Agriculture and Natural Resources

OSU research shows biochar benefits persist over time

Dryland wheat production is a cornerstone of agriculture in Eastern Oregon, where growers operate in a semiarid climate with limited rainfall and narrow margins for managing soil moisture, fertility and crop risk. By showing that ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

OSU study shows smoke stresses calves

Oregon’s cattle industry is a major part of the state’s agricultural economy. The Oregon Department of Agriculture ranks cattle and calves as Oregon’s No. 2 agricultural commodity, with a production value of about $791.5 ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

Wider spacing helps Oregon nurseries slow boxwood blight

Boxwood blight causes serious losses in nursery production by making plants unsalable and increasing management costs. Oregon is the nation’s leading producer of boxwood, supplying about one-fifth of the U.S. market, so disease ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

OSU builds high-tech tools for orchard growers

Pear, cherry and apple production are vital to Oregon’s rural economy, with cherry production valued at $68 million and pear production at $90.8 million. But the tree fruit industry faces growing pressure from climate change, ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

OSU research helps Oregon golf courses target hidden turf pests

Golf courses contribute to Oregon’s economy through jobs, tourism, recreation and local spending. On each course, putting greens represent the smallest acreage but the highest-value turf because their quality directly affects play, ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU research cuts labor costs in blackberry production

Oregon is a leading production state for machine-harvested trailing blackberries, an industry that supports growers, processors and rural communities. ‘Columbia Star’ has quickly become one of the region’s most widely planted ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU helps grow dairy workforce skills and industry investment

Oregon’s dairy industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sales and supporting jobs in production, processing and value-added products. By helping processors meet ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

Producers gain skills to meet beef market standards

Cattle production is one of Oregon’s leading agricultural commodities. To maintain market access and consumer confidence, beef producers must meet evolving standards for animal health, handling and traceability. The Beef Quality ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU convenes food and beverage industry to reduce waste, drive innovation funding

Oregon’s food and beverage industry is a major economic driver, but it faces growing challenges tied to efficiency, sustainability and coordination across the supply chain. By aligning research with industry needs and building ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU pruning research helps hazelnut growers cut losses

Oregon is the center of the U.S. hazelnut industry, and the crop is an important driver of farm income, processing activity and rural economic vitality in the Willamette Valley. Hazelnuts support growers, nurseries, processors, ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story