News

Professor brings industry experience to new digital and precision agriculture major

Students are getting an early look at a new digital and precision agriculture major launching this fall, where technology, data and agronomy converge. With hands-on experience using drones, sensors and mapping tools, the program prepares students to help farmers make smarter decisions and to lead the future of modern agriculture.

Graduate student’s research aims to provide solutions for organic vegetable growers

Smriti Chaudhary, a graduate student in sustainable agriculture and horticulture, has had great success studying vegetable crops at Iowa State University. So much that she was awarded a 2026 Graduate Program Research Excellence Award. With her May 2026 graduation on the horizon, Chaudhary plans to continue working in horticultural science and specialty crop production. She wants to develop research-based management strategies that help growers improve crop performance while maintaining sustainable production systems. 

New pasteurizer increases production capacity at Iowa State Creamery

The new combo batch pasteurizer/cheese vat is up and running at the Iowa State University Creamery, just in time for peak ice cream season.

Beirman named inaugural Degner Teaching Professor in Culinary Food Science

Known for her creativity, energy and commitment to students, Erica Beirman has been named the inaugural Nancy and Rich Degner Teaching Professor in Culinary Food Science.

The lasting impact of Stupka Symposium

The Stupka Symposium, an event that has touched the lives of many, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on April 9-10.The Stupka Symposium, an event that has touched the lives of many, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on April 9-10. Over the years, hundreds of students have had the opportunity to present their research, assist in planning and continue keeping the legacy of Stupka Symposium alive.  

Iowa State nitrogen specialist engaged in answering farmers’ questions

Traditional approaches, like applying a fixed amount of fertilizer early in the season, do not account for how crop needs change over time, according to Richard Roth, an assistant professor of agronomy at Iowa State University. Too much fertilizer or poorly timed applications often lead to wasted input costs, along with water pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions. As the state’s new nitrogen science specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, Roth provides leadership to help answer farmers’ questions about growing crops profitably and responsibly. 

Monarch overwintering numbers show encouraging continued increase in population size

The recent announcement of monarch overwintering numbers for the 2025-26 season shows a population increase for the second year in a row. While the continued population increase is encouraging news for monarchs, the current population still falls well below the levels scientists estimate will be sustainable.

Corteva panelists to present Hertz Lecture at Iowa State April 14

Three Corteva Agriscience senior leaders will reflect on the historic role Pioneer has played in shaping the seed industry during the 2026 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture.

Unexpected discovery leads to potential pollination control mechanism for baby corn

Baby corn, essentially unfertilized young ears of corn, is a specialty food with a global market. Its quality and taste are greatly reduced by pollination. To prevent pollination, farmers depend on labor- and cost-intensive detasseling to remove the male flowers from the plant early in its growth, before they shed pollen to fertilize the ears. A promising alternative to the bottleneck of detasseling has been discovered by Iowa State University researchers who study corn breeding. 

A hidden campus gem

Imagine if you could escape the Iowa winter weather and enjoy warmer temperatures, sunlight, and beautiful plant growth without leaving campus. Thousands of students don’t know this possibility is right above them.

Iowa CARET representatives visit Capitol Hill on behalf of land-grant university system

Iowa representatives of the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching joined like-minded citizens from across the country in Washington, D.C.,  recently to advocate for Iowa State University and the land-grant university system.