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CAFNR Research Digest
CAFNR Office of Research Newsletter // Jan. 8, 2026 // 8(1)
Feature Stories
Henry Nguyen one of two Mizzou faculty members named 2025 NAI Fellow (click to read)
Henry Nguyen one of two Mizzou faculty members named 2025 NAI Fellow »

Nguyen, Kannan among 169 researchers receiving the prestigious honor from the National Academy of Inventors this year.

Research Highlights
 (click to read)
 »
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):

Amy Petry, Advancing Smart Swine Barns: Developing pilot research farms to evaluate the suitability of emerging technologies, IA State Univ (NIFA), 8/1/25-6/30/28, $99,508

Craig Paukert, Edward K. Love Conservation Foundation 2025, Edward K. Love Conservation Fndtn, 9/12/2025-9/11/2026, $50,000

Jared Decker, Genomic Predictions and Data Analysis Pipelines to Enable Thriving Production Systems in Angus and Red Angus Cattle, NC State Univ (Fndtn for Food and Ag Research), 8/1/25-7/31/26, $55,000

Cecilia Constantino Rocha, Defining the best time for artificial insemination after estrus detection in the SenseHub cow-calf software, Merck Animal Health, 10/3/25-12/31/27, $152,100

Michael Stambaugh, Reconstruction of the historical fires and vegetation changes at Post Oak Ridge State Park, Texas, TX Parks & Wildlife Department, 12/18/25-9/30/27, $70,000

Jordan Thomas, Refining an industry-ready application for Chorulon hCG as an alternative to intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices for estrus synchronization, Merck Animal Health, 10/24/25-12/31/27, $83,200

Chung Ho Lin, Data-Driven Assessment of Environmental Contamination in Soils and Crops Impacted by Demining Activities in Ukraine, Howard G. Buffett Fndtn, 11/15/25-5/15/26, $12,014

Felix Fritschi, Identification of genomic regions underpinning soybean phosphorus uptake and use efficiency to improve sustainability of soybean production, United Soybean Board, 10/1/25-3/31/27, $199,369

Felix Fritschi, Characterizing and understanding relationships between root systems and soil gas flux in soybean production, United Soybean Board, 11/1/25-3/31/27, $159,163

Deborah Finke, Utilizing Technology and Conservation Practices to Produce More Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Soybeans, United Soybean Board, 1/1/26-3/31/27, $170,472

Henry Nguyen, Gene editing and innovative mutation breeding approaches to develop 2nd generation improved soybean soluble carbohydrate composition, TX Tech Univ (United Soybean Board), 10/1/25-9/30/26, $50,193

Chase Floyd, Economic Evaluation of Cotton Bt Technology Traits in the Missouri Cotton, Cotton, Inc., 1/1/26-12/31/26, $15,000

Felix Fritschi, Root System Contributions to Sustainable Soybean Production, United Soybean Board, 10/1/25-3/31/27, $298,809

Jianfeng Zhou, The Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research Center (Missouri-Zhou), IA State Univ (CDC), 7/1/25-6/30/26, $19,908

In the News

Simple daily habits to kick-start weight loss for a healthier liver
The Chronicle

Ag economist: USDA Ad-hoc aid may shift corn, soybean planting decisions
Brownfield Ag News

Why Adding Olive Oil to Kale Helps Maximize Its Nutrients
Verywell

What does the new Farmer Bride Assistance mean?
Farm Progress

University of Missouri hires director for upcoming meat lab
Meat + Poultry

Farming from the air: How drones can help farmers boost efficiency
Marketplace

Could blood thickness be a new vital sign?
The Good Men Project

A Tale of Two Farm Economies: Why Cattle Producers Thrived While Corn and Soybean Farmers Struggled in 2025
WCSI-AM

Grazing milo can save $300 per head
Drovers

Key takeaways from 2025 MU Crop Management Conference
Farm Progress

Domestic demand will shape 2026
Maryville Forum

Crop research seeks higher yield numbers, new markets
AgUpdate

Protect your identity this holiday season
High Plains Journal

Strong Prices at Missouri Bull Sale
Missouri Ag Connection

Electric Current Stymies Tall Fescue Seedheads
Connect Fayetteville

2026 Top Farmer Conference Explores Global Competitiveness, Tariffs, Long-run Market Outlooks
American Ag Network

Are you sure this winter is “brutal?” MU state climatologist discusses state’s coldest winters
Missourinet

Updated budgets show improved cow-calf outlook for 2026
West Plains Daily Quill

Trump unveils $12 billion aid package for farmers hit by trade war
Reuters

10 gifts for the gardener without spending a lot of green
All For Gardening

Mentor program promotes healthy woodlands
Quincy Herald-Whig

Trump Pushes Regulatory Rollbacks and China Soybean Purchases as Farm Costs Surge and Income Outlook Worsens
American Ag Network

Gardening tips as weather gets cold
All For Gardening

MU Extension expands feedlot school
Morning Ag Clips

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