USDA Researchers Create 320 New Inventions in 2018

(SALINAS, CA) USDA released its annual Technology Transfer Report last week, which highlights innovations from scientists and researchers that are solving problems for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers; and creating opportunities for American businesses to thrive. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue discussed the release of the Report at the Forbes AgTech Summit. Some 320 new inventions were reported from USDA laboratories in the fiscal year 2018, along with 471 licenses, 120 patent applications and 67 actual patents. Discoveries include a repellent made from coconut oil to ward off blood-sucking insects that cost the cattle industry more than $2.4 billion annually, a technology that keeps almond crops from being lost to heavy rains, and treatment for peanut allergies. Other highlights include: a system for removing nitrate from contaminated water and recycling it for re-use as fertilizer; using gene editing as a tool to engineer an African swine fever vaccine, and; development of the first U.S. hard-white waxy high-yielding winter wheat, which can be used to develop novel whole grain products and is a more efficient substrate for ethanol production.