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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
May 12, 2014 No. 798
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COLLEGE NEWS
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ISU FACULTY CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT
The Third National Climate Assessment, which communicates climate change science and impacts in the U.S., was released last week with contributions from ISU faculty. Lois Wright Morton, sociology, is co-author of the chapter on rural communities and Gene Takle, geological and atmospheric sciences, is a convening lead co-author of the chapter on agriculture. Jerry Hatfield, who is the director of USDA’s National Lab for Agriculture and the Environment at ISU, is the co-author with Takle. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/iowa-state-university-faculty...
STUDY AT RESEARCH FARM SHOWS HOW TO SAVE TRACTOR FUEL
The expenses for tractor fuel can add up quickly during spring fieldwork. According to a study conducted by Mark Hanna, agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Dana Schweitzer, Farm Energy Conservation and Efficiency Initiative, at ISU’s Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua, a 20 percent or more fuel savings can be achieved by the “shift up, throttle back” technique. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/study-shows-shift-throttle-back...
RESEARCH TO HELP PLANTS FIGHT FUNGAL PATHOGENS RECEIVES GRANT
Research led by a USDA scientist Roger Wise at ISU could improve the ability of crops to fight off diseases. The work is funded by a $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant to study the molecular mechanisms that determine the resistance of cereal crops to fungal pathogens. Wise is a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and a collaborating professor in the department of plant pathology and microbiology. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/05/08/wisensf
LAMONT’S WORK ON POULTRY DISEASE FEATURED ON IPTV
Susan Lamont, distinguished professor in animal science, and her work with a team of scientists from the U.S. and Africa to combat Newcastle Disease in poultry, was featured on Iowa Public Television’s “Market to Market” program on May 9. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s “Feed the Future” program has awarded the scientists a $6-million grant to study the genetic makeup of various chickens to determine what particular genes make some poultry more resistant to Newcastle Disease, the number one health issue affecting poultry production in Africa. More: http://www.iptv.org/mtom/story.cfm/feature/11790/mtom_20140509_3937_feat...
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RESISTANT STARCH TO BE HELD IN AMES
An international symposium, “Integrating Resistant Starch, Microbiome and Disease Risk Reduction,” will be held in Ames this week, May 14-16. The symposium will explore research on the development and chemistry of dietary digestion-resistant starches, incorporation into human foods, and the impacts of resistant starch on the risk for chronic health conditions. Sponsors include CALS and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. More: http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/resistant-starch-symp/
CALS FACULTY HELP ORGANIZE INTERNATIONAL CATTLE SYMPOSIUM
ISU will host the Fourth International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium July 16-18. The symposium will bring together beef producers, processors, retailers, government officials, NGOs, animal scientists, veterinarians and students to discuss, debate and learn more about specific welfare issues encompassing all angles of the beef supply chain, including social concerns, production, environment, transportation, processing, marketing, trade regulations and legislation. CALS members of the organizing committee are: Patrick Gunn, Anna Johnson and Daniel Loy, animal science. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/international-beef-cattle-welfa...
RESEARCH EXAMINES HERBICIDE SELECTION AND SDS
A collaborative effort among soybean researchers in the U.S. and Canada found that glyphosate does not increase Sudden Death Syndrome severity or adversely affect yields in soybean fields. Scientists from five Midwest universities and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, led by Daren Mueller, plant pathology and microbiology, participated in the three-year study. Yuba Kandel, plant pathology and microbiology, analyzed the data. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/research-proves-herbicide-selec...
STUDENT CROPS TEAM PLACES SECOND IN NACTA CONTEST
The ISU Crops Team won second place in the four-year school division at the 2014 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Crops Contest held April 10-12 at Northwest Missouri State University. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/iowa-state-crops-team-places-...
UNITED WAY FOOD DRIVE BEGINS TODAY, MAY 12
The sixth annual United Way LIVE UNITED Food Drive starts today, May 12. Non-perishable items will be collected through May 21. Collection boxes can be found at the Harl Commons (near the elevator) and ground floor Rotunda in Curtiss Hall, 260 Heady Hall, 2312 Food Sciences Building, 251 and 351 Bessey Hall, 220 MacKay Hall, 1210 Molecular Biology Building, and 2200 Gerdin Building. More: Carla Persaud, cpersaud@iastate.edu, 4-1823.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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NSF WIDER PROGRAM INTERNAL COMPETITION
The Office of the VPR is accepting pre-proposals for the NSF Widening Implementation & Demonstration of Evidence-Based Reforms. The chief goal of WIDER is to transform institutions of higher education into supportive environments for STEM faculty members to substantially increase their use of evidence-based teaching and learning practices. One submission per institution is allowed. Pre-proposals should be sent to Sue Shipitalo (sueship@iastate.edu) by May 23 at 5 p.m. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/node/194
BARD FUNDING FOR U.S.-ISRAELI COLLABORATIONS ON USDA NIWQP
The Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, US - Israel has announced the opportunity for cooperative efforts for the USDA NIFA National Integrated Water Quality Program. U.S. scientists applying for an NIWQP grant have an opportunity to include Israeli scientists as collaborators, whose funding will be provided by BARD. Because the principal constraint to Israeli agriculture is water, a great deal of Israeli agricultural research and investment development funds have been devoted to creating sustainable solutions for agriculture under the constraint of limited water resources. BARD staff members are available to help link U.S. scientists with appropriate Israeli partners. More: http://www.bard-isus.com/local.aspx?fid=62
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources, http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/
May 19: USDA FAS Emerging Marketing Program. More:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/emerging-markets-program-emp
May 30: ISU-based Center for Arthropod Management Technologies. More: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/camtech/content/call-camtech-research-proposa...
