College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
December 21, 2020
Top Stories
Iowa Land Values Show Stability in Turbulent Year
Favorable interest rates, a strong demand for land and substantial government payments helped stabilize Iowa’s farmland market in a year in which Iowa’s farmers faced destruction from a derecho, uncertainties in U.S. agricultural trade and a pandemic that significantly altered market demand. This year’s Iowa Land Value Survey found that the average statewide value of an acre of farmland is $7,559, an increase of 1.7 percent, or $127, since 2019. More
Research
Research Results May Offer Protection against Soybean Pathogens
A new research study led by Madan Bhattacharyya, agronomy, offers hope for future protection against threats to soybeans, including soybean sudden death syndrome and soybean cyst nematode. The findings were published recently in Plant Biotechnology Journal. More
Teaching and Students
Animal Science Student Named Land O’Lakes Intern
Shelby Westhoff, sophomore in animal science, has been named one of Land O’Lakes 2021 Global Food Challenge Emerging Leaders for Food Security interns. The program’s seventh-year class will participate in professional development activities – from focusing on agriculture business case studies to visiting cooperatives in the U.S. and Africa, if travel is an option. More
Congratulations to CALS Football Student Athletes
Congratulations on a great season to the 2020 CALS football student athletes and their teammates. On Saturday, Dec. 19, they played in the Big 12 championship game, falling to Oklahoma 27-21. They will play in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 2. More
- Zach Petersen (agricultural systems technology) – defensive end
- Derek Schweiger (food science) – offensive line
- Easton Dean (industrial technology) – tight end
- Virdel Edwards II (animal ecology) – defensive back
- Noah Juergensen (agricultural studies) – offensive line
- Kade Lynott (agricultural studies) – linebacker
- Tyler Miller (agricultural business) – offensive line
- Jordyn Morgan (industrial technology) – defensive back
Around the College
Harris Named Chair of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Entomology
Steven Harris has been named chair of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and the Department of Entomology effective by April 1. He currently serves as professor and head of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Steven Dinsmore will continue as interim chair of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. More
CALS Online: Next Issue Jan. 11
CALS Online will take the next two weeks off. It will resume Monday, Jan. 11. Happy holidays.
Calendar
Dec. 31: Mark Shour Retirement
Mark Shour, entomology, is retiring effective Dec. 31. He is an extension program specialist and runs the Pesticide Safety Education Program. Congratulations can be sent to a Kudoboard.
Dec. 31: Doug Stokke Retirement
Doug Stokke, natural resource ecology and management, is retiring effective Dec. 31. He is a teaching professor of forestry and academic advisor for freshmen, sophomores and transfer students in forestry. Congratulations can be sent to a Kudoboard.
Dec. 31: Clay Pierce Retirement
Clay Pierce, natural resource ecology and management, is retiring effective Dec. 31. His research focuses on aquatic ecology and aquatic systems. Pierce also serves as assistant leader of the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Congratulations can be sent to a Kudoboard.
Jan. 5: Barb McBreen Retirement
Barb McBreen, communications specialist with the college communications office, is retiring effective Jan. 5. She first came to Iowa State in 1995 and has spent the last 22 years with CALS Communications Service. Congratulations can be sent to barbmc@iastate.edu.
Communications Kiosk
Change Your Voicemail and Email Messages for Winter Break
If your department is closing over winter break, discuss how to handle incoming phone calls. One option is to direct all departmental calls to one voicemail box to be checked periodically by designated employees during the break. Also change your personal voicemail and email messages. Consider stating the dates you’ll be absent and if you’ll be checking your messages. If necessary, include an off-campus number where you can be reached. Also consider posting holiday hours on your department’s website.
Infograzing
ISU Food Pantry Open during Break to Assist Students
The SHOP, Iowa State’s on-campus food pantry for students, is open for the first time over winter break to continue helping students who have remained in Ames. The food pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1306 Beyer Hall. The SHOP, which stands for students helping our peers, is also looking for monetary donations to help keep the shelves stocked. More
Marginalia
Cow-Calf Sculpture Reproduced for Display at Vet Med
Norma “Duffy” Lyon (’51 animal science), the “butter cow lady,” created a cow-calf sculpture which has been on display near Toledo, Iowa, since 1991. Due to natural weathering, the fiberglass sculpture is deteriorating. A replica is being reproduced for display at Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. 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.