Podcasts about agricultural research

New project could help identify genetic traits for healthier commercial flocks

In this episode, we explore what current research tells us about the relationship between farming and cancer in Iowa. Joining the conversation is Caroline Powell of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, who discusses findings from the 2026 Cancer in Iowa report and shares insights from her research on cancer knowledge and prevention in agricultural communities. Together, we examine cancer risks specific to farming, separate fact from speculation, and highlight practical, evidence-based steps farmers and their families can take to reduce cancer risk over a lifetime. Whether you live, work, or care about rural health, this episode provides valuable information to help you make informed decisions about cancer prevention. Episode ResourcesCancer in Iowa, 2026 Report, Iowa Cancer RegistryAgricultural Health Study, NIHIowa Cancer ConsortiumAg Health 101, GPCAH

New research suggests winter crops may offer California farmers an alternative to fallowing land while adapting to groundwater restrictions.

California researchers are looking for almond and pistachio growers to participate in a new field study.

President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts provided $125 million annually for the Research Facilities Act program to modernize agricultural research facilities across the country.

A new veterinary hospital is coming to one of OSU's most visible agricultural sites, but the crop research Oklahoma producers rely on is not going away. OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences head Wade Thomason, Ph.D., joins Dave Deken, Brian Arnall, Ph.D., and Josh Lofton, Ph.D. to explain what is changing at the Agronomy Research Station, which long-term plots will be protected, and why good soil, irrigation, and proximity to campus cannot simply be replaced. They also walk through plans for new greenhouses, field laboratories, teaching space, soil and forage testing, plant disease diagnostics, and a possible summer 2028 move. Key takeaways: The historic Magruder Plots and other long-term fertility trials are not planned for development. The veterinary hospital is expected to use the area where the current agronomy buildings stand. Approximately 20 to 50 acres of other research ground may need to be replaced nearby. New facilities could bring wheat breeding, crop quality testing, field research and diagnostic services into a more efficient system. The modernization is designed to improve research, hands-on student education and service to Oklahoma producers. Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–01:54 — Episode setup and field event invitation Dave introduces the debate over the Agronomy Research Station, the veterinary hospital project and the future of research and teaching at the site. He also previews the July 27 Summer Crop Demo Day near Chickasha.01:54–02:32 — Participant introductions Brian Arnall and Josh Lofton are introduced before the recorded conversation with Wade Thomason begins.02:32–04:18 — What is happening to the agronomy farm? The group addresses months of concern and confirms that the veterinary hospital is expected to occupy the footprint where the existing agronomy buildings stand.04:18–05:59 — Are the Magruder Plots safe? The long-term fertility trials are identified as irreplaceable scientific resources. The discussion makes clear that the Magruder Plots and other longstanding trials have not been offered for development.05:59–08:29 — Why agronomy cannot simply move anywhere Thomason explains the requirements for productive research ground: proximity to campus, student access, suitable soil, little slope, a location outside the floodplain and dependable irrigation supplied through the OSU water system.08:29–10:12 — Why the plots must remain near campus The station supports hands-on classes, weed identification, breeding programs, frequent crop observations and technologies such as drone imagery. Moving those activities farther away would reduce efficiency and student access.10:12–12:29 — The original farm layout had a purpose The group explains how soils, slope, wind direction, water and animal needs shaped the placement of agricultural programs. The land was not assigned randomly.12:29–14:45 — Prime real estate and agricultural history Dave describes the corner as emotionally significant to people connected with OSU agriculture. The group acknowledges that reaction while explaining the university's effort to create room for both agronomy and veterinary medicine.14:45–17:03 — The rebuild is three connected projects Plans include a greenhouse and headhouse complex, new agronomy research operations and an education and laboratory center. Wheat breeding, wheat pathology, Extension, turfgrass and ornamental horticulture are among the programs discussed.17:03–19:13 — New homes for producer services The proposed education center could include classrooms, conference space, the Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory and the Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory. Both laboratories currently face significant space and access limitations.19:13–22:14 — Proposed locations and the 2028 target The conversation covers possible locations on the existing sheep and goat property, the likely order of construction and the need to move agronomy operations before the existing buildings can be removed. The target is summer 2028.22:14–23:43 — Learning from other land-grant universities The planning team studied facilities at Kansas State, Purdue, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Georgia and Tennessee to identify useful designs and avoid problems those institutions encountered.23:43–27:22 — Designing around the work, not old walls The proposed greenhouses may have less total square footage but greater usable capacity through rolling benches, better lighting and ventilation. Other improvements include a pull-through seed warehouse, integrated wheat quality space, improved cotton processing, chemical storage and shared drying and grinding areas.27:22–31:27 — Shared space, compromises and adaptation The faculty discuss the benefits and frustrations of shared work areas. Some programs may gain more than others, but the experience of OSU's newer Agricultural Hall suggests shared facilities can improve communication and the student experience.31:27–34:34 — Balancing program needs and limited space The conversation continues into how researchers will adjust their workflows, which needs must be prioritized and how the new construction will affect existing research acreage.34:34–35:57 — How much land could be displaced? The working estimate is approximately 20 to 50 acres. Options include nearby purchases, existing OSU land and other research sites; the department does not expect to replace the entire 185-acre main station.35:57–37:09 — Other research locations and sheep facilities Land near Perkins and a university property east of Billings could provide additional research opportunities. The project may also accelerate plans for a new sheep and goat facility.37:09–39:09 — State funding and possible federal support The episode describes a $40 million legislative allocation tied to a $10 million OSU match. The team also plans to pursue a federal research-facilities grant of up to $30 million, which could bring the potential project budget near $80 million. The federal award was not guaranteed at the time of recording.39:09–41:42 — Private support and practical details Previously pledged greenhouse support is discussed as part of OSU's match, followed by lighter conversation about equipment, refrigerators and the research team's preferred ice machine.41:42–43:36 — A working name and final thoughts The group closes with the working name “Agronomy Research Discovery Center,” thanks Wade for the update and directs listeners to Red Dirt Agronomy for future information. RedDirtAgronomy.com

In this Farm4Fun episode, Zach Hefty and multi-time Farm4Profit favorite Tony Reed return to the show to preview the upcoming Ag PhD Field Day while sharing honest updates on one of the most challenging growing seasons many farmers have experienced. The conversation begins with spring planting struggles, including Tony's incredible 15-plus inches of rainfall, multiple rounds of replanting, and fields ranging from freshly planted corn to chest-high corn—all within the same operation. Meanwhile, Zach discusses the opposite challenge in South Dakota: dry conditions and hoping for timely rains before Field Day. The discussion then shifts to Ag PhD Field Day and what has made it one of agriculture's biggest educational experiences. Topics include: Why Ag PhD Field Day is completely free to attend Research plots showcasing the latest agronomic practices Hands-on demonstrations with new equipment and technology High-yield farmer presentations from across North America "Crazy Trials" that test unconventional farming ideas Opportunities to interact with leading agricultural content creators Product demonstrations and ride-and-drive experiences Why education—not sales—is the focus of the event The logistics behind feeding more than 10,000 attendees Building an event that combines education, networking, and entertainment The episode also includes plenty of laughs as the crew discusses anniversary gifts, old farm trucks, Cameo videos, Beater with a Heater, weather forecasting, and Tony Reed's legendary podcast appearances. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mandy Bish with University of Missouri Extension says she's looking forward to the Crop and Pest Management Field Day and Ag Innovation Showcase, scheduled for July 8.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Proposed closure of the Urbana Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center and relocation to Ames, Iowa.

The USDA's second draft of the New World screw worm response plan is acceptable to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association after pushing back on the initial draft plan.

