USDA working together with Ireland and Northern Ireland on agricultural research

Nov 30, 2015

Three nations will work to solve global ag issues

The United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland will pool together physical and financial resources to maximize research efforts to help find solutions for agriculture-related issues facing the globe.

“This international partnership offers exciting opportunities to take on issues that must be addressed if we are to meet food security and safety challenges both now and in the future,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Dr. Ann Bartuska. “Collaboration among the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland spans many decades, and we enthusiastically welcome this new endeavor.”

There are four areas that will receive the most attention in 2016, including understanding plant associated microorganisms and plant-microbe interactions, plant-associated insects and nematodes, animal health and disease, and animal nutrition, growth and lactation.

American funding will be distributed through the USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, organized by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Other funding will come from the Republic of Ireland Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The U.S.-Ireland Research & Development Partnership launched in 2006 to encourage the three nations to collaborate in six areas, including agriculture. Since its inception, the partnership has used nearly $50 million to invest in 27 projects.

Join the discussion and tell us your thoughts about the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland working together to research solutions for global ag-related issues.

Video: Precision Planting DuraWear

Struggling with inconsistent planting depth from row to row? The new DuraWear Depth Handle from Precision Planting is designed to eliminate depth variability and make accurate calibration easier than ever.

In this video, Precision Planting’s Mike Schlitt walks through how the Dura Aware system helps growers achieve consistent, repeatable planting depth—without relying on guesswork or constantly checking T-handle positions.

What You’ll Learn:

— Why row-to-row depth variation impacts emergence and yield
— How the DuraWear Depth Handle allows micro-adjustments on each row
— How the system keeps every row in the same notch setting, even after calibration
— And more!

Whether you're dialing in your planter for spring or upgrading your setup for more precise depth control, the DuraWear Depth Handle gives you clarity, confidence, and consistency.