Through multistate research and Extension partnerships, land-grant universities are combating avian influenza, antimicrobial resistance, foodborne illness, and vector-borne diseases while strengthening the health of communities nationwide. Disease outbreaks rarely stay confined to a single farm, community, or state. That’s because the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment are deeply interconnected. This idea, known as One Health, recognizes that …
Smarter Farms, Better Decisions: How Land-grant Universities are Building the Future of Data-Driven Agriculture
Making the right decision at the right time can make all the difference in farm productivity and profitability. By combining advanced analytics with practical agricultural expertise, land-grant university researchers are helping producers address challenges ranging from labor shortages and weather variability to resource efficiency and food production. This work ensures agricultural innovation responds to producers’ needs while strengthening the food …
Advancing the Apple: AI, Robotics, and Precision Agriculture
How America’s Favorite Fruit Is Getting a High-Tech Upgrade Each autumn, apples take center stage in farmers markets, grocery stores, and family kitchens across the country. As producers work to meet consumer demand, they are also navigating labor shortages, rising production costs, and environmental pressures. Land-grant universities, equipped with a new generation of technology, are helping apple producers improve efficiency, …
Decades of Collaborative Research Deliver Results for Cattle and Sheep Producers
Reproductive inefficiency costs cattle and sheep producers billions of dollars each year. For cattle and sheep producers, reproductive success drives profitability. Every missed pregnancy means fewer calves or lambs to sell, reduced herd productivity, and lower returns. Across the livestock industry, those losses add up to billions of dollars each year. For more than 50 years, researchers at land-grant universities …
From Soil Maps to AI Models: Innovations Transforming Soil Science
U.S. farms manage 880 million acres of land, making soil health a critical foundation for agricultural productivity and sustainability. From digital soil maps and interactive visualization tools to AI-driven models, land-grant university researchers are harnessing technology and data to better understand soils, improve decision-making, and support more sustainable agricultural systems across the country. Featured photo courtesy of Dan Donnert/Kansas State …
Improving Agricultural Productivity Through Soil Research
Healthy soils are the foundation of productive agriculture, supporting crop yields; efficient nutrient use; and long-term farm profitability. However, U.S. working lands lose an estimated 1.7 billion tons of soil each year, costing farmers more than $12 billion annually. Through research and Extension, land-grant universities are helping producers better understand soil health, improve fertilizer management, and adopt science-based practices that …
Celebrating National Pollinator Week
Did you know? More than 80% of flowering plants and about 75% of food crops depend on pollinators, making their health essential to agriculture and our food supply. Growing Pollinator Habitat Creating habitat is one of the most immediate and effective ways to support pollinators. Whether in backyards or across entire landscapes, habitat creation is foundational to pollinator recovery. In …
Beyond the Farm: Agricultural Research Advances American Nutrition, Economies, and Innovation
Land-grant universities were founded with a unique mission to make game-changing discoveries in the lab that transform the outside world. Through their education, research, and Extension missions, public and land-grant universities strengthen American agriculture by preparing the next generation of farmers and food scientists, driving groundbreaking research and innovation, and delivering practical, research-based support to communities through Extension. APLU recently …
Growing Together: Conversation with Gary M. Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Cotton Council of America
Gary Adams assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cotton Council in 2015. He plays a key role in guiding the industry’s seven segments to reach consensus on critical policies affecting U.S. cotton, with the mission of helping all U.S. cotton industry segments compete effectively and profitably in global markets. Before moving into his current …
Preparing the Dairy Workforce of Tomorrow: The Role of Public and Land-Grant Universities
As the dairy industry continues to evolve, so does the need for a skilled, adaptable workforce. Public and land-grant universities are helping meet this demand through on-campus creameries, industry partnerships, youth development opportunities, and more. Across the country, university dairy programs blend science and business, ensuring students not only understand dairy production, but also how to innovate and lead within a rapidly …