Southern Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Land-Grant Impacts

Region

cattle in a field

Tech solutions for livestock management

Livestock producers face challenges such a shrinking labor force, limited veterinary access and rising costs. Artificial intelligence, precision agriculture technologies and genome sequencing have shown promise in improving livestock management, but up-front costs have generally restricted adoption to large-scale dairies. Small farms need economically feasible, effective tools tailored to their specific operations. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Economic Development, Extension, Food Security, Illinois, Kentucky, Langston University, Maine, New Hampshire, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Organic Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, Research, Southern, University of Arkansas, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Water Resilience/Management

A smiling woman in a green shirt and maroon cap crouches in a sunny field, harvesting a head of deep red leaf lettuce. She is working in a well-tended garden plot with irrigation lines, representing local agricultural impact and food production

Strengthening the agricultural workforce for the future

The workforce is changing. Across industries and states, trained workers are in demand to support local food systems, meet community needs, ensure safety and increase productivity. Land-grant universities are rising to the challenge of meeting these needs through partnerships, trainings, certifications and hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen the agricultural workforce. Here are a few examples of that work: Health and safety [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2026, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Central State University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Crop Management, Economic Development, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Systems, Forest Protection and Management, Georgia, Hawaiʻi, Kentucky, Kentucky State University, Maine, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist, Michigan, Michigan State University, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Rural Communities/Health, Soil Health, Southern, Specialty Crops, The University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Maine, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Western, Workforce Development and Readiness

cornfield

Scientists unravel corn pest’s overwintering genes

Western and northern corn rootworms cost U.S. growers more than $1 billion each season. The larvae chew roots that anchor and feed corn plants, knocking down stalks and trimming grain weight. The beetles have become resistant to pesticide rotations and other control tactics, while the eggs they lay in soybean fields lie dormant until corn returns the following spring. At the [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Crop Management, Invasive Species, Kentucky, Pest Management, Research, Southern, University of Kentucky

a rancher tends to her horses

Ranch Management University program helping new landowners understand agriculture, natural resources

In Texas, many inherit land properties without any formal training in soil health, livestock management, wildlife habitat or water stewardship. The result can be land that is under-utilized, mismanaged or environmentally degraded. The David McKnight ’73 Ranch Management University program offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension helps new and inexperienced landowners understand the fundamentals of natural resource management. Through applied [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2026, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Extension, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, Workforce Development and Readiness

berries on the vine

New fruit, vegetable cultivars offer new opportunities for growers

Developing or restoring different fruit and vegetable cultivars allow farmers to plant crops based on disease resistance, fertilizer requirements, adaptations to site-specific soil and weather conditions or greater yields. Some cultivars can be a pathway to new market opportunities and new bio-based products. Here are a few examples of that work: Hemp is re-emerging as the basis of a viable industry [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alaska, Arkansas, Biofuels/Bioproducts, Central State University, Crop Management, Economic Development, Extension, Food Security, Food Systems, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, Montana State University, National Security, North Central, Ohio, Organic Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, Research, Soil Health, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Specialty Crops, The University of Georgia, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Arkansas, University of Missouri, Urban Agriculture, Western

Land stewardship program strengthens Edwards Plateau

With a goal to empower landowners to care for the Edwards Plateau, the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship program at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides practical, research-based guidance emphasizing conservation, sustainable ranching and natural resource management. The annual Women’s Land Stewardship Conference has drawn over 350 women from a variety of backgrounds, equipping them with a practical tool for brush control, [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2026, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, Wildlife, Workforce Development and Readiness

a diseased plant

Improving crop profitability through disease management

Land-grant university research and Extension programs help producers manage costly plant diseases through early detection, risk assessment and science-based tools. By integrating applied research, diagnostics and education, growers protect yields, reduce unnecessary pesticide use, improve return on investment and strengthen long-term agricultural resilience across variable production systems. Here are a few examples of that work: South Dakota State Extension plant pathology [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2026, Colorado, Colorado State University, Crop Management, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Extension, Food Systems, Forest Protection and Management, Georgia, Indiana, North Central, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Organic Agriculture, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Purdue University, Research, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Specialty Crops, The University of Georgia, Western

a smiling group of master gardeners

Horticulture programs sprout more resilient communities

Local horticulture is an important tool to combat food insecurity in underserved communities, while boosting environmental sustainability and community health. Volunteers with horticulture training through Extension Master Gardener programs partner with local organizations, schools and vulnerable communities to grow and distribute locally grown produce as well as create jobs. Here are a few examples of that work: The Master Gardener program [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2026, Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Central State University, Community Development/Engagement, Crop Management, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Food Security, Food Systems, Indiana, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Organic Agriculture, Pest Management, Purdue University, Rhode Island, Southern, Specialty Crops, University of Rhode Island, Urban Agriculture, Workforce Development and Readiness

