Issue: 1303

CALS Online and Dean’s Message
July 15, 2024 


Dean’s Message

Good Morning CALS – I hope you had a great weekend. Last week was full of a wide variety of activities for me, and for you, too, I’m certain. We celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Learning Farms with an event at Reiman Gardens… There was also the grand opening event for phase I of the new Wyffels Seed Plant in the Prairie View Industrial Center in Ames, just east of Interstate 35… We also started prepping for the third annual George Washington Carver Day event, to be held Feb. 3, 2025. Going forward, this annual event will be led by CALS on behalf of the entire university… More 


Top Stories

Research underway at Iowa State is investigating the potential of boosting zinc levels before transport as a low-cost, easy way to ease beef cattle’s muscle fatigue during transit, improve their health and increase their long-term growth. Animal science graduate students Brock Ortner (left) and Allison Baumhover assisted with the research project and are shown above with a cattle trailer.

Research Suggests Zinc Supplementation Prior to 
Transport can Benefit Cattle Welfare, Performance
Research underway at Iowa State is investigating the potential of boosting zinc levels before transport as a low-cost, easy way to ease beef cattle’s muscle fatigue during transit, improve their health and increase their long-term growth. The new study, led by Stephanie Hansen, animal science, builds on her earlier work reported in the Journal of Animal Science, which found that increasing zinc supplementation after transport can improve the performance of growing feedlot steers. Animal science graduate students Brock Ortner (left) and Allison Baumhover assisted with the research project and are shown above with a cattle trailer. More 


Research

INRC Video Highlights Researcher Directory
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has released a video highlighting the Iowa Nutrient Researcher Directory, a web directory designed to guide visitors to diverse types of research projects to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in Iowa's waters and the researchers leading those projects. The video features four scientists who have received support from the INRC. More 


Extension and Outreach

Farmland Leasing and Management Workshops Scheduled
ISU Extension and Outreach will host farmland leasing and management workshops across the state in July and August, beginning July 29 in Waterloo and continuing through Aug. 28 in Keokuk County. Topics will include land values and cash rent trends, cost of production, methods for determining a fair rental rate, legislative updates regarding leases, including conservation in farmland lease arrangements, and communicating with tenants or landowners. More 

New Dairy Goat Website Offers Timely Resources
A collaborative website between Iowa State University and the University of California-Davis has been created to educate dairy goat producers and veterinarians about the science behind producing high-quality goat milk. The Dairy Goat Extension and Education website provides modules and templates for health and reproductive records, with the goal of providing resources that will launch the American dairy goat industry forward in the areas of animal and udder health, milk quality and antimicrobial stewardship. More 

ANR Extension Spotlight: Laura Greiner
Laura Greiner is director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center and an associate professor in animal science. She is a swine nutritionist, and in addition to her extension appointment, she teaches the swine production introductory course. Greiner’s research focuses on ways to improve sow longevity, better understand the vitamin and mineral needs of pigs throughout their life cycle and strengthen the immune system of young female pigs prior to their first mating. More 


Around the College

American Society for Nutrition Honors FSHN Faculty
Sarah Francis, food science and human nutrition, received the Excellence in Nutrition Education Award from the American Society for Nutrition at its NUTRITION 2024 meeting in Chicago, June 29-July 2. Catherine Woteki, FSHN, received the ASN Volunteer of the Year Award. Kevin Schalinske, FSHN, concluded his term as president of the American Society for Nutrition at this meeting. He now steps into his role as past-president to oversee the recruitment of ASN’s next group of leaders. More 

CALS Alumni BBQ Aug. 31 – Call for Volunteers and Invitation to Attend
Faculty and staff volunteers are needed for the annual CALS barbecue, to be held Aug. 31 at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. Approximately 400 CALS alumni and friends are expected to attend this year’s event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., prior to the Iowa State vs. North Dakota football game (kick-off is 2:30 p.m.). Complimentary lunch, parking and shuttle to the stadium will be provided. Volunteers who register will receive a CALS barbecue T-shirt in appreciation of their service. Register to volunteer online by Aug. 2. For questions, contact Angie Weeks (amweeks@iastate.edu). Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Registration/Greeter (11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
  • Beverage service (11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

CALS faculty, staff and guests are also invited to attend the barbecue as guests. Details are available on the CALS barbecue webpage. Event registration is required by Aug. 23.


Calendar

July 17: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
Motivational Barriers to Implementing Conservation is the topic of the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, July 17, at noon. Robyn Wilson, professor of risk analysis and decision science at The Ohio State University, will present. More 


Communications Kiosk

Bring vs. Take
The distinction between bring and take may seem obvious, but the error is common. The simple question is, where is the action directed? If it’s toward you, use bring (bring home the bacon). If it’s away from you, use take (take out the trash). You take (not bring) your car to the mechanic. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 316)


Infograzing

Receptors Make Dairy Cows a Prime Target for Influenza
A new study by a broad team of researchers at Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine helps explain why dairy cows infected by a highly pathogenic avian influenza are shedding the virus in their milk. Their findings could help develop biosecurity measures aimed at slowing the spread of illness. More 

Consider Studio 2B while Preparing for Fall Semester
Studio 2B, a space to record and livestream professional-quality videos, opened in Parks Library last spring. It includes a one-button studio with teleprompter, lights and a height-adjustable table, as well as a state-of-the-art Lightboard (video). Studio 2B is a place for faculty, staff and students to capture lectures for online offerings, give research presentations, provide grant updates and create Open Educational Resources. More 


College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online

Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616 
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/cals-online

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 Thursday.

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