Tiered Risk Assessment, Best Available Data, And Why It Matters To Agriculture
EPA’s reliance on screening-level risk assessments to guide pesticide mitigation under the ESA creates uncertainty, underscoring the need for higher-tier science to ensure both effective species protection and fair outcomes for agriculture.
Alex Thomasson on Why You Shouldn’t Miss the 2025 CAST Annual Meeting
“The principle function of CAST’s annual meeting is to do CAST business,” Thomasson explains. “One of the big things we’ll be discussing this year is what the future of CAST looks like. We’ve got a relatively new team and we’ve made a lot of changes—this is a particularly important meeting to attend.”
Rethinking the Safety of Low-Moisture Foods: Lessons from Wheat Flour
For decades, low-moisture foods such as wheat, flour, nuts, and spices were regarded as “microbiologically safe” because of their low moisture content. This attribute has led to a general confidence that these products are low-risk foods (Jung & Harris, 2022). However, recent outbreaks and recalls, which were previously unexpected, tell a different story: low does not mean no.
CAST Announces Dr. David Ortega as 2025 Borlaug CAST Communication Award Recipient
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) is proud to announce Dr. David L. Ortega, Professor and Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics and Policy at Michigan State University, as the recipient of the 2025 Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA).
2025 CAST Annual Meeting & Student Innovation Conference
Hosted by Mississippi State University, the Annual Meeting will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and educational tours that highlight the latest in agricultural research and technology. CAST Representatives and Board Members will engage in meaningful discussions that shape the future of CAST and agricultural science.
Tassel Wrapping in Corn: A New Concern for Midwestern Corn Production?
Tassel wrapping, an unusual phenomenon reported across Midwestern corn fields this summer, occurs when leaves trap the developing tassel and delay pollen shed, disrupting pollination timing and potentially reducing yields.
Meet the Expert with Matt Baur
In this CAST Meet the Expert session, Matt Baur, Director of the Western Integrated Pest Management Center, shares how integrated pest management can help the American West tackle invasive weeds and reduce wildfire risks. Watch as he reflects on his career, research, and provides a sneak peek at a forthcoming CAST issue paper on managing fire-adapted invasive plants.
Let’s Talk About PFAS Without the Hysteria
With science-based leadership, agriculture can navigate the PFAS challenge.
The Future of Food Isn’t Coming – It’s Already Here: Reflections from IFT FIRST 2025
A personal look at how science, empathy, and bold collaboration are shaping the next era of food innovation.
Webinar – Understanding the Most Urgent Crop Protection Challenges for Specialty Crop Farmers
This webinar explores the most pressing global challenges in specialty crop protection, based on the Minor Use Foundation’s 2025 Global Priority Setting Process.
