Issue: 742

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University March 25, 2013 No. 742 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... POWELL-COFFMAN NAMED CHAIR OF GDCB Jo Anne Powell-Coffman is the new chair of the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology. She has served as interim chair of the department since July 2011. GDCB is coadministered by CALS and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. RENOWNED GENETICIST TO SPEAK AT CIAG SYMPOSIUM, MARCH 27 Trudy Mackay, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the William Neal Reynolds and Distinguished University Professor of Genetics and Entomology at North Carolina State University, will be the featured speaker Wednesday, March 27, at the spring symposium of the Center for Integrated Animal Genomics at ISU. Mackay is known internationally for her groundbreaking genetic research. Her presentation will begin at 1:10 p.m. in 1204 Kildee Hall. FSHN DAIRY FOODS CLASS TO HEAR PERSPECTIVES ON RAW MILK Students in the Food Science and Human Nutrition 208 course, Dairy Foods: Current Issues and Controversies, will hear from two panels on the raw milk issue on Tuesday, March 26, and on Tuesday, April 2. Both day's panels will meet from 2:10 to 3:30 p.m. in the Molecular Biology auditorium, Room 1414. Experts from Iowa and around the country will speak on their perspectives on the issue, followed by student interaction and questions with the panelists.Â Others interested in the raw milk topic are invited to attend the program on both dates.Â The FSHN 208 course is designed to dispel myths about dairy foods and improve critical thinking and communication skills of students. Students in the class interact with people who produce, process, regulate, recommend and market dairy foods. For more information on the upcoming panels, contact Stephanie Clark, milkmade@iastate.edu. JIM TOBIN TO PRESENT HERTZ LECTURE, MARCH 28 Jim Tobin, vice president of industry affairs at Monsanto Company, will present the 2013 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture on Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in 1148 Gerdin Business Building. Tobin, an ISU alum, will present "Agricultural Technology: Reflections on the Journey, Perspectives on the Future." CALS FACULTY TO SPEAK AT BEE CARE PROGRAM, MARCH 28 In an effort to foster education and collaboration, the Bayer Bee Care Program will travel to ISU on March 28 as it continues its Bee Care Tour throughout the Midwest. Held at Reiman Gardens, the event will bring together leading researchers and beekeepers to promote science-based solutions aimed at improving honeybee health. The event includes a panel presentation of Iowa State and area expert speakers, including Matt O'Neal, Erin Hodgson and Elizabeth Buffington, entomology, and Amy Toth, ecology, evolution and organismal biology. More: https://connect.bayercropscience.us/2013/02/27/bayer-bee-care-tour-laun… ISU BUG EXPERT HOSTS DOCUMENTARIES ON THE SCIENCE CHANNEL Brendan Dunphy, a research associate in the entomology department, is hosting an internationally broadcast documentary program about insects. "Planet Ant" will debut on April 28 at 9 p.m. on the Science Channel and features Dunphy as a host and narrator. "Inside Out: Bugs," another Science Channel program starring Dunphy, debuted earlier this month and began airing in the United Kingdom on BBC4 last week. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/03/19/dunphyhost DEBINSKI EARNS GENDER EQUITY AWARD Diane Debinski, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, was one of two recipients of the 2012 Margaret Sloss Women's Center Gender Equity Award. She will be honored at an awards and scholarship reception on Tuesday, March 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. The program begins at 4 p.m. and includes a keynote address by LAS Dean Beate Schmittmann. RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR PETE HOFFMAN, MARCH 28 A retirement reception honoring Pete Hoffman, animal science, will be held Thursday, March 28, 3:30 to 5 p.m. (remarks at 4 p.m.), in the Kildee Hall Atrium. Hoffman has been with animal science since 1969. Â RSVP TO APRIL UNVEILING OF DAIRY MURAL BY MARCH 29 The unveiling of the newly restored "History of Dairying" mural by Christian Peterson will be held April 19, 4 to 6 p.m. (with remarks at 5:30) in the Food Sciences Building Courtyard. RSVP to Breanna Wetzler at 4-9166 or bwetzler@iastate.edu by March 29. RSVP BY MARCH 29 TO GRAD STUDENT, POST DOC CAREERS EVENT A graduate student and post-doc employment preparation workshop will be held April 4, 5 to 8 p.m. in 1951 Food Sciences Building. Presented by Mike Gaul, CALS Career Services, topics will include preparing a resume, finding positions, contacting employers, cultivating references, interviewing tips, how to follow up with employers and negotiating the offer. RSVP to Ruth MacDonald at ruthmacd@iastate.edu by March 29. CONTRACT GRAZING FACT SHEET SERIES NOW AVAILABLE A new four-part series of fact sheets on contract grazing for cattle is now available on the Iowa Beef Center website. The resource was developed by a specialized working group within the Green Lands, Blue Water project, including two ISU Extension and Outreach specialists. Joe Sellers, beef specialist, and Andy Larson, small farms specialist, worked with project members from Wisconsin and Minnesota to identify needs and information for those who graze cattle. