October 24, 2017 │Agweb.com
A coalition of 66 ag-related organizations sent a letter to Congress this week, urging them to ensure that the 2018 Farm Bill improves the USDA's R&D efforts and, thereby, the country's agricultural competitiveness. The group's 10 policy recommendations include a $6 million annual funding goal for the USDA's Research, Education & Economics agency, as well as permanent funding for the SCRI grant program at no less than its current $80 million per year.
October 24, 2017 │ AgFunder News According to a new study by McKinsey Global Institute, agriculture has among the highest potential for automation of all global industries. Notably, Agrifunder News reports," the ratings were based in part on existing technology, with no speculation about potential technological advancements coming in the future, meaning that 57% of agricultural activities are automatable today."
October 24, 2017 │ OIV Life
How much wine is produced in the world? In 2017, an estimated 246.7 million hectoliters. That may seem like a lot, but according to the OIV - International Organisation of Vine and Wine, it's actually down 8.2% from last year, due to low production in Italy, France and Spain.
October 23, 2017 │ Science Daily
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have found potentially beneficial microbes that could one day serve as bioinoculants to the pathogen that causes Pierce's disease.
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ctober 18, 2017 │ WineBusiness.com
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Pierce's Disease Board and Advisory Task Force is cracking down on the glassy-winged menace and other grapevine viruses. It is recruiting a consultant to coordinate virus research, starting in 2018, and also approved funding for a study on the ecology of red blotch with Cornell University's Dr. Marc Fuchs as PI.
October 17, 2017 │ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Researchers at UC Davis and the University of California, Irvine collaborated to address three mysteries about the domestication of vinifera grapes. In this just-published paper, the Cantu and Gaut Labs reveal how long ago grapes were domesticated, the identity of the genes that contributed to their domestication and the cost of domesticating "the most economically important horticultural crop in the world."
Response to wildfire impact on CA wine industry and smoke taint October 17, 2017 │ UC Davis V&E Extension
From
the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis comes this promising report regarding smoke taint related to the California's massive wildfires. Drs. Anita Oberholster and Karen Block write, "We do not expect a significant economic impact on Northern California's wine regions due to the fact that only a small percentage of wines may be affected by the fires and smoke." The post also is a good primer on how smoke taint works.
October 16, 2017 │ Wines and Vines
With smoke taint on the minds of wine-industry watchers in California and Washington, Wines & Vines offers this insightful piece on the misconceptions on the issue.
October 16, 2017 │ Capital Press
Grape growers in Idaho can meet and talk with experts at a climate summit November 16-17 at Boise State University, Boise State University and University of Idaho.
October 16, 2017 │ Inside WVU Today
West Virginia University this month launched the Center for the Future of Land-Grant Education. It's the nation's first organization devoted to advancing knowledge of land-grant issues and preserving these unique institutions for future generations.
October 13, 2017 │ Wine Australia
Dr. Jake Dunlevy, a scientist at Australia's
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
, has defined the genomic locus that pulls sodium out of grapevine's water flow, reducing how much makes it to the leaves. "Knowing this provides us with the perfect genetic marker to target in our breeding program to help select new rootstocks with strong sodium exclusion," he says.
October 12, 2017 │ University of California Agricultural Issues Center
UC Davis agricultural economists Drs. James Lapsley and Daniel Sumner produced a report on the wine-related economic impacts of the wildfires in Napa and Sonoma Counties. In particular, they consider production and pricing for cabernet sauvignon (roughly 10% was reportedly on the vine when the fires hit) and the effect of smoke taint.
October 12, 2017 │ USDA
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture this month honored three land-grant universities for impactful projects. It also inducted four individuals, including Dr. Catherine Woteki, former Under Secretary of USDA's Research, Education, and Economics, into its Hall of Fame for their exceptional contributions to NIFA's mission.
September 22, 2017 │ Science
News for scientists who publish: A new study by Nature Research shows that only 1 in 8 authors choose anonymous review when given the option. The study also found that papers submitted for double-blind review are far less likely to be accepted.
NSF awards $36.6 million in new food-energy-water system grants
September 19, 2017 │ National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and USDA NIFA are partnering to study the nexus of food, energy and water systems--three important areas that have not been studied in concert. The joint program awarded $46.6 million in new grants this year. Says Dawn Tilbury, NSF assistant director for Engineering, "To create innovative solutions to food, energy and water-related challenges, we must understand the interconnections and interdependencies involved in the complex and highly coupled systems and processes that affect society and the environment."
June 2017 │ Journal of Nutrition and Health
Good news for raisin lovers (and growers): Consuming raisins has been found to prevent chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases. Eating raisins also prevents tooth decay and helps improve gut health. And (for all you runners, cyclists and swimmers), raisins produce sustained energy equal to sports energy gels, shots and jelly beans.
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