Agricultural Research Service

ARS researchers at the Livestock Behavior Research Unit in West Lafayette, IN, are using state-of-the-art, automated feeders and behavior tracking sensors to study ways to reduce pain, detect illness earlier, and protect livestock from heat stress. Their research will improve livestock quality of life and U.S. farm production. bit.ly/47FAAjO #NationalAgWeek #ARSAglab

ARS researchers in Beltsville, MD, have found two promising candidates to manage the Varroa mite. The destructive pest costs bee keepers millions-per-year in management expenses and colony replacement costs. Learn more at: bit.ly/41cbrJV

In case you missed it, learn how ARS scientists are working to create new varieties of crops with greater ability to withstand salinity. Their research will dramatically expand the type and amount of land and irrigation that can support agriculture. Learn more at: ars.usda.gov/oc/dof/pass-th… #NationalAgWeek

Healthier lettuce! ARS researchers in Salinas, CA, have developed “USDA NutriHi,” a leaf lettuce variety that has up to 107% more vitamin A and vitamin C -- and up to 158% more minerals than other lettuce varieties. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di…

Check out the stereo vision-guided sprayer, developed by ARS researchers with two cameras and advanced algorithms to detect crop canopy volume. The sprayer will apply chemicals precisely where needed and can reduce pesticide use by up to 70%. It also lowers labor and refill time, making precision spraying affordable for small and medium-sized farms. youtube.com/watch?v=sAecgG…

Thank you to our nation’s farmers! #NationalAgWeek

A team of ARS scientists is looking at ways producers can maximize profitability with limited water -- by allocating the water already in their fields to one or more crops. bit.ly/40DrmRn #NationalAgWeek

How healthy is your soil? To grow healthy crops for food and fiber, it's critical to have healthy soil. Tune in to see an ARS scientist from Raleigh, NC, who has created a solution to speed up the process of determining soil health, saving both time and manpower. This solution provides important data to help U.S. farmers make determinations about the needs of their crops & fields. Watch more at: youtube.com/watch?v=bsp-On… #NationalAgWeek

Wheat remains a prominent U.S. crop. In this podcast, hear how ARS researchers at the Wheat Health, Genetics, and Quality Research Unit in Pullman, WA, are developing new varieties of wheat that are resistant to the crop’s major disease threats -- including stripe rust. siysc.transistor.fm/episodes/seaso…

ARS scientists across the nation are helping farmers and producers keep their lands healthy and profitable. In Burns, OR, ARS is using innovative research programs to restore rangelands to their native, productive, and ecologically stable states. Watch ARS in action at: youtube.com/watch?v=x_LVa0…

Honey Bees Get Hangry Too? Learn how ARS researchers are studying the behavior of honey bees in environments where pollen is scarce to help beekeepers develop best management practices. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/tellus/stories…

ARS Celebrates U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural industries during #NationalAgWeek!

Who knew that peanut skins were so packed with nutrients? Instead of letting them go to waste, ARS researchers are exploring ways to use the estimated 40-70 million pounds of peanut skins leftover from making peanut butter and other snacks. Check it out at: bit.ly/47trpmu

March is #NationalPeanutMonth. Genetic variation is necessary for developing resilient peanuts against pathogens and pests. Genetically different types of peanuts are preserved and maintained in Griffin, GA, at the USDA Genebank. Learn more at: npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/cro…

The Food and Nutrition Information Center at USDA's National Agricultural Library makes it easier to be in tune with all the latest nutrition research. Check out the ARS Nutrition Corner to learn more at: aglab.ars.usda.gov/the-nutrition-… #ARSAglab

ARS researchers at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Franklin, ME, are supercharging America’s Atlantic salmon with selective breeding techniques to create quality fish for our tables! aglab.ars.usda.gov/fuel-your-curi…

Thanks to the work of ARS scientists, we have the delicious peanut called “Contender” -- a Virginia-type peanut with high oleic fatty acids. Not only does it promote heart health, but it also extends the shelf life of peanut products. This peanut looks like a heavyweight against other peanut cultivars. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di… #nationalpeanutmonth

ARS researchers in Edinburg, TX, and their university partners, are evaluating the efficacy of different organic compounds to control fever tick disease in cattle. Learn more about how some compounds are showing promise for controlling cattle fever ticks as ARS scientists continue to test them in the field. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di… #ScientificDiscoveries

ARS Registered Dietitians Courtney Thompson and James Cain provide tips to incorporate healthy habits into our daily routines. While recently following U.S. athletes compete in the Milano/Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, they suggest balancing diet, hydration, exercise, recovery, and rest as vital components of our overall health and well-being -- just like our Olympians. youtube.com/watch?v=kSCVcs…

Apple growers have a mystery on their hands. Something is killing popular dwarf apple trees, but researchers are unsure if the cause is environmental, viral, soil-based, or something else. Listen to our podcast to hear more about how ARS scientists are on the case. siysc.transistor.fm/episodes/seaso…