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/contract-grazing-fact-sheet-se… THREE AG SPECIALISTS JOIN RESEARCH FARMS Chad Huffman has been hired as an agriculture specialist at the Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm in Sutherland. He will be conducting agronomic and horticultural research and demonstration projects, which includes coordinating the field research trials with project leaders. Lance Miller has been hired as an agriculture specialist at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm in Crawfordsville. He will be coordinating research projects at the farm and on-farm projects for southeast Iowa. Brad Evans has been hired as an agriculture specialist at the McNay Research and Demonstration Farm in Chariton. He will be working with the beef cattle herd assisting with research trials and with managing pasture, forage and beef cattle production. GLOBAL PROGRAMS SEEKING TO PLACE INTERN FROM COSTA RICA The CALS Global Program office is seeking to place a student from EARTH University in Costa Rica in an internship at ISU for the fall 2013 semester. The student's interests are in weeds, horticulture, soil and water management, agronomy, forestry, rural development and animals. For more information contact Jodi Cornell, 4-1851, jcornell@iastate.edu WOMEN'S NETWORKING LUNCHEON TO BE HELD APRIL 1 The spring 2013 networking luncheon for women graduate students and postdocs in the college will be April 1, noon to 1 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall. The discussion topic will be "Stressed out?? Who, me?!" Sue Lamont, CALS Equity Advisor, will facilitate a discussion on common sources of stress and some strategies to reduce stress. The luncheon will also be a meet and greet to allow participants to become better acquainted with each other, their work and their career plans. To attend, RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by March 25. LAWNMOWER SERVICE DAYS,Â APRIL 5-6? The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its annual Lawnmower Service Days onÂ AprilÂ 5 from 1 to 6 p.m. andÂ AprilÂ 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Industrial Education II building, west of the ISU horse barns. Cost for routine maintenance is $35 for a push mower and $50 for a riding mower. (Major repairs not provided.) Pick-up and delivery is available for Ames only; $15 for push mowers and $20 for riding mowers. More: astservicedays@gmail.com, (515) 708-8672. INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO SPEAK AT ISU, APRIL 7 Hans Herren, president of the Millennium Institute, will present the 2013 Shivvers Memorial Lecture, "Changing Course in Global Agriculture," on April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. An internationally recognized scientist and World Food Prize recipient, Herren will speak about opportunities and challenges for advancing integrated sustainable development. Herren's presentation is co-sponsored by the Leopold Center. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/03/21/lectures-herren RHETORIC AND SCIENCE TOPIC OF UPCOMING LECTURE, APRIL 8 The Agronomy Department and the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture are co-sponsoring a lecture on "Rhetoric and Science: Two Cultures or One?" on April 8 at 7 p.m. in 101 Carver Hall. David Zarefsky, professor emeritus and former Dean of the School of Communication at Northwestern University, will discuss how debates over policy can in fact resemble the scientific method. MORRIS AND HER COLLIE WIN AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Cheryl Morris, animal science, and her 6-year-old border collie, Karma, won the American Kennel Club's National Agility Championship in the 16-inch division in Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 16-17. Class winners were crowned from an entry of more than 1,600 dogs at the inaugural Companion Events Extravaganza. More: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4909 ANIMAL SCIENTISTS RECEIVE AWARDS AT ADSA/ASAS MEETINGS The following awards were presented to ISU animal scientists at the Midwest American Dairy Science Association/American Society of Animal Science meetings on March 13: National Pork Board Swine Innovation (Abstract) Award in Research "“ Nick Boddicker, Dorian Garrick, Jim Reecy and Jack Dekkers; National Pork Board Swine Innovation (Abstract) Award in Education "“ Ken Stalder, Tom Baas and Jodi Sterle; third place in the Graduate M.S. Oral Competition, Emily Arkfeld; Young Dairy Scholar, Dawn Koltes; and Animal Science Young Scholar, Nick Boddicker. LONERGAN NAMED FELLOW OF INSTITITE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS Elisabeth Lonergan, animal science, was named a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists. The Fellow designation is an honor bestowed upon an IFT member by their peers, recognizing exemplary professionalism in the field of food science. