College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
January 19, 2021
Top Stories
2020 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll Summary Report Released
ISU Extension and Outreach has released the 2020 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll Summary Report. The 2020 Farm Poll survey focused on a range of issues including: changes in quality of life and farm financial well-being, economic and policy dimensions of commodity production, awareness of and interest in prairie strips, farmers’ perspectives on climate change, use of communications technology and well water testing. J. Arbuckle and Paul Lasley, sociology, are co-directors of the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.
Research
Plant Pathologists Release Corn Yield Loss Study
Daren Mueller, Adam Sisson and Alison Robertson, plant pathology and microbiology, are part of a group of plant pathologists working at universities across 26 corn-producing states in the U.S. and Canada that compiled data about annual corn reductions caused by diseases from 2016 through 2019. The study was published in Plant Health Progress.
Beating Western Corn Rootworm is a Shared Burden
A new study by Ph.D. student Coy St. Clair and Aaron Gassmann, entomology, suggests slowing the resurgence of the western corn rootworm will require a large-scale strategy. The findings, published in the Ecological Society of America’s journal Ecological Applications, show farmers who follow best management practices for mitigating corn rootworm within a field also decrease pest risks for other fields in their area.
Teaching and Students
Scholarships to Help Students with COVID-related Financial Hardships
The Seed Science Center and the Iowa Seed Association are accepting applications for 15 scholarships, which is an increase in the number of awards from previous years. The deadline to apply is extended to Jan. 27.
Food Science Club Selling Fudge
The Food Science Club is holding its annual Valentine’s Fudge Sale. Flavors are chocolate, chocolate mint, peanut butter, cookies n’ cream and Cyclone (chocolate fudge with peanuts, marshmallows and M&Ms). Preorder online before Jan. 29 or until sold out. Orders can be picked up at 206 MacKay Hall on Feb. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Extension and Outreach
Learn How Bioreactors are Being Used to Improve Water Quality
How bioreactors are being used to address water quality issues around the world is the topic of an Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at noon.
INRC Spring Seminar Series Focuses on Watersheds
A spring series of virtual seminars bringing findings from watershed research across the country begins Jan. 27, hosted by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. The online events will take place each month on the fourth Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. through May 26. Sessions are free and open to the public.
Virtual Dairy Day to Feature Profitable Practices
Virtual Dairy Day, hosted by the ISU Extension and Outreach dairy team, will provide dairy producers and the industry with information on emerging dairy industry issues. The program is scheduled for Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Around the College
Agronomist Advises NASA on Satellite Missions
Brian Hornbuckle, agronomy, is one of 13 scientists selected to serve on a congressionally mandated panel to advise NASA on which satellite missions should continue and which should be grounded. “We’re representing all scientists who use NASA satellite data,” he said.
Meat Products Back in Stock and for Sale
Several processed meats are back in stock and available for sale at the ISU Meat Laboratory following the holiday break. Orders can be placed online with curbside pick-up on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Red Fox Making Central Campus its Home
A red fox has been spotted by several individuals on campus. Although finding a red fox in Iowa isn’t necessarily rare, Adam Janke, natural resource ecology and management, said finding one in such a populated area seems uncommon. Janke added that observing and taking pictures of the fox is acceptable, but the animal should not be approached or disturbed.
In Memoriam: Nick Lauter, Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Nick Lauter, USDA Agricultural Research Service and faculty affiliate of the plant pathology and microbiology department since 2005, died of a pulmonary embolism on Jan. 7. He was 48. Lauter was an active member of the maize genetics community, collaborating with researchers in the U.S. and abroad. A video of the memorial service is available on the Adams Funeral Home website.
Calendar
Jan. 20: Climate and Weather Predictions Webinar
Denis Todey, director of USDA’s Climate Hub in Ames, will discuss drought and other potential challenges for 2021 in a webinar scheduled for Jan. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar is offered by ISU Extension and Outreach’s Dairy Team.
Jan. 22: Retirement Event for Guru Rao
Guru Rao, interim vice president for research, is retiring effective Jan. 22. Rao joined the Iowa State faculty in 2006 and was named chair of the biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology department in 2007. He served in that capacity until his appointment as associate vice president for research in 2016. He was appointed interim VPR in July 2020. Rao is an accomplished scientist and an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Inventors, and a member of Pioneer’s Inventors Hall of Fame. A Zoom event will be held Friday, Jan. 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. Also, congratulations can be sent to a Kudoboard.
Jan. 29: CALS Virtual Town Hall
A college virtual town hall meeting will be held on Jan. 29 at noon via Zoom. Participants can also join the meeting by phone. For higher quality, choose one of the following numbers based on your location: (301) 715-8592, (312) 626-6799, (646) 558-8656, (253) 215-8782, (346) 248-7799 or (669) 900-6833 (webinar ID: 825 6836 7201).
Feb. 12: Community Food Systems Event
The annual Iowa State University Community Food Systems event will take place online Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The focus will be on retail and leadership with experts from ISU Extension and Outreach.
Communications Kiosk
ISU Editorial Standards Changes to “Advisor”
Effective Jan. 25, the Editorial Standards section of the Office of University Marketing will recommend a new spelling for advisor. In last fall’s implementation of the new Professional and Scientific classification and compensation system, University Human Resources listed 15 job titles in seven categories that include the word “advisor.” In the previous P&S classification system, the spelling of similar positions was “advisor,” based on university and industry standards at the time. For consistency, clarity and simplicity, units are asked to update their style guidance to reflect this change in communications aimed at both campus and external audiences. UHR does not expect employees to immediately change items like business cards, plaques and signs, but to allow that transition to occur over time. If there are online or digital changes that can be made sooner (websites, e-newsletters and email signatures), please consider.
Infograzing
ISU Recognized for Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education
The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship recognized Iowa State University as winner of the 2021 USASBE Model Program Award. The award recognizes Iowa State for embedding innovation and entrepreneurship deeply into its culture and broader curriculum and cultivating the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs while responding to the needs of the state.
Gift Will Help Advance Climate Science Education
A $2.2 million gift will establish the Graether Family Fund for Climate Science Advancement to support the department of geological and atmospheric sciences. The endowed fund will support student, faculty and staff efforts in climate science education, impacting areas such as statistics, math, computer science, sociology, communication and design.
Study Abroad Cancellations Extended to Aug. 1
Summer study abroad programs scheduled to depart between May 2 and Aug. 1 have been canceled. Spring study abroad programs scheduled to depart before May 1 were canceled in October. University and board leaders continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on global travel and will provide an update when decisions are made for programs scheduled to begin after Aug. 1.
Marginalia
Cereal Characters Wear ‘got milk?’ Mustache
In honor of National Milk Day, got milk? and General Mills announced a partnership to share some fun facts about the duo of milk and cereal. (See the infographic in the link below.) To celebrate the partnership, limited edition packaging on Big G cereals feature characters wearing a got milk? mustache. National Milk Day was Jan. 11, and celebrates the first day in 1878 that milk was delivered in bottles in the United States.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Friday.