Can Dogs Sniff Out Agricultural Threats Before They Arrive?

Protecting California's crops from invasive pests and diseases is a constant challenge. And a new research effort is looking at how to stop more of those threats before they ever reach American soil.

According to a University of Florida news release, the university will lead an international project called SAFE, aimed at identifying agricultural threats overseas.

The research will span seven countries, using artificial intelligence, improved testing methods, and potentially even dogs to catch problems earlier.

And putting a dog's powerful sense of smell to work in agriculture is already happening right here in California.

The state uses trained detection dogs at mail and package delivery facilities, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx, to sniff out agricultural products that could carry pests and diseases.

But this new research is looking at something a little different.

Researchers at Miami-based Florida International University will study whether dogs and specialized sensors can detect odors associated with the agricultural threats themselves, rather than just the products that might carry them.

For California growers, it's research happening far from home, but with a goal that hits close to home: keeping costly pests and diseases out of American fields.