Posted on December 20, 2016 by southernipmcenter
by Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky
Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time around livestock or forages knows tall fescue is a double-edged sword. University of Kentucky forage specialists are teaming up with the Alliance for Grassland Renewal to host a workshop to teach producers how to renovate their old tall fescue pastures with a novel endophyte variety.
The Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop will take place March 9 at UK’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and UK Spindletop Research Farm. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: forage, tall fescue, tall fescue workshop, University of Kentucky, weed control | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 20, 2016 by southernipmcenter
APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) has posted Weed Risk Assessments (WRA) for the following three weed species:
Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: APHIS, mediterranean marigold, noxious weeds, quarantine, sickle spurge, Southern warty cabbage, weed control, weed risk assessment | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 20, 2016 by southernipmcenter
Effective November 19, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) quarantine in a residential area of Los Angeles County, California. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area. Continue reading →
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Posted on December 20, 2016 by southernipmcenter
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability for public comment of two proposed test methods and associated testing guidance for evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial pesticides against Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
C. diff is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium and a frequent cause of hospital-acquired infections. EPA recognizes the potential public health implications of C. difficile and recommends specific laboratory methodologies to produce and store spores, apply the spores to a hard non-porous surface, and evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial products intended to treat these surfaces. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: antimicrobial, Clostridium, EPA, FIFRA, pesticides | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 20, 2016 by southernipmcenter
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to remove 72 ingredients from its list of ingredients approved for use in pesticide products.
Manufacturers wishing to use these ingredients in the future will have to provide EPA with studies or information to demonstrate their safety. EPA will then consider whether to allow their use. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: active ingredient, EPA, inert ingredients, pesticides, public comments | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 16, 2016 by southernipmcenter
Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are engineered systems that are built from, and depend upon, the seamless integration of computational algorithms and physical components. Advances in CPS will enable capability, adaptability, scalability, resiliency, safety, security, reliability, and usability that will far exceed the simple embedded systems of today. CPS technology will transform the way people interact with engineered systems — just as the Internet has transformed the way people interact with information. New smart CPS will drive innovation and competition in sectors such as agriculture, energy, transportation, building design and automation, healthcare, and manufacturing. Continue reading →
Filed under: funding | Tagged: CPS, CPS technology, Cyber physical systems, NIFA, NSF | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 16, 2016 by southernipmcenter
The purpose of the BRAG program is to support the generation of new information that will assist Federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about the effects of introducing into the environment genetically engineered organisms (GE), including plants, microorganisms — such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses — arthropods, fish, birds, mammals and other animals excluding humans. Investigations of effects on both managed and natural environments are relevant. The BRAG program accomplishes its purpose by providing federal regulatory agencies with scientific information relevant to regulatory issues. See RFA for details. Visit the NIFA website to access a factsheet on the Center of Excellence (COE) designation process, including COE criteria, and a list of programs offering COE opportunities in fiscal year 2016. You can also review a recording of COE outreach webinars held in February and March of 2015 from the site. The COE webpages will be updated throughout FY 2016 with additional information, such as a summary of comments received from stakeholders. Continue reading →
Filed under: funding | Tagged: BRAG program, GE, genetically engineered, GMO, NIFA, USDA | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 16, 2016 by southernipmcenter
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of up to $5 million for research to strengthen the science behind the next generation of internet-connected agricultural implements and resources through the Cyber Physical Systems program. Funding for this program is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
“Data driven analytical tools throughout the food supply chain—from production through processing, transportation, and food storage—will allow us to make smarter decisions that can promote efficient food production, reduce food waste, and increase food safety,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “These investments in cyber physical systems will improve efficiencies across the agricultural industry.” Continue reading →
Filed under: featured | Tagged: AFRI, CPS, Cyber physical systems, NIFA, sonny Ramaswamy, USDA | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 16, 2016 by southernipmcenter
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Indoor Environments Division (IED) has posted a new RFA (EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02) here, www.epa.gov/grants/air-grants-and-funding, and here, www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=290725.
EPA expects to make between 10 and 20 awards. The selected indoor environments projects will be funded in the amount of $2–4 million annually, for up to 3 years (2018–2020).
U.S. EPA Cooperative Agreements for the period 2018–2020
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02
Closing Date: Friday, February 17, 2017, 4:00 p.m. EST Continue reading →
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Posted on December 16, 2016 by southernipmcenter
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the award of $3.4 million for research into the development of new wheat varieties that are adapted to different geographical regions and environmental conditions. The seven projects are funded through NIFA’s new International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP) program, part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
“Wheat delivers a significant amount of daily nutrients for American families and people around the world, “said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “As demand for wheat grows with the population, wheat research plays a vital role in meeting that need. These grants help support agricultural researchers developing new wheat varieties with greater yield and help us improve global collaboration on wheat research.” Continue reading →
Filed under: featured | Tagged: breeding, International Wheat Yield Partnership, IWYP, NIFA, sonny Ramaswamy, USDA, wheat, wheat varieities | Leave a comment »
EPA Prohibits 72 Inert Ingredients from Use in Pesticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to remove 72 ingredients from its list of ingredients approved for use in pesticide products.
Manufacturers wishing to use these ingredients in the future will have to provide EPA with studies or information to demonstrate their safety. EPA will then consider whether to allow their use. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: active ingredient, EPA, inert ingredients, pesticides, public comments | Leave a comment »