In “Virginia Has the Blue Catfish Blues,”Gravy reporter Anya Groner takes listeners to the Chesapeake Bay, where, over the past decade, invasive blue catfish have derailed the ecosystem in the East Coast's largest fish nursery. Native to the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins, blue catfish were first stocked in the bay's tributary rivers in the 1970s to provide a new trophy fish for recreational anglers. At the time, no one predicted that a freshwater catfish could make its way into the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay, much less outcompete native crabs, oysters, and fish. The impact has been devastating for the environment and for the seafood industry. Generational watermen are going out of business, and most of the fishmongers who buy and process their catch have shut their doors. Yet, Dr. Michael Schwarz, associate director of Virginia Tech's Seafood and Agricultural Research & Extension Center, says there's a lucrative way to manage the population of this expanding apex predator and reinvigorate the seafood industry.  Blue catfish happen to be delicious. Studies show that managed correctly, a blue catfish fishery could have an economic impact of $1.1 billion and create 7,000 new jobs. “ The easiest solution for anything is to eat it,” says Kyle Rowley, the chief operating officer of Skrimp Shack, a fourteen-restaurant franchise in Virginia and North Carolina. As a topwater predator, blue catfish don't have the muddy flavor sometimes associated with farmed catfish. And Rowley says, they fry beautifully. Three years ago, he added blue catfish to Skrimp Shack's menu. “We're doing something right that is actually helping our fellow Virginians, and we enjoy that.” But building a market for an invasive species is an inherent conflict of interest, says Dr. Mary Fabrizio, a biologist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. “Basically you're starting the fishery to put itself out of business,” she says. If the fishery is as lucrative as some predict it can be, the goal could switch from shrinking the population to maintaining it. Fabrizio's computer models show that unless a very high number of catfish are pulled from the bay, culling catfish won't rejuvenate native fish. Join Groner as she travels from the docks of the Chesapeake Bay to marine labs and restaurants, asking watermen, fishmongers, scientists, and restaurateurs to ask what it will take to build a blue catfish market and whether it's possible to balance the needs of the seafood industry and the ecosystem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soybeans are a lot more than a crop in the field, and this episode proves it. Dave Deken and Brian Arnall visit with Rick and Ginger Reimer of the Oklahoma Soybean Board about how soybean checkoff dollars are being invested in research, producer outreach, education, and consumer awareness across Oklahoma. From Red Dirt Soy and production research to classroom workshops and virtual reality tools, the Reimers share how the board is helping connect agriculture to both producers and the public. The conversation also digs into soybean rotations, the crop's spread into new parts of Oklahoma, why soybeans are so important to livestock agriculture, and how the board has even supported feral hog control because of the damage those animals cause to crops and pasture. It's a wide-ranging look at how soybean leadership, Extension partnerships, and strategic outreach are helping strengthen agriculture from the farm gate to the classroom Top 10 Takeaways This episode reframes soybeans as much more than a crop. The Oklahoma Soybean Board is investing not only in production research, but also in education, livestock-connected outreach, and public understanding of agriculture. Teacher training is one of the board's biggest multiplier strategies. Ginger says the board has worked with nearly 800 teachers and is reaching around 20,000 students annually through workshops and classroom-ready materials. The soybean checkoff is tightly accountable. Rick emphasizes audits, compliance reviews, and documentation because every dollar being spent belongs to soybean producers. Research is still the budget anchor. Rick estimates about 60% of retained board funds go toward research, with another 20% to 30% supporting education and outreach. Soybeans and livestock are directly linked. Rick says most domestically used soybeans go into animal agriculture, which explains why the board supports pork, poultry, and related educational programming. Soybean production geography in Oklahoma has shifted. Counties once dominant in eastern Oklahoma are no longer the only leaders; major soybean production now includes north-central Oklahoma, and the crop is pushing even farther west. Western Oklahoma soybeans bring new management questions. Brian points to irrigated production and iron deficiency issues in high-pH soils as examples of why region-specific research matters. Digital outreach is becoming a bigger part of the mission. The board is expanding through social media, recorded workshop content, YouTube, and online education platforms. Feral hog control is a serious agricultural issue. The board's support for control efforts shows how soybean leadership is responding to broader on-farm threats, not just soybean-only problems. Agricultural literacy is long-term risk management. Ginger makes the strongest public-facing point of the episode: informed teachers become informed communities, and informed communities shape the future of agriculture. Detailed Timestamped Rundown 00:02–01:06 Dave opens Episode 510 and frames soybeans as more than a field crop, tying them to livestock feed, producer research, ag education, and statewide outreach. He previews the conversation with Rick and Ginger Reimer of the Oklahoma Soybean Board and points listeners to Red Dirt Agronomy online for more resources.01:07–01:40 Dave introduces Brian Arnall, and the hosts set up the interview, noting it was recorded January 10, 2026, at the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth during KNID Agrifest.01:41–03:24 Brian introduces Rick and Ginger Reimer. Rick explains his long tenure with the soybean organization and walks through the shift from the Oklahoma Soybean Commission to the Oklahoma Soybean Board after the national soybean checkoff was established, including the split of funds between the state and national boards.03:25–06:22 Ginger outlines her role in marketing, consumer information, and education. She explains how her classroom work evolved into teacher workshops that equip educators with supplies, books, curriculum, and hands-on materials. Rick adds that the board tracks reach by counting how many students those teachers serve each year. Ginger says they are nearing 800 teachers and about 20,000 students annually.06:22–08:41 The group discusses workshop themes including “Pork and Beans” and “Chicka Doodle Do.” Ginger describes using VR headsets to show students swine production and explains how different workshops are tailored for preschool through older students. Brian notes the board's outreach goes well beyond soybeans alone and reflects the full agricultural ecosystem.08:41–10:32 Rick stresses accountability for checkoff dollars, jokingly summarizing it as “document or die.” He explains the importance of receipts, audits, and compliance reviews because the board is spending producer money. He estimates roughly 60% of the state board's retained budget goes to research, 20% to 30% to education and outreach, and admin is kept near or under 10% when possible.10:32–13:38 Dave and Brian talk about Red Dirt Soy and the Oklahoma Soybean Board's support for digital outreach and research communication. They highlight how the board helped make room for creative, scalable outreach ideas, including online field-day style content that can reach producers across the state without requiring travel. Rick adds that soybean research also includes topics beyond yield, such as ensuring crop protection practices do not harm beneficial beetles.13:38–15:05 Rick explains why the board supports livestock-related education: livestock is soybeans' biggest customer. He says about half of U.S. soybeans are exported, while 97% of the soybeans staying domestic are used in animal agriculture. That is why Oklahoma Soybean Board programs often connect soybeans to pork, poultry, and other livestock sectors.15:05–17:23 The conversation shifts to crop rotation and geography. Rick says soybeans help clean up wheat fields and work well in rotations. He explains that the top soybean-producing counties in Oklahoma used to be in the east, but now counties such as Garfield, Grant, Kay, and Noble are among the leaders. Brian adds that soybeans have pushed farther west, even into the Panhandle, creating new fertility and iron-deficiency management challenges in high-pH soils.17:23–20:32 Rick and Brian explain why Oklahoma can be a strong soybean state: soil, weather, rainfall, and the crop's fit as a double-crop option behind wheat. Brian notes the historical appeal of double-crop beans as a relatively low-risk, high-reward system. The discussion also covers soybeans' sensitivity to timely late-season rains and the use of different maturity groups to spread production risk.20:32–25:11 Brian raises another lesser-known soybean board priority: feral hog control. Rick describes years of support for thermal scopes, traps, panels, and grain carts used in control efforts through Wildlife Services. The hosts explain how destructive hogs are to soybeans, hay meadows, pastures, and farm infrastructure, making this issue much bigger than row crops alone.25:11–29:04 Dave asks what is next for the board. Ginger says a bigger social media presence is a priority, along with posting recorded teacher workshops online so educators can revisit them later. She also describes forming a teacher advisory group, experimenting with Facebook Live training, and growing the board's YouTube content, including Rick reading Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car from a soybean field.29:04–31:28 Dave asks what producers want from the board. Rick says growers want strong production research and continued promotion of soybeans' value. Ginger adds a broader civic point: when they teach teachers, they are also reaching future voters, and agriculture needs a more informed public as farmland disappears under development.31:28–32:11 The episode wraps with appreciation from both sides and a reminder that agriculture works best when commodity groups and institutions collaborate. Dave closes the show and thanks listeners. RedDirtAgronomy.com

