As you come together with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s worth acknowledging the invaluable contribution of our nation’s Land-grant universities and colleges in ensuring a delectable spread.
Turkey
At the University of Minnesota, Dr. Randall Singer is focused on reducing the amount of antibiotics used to treat Clostridial dermatitis in turkeys, one of the most important diseases in turkey production. This bacterial disease represents the majority of antibiotic use in turkey production.
Read more on how Dr. Singer is finding ways of reducing the incidence of Clostridial dermatitis.
Cranberry Sauce
NIFA supports four Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers, the Northeast, North Central, Southern and Western. Regional IPM Centers help NIFA and its partner institutions identify, prioritize and coordinate national pest management research, Extension and education programs.
A bi-coastal project through the Western Integrated Pest Management Center is looking to keep West Coast cranberry farms safe from false blossom disease, an insect-spread pathogen that’s plaguing East Coast cranberry producers. 
False blossom disease is spread by only one known insect vector, the blunt-nosed leafhopper. The pathogen doesn’t kill cranberry vines. Instead, infected plants continue to flower year after year but never again bear fruit. 
Read more on this effort.
Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are the most widely grown and consumed vegetable in the U.S. Potatoes’ popularity is a result of their versatility and affordability, as well as being a tasty and nutrient-dense food choice. 
In 2020, U.S. potato production was valued at about $3.65 billion. While per acre yield has trended up over the last several years, challenges such as climate change, diseases and pests threaten both potato yields and quality.  
Oregon State University researchers will provide results from a large, collaborative USDA NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative project conducted in all major potato-producing states to identify indicators of soil health and develop management strategies that will enhance soil health in potato production systems. The research will help better understand what soil health means on potato farms and which approaches are effective at improving soil health. 
Read about a few projects discussed at this year’s 2024 Potato Expo by NIFA-funded researchers.
Pumpkin Pie
Downy mildew is a disease caused by a fungal pathogen. Downy mildew targets popular garden plants, such as cucurbits, which includes squashes, pumpkins and cucumbers. Farmers can lose their entire crop to the disease.
A Virginia farmer and co-owner of Common Wealth Seed Growers and Twin Oaks Seed Farm received funding from three Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farmer/Ranch grants for research, selection and breeding efforts aimed to develop better varieties of winter squash.
This NIFA-funded work resulted in the South Anna cultivar, a downy mildew resistant butternut squash.
Wine
Wine grapes are a high-value crop, but planting a poorly adapted variety in the wrong place is a costly mistake. Traditional grape varieties are not well suited to the growing conditions or pests and diseases in large parts of the U.S. In addition, some varieties may not perform well as climate change creates new pressures.
Read how researchers at Land-grant universities nationwide are developing and evaluating wine grapes for American growers and winemakers.
Happy Thanksgiving from the NIFA team!