Scientists stand in a pasture with a bull in the foreground

Fine-tuning livestock production systems to overcome challenges

Livestock researchers are exploring new ways to achieve higher profitability through reproductive research, technology and traditional education outreach to help offset rising production costs. Here are a few examples of that work: In Louisiana, the Geaux Beef Heifer Development Program was created to support producers with expert-guided, forage-based heifer development. The program utilized artificial insemination or natural breeding combined with expert [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Facilities/Infrastructure, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, North Central, Precision Agriculture, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern

two scientists operate a robotic apple blossom sprayer

Emerging technology offers new tools for growers

Emerging technology is giving farmers tools to reduce the impacts of labor shortages, rising costs, changing weather patterns and regulatory demands, while improving production and profitability. These tools, using drones, robots, artificial intelligence and machine learning, offer a path to sustain productivity, worker safety and environmental performance in the agricultural economy. Projects demonstrate how these technical tools and artificial [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2026, Alabama, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, Crop Management, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Systems, Illinois, Invasive Species, Iowa, Iowa State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Missouri, National Security, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Northeast, Oregon, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania, Pest Management, Precision Agriculture, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri, Washington, Washington State University, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Workforce Development and Readiness

Worker cuts down fallen tree with chainsaw in suburban neighborhood after storm

Disaster response and recovery: partnering in times of local community need

As threats from wildfire and extreme weather increase, producers and communities need information to help prepare and resources to support recovery once impacted. Land-grant universities are responding with tools, resources, communications and staffing support that will strengthen resilience and long-term recovery. Here are a few examples of that work: In response to impacts from Hurricane Helene, Extension in Georgia mobilized to [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2026, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Crop Management, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Fiber Systems, Food Systems, Forest Protection and Management, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Rural Communities/Health, Soil Health, Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Wyoming, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife, Wyoming

women holding a hen

Creating healthier, higher-yielding eggs

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found several ways to increase egg production, ensuring a steady inventory hits the grocery supply chain. With more eggs coming from cage-free housing, as much as 40% in 2024, commercial egg producers have heightened interest in understanding which hens are most adaptive to this environment. In cage-free housing, thousands of hens can fly freely [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Food Security, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Research, Southern

rice growing

Combating rice delphacid in the Southwest

Rice delphacid, an invasive insect that has caused economic damage in the Southwest, has received quick attention from Texas A&M AgriLife with response work focusing on trial research and producer education, as well as partnership and collaboration with the rice industry. Due to rapid economic growth in the Houston area, the annual cost to produce a rice crop in Texas [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2026, Crop Management, Extension, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University

Scott Lafontaine stands with Bernardo Guimaraes in their small-scale beverage development facility

Cheers to gluten-free beer made with malted rice

Arkansas produces more rice than any other U.S. state, including about half of the nation’s long-grain rice. As long-grain rice exports have dropped from 50% in 2010 to 43% in 2024, growers have looked for new domestic markets. Beer shows potential. Brewers who use rice in beer typically rely on milled rice, which requires additional processing steps and costs. Researchers [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2026, Arkansas, Food Systems, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, University of Arkansas

Mario Soto and Aurelie Poncet with a plant and a light-emitting device.

Building resilient agriculture through pest management

Land-grant university pest management programs strengthen agricultural resilience by delivering research-based education that helps farmers manage pests more effectively and safely. These programs improve pest control decisions, reduce unnecessary pesticide use and minimize health and environmental risks—supporting healthier ecosystems and long-term productivity. Here are a few examples of that work: Louisiana State University’s AgCenter’s Field Crop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2026, Crop Management, Economic Development, Extension, Fiber Systems, Food Security, Food Systems, Indiana, Invasive Species, Iowa, Iowa State University, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Maine, National Security, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Organic Agriculture, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Purdue University, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, University of Maine

Water quality training

In Louisiana, Extension helps industrial facilities, farms save water, cut costs

Water plays an essential role in many industrial settings. To help manufacturers, processors and agricultural operations adopt sustainable practices, the Louisiana State University AgCenter launched the Water Quality Extension Lab in 2023. The lab helps small- to medium-sized industries by providing resources, facilitating workforce networking and promoting sustainability. Faculty and students with the lab make site visits to rural industrial [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Economic Development, Extension, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Southern, Waste Management, Water Resilience/Management, Workforce Development and Readiness

a lake

Strengthening water quality across landscapes

Access to clean, reliable water for communities, ecosystems and agriculture is increasingly threatened by issues such as nutrient pollution and emerging contaminants. Land‑grant universities are addressing these challenges through innovative research and hands‑on Extension programming that empowers volunteers, land managers and future water‑quality stewards. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in Montana found evidence that wetland conservation can [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2026, Economic Development, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Forest Protection and Management, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Montana, Montana State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Public Health, Research, Rhode Island, Soil Health, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, The Ohio State University, The University of Georgia, University of Rhode Island, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife

The top of a Pheonix canariensis palm tree due to Thielaviopsis trunk rot.

