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Rows of crops growing in front of a barn and silo.

Rows of crops growing in front of a barn and silo.

Midwest Area

Rosalind James
Rosalind James, Director

 

ARS’s Midwest Area conducts research to develop economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems that enhance the yield and quality of crops and livestock, improve human health, create crop-based alternatives to petroleum-derived fuels and products, and protect the environment. The Midwest Area is home to 13 research locations and laboratories in 9 states.

In This Section

Beans That Help Prevent Iron Deficiency

ARS scientists have developed yellow bean varieties that contain more absorbable iron.

Influenza A in Pigs a Threat to Humans

The virus influenza A strain crossed from humans to swine at least 370 separate times between 2009 and 2021.

Row, Row Your Boat Gently Down the Stream

A novel approach for determining the effectiveness of conservation practices in reducing nitrate losses.

Fine-Tuning Plant Performance

ARS researchers have developed a tool that can provide more precise answers that lead to healthier plants and greater yields.

Reversible Biocides May Improve Animal Health

ARS scientists developed novel, reversible biocides that kill disease-causing bacteria while minimizing other toxic effects.

Silicon: It’s Not Just for Chips

Scientists at the Application Technology Research Unit in Wooster, OH, are discovering that silicon could be a key contributor to agriculture.

Curbing Greenhouse Gases From Crop Fields

A team from ARS and the University of Minnesota tested soil additives containing nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in a 3-year field study.