This update follows FAPRI’s March U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook and looks at how agricultural markets have been impacted by the pandemic.

Kiruba Krishnaswamy (pictured right), assistant professor in the Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering, is the PI on a recently funded MU Coulter Biomedical Accelerator grant. Approximately 10-15 million Americans undergo X-ray swallow tests each year for diagnosis of dysphagia (swallowing impairment), a condition that affects people of all ages and is predominantly caused by neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease or dementia, as well as premature birth and advanced age. To address this critical need for a palatable, sustainable contrast agent to improve dysphagia diagnosis, a team is developing “Golden Gullet” which contains gold nanoparticles synthesized and encapsulated using food industry byproducts.

Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) has killed thousands of walnut trees. The walnut twig beetle carries a fungus that causes TCD, with cankers appearing on affected walnut trees. Although an infestation has not been detected in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation is monitoring the situation closely. The Southwest Research Center set up several traps in its black walnut grove recently to monitor the walnut twig beetle.

Matthew Lucy Receives ADSA Award of Honor

The American Dairy Science Association® (ADSA®), the international organization of educators, scientists and industry representatives who are committed to advancing the dairy industry, recently announced the winners of professional and student awards for 2020.

Matthew Lucy, professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, received the ADSA Award of Honor. The award recognizes unusually outstanding and consistent contributions to the welfare of the Association or distinguished service to the Association. The award is primarily for services to the American Dairy Science Association.

Making good hay in a bad year

The Farmer

Danforth Plant Center Researchers Discover Important Pathways for Pollen Production in Corn

AgriMarketing.com

Meat Industry Could Face Losses of $20 Billion in 2020

NBC DFW

Reduce incidence of pinkeye in cattle to improve cattle operation performance

The Daily Star-Journal

The header photo shows termination of cereal rye cover crop in preparation of fiber hemp planting at the Hundley-Whaley Research Center, located in Albany, Mo. Visit the Hundley-Whaley website for more information about the Research Center.