, Extension, North Central, Profitability/Competitiveness, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Healthy soils sustain food security

Researchers at the nation’s land-grant universities are studying the health of soils to increase agricultural production and decrease the use of agrochemicals used to grow food. Their work will contribute to our ability to meet the world’s growing demand for food. Here are a few examples of that work: Agricultural researchers in Pennsylvania are studying how soil salinity and soil nitrogen [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Connecticut, Cornell University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Security, Georgia, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Soil Health, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, University of Wisconsin, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Western, Wisconsin

a woman wearing PPE sprays pesticides on a tree

Proper clothes laundering lowers pesticide risk

Without proper safety precautions, pesticides may harm people. Farmers and others may become exposed to pesticides from residue on work clothing. In a survey of pesticide applicators conducted by University of Minnesota Extension, only 15% of applicators said they follow pesticide labels for clothing selection. Because 45% of respondents had someone else wash their contaminated clothing, those family members may [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Minnesota, North Central, Pest Management, University of Minnesota

Extension improves biosecurity practices for livestock producers

Biosecurity affects the economic sustainability and viability of livestock producers as disease outbreaks can be exceedingly expensive for producers. Disease outbreaks can cause catastrophic livestock losses including the depopulation of whole herds or loss of newborn animals. For example, the 2013 porcine epidemic diarrhea virus spread across 13 states in less than two months and resulted in the death [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Extension, Food Safety, Food Security, North Central, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Indiana farmers improve technical knowledge through revived Purdue on-farm visit program

After two years of COVID-19 procedures and protocol, Purdue Extension’s connections with Indiana farmers were limited as virtual experiences replaced in-person activities. In response, Purdue Extension developed “Purdue On The Farm” to re-connect and increase direct contact between Purdue Extension educators and Indiana farmers to build and enhance relationships, understand perception and practices and generate data to underpin recommendations. Purdue on [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Extension, Indiana, North Central, Purdue University, Soil Health

Extension helps South Dakota dairies boost health, production and profits

South Dakota is among the 16 leading dairy states in the United States, contributing 13% of U.S. milk production. The dairy industry in South Dakota has more than doubled the number of milk cows since its historic low in 2004. This increase in milk cows in South Dakota and the surrounding region creates a unique opportunity to produce high [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Economic Development, Extension, North Central, Profitability/Competitiveness, South Dakota, South Dakota State University

Taking the mystery out of land leasing in Kansas

U.S. Census data reflect that half of Kansas farm and range land is operated on a leased basis. Much of the land is owned by widows and non-farming children who are often absentee. The success of leasing agreements is key to supporting healthy agriculture and rural communities in the state. Extension educators from Kansas State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Economic Development, Extension, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State University, Nebraska, North Central, Profitability/Competitiveness, Purdue University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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