This week on the podcast, Mark (Ferg) catches up with Andrew Kennedy (Ox) and Darren Gordon (Cat) to reflect on their early years together as well as the career and influence of Dr Andrew “Thommo” Thompson. The episode is part of Podcasthon, supporting efforts to raise awareness for brain cancer research.Ferg, Cat and Ox reminisce about the early days of the Lifetime Ewe research project and the realities of running a large-scale sheep research under the legendary Andrew Thompson. This was before the use EID, which meant recording thousands of pasture measurements and condition scores by hand. That work, which began as a project focused on wool follicles, ultimately reshaped how the sheep industry thinks about nutrition, twin survival and ewe management. The research helped change the language we use around feed, energy, and condition score, and drove widespread adoption of better management strategies across Australia.Tune in to hear some great stories from the early days of these research trials with a few untold yarns about the situations these three managed to find themselves in.This is not one to miss! If you would like to help us reach our goal of raising $52,000 to fund vital cancer research, visit the link below:https://fundraise.curebraincancer.org.au/fundraisers/markferguson/twentysix2000If you would like to join the Strava club, visit this link:https://www.strava.com/clubs/TwentySix2000?utm_campaign=club_share&utm_content=1858801&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=thehub.nextgenagri.comTo find out more about Podcasthon, visit this link:https://podcasthon.org/Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: info@nextgenagri.com.Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.Check out the MSD range HERE Check out Allflex products HERE Check out Heiniger's product range HERE Check out ProWay's product range HERE

September 11, 2025 - This episode continues our celebration of the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring honoree Lori Capouch, former Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). Lori reflects on her career and shares lessons from her work in strengthening rural communities—ranging from sustaining grocery stores to expanding childcare and food access. Lori Capouch is a recently retired rural development professional who spent her career helping communities establish the businesses they envisioned. She most recently served as Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), where she managed the Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center in Mandan, North Dakota. She also led the Rural Development Finance Corporation, a $9 million revolving loan fund that supports rural businesses, and previously directed the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, a state agency providing grants for high-risk startup ventures. Beyond her work with NDAREC, Lori provided contracted services to the North Dakota Rural Rehabilitation Corporation and the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education. She was also secretary/treasurer of the Dakotas America governing board, which invests New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed communities nationwide. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the North Dakota Consensus Council. Throughout her career, Lori's signature efforts focused on strengthening cooperative and nonprofit enterprises in North Dakota's rural communities, with a particular emphasis on improving food access, sustaining local grocery stores, expanding childcare, and advancing small-scale meat processing. Lori holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council.

How many grams per litre of dry-hopping creates those big juice DIPA flavours?  What cereal should we use to create a self-stable haze?  What are the correct additives and E-numbers that will give us the right hue to our teal coloured slush-puppy sour...?  These questions are great but unless we dig deeper to unearth how we can grow our raw ingredients in unfavourable conditions, then perhaps synthetic-coloured beers are all we can look to in a dystopian future where smoothie-sours are the norm.In this episode, we explore why agricultural research is imperative for the future of brewing.  Specifically looking at hops, Nick hosts a round table discussion with Will Rogers from Charles Faram, Duncan Westbury - Dean of Land and Property Management at the Royal Agricultural University - and Scientific Researcher, Josh Brett to answer this question.THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.Crisp Malt (crispmalt.com)Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.FOLLOW HOP FORWARDhopforward.beer | LinkedIn | BlueSky | Instagram

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Jane Nyaranga Ambuku Wamatu, a Senior Small Ruminant Nutritionist at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). They discuss the role that animal agriculture plays in regenerative food systems, how scientists can work alongside farmers to develop resilience, and training youth to become agri-preneurs. Plus hear about what's in the latest report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, what new findings reveal about women's role in sub-Saharan food and agriculture systems, the devastation caused by heavy rains in India and Pakistan, and hopeful news on pesticide regulation. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” wherever you consume your podcasts.

Variety has been developed by Peru's International Potato Center and its genetic material shared with Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Central Potato Research Institute.  

There's a new owner of the the Crop Diversification Centre - South (CDC) near Brooks, Alberta. The County of Newell is the new leaseholder for the research facility and fields after securing a ten-year lease from Alberta Infrastructure and they have wasted no time in hitting the ground running. This is one unique example of the evolving agriculture research landscape in Alberta, after the province decided to divest itself of many agriculture research projects in 2020. County of Newell Director of Agricultural Services Todd Green speaks on the potential for success this project has for the region.    "We saw a relatively underutilized facility, and an economic development opportunity, and we think there's value in having management of this facility be local. We're able to be very nimble in our decision-making abilities and our use of the facility," says Green.  Green says they are now busy upgrading facilities with an arbitrary deadline of September 1st, when they will welcome in tenants.    “We have some wonderful partners already on board, people utilizing the Ag research lands. We have people that are interested in utilizing other facilities. We just need to inject a little capital funding into them to bring them up to 2025 standards.” 

In this episode, Lucie and Roger discuss planning agricultural research, highlighting on-station and on-farm trials. They emphasize integrating diverse data collection methods, farmer involvement, and balancing research design and farmer participation.

Researchers in Morocco are developing dry-land agriculture at ICARDA (the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas). It is home to a gene bank, in which around 150,000 different seed-types are kept in perfectly calibrated cold vaults, and duplicated to protect them from ‘fire, earthquake and war.' They're used for the creation of new varieties - such as wheat or lentils resistant to drought or disease, without pesticides. The gene bank is a public good - anyone, anywhere, can request seeds free of charge. Laaziza Atmani, head of the Al Amal women's farming co-operative in the middle Atlas Mountains, uses ICARDA seeds and expertise to develop her couscous business. ‘Setting up the co-op changed our lives,' she says.

In this episode of Red Dirt Agronomy, the team sits down with Dr. Jayson Lusk, Vice President and Dean of Agricultural Programs at Oklahoma State University, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of agriculture and leadership in higher education. Dr. Lusk reflects on his journey from researcher to administrator, the challenges of guiding a land-grant institution, and how he stays grounded in the needs of Oklahoma's producers. The discussion explores the evolving role of faculty engagement, the value of public communication, and how Extension can remain impactful in an increasingly digital world.The episode also covers Dr. Lusk's strategic vision for OSU agriculture, including plans to revitalize off-campus facilities, launch a beef center of excellence, and leverage big data and AI to support producer decision-making. With insights into the delicate balance of university leadership and the importance of staying connected with faculty and stakeholders, this conversation offers practical value for anyone invested in the future of agricultural research and outreach.Key Takeaways Leadership Through Service: Dr. Lusk's path to administration was driven by a desire to amplify impact, not personal ambition.Extension Still Matters: Public-facing efforts like podcasts and producer engagement remain central to OSU's land-grant mission.Strategic, Not Micromanaged: Dr. Lusk emphasizes empowering faculty and fostering collaboration over top-down control.From Data to Decisions: OSU aims to invest in tools that help producers turn data into practical, on-farm choices.Modernizing Infrastructure: Upgrading aging research farms and facilities is a top priority to support future ag innovation.Beef and Wheat Focus: Strategic investment is centered on Oklahoma's two leading ag sectors—cattle and wheat.Funding Realities: OSU's ag programs benefit from strong state support, offering resilience amid federal funding uncertainty.Collaboration Counts: Lusk believes faculty success drives college success—and that includes interdisciplinary teamwork.Measuring Impact, Not Just Output: Dr. Lusk calls for better ways to reward high-impact work that goes beyond publication metrics.Producers as Stakeholders: Oklahoma taxpayers fund OSU's ag work, and deserve results they can see in the field.Timestamps:00:04 - Welcome and episode intro03:16 - Dr. Lusk's path from faculty to administration07:08 - Strategic decisions in leadership roles13:33 - Navigating university structure and transitions18:42 - Measuring impact in research and extension30:56 - Challenges and strategy behind the new OSU Ag Hall34:28 - Dr. Lusk's strategic vision for OSU Agriculture38:24 - The future of ag data, decision tools, and AI RedDirtAgronomy.com