Florida researchers find a speedier way to screen palms for disease resistance

Florida’s iconic palms are under attack by Thielaviopsis trunk rot, a fungal disease that causes plants to collapse and die suddenly. With little information known about disease resistance in palms, homeowners and landscapers were left without guidance on which species are more resilient in the face of the new threat. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Crop Management, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Florida, Forest Protection and Management, Invasive Species, Pest Management, Research, Southern, University of Florida

aerial view of an agent planting seagrass

Fighting coastal erosion with nature-based shoreline solutions

More than half of Florida’s waterfront property owners have constructed seawalls and bulkheads to protect against erosion and flooding. These armored shorelines provide some protection but are known to fail during extreme weather events and can disrupt waterflow as well as interfere with marine life. Extension agents with the University of Florida and the Florida Sea Grant developed two multi-day [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Community Development/Engagement, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Florida, Southern, University of Florida, Water Resilience/Management, Wildlife

forest

Examining Arkansas’s growing timber surplus

Maintaining a balance between forest growth and harvests is vital to sustaining a healthy ecosystem. When the growth-to-drain ratio rises too high, forests become vulnerable to wildfires and insect outbreaks. Conversely, if the ratio is low, forests can be overharvested, threatening long-term timber supplies and compromising many of the ecosystem services that forests provide, including carbon storage and wildlife [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Arkansas, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Forest Protection and Management, Southern, University of Arkansas

a raingarden

Building resilient communities through low-impact development practices

Traditional infrastructure in Oklahoma communities does not fully address the challenges flooding, erosion and declining water quality bring, especially in rural and residential areas where design and maintenance resources are limited. Landscape design plays a critical role in establishing water-resilient communities. The Designing with Water initiative, led by Oklahoma State University Extension’s Landscape Architecture program, promotes sustainable landscape practices through education, [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Community Development/Engagement, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Southern, Water Resilience/Management

forest

Bringing automation to forest production with precision tools

Rising equipment costs, unpredictable weather, long hours and hazardous conditions make logging a high-risk industry. Not only is it difficult to attract and maintain skilled workers to forest production, but these challenges also make it difficult for firms to forecast the impacts of external factors to remain competitive. Researchers at Auburn University in Alabama partnered with equipment manufacturers to develop [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Alabama, Auburn University, Forest Protection and Management, Precision Agriculture, Research, Southern

Three women stand in a shallow creekbed. One watches as the other two use a large plastic pipe to collect water samples.

Arkansas researchers study environmental effects of de-icers

Winter road safety depends heavily on salt-based deicers, but there are concerns about how their use is contributing to increased salinity in streams and affecting aquatic ecosystems. Beet brine, which is made from a mixture of salt and beet molasses, has emerged as a potential alternative because it reduces overall salt application. But unlike traditional road salt, beet brine [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Arkansas, Ecosystem Services, Research, Southern, University of Arkansas, Water Resilience/Management, Wildlife

storm over farmland

Preparing for extreme weather

Extreme weather can affect communities, farms, businesses and livelihoods. These weather events, such as drought, wildfires and flooding can pose harm to people, livestock, plants and water quality. As extreme weather becomes more frequent and more intense, land-grant universities are equipping farmers, ranchers and communities with the proper tools to be prepared for and recover from its impacts. Here are [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2026, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Crop Management, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Extension, Forest Protection and Management, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, New York, North Central, Northeast, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Soil Health, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, University of Arkansas, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin, Utah, Utah State University, Vermont, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife, Wisconsin

Scientists test a vaccine and delivery system at a catfish pond.

New vaccine and delivery system protect catfish against fatal disease, reduce antibiotic reliance

Catfish is the largest aquaculture industry in the United States. For decades, catfish producers have struggled against pervasive infestation from E. ictaluri, which mainly affects fingerlings (juveniles), targeting the fish’s brain and resulting in abnormal behavior and swimming patterns, swelling, ulcers and death. ESC has been treated with antibiotics delivered through feed. However, as orders for medicated feed rose [...]

Food Security, Story 2026, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Food Security, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern