|
Making a Difference
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Scientists Develop Tool to Rapidly Detect Devastating Swine Disease
Endemic animal health threats such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) result in large losses of revenue to U.S. producers every year and pose ongoing challenges to the biosecurity and biocontainment practices of the swine industry. Mitigating these impacts through rapid detection, response and recovery requires a robust and coordinated diagnostic infrastructure with active monitoring and surveillance systems.
With a $1 million Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Iowa State University scientists and their collaborators at South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota, Kansas State University, Ohio Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory, and Purdue University are leveraging the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS) to rapidly detect new strains of this PRRSV. They have launched a one-of-a-kind web-based tool called the SDRS BLAST Tool (BLAST stands for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) that allows veterinarians, producers and other users to compare genetic sequences of PRRSV with those in the Swine Disease Reporting System. Read more about this important new tool.
|
|
NIFA and NSF Join Forces to Boost Innovation in Agricultural Robotics
In a landmark collaboration, USDA NIFA and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) are teaming up to advance foundational research in agricultural robotics. The agencies are issuing a new solicitation for visionary research proposals to develop robots with the potential to revolutionize farming practices.
Under the joint funding opportunity, proposals will be solicited to support research projects that align with the goals of both the NSF Foundational Research in Robotics program and USDA NIFA. Proposals submitted under this initiative will undergo rigorous evaluation by both agencies. Read more about the new collaboration and proposal submissions.
Robot at work in greenhouse. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
USGCRP Seeking Authors, Technical Inputs for Next National Climate Assessment
The U.S. Global Change Research Program has issued a call for public comment, authors and technical inputs for the Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6), a publication that serves as the federal government’s “preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks and responses.” The program will be hosting the first of three one-hour webinars at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, May 9, about opportunities to participate. Visit the website for more information and to register.
NIFA Associate Director Visits Prairie View A&M
NIFA Associate Director for Operations Drenda Williams recently served as a keynote speaker at Prairie View A&M University's (PVAMU) Agriculture Day on the Hill, hosted by the PVAMU College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. The event offered informational sessions, campus tours and educational workshops.
In the first picture from left: Dr. Alfred L. Parks, Regents Professor, Agricultural Economics, PVAMU; Jayland Jones, PVAMU student and organizer of Fireside Chat; NIFA Associate Director for Operations Drenda Williams; and Horace D. Hodge, USDA 1890 Liaison.
In the larger group photo, from left: Dr. Alfred L. Parks, Regents Professor, Agricultural Economics, PVAMU; Horace D. Hodge, USDA 1890 Liaison; NIFA Associate Director for Operations Drenda Williams; Dr. Carolyn Williams, Executive Associate Director, Extension, PVAMU; Ashley James, Program Leader, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Extension, PVAMU; and Dr. Edrogen Memili, Executive Associate Director, Research, PVAMU.
|
|
|
Canada Lynx Historic Range in US Likely Wider Than Previously Thought
A broader past could mean a brighter future for Canada lynx in the U.S., according to recent research at Washington State University (WSU). The study, published in the journal Biological Conservation, indicates that lynx, a keystone species in boreal ecosystems, might do well in the future in parts of Utah, central Idaho and the Yellowstone National Park region, even considering climate change and the lack of lynx in those areas now. This study, which has conservation implications for not only lynx but other threatened species, proposes one new way of estimating a species’ historic range, using modelling of suitable habitat validated by historical records.
Using that model, WSU researchers first found that in 1900, Canada lynx had more suitable habitat in the U.S. than the few northern corners of the country where they are found currently. Additionally, it showed the big cat likely roamed over a larger area in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes region and parts of New England.
Canada lynx are still abundant in Canada, but their U.S. numbers have dwindled. Currently, they are only found in limited portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota and Maine. So far, recovery plans for lynx have been based on assumptions that they were never found much beyond these areas in the U.S., although a small population was successfully re-introduced to the Colorado Rockies in 1999.
Read more about this project that is supported by McIntire-Stennis funds from NIFA.
Canada lynx in winter. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
|
|
|
USDA Announces 28 Host Organizations to Train Future Conservation and Climate Leaders
USDA has selected 28 organizations to host members of USDA’s Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC), an effort that will train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders, providing technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people and helping them deliver climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers. Learn more about WLCC and the newly chosen host organizations.
|
|
New Financial Module for NIFA Reporting System
The NIFA Reporting System (NRS) Financial Module was scheduled for release on May 1. This module will give NRS Financial Administrators the ability to add, edit and submit FY 2023 Financial Reports for Capacity Funds in NRS. Additionally, the release includes functionality for the Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM) Supplemental Forms. The OGFM Supplemental Forms will be made available for applicable institutions once allotment information is provided by NIFA’s Awards Management Division.
With this enhancement, users will now submit all financial reports required for capacity funds in NRS. Financial Administrators will download the financial report template and upload the completed file directly into NRS, importing all FY 2023 financial data. The financial report template is an easy-to-use Excel file with project/program data prepopulated for ease of use. The FY 2023 Financial Report for Capacity Funds will be due on July 1. All financial reports must be submitted in NRS.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the NRS Help Desk at nrs@usda.gov.
|
|
|
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is committed to ensuring that its programs and services are accessible to all individuals, including individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any NIFA event, please contact the appropriate Program staff no later than 10 days prior to the event. To find Program staff by event, please visit the NIFA Calendar of Events. NIFA Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request. If you need interpretation or translation services please visit NIFA language services or contact Lois Tuttle, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at Lois.Tuttle@usda.gov or (443) 386-9488 no later than 10 days prior to the event.
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 X (formerly Twitter) @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts or LinkedIn @usda-nifa.
If you wish to submit a news item or information, send an email to NIFAUpdate.
USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
|
|
|
|
|