IFPRI Policy Seminar Fertilizer, soil health, and economic shocks: Policy lessons learned from recent events Organized by IFPRI, Food Policy, and the CGIAR Science Program on Policy Innovations June 11, 2025 Join us for a discussion of key findings from a recent special issue of Food Policy exploring the complex interactions between fertilizer use, soil health management, and economic shocks in various agricultural systems. Governments around the world have long implemented policies to enhance agricultural productivity through inorganic fertilizer application and soil management, yet recent global disruptions, from the 2020–2022 food, fuel, and fertilizer price crisis to ongoing climatic uncertainties, have challenged the effectiveness of these interventions. Authors and editors of the special issue will present evidence on the medium-term effects of rising fertilizer prices and their implications for global demand, highlighting the disproportionate effects on smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries. The discussion will also cover issues related to the role of targeted subsidy programs, integrated soil fertility management, and site-specific nutrient approaches. A panel of fertilizer experts will discuss how these insights can support policymakers seeking to mitigate price volatility, strengthen soil health, and ensure resilience in agricultural production, particularly during adverse weather events and economic shocks. This seminar offers critical perspectives for researchers, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders working to build more sustainable and equitable food systems in an increasingly uncertain world. Introduction and Opening Remarks Ruth Hill, Director, Markets, Trade, and Institutions, IFPRI Christopher Barrett, Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY A synthesis of recent evidence on the policy dimensions of fertilizer, soil health, and economic shocks Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Country and cross-country policy experience: A conversation with the authors Moderated by David J. Spielman, Director, Innovation Policy and Scaling, IFPRI Akuffo Amankwah, Senior Economist, World Bank Catherine Ragasa, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Jaweriah Hazrana, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Arizona State University Pauline Chivenge, Senior Scientist, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Panel Discussion: How do we build resilience to future shocks in international and domestic fertilizer markets? Moderated by Charlotte Hebebrand, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI Peter Odhiambo Owoko, Head, Policy Coordination, Directorate of Agricultural Policy Research and Regulations, State Department for Crop Development & Agricultural Research, Kenya Latha Nagarajan, Director, Sustainable Opportunities for Improving Livelihoods with Soils (SOILS) Consortium, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) Shamie Zingore, Director of Research and Development, African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) Avinash Kishore, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Closing Remarks Ruth Hill, Director, Markets, Trade, and Institutions, IFPRI Links: More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/fertilizer-soil-health-and-economic-shocks-policy-lessons-learned-from-recent-events/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. Dane and Barry explore Sacramento's remarkable economic transformation. Barry highlights how Sacramento has leveraged its strategic location 72 miles east of San Francisco to become one of America's premier second-tier markets, emerging as a semiconductor hub while diversifying into clean tech and agricultural research sectors. Throughout the conversation, Barry shares his data-driven approach to economic development, his passion for working with underdog cities, and the challenges he overcame to build community trust and create a thriving economic ecosystem in California's capital region. Barry shares insights on economic development, leadership, and the importance of data-driven decisions in driving regional growth. The episode also covers his personal background, emphasizing Barry's passion for economic development in underdog cities and his experiences in navigating and overcoming initial challenges to build a thriving community. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Discovering Sacramento 02:40 Sacramento's Economic Growth 04:40 Semiconductor Hub Vision 09:44 Infrastructure and Utilities 11:41 Target Sectors Beyond Semiconductors 14:08 Barry Broome's Journey 21:16 Challenges and Achievements 25:20 Building a Strong Board 29:05 Barry's Background and Philosophy 34:55 Conclusion and Contact Information Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Leverage your geographic proximity to major economic centers; Sacramento's 72-mile distance from San Francisco became a strategic advantage rather than a limitation. Diversify your economic base beyond traditional anchors; Sacramento moved beyond government dependence to semiconductors, clean tech, and agricultural research. Position your community as a second-tier market alternative to expensive primary markets, offering similar talent and infrastructure at better cost basis. Use data-driven decision making to guide your economic development strategy and demonstrate measurable results to stakeholders. Build strong board governance early; invest time in assembling committed leaders who can provide stability and strategic direction. Target emerging sectors where your region has natural advantages; Sacramento capitalized on its research universities and proximity to Silicon Valley for semiconductor development. Develop compelling narratives around your community's diversity and quality of life as competitive advantages for business attraction. Address infrastructure and utilities proactively as foundational elements for sector-specific development strategies. Embrace your role as an "underdog city champion"; sometimes the most rewarding opportunities are in communities others overlook. Focus on long-term relationship building and community trust, understanding that transformational economic development takes years to achieve and sustain. Special Guest: Barry Broome.

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Antony Chapoto, Executive Director of the African Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) Secretariat. They discuss the importance of localization and capacity building to improve food and agriculture systems across Africa, the effect that soil degradation has had on farmers' productivity, and the importance of providing a pathway for young people to retain talent in Africa. Plus, hear how farmers are responding to the U.S. government's recent funding decisions, how Mexico is taking a stand against genetically modified corn to protect biodiversity and the country's cultural heritage, and recent steps in the United Kingtom to protect pollinators.  While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” wherever you consume your podcasts.

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jean Noblet, a consultant in monogastric nutrition, explores the evolution of energy evaluation in poultry feeds. He discusses the shift from metabolizable energy to net energy systems, the impact of ingredient variability, and key factors affecting feed efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!"Feed cost is the biggest production expense, and energy makes up nearly three-quarters of that cost. Optimizing energy efficiency is critical."Meet the guest: Dr. Jean Noblet is a retired researcher from INRAE (National Institute for Agricultural Research) in France. He holds an Agronomist Engineer degree and a Ph.D. in Nutrition. His research focused on energy and protein nutrition in swine, poultry, and calves, with major contributions to calorimetry methods, feed energy evaluation, and modeling energy requirements. He has authored over 220 reviewed papers and co-developed the InraPorc and EvaPig software. Since retiring, he has continued consulting in monogastric nutrition.Click here to read the full research article!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(00:55) Introduction(02:36) Transition from swine to poultry(04:46) Importance of energy evaluation(07:20) Feed energy systems advancements(09:59) Net energy vs. metabolizable energy(11:50) Future of poultry nutrition(14:40) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kerry- BASF- Zinpro- Anitox- Poultry Science Association

There's another casualty from the Trump administration's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development: Funding for agriculture research at 17 labs at U.S. universities is now frozen. We’ll discuss some of the impacts. Plus, the health of the manufacturing sector improved for the second month in a row. And, how are markets responding to government firings and a government-wide deregulation campaign?

There's another casualty from the Trump administration's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development: Funding for agriculture research at 17 labs at U.S. universities is now frozen. We’ll discuss some of the impacts. Plus, the health of the manufacturing sector improved for the second month in a row. And, how are markets responding to government firings and a government-wide deregulation campaign?

In this episode of Two Bees in a Podcast, released on February 11th, 2025, Dr. Jamie Ellis and Amy Vu welcome Dr. Cecilia Costa—a Senior Researcher with the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), based in Italy—to talk about an EU funded project called BeeGuards. This episode concludes with a Q&A segment. Check out our website: www.ufhoneybee.com, for additional resources from today's episode. 

