News Articles

New WSU research challenges traditional crop rotation thinking

Research at WSU’s Wilke Research and Extension Farm shows that longer crop rotations and less summer fallow can improve profitability, challenging traditional farming practices in eastern Washington.

Grey outbuilding with crimson roof. The sign over the garage door says "WSU Wilke Research and Extension Farm." A group of people mingle outside, and more are visible inside.

WSU study shows different winegrape varieties react similarly to drought

New research from scientists at WSU suggests that a grapevine’s variety likely has no impact on its response to drought.

A vineyard with several trees, hills, and blue sky in the background.

Post-mortem helpers: WSU students explore forensic importance of insects

Insects are just as beneficial for the living as they are for the dead. That’s the premise of Entomology 210: Insects and Death, a new class at Washington State University that explores the scientific method through forensic entomology.

Three people gather around a table in a lab. One holds an insect in their hand. In front of them is a plastic bin with four pieces of sliced peach and an insect in it.

Study addresses honey bee declines after blueberry pollination with new feed supplement

Researchers have found that a special feed shows promise for boosting the size of bee colonies when pollinating blueberry plants.

Numerous honey bees swarm around 2 mounds of a powdery white substance on the side and ledge of a white wooden beehive in a grassy yard, with several bees visible in flight.

Celebration marks construction midpoint for WSU’s new tree fruit growth facility

Scientists at WSU’s tree fruit research center joined Washington fruit growers to celebrate the midpoint of construction of the state-of-the-art Plant Growth Facility.

Kalcsits, in vest, stands while seven people stand and watch him, inside a large building under construction. A sign near him read Plant Growth Facility Pest Research Lab Rainier Fruit Company and its partners.

New guides help identify wheat virus, control pests, and support Spanish-speaking bee enthusiasts

The latest guides from WSU Extension include resources to help farmers identify a new wheat virus, along with Spanish-language information for beekeepers and enthusiasts, as well as a revised manual on household pests.

A small yellow and black bee sits on the brown stamen cluster of a yellow flower.

WSU grizzly goes to the dentist

It turns out even bears need their teeth worked on from time to time.
When Adak, a resident of WSU’s Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center, recently damaged his canine tooth, the university’s vets stepped in to help.

A sedated grizzly bear lies on a veterinary examination table while a veterinary professional performs a dental procedure. The clinician wears protective eyewear with magnifying loupes, a surgical mask, and purple gloves while using a lighted dental instrument inside the bear’s mouth. An anesthesia tube is secured at the bear’s muzzle and connected to breathing equipment visible in the foreground. Monitoring wires are attached to the bear’s body, and several other veterinary staff members stand nearby in the clinical treatment room. Bright examination lighting illuminates the procedure, highlighting the bear’s teeth and the medical equipment surrounding the table.

New facility builds on long WSU, USDA partnership to boost agriculture

WSU and USDA-ARS opened the new USDA-ARS Plant Bioscience Research Building to boost research and help growers.

A building with a prominent glass facing. A sign on the building has the USDA logo and the words Plant Bioscience Research.

Washington State University experts to share solutions for tree fruit at FIRA USA

Experts in CAHNRS will present innovations shaping the future of tree fruit agriculture at FIRA USA 2026. The college sponsors the event and is helping organize Innovation Day and Campus Day.

Two researchers, one crouching with a remote control, the other looking over his shoulder at the controls, stand next to a grounded aerial drone outside a large beige building.