College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Feb. 11, 2019
Top Stories
Survey Shows Increasing Use of Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Practices
Farmers in Iowa’s Missouri-Little Sioux watershed are increasing their use of and interest in key best management practices recommended by the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, according to a new study co-authored by J. Arbuckle and Laurie Nowatzke, sociology. The study is part of the ongoing Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Farmer Survey, which aims to measure change in Iowa farmers’ knowledge and attitudes about the strategy and their use of best management practices. More
Research
Data Mining Brings New Clarity to Plant Breeding
Data mining methods that draw on computer science and statistics can bring new clarity for plant scientists trying to design better crop varieties, according to newly published research from Jianming Yu, agronomy. The study outlines several data management approaches that can help plant breeders predict the traits of potential hybrids faster and cheaper than growing and testing the plants. More
Synthetics and Heroin Spike New Concern in Iowa
Stronger regulation and efforts to prescribe fewer opioids have helped reduce overdose deaths in Iowa, but David Peters, sociology, says another crisis is on the horizon. Peters expects in the next two to three years the state will see an uptick in overdose deaths from heroin and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. More
Teaching and Students
Gaul Honored with Friend of AGR Award by Eta Chapter, Alpha Gamma Rho
Iowa State’s Eta Undergraduate Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, the agriculture fraternity, has honored Mike Gaul, director of CALS Career Service, with its Friend of AGR Award. The award was presented on Saturday, Feb. 9, at AGR’s 105th Founders Day celebration. Senior Associate Dean Joe Colletti also provided remarks for the event.
Horticulture Club’s Annual Rose Sale Feb. 12-14
The Horticulture Club is holding its annual rose sale from Feb. 12-14 in the Memorial Union west spiral stairwell. Customers who pre-ordered roses can pick up their orders at this time. Also, there will be additional flowers and arrangements available for purchase while supplies last.
Agronomy Student Part of Farm Bureau’s Farm Strong Squad
Zach Timm, a junior in agronomy, was selected to be part of the 2018-19 Farm Strong Squad. Timm throws shot put for men’s track and field and has been on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll each semester as a Cyclone. Each year, Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa State Athletics Department come together to celebrate the shared values of student athletes and Iowa farmers – hard work, commitment and integrity – by honoring 16 student athletes (one from each sport) on the Farm Strong Squad. More
Extension and Outreach
Webinar Looks at Consequences of Farming Prairie Potholes
The Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Feb. 20 will cover the consequences of farming prairie potholes and management options for these common Iowa landscape features. Amy Kaleita, agricultural and biosystems engineering, will explain this flooding behavior and the effects it has on crops and watersheds. More
Impact of Automation in Iowa Agriculture
A new report from the Brookings Institution states that automation and artificial intelligence technologies are destined to alter the country’s worker landscape, across all races and genders, and in a wide swath of occupations. In a Feb. 4 article in The Gazette, David Swenson, economics, said the impact of automation on Iowa might be overstated in recent predictions – especially in the agriculture sector, where Iowa already is ahead of the technology curve. More
Around the College
Nominations for Gamma Sigma Delta due March 22
The Iowa chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture, is accepting nominations for membership and awards. Nomination forms for faculty, staff and alumni membership and awards are available online and are due March 22. More
CALS Contributes Nearly $70,000 to United Way Campaign Goal
Iowa State University exceeded its 2018 United Way campaign goal by $5,500, donating $420,510.82 to United Way of Story County programs. CALS contributions totaled $69,920.05, the largest portion donated of all ISU units. The Live United Campaign raised $2,230,206 for Story County programs. Their work focuses on health, education and financial stability. Learn more about United Way of Story County programs by visiting their website. If you have questions or comments about your contributions, please contact CALS United Way liaison, Haley Cook (hcook@iastate.edu).
Calendar
Feb. 26: CALS Diversity Programs to Host Workshop with Author Robin DiAngelo
The CALS Office for Diversity Programs will host a Cultural Competency Series workshop on Feb. 26 featuring Robin DiAngelo, author of the books White Fragility and Is Everyone Really Equal? CALS faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend this free workshop. Seats are limited, so registration is required. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. At 7 p.m. the same day, DiAngelo will present a public lecture on “White Fragility: Why Is It So Hard for White People to Talk Racism?” in the Memorial Union Great Hall. DiAngelo has facilitated trainings on racial and social justice issues for more than 20 years.
Communications Kiosk
When to Use a Hyphen with “After”
Do not use a hyphen after this prefix when it is used to form a noun: aftereffect, afterthought. Follow “after” with a hyphen when it is used to form compound modifiers: after-dinner drink, after-theatre snack. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2018 edition, pg. 8)
Infograzing
Iowa State Research Day Scheduled for March 28
The Office of the Vice President for Research is hosting its annual Iowa State Research Day on March 28, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union. The agenda includes lightning talks, a poster session, storytelling sessions and a resource fair. Margaret Hedstrom, University of Michigan School of Information, will present the keynote address on public access to data and other scholarly products and the connection to promoting rigor in scholarship. Registration is available online. More
New Platform Supports Public Access to Research Data
DataShare, a data repository for sharing, publishing and archiving research data created by ISU scholars and researchers, completed beta testing earlier this fall. The resource is the result of a two-year partnership between the Office of the Vice President for Research, University Library and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. DataShare provides a way to publicly share research data that meets data-sharing requirements specified by government and private research sponsors. Those interested in using DataShare may go online for more information or contact the DataShare team at datashare@iastate.edu
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://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.