You have probably noticed that I keep coming back to the subject of agriculture on this podcast – for very good reasons – it is critical to the U.S. export economy.  And then it occurred to me – here, practically in my own backyard, in Shelby County, TN, we have the most amazing not-for-profit organization – Agricenter International. So, it is our good fortune that the President and CEO, John Butler, agreed to be my guest and enlighten us all about the Agricenter.  John's background is both unique and fascinating.  I hope you enjoy our conversation.After you've listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

What is actually occurring within a sheep with worm resistance? This week on the podcast we have a fascinating discussion with Dr Kelsey Bentley who has spent her career so far looking into the immune mechanisms of Katahdin sheep in the US. Kelsey runs us through what happens biologically within the sheep to make it ‘resistant'. She has also researched the importance of the role of colostrum in lamb immunity. Kelsey explains how it provides essential immunological benefits - particularly through IgG and IgA antibodies - and that colostrum quality varies between sheep and therefore is under genetic influence. Highlights:- The make-up of the Katahdin breed- The biology of parasite resistance- The genetics of parasite resistance- The effect of worm resistance on other traits like growth- The importance of good quality colostrum - Behavioral responses to illnessesHead Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: info@nextgenagri.com.Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, and Heiniger Australia and New Zealand. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.Check out Heiniger's product range HERECheck out the MSD range HERECheck out Allflex products HERE

By 2030, Africa will account for 53 per cent of the world's population living in hunger, primarily due to climate change and worsening food shortages, the UN warns.In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki investigates how scientists are tackling the region's food crisis by exploring gene editing to develop climate-resilient crops, particularly wheat. Cristobal Uauy, a project leader in crop genetics at the John Innes Centre in the UK, tells us how gene editing can be used to strengthen wheat's resistance to diseases and increase its nutritional value.Godwin Macharia, centre director for the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), says gene editing can improve yields amid a 16 per cent decline in wheat production between 2022 and 2023.Anna Backhaus, a cereal pre-breeder at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), says gene editing requires robust policies to prevent exploitation.And Richard Shaw, director of the UK-CGIAR Centre, stresses the importance of international collaboration among organisations and countries to advance gene editing.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode was supported by the UK-CGIAR Centre. The UK-CGIAR Centre, hosted at CABI (CAB International, the parent organization of SciDev.Net), aims to support global food security by bringing together scientists from the UK and CGIAR to form impact-focused research collaborations. This project is funded by UK International Development.Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.netDo you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net

Stephen Grootes talks to Johann Kirsten, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University, about South Africa's alarming underinvestment in agricultural research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Lorrie Boyer talks with Saharah Moon Chapotin, Ph.D., executive director of the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), about the focus of that agency, the opportunities it gives farmers, ranchers, scientists and the full food system, and some the industry-changing research it is currently working on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Agronomy and Policy Solutions for Effective Implementation of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan Co-organized by IFPRI, CGIAR, Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) September 10, 2024 CGIAR is pleased to support our regional and national partners in their implementation of the action plan emerging from the May 2024 African Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit. As the seventh policy seminar in the CGIAR series on Strengthening Food Systems Resilience, this event will examine the outcomes of the AFSH Summit and consider how to achieve the goals of the 10-year AFSH Action Plan. Bringing together diverse set of speakers, it will provide a platform for expertise exchange, collaboration, and actionable progress in advancing soil health and agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Featured speakers from the research, policy, nongovernmental, and private sectors will highlight agronomy solutions and policy frameworks that can bolster stakeholder resilience. These experts will draw on the work of two CGIAR research initiatives, Excellence in Agronomy and National Policies and Strategies, to explore the potential of agronomy at scale solutions and present strategies for developing effective policy frameworks in support of soil health, balanced plant nutrition, and increased agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Opening Remarks Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI Antony Chapoto, Executive Director, Secretariat, Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) Outcome of the AFSH and Next Steps Wole Fatunbi, Ag. Director of Research and Innovation, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Oumou Camara, Vice President of Programs, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director General, Research for Development, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Felicitas Röhrig, Senior Policy Officer, Division “Agriculture, rural development”, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Habiba Mouttaki, Chief Commercial Officer, Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa Supporting Agronomic Solutions at Scale and Enabling Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Fertilizer Management and Soil Health Job Kihara, Agronomist, Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT; Excellence in Agronomy (EiA), CGIAR John Olwande, Research Fellow, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development; National Policies and Strategies, CGIAR Claudia Ringler, Director, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR), IFPRI Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Madhur Gautam, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Discussion Richard Mkandawire, Africa Director, Alliance for African Partnership, Michigan State University (MSU); National Planning Commissioner, Malawi Maria Wanzala, Vice President, Policy Services, African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) Moderator Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI Links: More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/agronomy-and-policy-solutions-for-effective-implementation-of-the-african-fertilizer-and-soil-health-action-plan/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Why doesn't more agricultural research at the university level lead to commercialized products?

For our May conversation, brought to you by the North Dakota Soybean Council, we discuss spring planting tips for soybean farmers in North Dakota. Sarah Lovas, ND agronomist & ND State Board of Agricultural Research & Education (SBARE) Chair, joins us to share tips to get your crop off to a good start this planting season.

This week, host Basant Kumar is joined by independent journalist Rahul Singh.Rahul talks about his report on the shortcomings of the public distribution system in Jharkhand. He says despite the online mechanism, food security is poor in rural areas, and instead of helping, the system “is emerging as a hurdle” for the Adivasis.Basant reported on people falsely named as beneficiaries of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in a report by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, which also claimed their farm incomes doubled in 2022. He shares how he found out the factual errors in the government body's book. Tune in.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:14 - Lok Sabha Election00:07:57 - Issues in getting Ration in Jharkhand00:25:21 - Farmers' income00:36:45 - RecommendationsRecommendationsRahulJawanBasantScoopMedia Ka LoktantraProduced and edited by Saif Ali Ekram, recorded by Anil Kumar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today my guests are M. Krishnan and Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan. M. Krishnan is an economist based in Chennai and Singapore, and specializes in agriculture education systems, fisheries, and aquaculture research. He is currently an advisor at Infinite-Sum Modeling Inc and was a distinguished scientist of the Agricultural Research Service of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan is an economist specializing in trade and international policy. He is a Fellow at the (NITI) Aayog, Government of India, where he formerly led the institution's sections on Trade and Commerce, Strategic Economic Dialogue, International Cooperation, and Vision India@2047. Today we are discussing their recent coauthored paper titled Indian Fisheries in the Context of WTO Regulations, published by the Mercatus Center in collaboration with Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh. We spoke about the big issues concerning fisheres, in particular, India's interests in at the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recently held in Abu Dhabi. Recorded March 13th, 2024. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Timestamps (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:50) - Fisheries in India (00:13:46) - Overfishing and Illegal Fishing in India (00:19:59) - Overfishing Negotiations   (00:22:01) - Subsidies (00:26:27) - At the Negotiating Table (00:28:24) - IUUs (00:33:01) - Seasonal Fishing Ban (00:37:33) - Leading the Global South (00:45:17) - Measurement (00:48:47) - Domestic Politics (00:53:35) - The Future (00:59:38) - Outro Connect with Ideas of India Follow us on X Follow Shruti on X Follow Badri on X Click here for the latest Ideas of India episodes sent straight to your inbox.

