CALS Online and Dean’s Message
August 11, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – Almost back to the academic year. The Iowa State Fair is in full swing. Final vacation sprints are underway. Football is in the air, including Iowa State in Ireland! And next week, students will begin moving in to campus residence halls and apartments… Last fall, our incoming freshmen and transfer class was up by an amazing 14%. This fall, we anticipate sustaining that level of incoming students. That's a great thing. It's still too early to say what our graduate student numbers will look like…
Top Stories
Pairing Genomics and Weather Data for Crop Predictions
Research led by Jianming Yu, agronomy, aims to give a significant boost to agricultural predictions with modeling tools that would benefit both breeders and farmers. In a recent study, Yu’s team built a model to predict the flowering time and height of sorghum plants based on genomic analysis and early-season weather data. In blind tests of sorghum fields that weren’t included in the modeling data, Yu and his colleagues predicted flowering time with up to 74% accuracy and plant height up to 96%. (Photo by Jianming Yu, Iowa State University)
Teaching and Students
Animal Science Student Receives Pork Foundation Fellowship
Jayden Lawrence, a doctoral student in animal science, has been selected to receive one of two 2025 Nelda Christian Iowa Pork Foundation Graduate Fellowships, along with Morgan Almeida (’22 animal science), a current Iowa State veterinary medicine student. Lawrence’s primary focus is studying key stakeholder perceptions of swine welfare in the U.S., working with Anna Johnson, animal science.
Yeungnam University Students Visit Iowa State
The CALS Office for Global Engagement recently hosted 16 students and two professors from Yeungnam University in Daegu, South Korea. The students participated in the study abroad program, "Agriculture and Natural Resources of the U.S. Midwest-Study Abroad Program at Iowa State University."
Extension and Outreach
Get the Inside Scoop with Ms. Scoop at the Iowa State Fair
Stop by and meet Ms. Scoop—ISU Extension and Outreach’s one-of-a-kind cement cow—on display at the Iowa State Fair. She’s there to celebrate The ANR Scoop, a bimonthly newsletter bringing Iowans timely updates and practical resources from extension experts. Find her near the John Deere Agriculture Building.
Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day Comes to Iowa
The Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day will be held at Iowa State's Horticulture Research Station on Aug. 20. Managing weeds can be a major challenge for both conventional and organic farmers, and cultivation can be an important tool for combating weeds. This field day offers a chance to observe weeding tools of various sizes demonstrated in the field.
Economist Reports on Foreign Interest and Land Leases in Iowa Farmland
Rabail Chandio, economics, has authored an article titled, “Foreign-held farmland in the United States and Iowa: scale, use and ownership trends.” It provides timely updates not only on foreign interest, but also on ownership and lease agreements across Iowa and the U.S.
Around the College
Watch for Unprecedented Levels of West Nile Virus
Mosquito surveillance efforts across Iowa show unprecedented levels of West Nile virus in mosquitoes. Ryan Smith, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, oversees mosquito and tick surveillance in the state in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. He said these high levels are a serious concern for the remainder of August and September, which are typically the months when WNV transmission risks are at their highest. Smith encourages everyone to be extra vigilant when spending time outdoors, especially in the evenings. He recommends insect repellents that contain DEET, and to make sure to dump any standing water that might be found around the home to reduce sites for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
Farm Progress Show 2026 Call for Proposals
Potential content ideas are being sought for the Iowa State exhibit space at the 2026 Farm Progress Show. Together, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and the Department of Agronomy would like to showcase innovative technologies and demonstrate the latest research to show attendees. They are looking for the best ideas to occupy the tent and the outdoor exhibit space. To submit a proposal for consideration, fill out this form by Sept. 12 at 11:59 p.m. Co-leaders Jay Harmon and Kendall Lamkey will review all submissions and make final content area decisions in October.
Beef Breakdown: Enjoying Value Cuts and Saving Big
Terry Houser and Jake Manternach, animal science, will present a live beef fabrication demonstration on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. in The Kitchen at the Maytag Family Theater on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The free demonstration, presented by the ISU Meat Lab and the Iowa Beef Council, will take attendees beyond the grocery store and into the world of beef butchery. The event will conclude with beefy giveaways and recipe inspiration.
Calendar
Aug. 13: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
Madelynn Wuestenberg, agricultural climatology extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will present the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at noon. In “Climate Tools for Ag Decision-Making,” she will highlight ways in which climate tools and products can be used to provide on-demand information to producers.
Aug. 29: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio behind Curtiss Hall.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Communications Kiosk
Consequent vs. Subsequent
Consequent denotes causation; subsequent does not. A consequent event always happens after the event that caused it, as does a subsequent event. But a subsequent event does not necessarily occur as a result of the first: it could be wholly unrelated but merely later in time. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 321)
Infograzing
Open House Highlights Student Health/Wellness Services
Departments in Iowa State's student health and wellness unit – Student Counseling Services, Student Wellness, Thielen Student Health Center and the SHOP food pantry – are part of a four-facility open house on Aug. 19 from 1-4 p.m. Meet the staff, pick up resources for use this academic year, join a short tour and enjoy refreshments.
Volunteers Sought for Welcome Weekend Events
More than 200 volunteers are needed to assist with several Destination Iowa State (for new students) and Welcome Weekend (for all students) events during back-to-school weekend, Aug. 21-23. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and food and beverages during their shift(s). Sign up is available online.
- Center of ExCYtement dinner, Thursday evening
- Cookout, Friday evening
- G.O.A.T. breakfast, Saturday morning
- Volleyball exhibition, Saturday morning
- Football game watch, Saturday morning/afternoon
Graduate School Application Workshops Scheduled for September
The Honors Program, Graduate College and Academic Success Center are offering a series of four workshops in September for students who are considering or actively applying to graduate programs. The workshops will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center and focus on What is Graduate School? (Sept. 9), Building your CV or Resume (Sept. 16), Demystifying the Statement of Purpose (Sept. 23) and Navigating the Interview and Campus Visit (Sept. 30). Students are asked to register for the workshops so organizers can plan for space and snacks.
Marginalia
Curtiss Accompanies Ms. Scoop to the Iowa State Fair
Curtiss took a field trip last week to drop his new friend off at the Iowa State Fair (can you spot him?). He had to come back to campus, but you can still find Ms. Scoop at the Fair near the John Deere Agriculture Building. Ms. Scoop is celebrating The ANR Scoop, a bimonthly newsletter from ISU Extension bringing timely updates and practical resources from extension experts.
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.