agriculture
Nature: Biosphere a ‘net source’ of greenhouse gases
Researchers say the biosphere, which includes the plants, animals and organisms on land around the world, has become a "net source" of greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, reports the Washington Post, citing a study in the journal Nature.
Farmers worry about national security, support Trump
Whether Republican or Democrat, farmers name "national security" or "terrorism" as the most important issue facing the United States, far outweighing any agricultural issue, says a nationwide survey by Aimpoint Research.
Agriculture, the unspoken piece of Paris climate-change deal
The Paris agreement on climate change was "a game changer," according to the FAO director general for giving priority to food security in its preamble. But, notes Think Progress, the text of the agreement does not mention food security or agriculture at all.
Jobs to outnumber grads in ag, food and natural resources
There will be nearly two open jobs for every qualified graduate in the agriculture, food and natural resources sector in the next few years, says Harvest Public Media in summarizing a report by Purdue and the USDA. The gap between graduates and the estimated 60,000 jobs open annually for the next five years has "left the USDA, land grant universities and private industry scrambling to try and bridge the gap."
Enormous potential in Cuba, ag trade is not a one-way street
World Food Prize laureate Pedro Sanchez, a soils scientist, says Cuba "could be a very good market" for U.S. food companies, but adds that "it's not a one-way situation." In an interview with UC Food Observer, Sanchez said, "America has so much to learn from Cuba. Some of the agricultural techniques used in Cuba may benefit our food system."
Agriculture will be part of career counseling for veterans
The Defense Department will integrate agriculture into the career training and counseling programs offered to members of the armed services as they leave the military, the administration announced.
The ‘Internet of Things’ comes to the farm
Precision agriculture and big data are familiar concepts in the world of farming. Now, the "Internet of Things" - devices with sensors that transmit data and respond to instructions via a digital network - is being sized up for agriculture.
U.S. agricultural productivity is strong now, but the future is uncertain
Along with the population, U.S. agricultural output has more than doubled since 1948, says a USDA report. "With little growth in total input use (0.07 percent per year) during that period, the extraordinary performance of the U.S. farm sector was driven mainly by productivity growth, at an annual rate of 1.42 percent," according to the report.
‘Agriculture’ is the missing word in science museums
"You're not likely to find the word 'agriculture' in any science museum even though many exhibits relate to agricultural content or practices," says U-Florida, summarizing a study by assistant professor Katie Stofer of 29 science museums with an annual budget of at least $10 million and than 200,000 visitors.
In Hawaii, TPP question is breakthrough or break down?
Trade officials from the 12 nations involved in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations are in Hawaii in hopes of reaching final agreement on a free-trade pact encompassing 40 percent of world economic outlook, says Politico.
In farm state, urbanites wary of livestock farms
City dwellers are more likely than rural residents to regard livestock operations as environmentally harmful and to have concerns about impacts on water quality, say Purdue researchers who surveyed 797 Indiana adults during July 2014.
Hospitals add farms as way to improve holistic care
St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a leader among medical centers in growing fresh produce on its campus, says Civil Eats.
U.S. urged to update ag research to meet global demands
The AGree policy initiative called for greater funding for the U.S. agricultural and food research system, coupled with an updated list of priorities for publicly funded research.
Farm subsidies soar in developing countries, panel hears
Major agricultural countries in the developing world, such as China, India and Brazil, are increasing their farm subsidies and displacing U.S. ag exports on the world market, two trade analysts told the House Agriculture Committee. "The United States, as the biggest agricultural exporter, suffers most from these distortions," said Craig Thorn of DTB Associates. U.S. negotiators have raised the issue at WTO discussions.
Using radio as a farmer-knowledge tool
The Canadian charity Farm Radio International says getting farmers and farm science on the air in sub-Saharan Africa can improve the adoption of new and more productive agricultural practices, reports SciDev.Net.
Seed bank survives perils of civil war in Syria
An international research center that specializes in arid agriculture has managed to duplicate and transfer most of its 148,000 accessions to seed banks far outside the war zone in Syria.
Agriculture is big loser when natural disaster strikes
Nearly one-fourth of the damage from natural disasters in the developing world is inflicted on agriculture, says a study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
GAO: Crop insurance should cost more in high-risk counties
Crop insurance premiums should be raised "by as much as the full 20 percent annually that is allowed by law" in high-risk counties to improve the actuarial soundness of the federally subsidized program, said the Government Accountability Office.