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Copenhagen Consensus Center's best investment papers for the sustainable development goals, published by Vasco Grilo on January 10, 2024 on The Effective Altruism Forum. This is a linkpost to Copenhagen Consensus Center's 12 best investment papers for the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which were published in the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis in 2023. Some notes: Each paper does a cost-benefit analysis which accounts for health and economic benefits. The benefit-to-cost ratios across the 12 papers range from 18 (nutrition) to 125 (e-Government procurement). All 12 ratios are much higher than the 2.4 estimated for GiveDirectly's cash transfers to poor households in Kenya. 4 are similar to and 8 are higher than GiveWell's cost-effectiveness bar of around 24 (= 10*2.4), equal to 10 times the above. Cash transfers are often preferred due to being highly scalable, but the 12 papers deal with large investments too. As can be seen in the table below, taken from a companion post, all 12 interventions together have: An annual cost of 41 G 2020-$ (41 billion 2020 USD). Annual benefits of 2.14 T 2020-$ (2.14 trillion 2020 USD), of which 1.12 T 2020-$ are economic benefits corresponding to 14.6 % (= 1.12*1.13/(8.17 + 0.528)) of the gross domestic product (GDP) of low and lower-middle income countries in 2022. A benefit-to-cost ratio of 52.2 (= 2.14/0.041), 21.8 (= 52.2/2.4) times that of GiveDirectly's cash transfers to poor households in Kenya. I expect the benefit-to-cost ratios of the papers to be overestimates: The paper on malaria estimates a ratio of 48, whereas I infer GiveWell's is: 35.5 (= 14.8*2.4) for the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), considering the mean cost-effectiveness across 8 countries of 14.8 times that of cash transfers. 40.8 (= 17.0*2.4) for the Malaria Consortium, considering the mean cost-effectiveness across 13 countries of 17.0 times that of cash transfers. The paper on malaria studies an annual investment of 1.1 G 2020-$, whereas GiveWell's estimates respect marginal donations. Consequently, assuming diminishing marginal returns, and that GiveWell's estimates are more accurate, that of the paper on malaria is a significant overestimate. I guess the same reasoning applies to other areas. I think 3 of the papers focus on areas which have not been funded by GiveWell nor Open Philanthropy[2]: e-Government procurement (benefit-to-cost ratio of 125). Trade (95). Land tenure security (21). As a side note, I wonder why GiveWell's (marginal) cost-effectiveness estimates do not roughly match its bar of 10 times that of cash transfers. Agricultural research and development Paper: Benefit-Cost Analysis of Increased Funding for Agricultural Research and Development in the Global South. Benefit-to-cost ratio: 33. Investment: Basic research and development, including capacity building, and technical and policy support with special focus on Low- and Lower Middle-Income countries. Research outcomes are difficult to predict, but an example could be crop yield increases using precision genetic technologies. Childhood immunization Paper: SDG Halftime Project: Benefit-Cost Analysis using Methods from the Decade of Vaccine Economics (DOVE) Model. Benefit-to-cost ratio: 101. Investment: Raise immunization coverage from 2022 levels to 2030 target for pentavalent vaccine, HPV, Japanese encephalitis, measles, measles-rubella, Men A, PCV, rotavirus, and yellow fever. Maternal and newborn health Paper: Achieving maternal and neonatal mortality development goals effectively: A cost-benefit analysis. Benefit-to-cost ratio: 87. Investment: Sufficient staff and resources at all birth facilities to deliver a package of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care and family planning services, including bag and mask for neonatal resuscitation, removal of retained products of...

In which two non-scientists discuss agricultural research and the philosophy of science. Reading: Chapters 8-11 of The Dialectical Biologist (1985) by Richard Lewontin and Richard Levins Send us a question, comment or valid concern: auxiliarystatements(at)gmail.com DISCORD: https://discord.gg/KQGJNY3G LINKTREE: linktr.ee/AuxiliaryStatementsPodcast

he future of farming lies with young farmers and rural youth. But how do we go about engaging young people in agriculture to enhance productivity and empower individuals. That's the question we want answers to in this podcast. First we talk to IFAD's lead youth expert, Rahul Antao. We also hear from Mollie Brennan about the Decent Work for Equitable Livelihoods Coalition. And then we speak to Emma Federica about the effects the “Grassroots Approach” has on projects. Following that, we'll have Genna Tesdall, director of Young Professionals for Agricultural Development, guiding us through the opportunities that food systems present for young farmers. Also Jaron Porciello, Co-Director of Hesat2030, discusses the future of AI in food systems. The latest Recipes for Change Chef - Chef Colonna - tells us about combining farm fresh food with gourmet tastes as joins us from his home in Labico, Rome. And to end this episode we hear from The Agricultural Research for Development Unit. A team dedicated to bringing agricultural research from the lab to the field. This is Farms.Food.Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development. For more information: https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode47 https://www.ifad.org/recipes-for-change https://www.ifad.org/en/youth https://decentworkinfoodsystems.org/ https://www.donorplatform.org http://antonellocolonna.it/resort-spa/ https://www.ifad.org/en/agricultural-research-for-development

Listen in as we engage in a riveting conversation with two remarkable experts, Dr. Megan Hall and Dr. Mizuho Nita, about sour rot, a challenging disease that can significantly impact winegrapes. Through this discussion, we gain a deeper understanding of sour rot, exploring how to identify it, why and how it occurs, and the various organisms and insects involved. Megan shares her unique insights and invaluable experience in managing sour rot in grapes. We also delve into her ground-breaking research on the disease and offer practical advice on how to prevent it in vineyards. We also discuss control strategies for sour rot disease, highlighting the importance of timely spraying before symptom development. Megan and Mizuho share their collective wisdom on the three primary contributors to sour rot. They then shed light on their research findings regarding the best combination of antimicrobial plus insecticide sprays. Additionally, Mizuho shares his expertise on alternative options to oxidate, such as bio fungicides, which could potentially reduce the impact on fermentation. As always, we ensure to wrap up the conversation by sharing valuable resources for our listeners, equipping grape growers with the knowledge needed to manage this challenging disease. In this episode, you will hear: Why and how sour rot occurs. The signs and symptoms of sour rot. The role that insects & microorganisms play in causing and spreading sour rot. What cultural practices play a role in prevention. Alternative products for preventing and treating sour rot. The importance of proper spray timing and planning to prevent resistance development from over-spraying. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Resources: If you have questions about today's episode or other grape growing questions, use the Ask Fritz button at VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com. Access free Virtual Viticulture Academy Grower Guide videos and how-to-guides.  Or take your grape growing knowledge to the next level with an annual Virtual Viticulture Academy membership – use the code Underground to save $75 on your first year of membership. Today's Guest: Dr. Megan Hall holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology from Cornell University and an M.A. from York University in Sociology and Law.  Megan spent seven years on a groundbreaking research project focused on the causes of sour rot. Prior to this research, growers' tools for managing sour rot were limited because the causal organisms of the disease were unknown. Following this research, Megan served as an Assistant Research Professor and Viticulture Program Leader at the University of Missouri before joining E. & J. Gallo Winery as a Research Scientist in the Winegrowing Research division. She now works as an independent research-based scientific consultant specializing in agriculture and fermentation with Terroir Consulting Group. Connect with Megan: Email: megan@terroirconsultinggroup.com  Terroir Consulting Group: https://www.terroirconsultinggroup.com  Dr. Mizuho Nita holds both a Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Pathology from Ohio State.  He is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of grape pathology at Virginia Tech's Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, VA. He also serves as a Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Shinshu University in Japan.  His academic interest is in the areas of applied plant pathology and plant disease epidemiology. His current research projects include:  Use of a biological control agent for grapevine crown gall Management of grape-ripe rot Epidemiological studies of grapevine leafroll-associated virus and its vectors  Grape disease management tool (GrapeIPM.org) Trunk diseases Organic and alternative fungicides Mizuho provides loads of helpful information and research data via his blog, including the Sour Rot Trial he mentions during the podcast. Learn more about GRAPEIPM.ORG - An online system to help you keep track of fungicide inventory, spray scheduling, share the schedule, and keep and print records of actual spray application. Connect with Mizuho: Email: nita24@vt.edu  Website: https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/alson-h-smith/people/nita-bio.html  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrapePathVATech  Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

