Great Plains Grazing -- Resilience and Vulnerability of Beef Cattle Production in the Southern Great Plains Under Changing Climate, Land Use and Markets
The Great Plains Grazing Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP*) is a group of research scientists, extension specialists, and consumer experts working together to improve and promote regional beef cattle production while mitigating its environmental footprint. This is done through conducting research and delivering Extension programming about impacts of weather and climate variability on beef cattle production and providing information on management options and decision support tools to ensure productivity and profitability.
How do they do it? They collect data from soil, plants, animals, and the atmosphere; conduct on-farm trials of different cover crop mixtures for forage quality, productivity and palatability; and, synthesize research to deliver the latest science-based information. The project also teaches consumers the impacts of climate on beef production; social factors that contribute to system vulnerability and resilience; and how they can reduce costs while continuing to enjoy beef.
Some key outcomes include the development of innovative apps to help improve grazing management, safely diversify forage sources, and improve use of limited forage. The production of new knowledge through research activities, dissemination of knowledge to producers and other audiences through publications, presentations, field days, other events, webinars, media appearances, and social media.
*CAP Members: Kansas State University, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma State University, Tarleton State University, University of Oklahoma, USDA/Agricultural Research Service. The project is supported by NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant.
NIFA News
 AFRI Annual Review for FY 2015
The purpose
of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is to support
research, education, and extension, as well as integrated programs,
by awarding grants that address
key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture. Providing this support
requires that AFRI advance fundamental sciences and translate research and development in support of agriculture and coordinate opportunities to build on these discoveries. This will also require that AFRI support
education and extension that delivers
science‐based knowledge to people,
allowing them to make informed practical decisions. The 2015 AFRI Annual Review highlights significant accomplishments such as the awarding of 569 peer-reviewed competitive awards, which is 22% more than the previous year, and training 1,910 students and postdoctorates toward careers in the food, agriculture, and social sciences. See the full review.
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Getting More Veterinary Students to Go into Livestock Animal Practice
Some rural areas are still suffering from a shortage of livestock animal vets. What's being done about it? Gary Crawford, USDA Radio Broadcaster, and Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, Director of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture talk briefly about what it takes and what is being done about it. Listen to the radio discussion.
 Integrated Pest Management -- Insights
The April 2017 issue of IPM Insights is now available as a downloadable PDF. The publication is developed and managed by the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center, located at Cornell University. This material is based upon work that is supported by NIFA. The Northeastern IPM Center is one of four Regional IPM Centers.
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Events
 Conference on Preparing Winning Grants
On May 11, Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, in
collaboration with NIFA's Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, will host the
“1st conference on preparing winning grants." This workshop will focus on
NIFA’s Food Science and Nutrition competitive grant programs, with an emphasis
on mentorship and successful grant writing.
Program Highlights include:
- A focus on nutrition, food science, and food safety research,
education, and extension.
- New investigators, 1890 Land-Grant Universities,
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Agricultural
Colleges and Universities, and 1994 Tribal College faculty are highly encouraged to attend.
- Successful NIFA Food Science, Nutrition, and Food Safety
Awardees will be assigned as mentors.
Date: May 11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Delaware State University at Dover Downs, Dover,
Delaware
Meeting Registration
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Grants, RFA Announcements
Citrus Disease Research
and Extension
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Citrus Disease Research and
Extension Program (CDRE) is authorized in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (H.R.
2642) to award grants to eligible entities to conduct research and extension
activities, technical assistance and development activities to: (a) combat
citrus diseases and pests, both domestic and invasive and including Huanglongbing and the Asian citrus psyllid, which pose imminent harm to United
States citrus production and the citrus
industry; and (b) provide support for the dissemination and commercialization
of relevant information, techniques, and technologies discovered through SCRI/CDRE and other research
and extension projects targeting problems caused by citrus production diseases
and invasive pests.
Request for Applications
Apply for Grant
Closing
Date for First Call, Pre-Applications: Friday, May 12
Please
refer to Request for Pre-Applications for
additional deadlines related to this funding opportunity.
Funding
Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-SCRI-006348
Estimated
Total Program Funding: $21,800,000
Smith-Lever
Special Needs Competitive Grants Program
Within the states and territories, the Cooperative Extension System has served as the trusted community organization that has enabled families, communities, and businesses to prepare for,
respond to, and cope with disaster losses and critical incidents. Once a
disaster has occurred, the local extension outreach includes: 1) communicating
practical science-based risk information, 2) developing relevant educational
experiences and programs, 3) working with individuals and communities to open
new communication channels, and 4) mitigating losses and facilitating recovery.
NIFA intends to fund Special Needs projects to implement applied scientific
programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during, and after local or
regional emergency situations.
Request for Applications
Apply for Grant
Closing
Date: Monday, May 15
Funding
Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-006349
Estimated
Total Program Funding: $462,000
Women
and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields
Program
This program supports research and extension projects that have robust
collaborations to increase the participation of women and underrepresented
minorities from rural areas in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics fields that are relevant to USDA priorities identified by the
Secretary: promotion of a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply for
all Americans and for people around the world; sustainable agricultural
policies that foster economic viability for small and mid-sized farms and rural
businesses, protect natural resources, and promote value-added agriculture; national leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation; building a modern workplace and workforce; and support for 21st
century rural communities.
Request for Applications
Apply for Grant
Closing
Date: Thursday, June 8
Funding
Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-WAMS-006350
Estimated
Total Program Funding: $400,000
Agriculture
and Food Research Initiative -- Foundational Program
The AFRI Foundational Program supports grants in the six AFRI priority areas
to continue building a foundation of knowledge critical for solving current and
future societal challenges. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and
Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal
Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and
Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and
Rural Communities. The program supports single-function and integrated research
projects as standard, conference, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement
(FASE) grants to address one of the Program Area Priorities (see AFRI Foundational
Program Request for Applications for details).
Request for Applications
Apply for Grant
Closing
Date: Varies by program area. Check AFRI Foundational Program RFA for
details.
Other
Due Dates: Check RFA
Funding
Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-006351
Estimated
Total Program Funding: $150,200,000
USDA Announces $6.3 Million in Available
Funding on Resilient Agroecosystems
April 18 – NIFA announced $6.3 million in available
funding for projects to support resilient agriculture and forestry production
systems. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research
Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Read the full press
release at the NIFA website.
USDA Announces $9.6
Million in Available Funding to Grow the Bioeconomy
April 18 – NIFA announced $9.6 million in available funding
for projects to support the development of new biobased products and
biomaterials from renewable sources such as crops, trees, and waste materials from
farmland and forests. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food
Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Read the full press
release at the NIFA website.
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