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS April 4-5: Heat Stress Symposium April 16-17: Egg Industry Issues Forum, St. Louis April 24: Seed Science Center Symposium, Gateway Conference Center, http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/bigmap/home.html April 25: U.S.-China Trade Commission Hearing ................................................... FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ................................................... FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources, http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/ April 11 (letter of intent): NIH Limited Competition: Training for Examination, Inspection and Investigation of Food Manufacturing, Processing, Packing, Holding, Distribution and Importation, Including Retail Food Establishments (U18); universities can be sub-awardees, 20 awards, $70,000 per award. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-FD-13-011.html April 12 (letter of intent): NIST Measurement Science for Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Agreement Program; universities can be sub-awardees. April 12 (letter of intent): NIH Biomedical Technology Resource Centers (P41); $600,000 to $750,000 direct costs plus $500,000 for equipment per award. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-144.html April 29 (letter of intent): USDA NIFA AFRI Food Security; $50,000 to $1 million. April 30: NSF/Gates Foundation Basic Research to Enable Agriculture (BREAD) Program Ideas Challenge. June 5: NIH Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Research (R01); $275,000 over two years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-155.html June 16: NIH Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Research (R21); $275,000 over two years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-145.html June 16: NIH Development and Characterization of Animal Models for Aging Research (R21). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-156.html June 28: NIH National Cancer Institute Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (NCI Omnibus R21); $275,000 over two years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-146.html ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... WEBINAR TO DISCUSS BIOCONTROL TO IMPROVE SOYBEAN YIELDS, MARCH 28 The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development is hosting a webinar on "Farm-Based Biocontrol Seed Treatments for Improving Soybean Yields" on March 28 at 12 p.m. Brian McSpadden Gardener, Ohio State University, will describe an inexpensive and organically acceptable formulation of a widely-distributed biocontrol bacteria for use as a yield-enhancing seed treatment on soybeans. APPLY FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP PROGRAM BY MARCH 29 The Undergraduate Research Assistantship program encourages outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering them hands-on experience in a formal research environment.Â The research roles assigned to the students promote the development of technical and manipulative skills and foster originality, imagination, judgment and patience. Student and faculty/staff applications or renewal applications are due by Friday, March 29. ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... FARM SUPERINTENDENT: FARMERS GET THE DATA The Northeast Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm and the Borlaug Learning Center were featured in an article in the New Hampton Tribune on March 19. Ken Pecinovsky, farm superintendent, explained that in 2012 about 60 different experiments were taking place on the farm. "We do statistical analysis when we get done "“ that way you can tell if it works or doesn't work," Pecinovsky said. "The farmers get the data and they can use it to their benefit." ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... SMITHSONIAN ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE TO DOCUMENT FARM INNOVATION The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has launched the Agricultural Innovation and Heritage Archive, reaching out to farmers, ranchers and American agri-business to preserve America's agricultural heritage and build a collection that reflects modern agricultural practices. Curators are seeking stories, photographs and ephemera to record and preserve the innovations and experiences of farming and ranching. More: http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/national-museum-american-history-announ… ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ EDITOR Julie Stewart jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/ SUBSCRIBE Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe." Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IowaStateU.AgLifeSciences Twitter: http://twitter.com/iastate_cals Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Interim Assistant Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.