Parasite Hijacks Iron in Honey Bees Contact: Kim KaplanEmail: Kim.Kaplan@usda.gov BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND, February 18, 2021—An Agricultural Research Service entomologist has discovered the Nosema ceranae parasite that causes major problems and death in honey bees works by hijacking its host’s iron for itself. Iron is as essential a micronutrient for honey bees as it is for…

African Swine Fever Virus Vaccine Candidate Now Produced in a Cell Line Contact: Autumn Canaday Email: Autumn Canaday WASHINGTON, May 6, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) today announced that an African Swine Fever Virus vaccine candidate has been adapted to grow in a cell line, which means that those…

USDA Completes Laboratory Modernization to Advance Pecan Breeding and Research Contact: Maribel AlonsoEmail: Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov SOMERVILLE, TEXAS, March 27, 2024—The Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) recently completed a 2.5 million dollars laboratory modernization to accelerate pecan breeding through innovations in genetics and plant disease research. A…

USDA, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College Collaborate to Support Indigenous Seed Sovereignty Distribution of New Seeds in Late Spring Contact: Maribel AlonsoEmail: Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov MANDAN, N.D., March 28, 2024—The U.S.  Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announces a cooperative agreement with the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish (NHS) College to conduct research supporting Indigenous Seed Sovereignty. This…

USDA Celebrates 100 Years of Agriculture Innovation at Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory Contact: Maribel Alonso Email: maribel.alonso@usda.gov MILES CITY, Mont., May 31, 2024- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) today celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory and its past and present contributions to the livestock…

U.S. National Arboretum Unveils New Exhibit Celebrating Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1360 Contact: Nirav ShahEmail: Nirav Shah WASHINGTON, December 6, 2024 – The United States National Arboretum (USNA) will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1360 tomorrow with the unveiling of an exhibit dedicated to the African American men whose contributions…

New Genetic Test Will Help Safeguard Quinoa from Top Foe Contact: Jan Suszkiw Email: Jan.Suszkiw@usda.gov December 17, 2024 Quinoa’s grain-like seed offers a flavorful, nutrition-packed addition to soups, salads and side dishes, as well as ingredient for cereals, snacks and pasta. But in order for this versatile seed to get from farm field to table,…