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Editor: Maggie Lawrence January 11, 2023
 Research Improving Dairy Cow Nutrition
Many Americans eat dairy regularly, and dairy farms contribute to rural economies, but dairy farmers face many challenges, such as keeping up with costs, managing manure and emissions, and protecting animal welfare. Feed is a major factor in cow health, milk yield, waste output and costs. For the dairy industry to be profitable and sustainable, farmers need more efficient ways to manage cattle nutrition.
Researchers from 20+ Land-grant Universities are taking a closer look at the nutrients available in different feeds, how nutrients are used during milk production, and the various factors that affect milk production. Learn more about the impact of their work here.
Cows in a dairy farm. Courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Food Safety Outreach Program FY 2023 RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
Last month, NIFA hosted a webinar to discuss the FY 2023 Request for Applications (RFA) for the Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grants Program (FSOP). Learn about FSOP priorities and requirements and other essentials for applying to the program. Topics include an overview of the FSOP, an introduction to the new Technical Assistance – Grant Writing Skills Project program area, adhering to the RFA and the evaluation criteria and grant writing fundamentals. Watch the recording here.
Registration Now Open for 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA’s 99th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum will be held in person at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 23-24, and all sessions will be livestreamed.
More than 30 sessions and 100 agriculture leaders and subject matter experts will discuss key issues impacting the sector. Learn more about the Forum and register here.
2023 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum graphic.
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Scaling Up Vegetable Farms for Wholesale Markets
Selling to the wholesale market can help smaller-scale vegetable farmers to connect with more customers to increase brand recognition and profitability.
A new educational resource from Sustainable Agriculture Research Education, a NIFA-funded organization, provides a variety of strategies and tools to help owners of small- to mid-scale operations branch out into wholesale markets. Learn more about this new resource here.
Farmer holding fresh vegetables in a basket. Courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our blogs page.
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Food and Agricultural Education Information System Presentation
On January 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. EST, Dr. Pete Ziegler will discuss the Food and Agricultural Education Information System (FAEIS). FAEIS is a federally mandated survey that compiles nationwide higher education data for life, food, veterinary, human, natural resources and agricultural sciences. This data includes student enrollment, degrees awarded, transfer, and placement at all degree levels by gender and race/ethnicity. FAEIS also collects faculty counts and salaries by gender, race/ethnicity and rank.
Dr. Ziegler and the FAEIS team will demonstrate the uses and impacts of this database and provide updates and their vision for its future use. Learn more and register here.
NIFA webinar graphic.
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Fungi Could Be the Future of Healthier Plants
Mycorrhizal fungi develop a symbiotic relationship with plants. The fungi take up space in the tissue of plant roots. In beneficial relationships, mycorrhizal fungi help plant roots absorb water and minerals, like phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.
Scientists at North Carolina State University (NC State) are researching how certain fungi can strengthen this hidden environment and sustain crops. Learn more about this research supported by NIFA’s Early Investigator Award.
Photo shows one aspect of NC State research into mycorrhizal fungi.
Image courtesy of North Carolina State University.
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USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers
At the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the USDA that will benefit farmers, ranchers and producers across the nation. Read more here.
USDA graphic symbol.
Visit USDA for additional USDA news.
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Happy to see this work published. Grateful to Hannah Harwood Doyle and Elizabeth Newbold for leading the process. The Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS), housed at University of Vermont, in partnership with and support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and FDA, is doing great work to facilitate collaborative impact in food safety within the Northeast, and this semi-systematic review of grower needs assessments has helped frame our work. Want to learn more? Consider joining us for our annual meeting in Hartford, CT January 18-19.
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and Extension that solves societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture. Keep informed about NIFA, USDA, our Land-grant and non-Land-grant university partners, and stakeholders with the NIFA Update. Read past issues online, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts or LinkedIn @usda-nifa.
If you wish to submit a news item or information, send an email to NIFAUpdate.
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