Profitability/Competitiveness Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Land-Grant Impacts

Topic

two scientists take a sample

Land-grant universities drive sustainability through innovative agricultural practices

The 1890 land-grant universities are dedicated to improving the well-being of economically challenged communities. By focusing on sustainable practices, these institutions help address key challenges like food security, environmental stewardship and economic resilience. Through research, Extension and education, they equip farmers and communities with innovative techniques that preserve resources for future generations. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2025, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Central State University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Security, Food Systems, Fort Valley State University, Georgia, Langston University, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, Ohio, Oklahoma, Prairie View A&M University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Soil Health, Specialty Crops, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, Texas, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Urban Agriculture, Water Resilience/Management, West Virginia, West Virginia State University, Workforce Development and Readiness

sheep in a field

Livestock education programs result in $1.5 million in savings

People need protein in their diet to maintain health. The Pennsylvania State University Livestock Extension team offered an array of educational programs to help beef cattle, goat, sheep and swine producers increase efficiency, profitability and produce a high-quality product. The team’s curriculum focused on basic production practices, reproduction, feeding, nutrition, health care, marketing practices and financial analysis. Online courses for [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Economic Development, Extension, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Profitability/Competitiveness, The Pennsylvania State University

A hand holds carrots and a beet among a spread of other vegetables.

Getting more local, fresh produce into communities

Although fresh fruits and vegetables are key to health, difficulties abound in obtaining local produce. Land-grant institutions across the country work in a number of ways to promote growing produce as well as marketing and buying it locally. Here are a few examples of that work: In Georgia, the Fresh on DeK Mobile Farmers Market targets communities without access to a [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Food Security, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Idaho, Kansas, Kansas State University, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Idaho, Urban Agriculture, Western

Aerial view of a field mapped out with drone technology

Emerging technologies aid conservation and management

Climate change and biodiversity losses pose extraordinary challenges for the sustainability of natural ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Land-grant universities are developing and applying emerging technologies that can help to more efficiently, accurately and safely monitor, measure, and precisely manage these systems with minimal environmental impact. Here are a few examples of that work: In New Hampshire, researchers found [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 1890, 2024, Arkansas, Connecticut, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of New Hampshire, Washington, Washington State University, Western

a closeup of hands examining wheat

Strong farms strengthen local food systems

New farmers just starting out and established farmers looking to expand markets have something in common: looking to the Land-grant University System to support their growth. Strong local farms strengthen local food systems and food security. Here are a few examples of this work: When participant surveys indicated a need for more in-depth and hands-on farmer education, Idaho Extension educators responded [...]

Food Security, Summary 2024, Alaska, Economic Development, Extension, Food Security, Food Systems, Idaho, Kansas, Kansas State University, Michigan, Michigan State University, North Central, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Idaho, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin, Vermont, Western, Wisconsin, Workforce Development and Readiness

chicken in a field

Small acreage and new landowner education

Texas is experiencing rapid population growth in urban areas and, increasingly, in rural and urban-adjacent lands. This has created a rapid increase in first-time landowners and small-acreage landowners across the state. These landowners often lack knowledge on basic land management and conservation, leading to poor and varied management outcomes. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension developed a network of programs across Texas, [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Extension, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, Water Resilience/Management

large barrel sized sample of substrate

Soilless solutions for resource-efficient crop production

Over the past several decades, growing plants and crops in containers instead of in the field has revolutionized global horticultural production practices. These soilless culture practices introduce new opportunities to produce crops in individual containers, offering growers complete control and increased resource-use efficiency. This shift means food can be produced near urban areas, mitigating food deserts and improving production [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2024, Crop Management, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Soil Health, Southern

a Christmas tree farm

Research improves Christmas tree production in Connecticut

Two or three Christmas trees are planted for every one that is harvested. This implies that only 33% to 50% of planted trees survive to become salable, and this in turn translates into shortages in the availability of salable trees and higher costs for consumers. Many trees are lost when they are newly planted into growers’ fields, and many [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Connecticut, Crop Management, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Specialty Crops, University of Connecticut

soybean crop

New online tool facilitates information sharing for North Carolina farmers

North Carolina State Extension agents have their fingers on the pulse of statewide crop performance and emerging problems, often spotting regional patterns that are valuable to the industry. Getting that knowledge summarized for public consumption in a timely manner can be a challenge. NC State Extension recently released an online visual mapping tool to capture and share in-season crop problems [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Extension, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern

an Alaskan lake surrounded by native and invasive plant species

Alaskans root out invasive bugs and weeds

Invasive weeds and insects can lower land values and farm productivity and interfere with recreation, tourism and foraging. Improving the ability of residents, farmers and land managers to assess pest management practices is critical to protecting the Alaska way of life. To get residents involved in controlling invasive pests, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service provided education about [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Alaska, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Western

plants growing in a greenhouse

Extension on-site visits, conference support Connecticut greenhouse industry

Greenhouses in Connecticut represent a significant portion of the state’s $4.7 billion agricultural economy and are integral to the success of all agricultural businesses, according to a 2021 study by Farm Credit East. The total economic impact of the 583 greenhouse businesses in the state was $390 million in 2020. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Connecticut, Economic Development, Extension, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, University of Connecticut

sweet potatoes in a bucket

Sweet potato seed program provides Arkansas farmers with high-quality seed stock

Sweet potatoes are propagated by stem cuttings, which makes the crop more susceptible to virus accumulation over time. More than 30 viruses are known to affect sweet potatoes. The use of virus-infected sweet potato slips for subsequent seasons can have a profoundly negative effect on a farmer’s operation, decreasing yield potential and profitability. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 1890, 2024, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Arkansas, Crop Management, Extension, Profitability/Competitiveness, Specialty Crops, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

beef cattle in a field

Texas’ beef cattle short course, considered largest in the nation, provides education to thousands