In Episode 20 of This is Ag Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha C. Taylor, the talented assistant winemaker for Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles. Samantha's remarkable journey into the world of winemaking began with a strong desire to pursue her passion for wine. Little did she know that this decision would lead her down a rewarding and inspiring path. Samantha's story serves as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that arise when one follows their heart and embraces their true calling.Over thirteen harvests, she has become an integral part of the winemaking team, working alongside winemaker Austin Hope. Samantha's enthusiasm and dedication shine through as she oversees the daily operations of winemaking, ensuring the production of award-winning wines that set the standard for Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Working for Hope Family Wines, she has learned the importance of teamwork, creativity, and being humble in the face of nature's uncertainties. This particular winery has allowed Samantha to excel and grow as a winemaker. As a testament to her hard work and the winery's commitment to excellence, Hope Family Wines was named the American Winery of the Year.Throughout the podcast, we delved into the intricacies of winemaking, from vineyard decisions to blending wines and considering consumer expectations. Samantha also shared her experiences as a participant in the WomenAg Leadership Academy, which offers an inspiring space for ambitious women to foster personal and professional growth while exploring and honing their leadership talents. During the episode, she highlights the camaraderie and personal growth the academy offers. Overall, this episode provided an insightful and inspiring look into the world of winemaking, the power of teamwork, and the potential for personal growth. Samantha Taylor's journey serves as a testament to the rewards of passion and hard work in the wine industry, and her story resonates with wine enthusiasts and aspiring winemakers alike. Listeners are sure to gain valuable insights into the creative and dynamic world of winemaking, leaving them eager to uncork new opportunities in their own pursuits.Hope Family Wines website - https://hopefamilywines.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Samantha Taylor, Kirti Mutatkar, Paul Lecrone, Melanie LarsenThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/BlueShield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/EliteMedical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagherhttps://www.ajg.com/SAINMedical https://sainmedical.com/

Join us as we talk to Ashish Jhina, the Co-founder  Jumbotail  about their story. In 2005, Ashish earned a dual degree in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology from IIT Delhi. He later pursued an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and an MS in Environment and Resources—Freshwater from Stanford University in 2011. During his time at IIT Delhi, Ashish gained valuable experience interning at the Technical University of Denmark and the French National Institute of Agricultural Research. Subsequently, he worked with prominent companies such as Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Moutain Hazelnuts. In 2009, he co-founded a company named NextDrop before co-founding Jumbotail in 2015. Ashish's dedication to excellence and his commitment to empowering retailers have resulted in Jumbotail being recognized as a transformative force within the industry. Apart from his contributions to Jumbotail, Ashish is highly regarded as a leading figure in the entrepreneurial community. For more visit - https://ajuniorvc.com/podcast/

(0:40) - Tackling counterfeit seeds with "unclonable" labels

On "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" Dani speaks with Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Executive Director of CORAF (the West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development). They discuss how CORAF is taking an integrated approach to tackle agricultural issues in 23 countries across the African continent, the benefits and limitations of international humanitarian aid, and moving away from buzzwords to respond to the expressed needs of communities. This conversation was part of a live, virtual event available only to Food Tank members, which featured a special Q&A session not included in the episode. To access these discussions and have the chance to pose your own questions to changemakers transforming our food and agriculture systems, head to foodtank.com/join and find a membership level that works for you. New members also receive a special gift from Food Tank when they sign up.  While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” wherever you consume your podcasts.

