Research

Drone flying over field

May 28, 2024

MU Digital Agriculture Research and Extension Center to host first Digital Agriculture Symposium

 The University of Missouri’s Digital Agriculture Research and Extension Center (DAREC) is hosting its first-ever Digital Agriculture Symposium, “Cultivating a Resilient Future: Harnessing Digital Innovation for a Climate-Smart Agriculture” in June.

A man wearing a long-sleeve blue shirt and tan pants stands between two rows of mature trees

May 13, 2024

MU Center for Agroforestry research aims to standardize and grow chestnut industry in Missouri and other middle states

Researchers at the University of Missouri’s Center for Agroforestry, which has studied Chinese Chestnuts for decades, are working to harness the good qualities of the industry's rich legacy while providing the standardization and reliability sought in any crop for large-scale commercial production in hopes of sparking a regional industry.

May 13, 2024

FAPRI looks back on 40 years

Abner Womack speaks during the the 10th Annual Abner Womack Missouri Agriculture Outlook Conference in Columbia, Mo. In the early 1980s, a small group of mathematicians and agricultural economists saw a need that few others acknowledged — objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies. With perseverance to find funding and an academic home — both of which were challenging — that small group of people brought the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri to life in 1984. Today, FAPRI is a valuable resource for a wide range of stakeholders including the U.S. Congress, USDA,…

May 1, 2024

MU Interdisciplinary Plant Group to host 40th annual symposium: ’Plant Hormones at the Intersection of Stress and Development’

The Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG) at the University of Missouri will host its 40th annual symposium on the topic of “Plant Hormones at the Intersection of Stress and Development” May 21-24. “Hosting 40 annual symposia is a major achievement for the IPG, and we will celebrate and mark the significance,” said David Braun, professor of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, and Director of the IPG. “In addition to organizing another fantastic scientific meeting with outstanding local, national and international plant biologists, we will reflect on some of the history and milestones of the IPG over the years. “This year…

Ron Mittler

April 30, 2024

Mittler named AAAS Fellow for recognition of contributions to field of plant stress

The Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology was one of five Fellows from Mizzou this spring

An arial view of a herd of sheep grazing a green pasture with solar panels.

April 30, 2024

A bountiful harvest: Agrivoltaics blends solar energy with agriculture in innovative research project at University of Missouri

As solar-generated electricity is increasing, some landowners are pondering converting land used to produce food to land used to produce energy, but what if they could do both? What if they didn’t have to choose? Agrivoltaics is a new concept that blends solar energy production with agricultural uses like row crops or pastureland, and researchers at the University of Missouri’s Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (CM-REEC) are looking to answer many questions about the new practice with its new demonstration site. A herd of sheep grazes among solar panels at a farm practicing agrivoltaics. “As a research institution,…

Felix Fritschi

April 19, 2024

Felix Fritschi elected President-Elect of Crop Science Society of America

Felix Fritschi elected President-Elect of Crop Science Society of America

Jay Thelen smiling.

April 17, 2024

Jay Thelen honored with 2024 Distinguished Research Award 

Jay Thelen, professor, Biochemistry, has received the 2024 Distinguished Research Award.   Thelen’s career highlights include establishing a successful research program focusing on understanding the regulation of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis in plants and algae. His research program excels in grantsmanship, scholarly activity and entrepreneurship, with notable achievements including over $18 million in extramural grants, 150 research publications and four licensed patents. Jay Thelen Thelen’s pioneering work in phosphoproteomics, particularly the development of the Kinase Client assay, has garnered international attention and significantly advanced understanding of plant signal transduction. Additionally, his research on fatty acid biosynthesis has practical implications for…

Harpreet Kaur

April 17, 2024

Harpreet Kaur recieves Distinguished Dissertation Award at Celebration of Excellence 

Harpreet Kaur has received the William R. Lamberson Distinguished Dissertation award. She completed her Ph.D. in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences in 2023.  Harpreet Kaur Portions of Kaur’s dissertation, “Drainage Water Management Practices Affect Water Quality, Soil Properties, and Crop Production,” have been submitted to 11 journal publications, and five of those have been published in reputable journals. Additionally, Kaur has presented her research to national and international groups.  In addition to her Ph.D., Kaur completed an M.S. in statistics simultaneously, giving her a deeper understanding of statistical analysis of her findings.   “I have been impressed by her academic achievements…

Red building with grey roof

April 12, 2024

New building at Mizzou’s Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm to support research, teaching and extension efforts in mid-Missouri

A new building at the University of Missouri’s Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm (HARF) in New Franklin will upgrade the ability of the farm to host educational and outreach events, and support the local community, including producers and landowners.