In today’s Ag News Roundup, GMO yeast may boost beer industry, whales use different vocalizations for identification, more bad news for crabbing in the Bering Sea, forests get a boot with $5-million restoration project, and WSDA warns backyard flock owners of outbreak in bird flu.
GMO Yeast May Boost Beer Industry
From Oregon State University, a team of researchers has shown that genetically modified yeast can create beers with a more intense hop aroma. It’s hoped the finding will help the brewing industry grow amid changes in climate that could affect hop growth.
Research Finds Whales Use Different Vocalizations for Identification
A team of researchers at Oregon State University has found that sperm whales use identity codes, including clicks, to identify different groups of whales. Experts believe this shows that there is culture among whale clans that are passed down through generations.
New Survey Discovers Bad News about Crabbing
From the Seattle Times, a federal survey of Bering Sea crab fleets found that harvests have fallen even further than anticipated. Some believe there may not be a fall harvest due to a decrease in the population of mature male snow crabs.
Forests Get a Boost with $5-Million Restoration Project
The Pacific Northwest Tribal nations and Oregon State University College of Forestry plan to team up to improve woodlands through a U.S. Departmental of Interior $5-million pilot project. The goal will be to collect seeds withing Bureau of Land Management regions to protect culturally and ecologically significant plants and trees.
WSDA Warns of Bird Flu
From the Pacific Northwest Ag Network, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is warning that there could be a significant uptick in avian flu. Some experts predict it could affect wild birds, which may increase transmission to backyard flocks.