June 6: USAID Improving Post Harvest Loss through Household Seed Storage Models for Vulnerable Populations in Jamaica; $500,000. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=254627
June 20: USDA Local Food Promotion Program; awards up to $25,000. More: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/lfpp
June 27: USDA NIFA Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. More: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/biodiesel_education.html
July 15: UK Department for International Development and National Environment Research Council – Future Climate for Africa Regional Consortium Grants. More: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/funded/programmes/fcfa/
Sept. 4: EPA Air, Climate and Energy Centers: Science Supporting Solutions. More: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2014/2014-star-ace.html
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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ELIMINATE FILLER WORDS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
Presenters should avoid using filler words – such as um, uh and literally – to make their speeches more powerful. Ben Decker, chief executive of a communications consulting firm, recently shared tips for getting rid of these verbal crutches. They include:
* Leave yourself a voicemail. “When replaying it, note the words you default to when you’re not focused,” he says.
* Try to overdo a pause. “The power of the pause has amazing impact,” Decker says.
* Project your voice. “That energy, pitch and projection eliminate the tendency to add an uh, and it makes it more engaging for other people who are listening.
* Don’t get down on yourself. “If you focus on the negative – saying to many ums, likes and honestlys – it can create a self-fulfilling prophecy of filler word overload.”
This article is from the April 28, 2014 issue of Advancement Weekly, Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
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INFOGRAZING
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TWO SESSIONS TO ADDRESS BENEFITS CHANGE FOR POSTDOCS
The ISU Benefits office will be holding educational sessions for post-doctorial associates to explain the group insurance they will transition to on Aug. 1. Space is limited so reservations must be made to attend through Access Plus. The first two sessions will be held in 127 Curtiss Hall – Wednesday, May 14, 9 to 11 a.m. and Thursday, May 15, 9 to 11 a.m. in 127 Curtiss Hall. Eight additional sessions will be held around campus in June.
IOWA FARM BUREAU AWARDS AG COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation has awarded $1,000 scholarships for tuition to 175 students who plan to study agriculture at their chosen colleges and universities, including 38 first-time scholarship winners at ISU. More: http://www.iowafarmbureau.com/articles/117149/iowa-farm-bureau-scholarsh...
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INTERNAL VOICES
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CALS CONVOCATION SPEAKER: WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES RESPONSIBILITY
Bethany Olson, agricultural education and international agriculture, spoke at the CALS convocation on May 10. She stated that it is not just family and employers who know what it means to have an education from this college, but the world. Today’s graduates are the ones armed and ready with the knowledge and energy to take on the challenges facing society, Olson said. “Always remember: With great knowledge comes great responsibility to use that knowledge. Our lives will be defined by how we deal with the challenges we face.”
ALUM: BUTTERFLIES A GATEWAY TO INSECT WORLD
Nathan Brockman (’00 entomology), curator of the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens, was featured in the Des Moines Register’s Young Professional Spotlight on May 6. Brockman oversees the wing and the thousands of butterflies flown there each year. He also aids in butterfly conservation and education efforts in Iowa and across the country. “Butterflies are a good gateway to the insect world,” said Brockman. “They’re one most people aren’t threatened by, and some people don’t even consider them to be insects.” More: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/life/living-well/yp/2014/05/06/bu...
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MARGINALIA
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COMMENCEMENT: CALS’ GRADUATES SHARE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
At the CALS convocation on May 10, more than 600 students graduated. Many used the opportunity to share their plans for the future or some final thoughts. Examples include:
* Production agronomist in DuPont Pioneer's Emerging Leader Program
* Attending ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
* Attending medical school
* Working for Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sac City, Iowa
* Drafter at Sukup Manufacturing
* Cattle manager at Sullivan Farms
* Maintenance engineer with Hormel Foods
* Technician in Ringgold County Engineers office
* Returning to the family farm.
* Agricultural education teacher at Carroll Community School District
* Working for USDA in Corn Insects and Crops Genetics Research Unit
* Working in the dairy industry in New Zealand
* Assistant herdsman on a 700-cow dairy in northeast Iowa
* Pork field associate for Cargill Live Pork in Iowa
* International trade specialist for the National Pork Producers Council, Washington, D.C.
* Animal care provider at Bear Country U.S.A., Rapid City, S.D.
* Working for SeaLife Aquarium in Minnesota
* Favorite memory —serving as the Cy mascot for the Sweet Sixteen NCAA basketball tournament
* Agribusiness banker, Great Western Bank, West Des Moines
* Grain merchant, Consolidated Grain & Barge
* Manager for Iowa Select Farms and a second lieutenant, Iowa National Guard
* Sixth-generation family farmer in Illinois
* Teaching English as a foreign language in South Korea, Spain and Peru
* Member of the research and development team, West Liberty Foods
* Community health and AIDS prevention specialist with the Peace Corps in Togo
* Working for Milwaukee Brewers Grounds Department
* Landscape designer in Duluth, Minn.
* Tropical conservatory gardener at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha
* Studying mountain spiny lizards in New Mexico
* Internship and summer zookeeper at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
* Animal care technician, Animal Rescue League
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
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