News

USDA credited with 320 inventions in 2018

USDA scientists and researchers are credited with 320 inventions in 2018.
Inventions from last year include a coconut oil-derived insect repellant for cattle, a treatment for peanut allergies and using gene editing to develop an African swine fever vaccine, among others.

The agency’s Annual Technology Transfer Report says the number of USDA inventions in 2018 is more than any year going back to 2014.
The $2.7 million from royalties in 2018, on the other hand, is the least in the past five years. Licensing income from 2014 through 2017 was about $3.5 million per year. Out of the 320 inventions reported, 67 have been granted patents.

“We’re on the cusp of great inventions here,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.