In the Bekaa Valley region of Lebanon, there is a giant walk-in fridge housing tens of thousands of seeds. They belong to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Scientists from around the world use the seeds for research. ICARDA seeds have improved food security in several countries. They've transformed Ethiopian agriculture to use more drought-resistant crops. A new chickpea can be planted in winter. And now, NPR's Middle East correspondent Ruth Sherlock has found that some scientists are turning to the seed bank for answers to a hotter, drier planet. They're hoping ICARDA seeds will lead to breakthroughs in certain crops' resilience to the effects of climate change. Read more of Ruth's reporting: https://n.pr/3IZB2OdCurious about other potential climate solutions scientists are researching? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Videos: Society is going to COLLAPSE -Neil Oliver ( 5:24) Fear Psychosis and the Cult of Safety – Why are People so Afraid?  – Academy of Ideas (13:25) The Great Reset and Transhumanism | Beyond the Cover (17:50) We can be Brainwashed if allowed (Macdonald) MEP Clare Daly calls out EU on wanting to supply arms to Ukraine but not Palestine or Yemen Antioxidants may reduce oxidative stress in men with prostate cancer Universities of Connecticut, Louisiana State, North Carolina, South Carolina, and California , November 3, 2022 This latest paper – which looked at men with prostate cancer from the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project – came in light of a growing body of evidence suggesting oxidative stress plays a role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. The researchers looked at biomarkers of oxidative stress in the blood, urine and prostate tissue.  They found a greater antioxidant intake was associated with lower urinary 8-isoprostane concentrations.  A 10% increase in antioxidant intake saw an unadjusted 1.1% decrease in urinary 8-isoprostane levels.  8-Isoprostane has been described as a “reliable marker”  and recognised  “gold standard” for lipid peroxidation – the oxidative degradation of lipids.  “This study demonstrated that intake of antioxidants was associated with less oxidative stress among men with incident prostate cancer,” the researchers concluded in the British Journal of Nutrition.    “The results of this study and others warrant additional research in humans on the mechanisms underlying the relationship between dietary antioxidants and prostate tissue redox status and carcinogenesis, as well as determining whether this relationship may influence disease severity, progression and recurrence.”  High-intensity exercise changes how muscle cells manage calcium  Karolinska Institute (Sweden) November 2, 2022 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a cellular mechanism behind the surprising benefits of short, high-intensity interval exercise. Their findings, which are published in the scientific journal PNAS, also provide clues to why antioxidants undermine the effect of endurance training.  A few minutes of high-intensity interval exercise is enough to produce an effect at least equivalent to that achieved with traditional much more time-consuming endurance training. High-intensity exercise has become popular with sportspeople and recreational joggers alike, as well as with patients with impaired muscle function. However, one question has so far remained unanswered: how can a few minutes' high-intensity exercise be so effective? To investigate what happens in muscle cells during high-intensity exercise, the researchers asked male recreational exercisers to do 30 seconds of maximum exertion cycling followed by four minutes of rest, and to repeat the procedure six times. They then took muscle tissue samples from their thighs. “Our study shows that three minutes of high-intensity exercise breaks down calcium channels in the muscle cells,” says Professor Håkan Westerblad, principal investigator at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. “This causes a lasting change in how the cells handle calcium, and is an excellent signal for adaptation, such as the formation of new mitochondria.” Mitochondria are like the cell's power plants, and changes that stimulate the formation of new mitochondria increase muscle endurance. What the researchers found was that the breakdown of calcium channels that was triggered by the high-intensity exercise was caused by an increase in free radicals, which are very reactive and oxidise cellular proteins. The cells therefore have antioxidative systems for trapping and neutralising the radicals. Antioxidants, like vitamins E and C, are also present in food and are common ingredients in dietary supplements. In the present study, the researchers examined what happens when isolated mouse muscles are treated with an antioxidant before and after simulated high-intensity interval exercise. “Our study shows that antioxidants remove the effect on the calcium channels, which might explain why they can weaken muscular response to endurance training,” says Professor Westerblad. “Our results also show that the calcium channels aren't affected by the three minutes of high-intensity interval exercise in elite endurance athletes, who have built up more effective antioxidative systems.”  8 Weeks Of Mindfulness Training Can Lower Blood Pressure For Months Brown University, November 8, 2022 A custom mindfulness program which teaches people how to have healthy relationships with their diet, physical activity, alcohol use, and stress can help lower blood pressure for at least six months, a new study finds. A team with the American Heart Association found that eight weeks of mindfulness training significantly lowers systolic blood pressure readings — the top number in a blood pressure measurement. The training focused on attention control, meditation, self-awareness, and emotion regulation, using weekly group sessions and daily mindfulness exercises. “Mindfulness is non-judgmental, present-moment awareness of physical sensations, emotions and thoughts,” says lead study author Eric Loucks, Ph.D., an associate professor of epidemiology and director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, in a media release. “It is almost like a scientist curiously and objectively observing the information coming in through the sense organs and the mind, and then responding skillfully to that information. Mindfulness also involves the concept of remembering, or in other words, remembering to bring one's wisdom (wherever it was gained, such as from health care professionals or public health messages) into the present moment. Wisdom in the context of elevated blood pressure levels may include knowledge that evidence-based practices, such as physical activity, diet, limited alcohol consumption and antihypertensive medication adherence, can improve well-being.”The participant group included over 200 adults from the Providence, Rhode Island area who all had high blood pressure, meaning their readings were higher than 120 mm Hg systolic or 80 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). Nearly six in 10 were women (59%) and had an average age of 59. Results show the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction group saw their systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 5.9 mm Hg. Those using enhanced usual care only saw their blood pressure drop by 1.4 mm Hg. While systolic blood pressure changed, neither group saw their diastolic blood pressure drop. In addition to improving their blood pressure, the mindfulness group also engaged in far fewer sedentary activities over the six months. Those in mindfulness training reduced their sedentary sitting by an average of 351 minutes each week. Those doing mindfulness training were also more likely to eat a heart-healthy diet and experienced less stress during the course of the study. Grapefruit Juice Supports Healthy Arteries  French National Institute for Agricultural Research, November 2022 Want to hydrate your way toward a healthier heart? Then you may want to consider adding grapefruit juice into your diet. Because a recent study found that grapefruit juice enriched with the flavonoid naringenin actually improved a marker associated with arterial function. The results of the study were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Previous research shows citrus bioflavonoids support blood vessel function. They strengthen blood vessel walls, decrease bruising, prevent bleeding, and heal hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids are swollen veins). Of the group of citrus bioflavonoids, naringenin stands out. For the current study, 48 healthy post-menopausal women were recruited and assigned to drink grapefruit juice or a drink without flavonoids for 6 months. The grapefruit juice contained 210 mg of naringenin glycosides. According to the results of the study, the women drinking the grapefruit juice showed a lower carotid femoral pulse wave velocity, indicating a reduction in arterial stiffening. Naringenin is also found in oranges and tomatoes. It's also available as a dietary supplement and is usually found in citrus bioflavonoid formulas. Low levels of air pollution deadlier than previously thought McGill University, November 7, 2022 The World Health Organization's most recent estimates (2016) are that over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution (often referred to as PM2.5). A recent study involving McGill researchers now suggests that the annual global death toll from outdoor PM2.5 may be significantly higher than previously thought. That's because the researchers found that mortality risk was increased even at very low levels of outdoor PM2.5, ones which had not previously been recognized as being potentially deadly. These microscopic toxins cause a range of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancers. “We found that outdoor PM2.5 may be responsible for as many as 1.5 million additional deaths around the globe each year because of effects at very-low concentrations that were not previously appreciated,” said Scott Weichenthal, an Associate Professor at McGill University and the lead author on the recent paper in Science Advances. The researchers arrived at this conclusion by combining health and mortality data for seven million Canadians gathered over a twenty-five-year period with information about the levels of outdoor PM2.5 concentrations across the country. The WHO recently set out ambitious new guidelines for annual average outdoor fine particulate air pollution, cutting its earlier recommendations in half, from concentrations of 10 to concentrations of 5 micrograms (ug) per cubic meter. The current United States Environmental Protection Agency standard of 12 (ug) per cubic meter is now more than double the value recommended by the WHO. Highly processed foods can be considered addictive like tobacco products, study claims University of Michigan & Virginia Tech University, November 9, 2022 Can highly processed foods be addictive? A new University of Michigan and Virginia Tech analysis took the criteria used in a 1988 U.S. Surgeon General's report that established that tobacco was addictive and applied it to food.  Based on the criteria set for tobacco, the findings indicate that highly processed foods can be addictive, said lead author Ashley Gearhardt, U-M associate professor of psychology, and Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, assistant professor at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech.  In fact, the addictive potential for food such as potato chips, cookies, ice cream and French fries may be a key factor contributing to the high public health costs associated with a food environment dominated by cheap, accessible and heavily marketed highly processed foods, the researchers said.  The research, published in the current issue of Addiction, offers evidence that highly processed foods meet the same criteria used to identify cigarettes as an addictive substance:  They trigger compulsive use where people are unable to quit or cut down (even in the face of life-threatening diseases like diabetes and heart disease) They can change the way we feel and cause changes in the brain that are of a similar magnitude as the nicotine in tobacco products They are highly reinforcing They trigger intense urges and cravings  DiFeliceantonio said the ability of highly processed foods to rapidly deliver unnaturally high doses of refined carbohydrates and fat appear key to their addictive potential. Highly processed foods contain complex substances that cannot be simplified to a single chemical agent acting through a specific central mechanism. The same can be said for industrial tobacco products, which contain thousands of chemicals including nicotine, Gearhardt said. Poor diets dominated by highly processed foods now contribute to preventable deaths on par with cigarettes. Similar to tobacco products, the food industry designs their highly processed foods to be intensely rewarding and hard to resist, the researchers said. 

Even if improving hypothyroidism is not currently a concern for you, stick around and listen to this episode. This “expert” came to her expertise naturally and she's sharing her health journey with you. She echoes recent podcast guests and stories of health concerns, health issues and solutions of women and how they've taken control back. They've realized not just that your health is your responsibility but that thankfully it is your choice. Your mind, and your lifestyle have so much influence on the way you feel, you look, and you thrive or simply live … and that makes this an exciting time to be alive and over 50.  00:00 My Guest:  Adalgiza Arango was told to give up. She was told to settle for 50%.  For 10 years she was glued to her pillow, napping in the parking lot of the grocery store after a routine trip to stock up, sneaking off at dinner parties to lie down, and couldn't remember where she was driving. After 10 years she reversed her Hypothyroidism. Not only that she fully recovered her knee flexibility after a motorcycle accident when doctors told her 50% would be her limit.   She's a terrible bedmaker, badass cupcake baker, and she's the microgreens lady.  Ada got her degree in Veterinary Medicine and later studied Animal Nutrition at the National Institute for Agricultural Research in France. She immigrated from Columbia to Canada and worked for biotech companies including the BC Cancer Agency. She's also studied Acupuncture at the International College of Traditional Medicine of Vancouver.  Questions we answer in this episode:   03:37 A lot of women listening can relate. Diagnosed at 40, put on Synthroid and sent home, still not feeling well. What made you keep searching? And looking for alternatives?  05:31 What was the process of creating your personal healing strategy? 09:40 What are those steps?  11:09 What would you tell a woman right now who has a thyroid issue, who's on medication whether Armour or Synthroid?  You've made more of a purpose out of your healing journey and you are  hosting a summit. What do you hope attendees will come away with?  28:37 What would be 3 tips you'd tell a woman who feels she's settling but doesn't know what else to do?  So, there is proof some can resolve hypothyroidism naturally. Could you?  Connect with Ada's Fabulous Forties and Beyond summit:  https://thefabulousfortiesandbeyond.com/debraatkinson Details: Starts Oct 24 with 1 interview per day Other Episodes You Might Like:  You, Iodine, and Thyroid Health: https://www.flippingfifty.com/iodine-and-thyroid/ Reverse Thyroid Disease: https://www.flippingfifty.com/reverse-thyroid-disease/