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CAFNR Research Digest
CAFNR Office of Research Newsletter // Jan. 22, 2026 // 8(2)
Feature Stories
CAFNR greenhouse goes high-tech (click to read)
CAFNR greenhouse goes high-tech »

New plant monitoring system takes root to tackle drought and boost crop resilience.

Research Highlights
Kate Nelson named co-director of Missouri Water Center (click to read)
Kate Nelson named co-director of Missouri Water Center »

Nelson is an associate professor in the School of Natural Resources.

Of Note

Pathways Symposium, March 12-13
UM System faculty, staff, clinicians, students and postdocs doing research that could impact health are invited to NextGen Precision Health’s annual symposium, hosted at Missouri S&T. All disciplines are welcome!

Register as an attendee from Jan. 5-30.
Free for non-faculty. Hotel costs covered for presenters traveling 50+ miles.

Research Roars

CAFNR faculty members have received the following recent grants (listed by Principal Investigator):

Jaime Barros-Rios, Dissecting the molecular basis of the sfe mutants in maize for root system development, Natl Inst of Food and Ag, 2/1/26-1/31/28, $299,931

Xi Xiong, Utilization of neem, a novel biopesticide for enhancing sweetpotato storage, Mo Dept of Ag (Ag Marketing Service), 11/1/25-10/31/27, $44,047

Henry Nguyen, Climate-adaptive soybean: root architecture and plasticity tuning for nutrient capture and stress resilience, United Soybean Board, 10/1/25-9/30/26, $231,914

Stephen Mukembo, Excellence in Research: Promote Rural Resilience after High Inflation and Interest rate Induced by Covid-19 Pandemic, Lincoln University (NSF), 9/1/25-6/30/28, $90,327

Tim Reinbott, Identifying Soil Health Deficiencies in Soybean Production to Develop a “One Health” Sustainable Soybean Production System, United Soybean Board, 10/1/25-3/31/27, $205,311

 

In the News

Farm economy to stabilize in 2026, Ag economists predict
Successful Farming

MU Extension lab adopts Mehlich-3 soil testing method statewide
KTTN

Yield adjustments are expected in January USDA report
Brownfield Ag

Regenerative agriculture gets boost from Trump Administration
KBIA

NIFA invests $2.8M in animal breeding and genetics projects
Feedstuffs

Watch for soybean tentiform leafminer in Mo.
Morning AgClips

MU Extension tackles persistent labor shortages in hog production
National Hog Farmer

USDA Review: Navigating the ‘Year of Extremes’ as Chief Economist Seth Meyer Departs
WRAL News

Oak wilt threatens Missouri oak trees, experts warn
KRCG

As Screwworm Inches Closer, When Could the U.S. Reopen the Southern Border to Cattle Imports?
Bovine Veterinarian

Improving habitats for ring-necked pheasants
Quincy Herald-Whig

Scout Early and Often for Corn Leafhopper in 2026
Farms.com

MU Extension’s webinar guide farm families on childcare, health in farm budgets
KTVO-TV

2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer — here are four producers you should know
Vox magazine

Agriculture technology tools to try on the farm in 2026
Farm Progress

Budgets show improved cow-calf outlook for 2025
The Tipton Times

Producer enjoys continued success with milo grazing
Farm Talk

Let's Get Social!

Keep up with the latest in research news from CAFNR by following us on LinkedIn and the MoAES podcast!

LinkedIn: Mizzou College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and Shibu Jose, Associate Dean of Research

Podcast: Tim’s Take