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• The United States is the world’s top producer of beef, contributing to about 20% of the world’s production. In 2023, the U.S. beef industry had an estimated value of $102 billion. Land-grant universities support the beef industry, ensuring producers remain economically viable and are able to safely meet changing market demands. Learn more at Land-grant university research, outreach support beef production.
  
  
  • Texas Extension professionals support sustainable beef production by providing producers with tools to improve animal welfare, animal and beef quality and overall profitability while addressing important resource and animal management challenges. The program is expected to bring $2.57 million in economic benefits through cost savings and income increases to the Texas High Plains region. See full statement. Learn about other Texas A&M University’s impacts here.
    
    
  • The cost of cattle feed can be up to 75% of the direct cost associated with beef production, and there is significant variation in an individual animal’s ability to convert feed to growth. Researchers in Missouri are exploring DNA variants related to feed efficiency that ultimately can enable producers to select the most efficient animals. See full statement. Learn about other University of Missouri impacts here.
    
    
  • Researchers in Pennsylvania are using genetic analysis to determine the genetic basis for a disease that makes calves unable to stand, causing them to die prematurely. The researchers are developing an innovative test that can help breeders ensure healthy herds. See full statement. Learn about other Penn State impacts here.
    
    
• Avian diseases pose a major challenge to the nation’s $77 billion poultry industry and drastically increase the cost of poultry products for consumers. Avian diseases also pose a health threat to other animals and humans. Land-grant universities across the nation are identifying and sharing ways to improve poultry resistance. See examples at Mitigating costly poultry diseases. 
  
  
• Research at 1890 land-grant universities addresses critical challenges in animal and plant production and advances food security through sustainable livestock and crop innovations. Collectively, these projects support sustainable food systems and food security by improving livestock and crop health, reducing reliance on agrochemicals and increasing production efficiency. See examples at Specialty crop growers benefit from land-grant university research. Learn more about 1890s impacts here. 

CROPS

• Plant diseases cost the global economy around $220 billion each year. The diseases kill crops and drive up costs for farmers and consumers. Land-grant university scientists are helping farmers monitor and manage diseases in a safe and cost-effective manner. Learn more at Land-grant scientists help farmers manage costly plant diseases effectively.
  
  
• Arkansas farmers annually lose an estimated $1 billion in value from cotton, soybean and corn fields due to plant-pathogenic nematodes. Extension professionals are helping farmers battle nematodes. Recent studies found that few varieties marketed as “resistant” were effective, but 15 soybean lines offered a promising avenue for breeding programs. See full statement. Learn about other University of Arkansas impacts here.
  
  
• Scientists at 1890 land-grant universities are responding to local grower needs to strengthen specialty crop quality and economics. See examples at Specialty crop growers benefit from land-grant university research. Learn more about 1890s impacts here. 

PRODUCTIVITY AND RESILIENCE

• Drought, severe weather and wildfires can have significant economic impacts on agriculture. Research and educational programming by land-grant universities helps us understand these effects and strengthen resilience. See examples at Understanding and identifying solutions for weather impacts on agriculture.
  
  
• Data modeling, automated machinery and drones are just a few of the technologies that are powering improved efficiencies in livestock and crop production. Land-grant universities are at the forefront of researching and applying these technologies, paving the way for increased productivity, better disease management and optimized harvest timing. See examples at Digital agriculture enhances production, monitoring capabilities. 

MONTHS

National Garden Month, #NationalGardenMonth
National Pecan Month, #NationalPecanMonth
National Soy Foods Month, #NationalSoyFoodsMonth
National Volunteer Month, #NationalVolunteerMonth

WEEKS

April 5-9: National Wildlife Week, #NationalWildlifeWeek
April 7-13: National Public Health Week, #NPHW
April 20-26: National Volunteer Week, #NVW

DAYS

April 2: National Walking Day, #NationalWalkingDay
April 7: National Beer Day, #NationalBeerDay
April 7: World Health Day, #WorldHealthDay
April 14: National Gardening Day, #NationalGardeningDay 
April 14: National Pecan Day, #NationalPecanDay
April 16: National Orchid Day, #NationalOrchidDay
April 17: National Banana Day, #NationalBananaDay
April 17: National Crawfish Day, #NationalCrawfishDay
April 19: National Garlic Day, #NationalGarlicDay
April 20: Volunteer Recognition Day, #VolunteerDay
April 21: National Rendering Day, #NationalRenderingDay
April 22: Earth Day, #EarthDay, #InvestInOurPlanet 
April 25: National Arbor Day, #ArborDay 
April 26: World Veterinary Day, #WorldVeterinaryDay
April 30: Stop Food Waste Day, #StopFoodWasteDay

^{Source: April - National Day Calendar}