College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
August 24, 2020
Top Stories
NIFA Grant Supports Genetic Improvement of Livestock
A research group led by Jack Dekkers, animal science, has received a $500,000, two-year grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to further genetic improvement of livestock by integrating biological models of growth developed by animal nutritionists. Team members from animal science include Nick Serão, Rohan Fernando and Jayasooriya Ranga Appuhamy. More
Global Café Open in Curtiss Hall
With the students return to campus, the Global Café in Curtiss Hall is once again open for business. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. They offer pastries, deli-style entrees, snacks, beverages and coffee.
Research
ISU Research Farms Series of Virtual Tours Begins Aug. 31
ISU Research and Demonstration Farms are hosting a series of interactive webinars on Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, from 8 to 8:30 a.m. The virtual field days will highlight this year’s research results with time for questions. Research farms across Iowa will be featured, with 20 minutes of in-field video, drone footage and presentations by ISU Extension and Outreach specialists.
COVID-19 and Research – Updated Guidance for Fall Semester
Updated research guidance for fall semester was provided by Guru Rao, interim vice president for research, in an August 13 memo to all campus researchers. CALS and LAS specific protocol for Iowa State field and farm-based research during COVID-19 also is available online.
Teaching and Students
Robison: Be a Role Model, Build Inclusive CALS Community
Dean Robison shared a message with students last week via social media encouraging compliance with Cyclones Care guidelines, awareness of ISU’s Principles of Community and efforts to make the CALS community more inclusive, and offering resources for support. More
Animal Science Welcomes Students to Campus
Faculty and staff in the animal science department welcomed new and returning students to campus in a video shared on social media. Personal welcomes and scenes from the farms let students know faculty and staff are excited for their return. Brad Skaar detailed some issues they are having at the beef farm with “non-compliant cattle” struggling to social distance and keep on their face coverings. Susan Lamont sent her greetings from the new poultry farm and is excited for students to learn about animals, as well as delve into deep philosophical issues like which came first – the chicken or the egg? More
Horticulture Club Mum Sale Sept. 3-4
The Horticulture Club will be holding a mum sale on Sept. 3 (south lawn of Parks Library) and Sept. 4 (east lawn of Curtiss Hall). Due to the shortened semester they will not be holding their annual poinsettia sale in December as usual. Funds raised will be used to cover club activities, contest expenses and student enrichment.
Extension and Outreach
Webinar to Address Issues Impacting Farmland Owners and Tenants
Issues impacting Iowa farmland owners and tenants is the focus of a webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. Extension economists Chad Hart, Alejandro Plastina and Wendong Zhang will discuss the national and state economic outlook and state agricultural costs of production. Kristine Tidgren, director of the CALS Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, will give a legal perspective on considerations for the current and future growing seasons. More
Iowa Learning Farms Webinar to Present Research Update
Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at noon about a current research project that assesses forage quality and potential yield of various annual crops. Erika Lundy, extension beef specialist, will present.
Around the College
Maier Receives Sukup Global Food Security Award
Dirk Maier, agricultural and biosystems engineering and director of the Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste Reduction, received the 2020 Sukup Global Food Security Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers at its virtual annual international meeting. More
Kimle Receives CYstarters Mentorship Award
Kevin Kimle, director of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, received the Ted Bair CYstarters Mentorship Award from ISU’s Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship on July 31. The new award honors Ted Bair who unexpectedly passed away in February. More
Interviews Resume this Week for Entomology/Plant Path Chair
Interviews for the chair of entomology and plant pathology and microbiology resume this week. Heike Bucking will interview on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 27-28; Shirley Luckhart on Sept. 1-2. Their CV and cover letter are available online, along with a feedback survey and seminar recordings for candidates David Andow and Steve Harris. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the seminars will be closed to faculty and staff. There will be a session with each candidate at 11 a.m. on the first day as well as a lunch with limited space available. Sign-up to attend is available online.
Calendar
Aug. 25: Is Technology the Ticket to Improved Livestock Production?
Dr. Dan Thomson, chair of animal science, discusses the future of livestock production in light of challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic in an August 14 AgriTalk interview featured in Drovers magazine. The article previews a presentation Thomson will give during the virtual Farm Journal Field Days on Aug. 25 at noon.
Communications Kiosk
Using “a” or “an” Before an Acronym
When choosing between “a” or “an” prior to acronyms, generally assume each letter is read as a letter. For example, “an MLB spokesperson says…” and “Lifetime is making a movie using an LGBTQ storyline…” (AP Stylebook Online’s Ask the Editor, Aug. 5, 2020)
Infograzing
Health and Safety Guidelines for Student Organizations
Student organizations are a major contributor to the student experience at Iowa State. To mitigate the risks surrounding COVID-19, student organizations should think critically and creatively on how to accomplish goals while prioritizing health and safety for all. President Wintersteen shared these helpful guidelines on Friday for all campus gatherings.
ITS Activates Outside Wi-Fi
Campus users are now able to access wireless internet in select outdoor areas around campus. Information Technology Services has additional zones planned.
Marginalia
University Museums – Judging a Book by its Cover
A book’s cover design, literally its packaging, is its strongest marketing tool, said Allison Sheridan in an Aug. 13 blog post for University Museums. “The first impression of a book is its cover design. Whether basic or elaborate, dust jacket or embossed leather, the cover of a book is habitually the first thing a reader visually decodes. We do often judge a book by its cover – even if we are told not to!” Sheridan is the museum collections manager, publications coordinator and Farm House Museum manager. More
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.