Beef cattle production in Texas is a $9 billion industry, representing 50% of the value of all agricultural commodities. Beef cattle producers in Texas operate in widely diverse production environments across a large geographic region. Texas producers desire timely information that is relative to their specific production settings and in a forum where subject matter experts can answer questions. The [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Economic Development, Extension, Food Security, Food Systems, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University

sheep in a field

Sheep producers in Texas and beyond empowered by knowledge gained at shearing school

Wool sheep require annual or biannual shearing to maintain proper health and productivity. Prior to 2016, Texas did not have any formal schools or trainings to develop sheep shearing professionals, forcing sheep farmers and ranchers to quit the sheep industry or switch to sheep that don’t require shearing. The first Texas A&M AgriLife Sheep Shearing School was held in January [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Economic Development, Extension, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University

pear growing on a tree

Research develops effective treatments to fight blight in apple, pear crops

Over the past several years, frequent periods of warm and wet weather during the spring in Virginia have triggered epidemics of fire blight causing $22 million per year in losses to apple and pear crops. Researchers led by Virginia Tech are developing new effective treatments utilizing fire blight bacterium Erwinia amylovora in fire blight cankers. Cankers are infected dead zones [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Oregon, Oregon State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Western

plants growing in a raised garden

Urban farm learning lab providing access to fresh, healthy food options

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida Urban Farm Learning Lab in New York provides educational programming and resources to aspiring farmers and growers who face small business startup barriers within urban communities. The program addresses increasing interest in urban farming in the cities of Utica and Rome. It helps community members overcome challenges such as space, knowledge, experience and money [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Cornell University, Extension, New York, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, Urban Agriculture

brown chicken

Georgia researchers apply AI to track cage-free hens’ pecking behavior, welfare

Researchers at the University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station have used an artificial intelligence learning-based imaging system for automatically monitoring chicken pecking behavior. Severe pecking has been estimated to occur in 40% to 50% of cage-free flocks and is one of the primary reasons for increased mortality. Chicken mortality is doubled in cage-free systems compared to conventional caged systems. Egg [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Economic Development, Food Security, Georgia, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, The University of Georgia

two people look at a financial document

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

a person checking on lettuce crop

Flexible training for new vegetable farmers in Connecticut

In Connecticut, new and beginning vegetable farmers are frequently first-generation farmers who also juggle off-farm jobs. These farmers need flexible training and support to build a thriving business that remains economically viable. To support these farmers, UConn Extension has developed an online, asynchronous vegetable production certificate course for farmers who have less than three years of experience growing vegetables. Participants [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Connecticut, Crop Management, Extension, Northeast, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, University of Connecticut

apple tree

Smaller trees produce larger yield

North Carolina ranks seventh in the nation in apple production with nearly 4 million bushels of apples — more than 150 million pounds — produced each year. The majority of these apples are used in the processing industry and turned into food items like applesauce, baby food, juice and other packaged products. Extension specialists at North Carolina State University are [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Extension, Food Systems, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern

a tractor spraying pesticides

Farm pesticide training program decreases drift complaints in Georgia

For many family farms, pesticides provide the foundation for effective pest management. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s pursuit of protecting endangered species in accordance with the Endangered Species Act is challenging the practical use of these tools. In response, University of Farm pesticide training program decreases drift complaints in Georgia Extension participates in a joint effort that protects both family [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Georgia, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, The University of Georgia

a hand holding a hemp plant

Crowdsourced data impact industrial hemp operations

In 2018, domestic hemp production became legal in the United States for the first time in nearly 70 years. Industrial hemp can be grown to produce fiber, grain and cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids (CBD and CBG, for example) determine profitability potential, while one cannabinoid (THC) determines compliance. Growers must grow hemp crops which test below 0.3% THC to be compliant [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Crop Management, Fiber Systems, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

mint field in Oregon with mountain range in the background

Informing mint growers to reduce pesticide harm

The Oregon mint production industry had an estimated $28.7 million value in 2022. Losses from pests like mint root borer and variegated cutworm can eat into farmers’ profits, but the pesticide traditionally used to control these pests was phased out for use in food crops by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2022. Farmers now must use a newer [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Crop Management, Extension, Oregon, Oregon State University, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Western

scientist in a blackberry field wearing a device with finger nodules for picking blackberries

Building a better blackberry picker

Labor is among the biggest expenses for U.S. fruit growers — 39% of production costs for fruit and tree nuts — and farm wages are rising, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Harvesting blackberries by hand is a costly endeavor that takes more than one-third of the hours in berry production. Mechanical harvesting of this [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Arkansas, Crop Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, University of Arkansas

dairy cow against a blue sky

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