News

Singh appointed to G.F. Sprague Chair by Iowa State’s Department of Agronomy

Professor and plant breeder Asheesh K. (Danny) Singh has been named to the George Sprague Professorship in Agronomy by the Department of Agronomy in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. An investigator on more than 70 competitive research grants, Singh is best known for his expertise in soybean breeding and using artificial intelligence for crop breeding. 

Iowa State-produced wines garner local, international awards

AMES, Iowa – Wines produced at Iowa State University recently were put to the test and brought home several top awards from international, regional and Iowa competitions.

Suza named George Washington Carver Endowed Chair 

Walter Suza wants to do what George Washington Carver did — feed the hungry.

King of Busoga visits Iowa State, signs MOU

As proof of the synergetic connection between Iowa State University and The Busoga Kingdom of Uganda, a memorandum of cooperation and understanding was signed on Aug. 17 to formalize cooperation and collaboration to benefit both institutions.

Iowa vs. California: Students explore two states' food systems

How do food systems in Iowa and California compare to each other? A group of students explored the answer to that question earlier this summer during a Study USA trip to California.

Setting incoming agronomy students up for success, one trip at a time

What better way to begin your time as an agronomy student than loading up on a bus, traveling around parts of the state and getting to know fellow classmates and instructors? For the past 25 years (minus one year due to COVID), the Department of Agronomy has been taking incoming freshmen students on the annual Agronomy New Student Learning Community field trip the Friday and Saturday before the fall semester begins.

Yu to lead Iowa State's Baker Center for Plant Breeding

AMES, Iowa – Jianming Yu’s extensive background in plant genetics and breeding research will serve him well in his new role as director of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding at Iowa State University.

CALS Entrepreneurship Fellow innovates to deliver engaging course material and save students money

Walter Suza, adjunct associate professor in agronomy at Iowa State University, is making plant genetics educational materials more engaging and accessible for students on campus and far away, with support from the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows Program sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Office of Academic Innovation and Start Something CALS,and a Miller Open-Education Mini- Grant through Iowa State’s Parks Library.

Iowa State, federal partners mark 75th year for North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station

The North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, which began operations in Ames in 1948, observes its 75^th anniversary with a celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 15, that includes a free public open house in the afternoon, at the NCRPIS facility, 1305 State Avenue, Ames, from 2 until 6 p.m. 

Cyclone Science Innovators make their mark on campus

by Madelyn Ostendorf

The Cyclone Science Innovators, otherwise known as CySI for short, is a group of multi-disciplinary students working to hone their innovation skills and make life on campus a little brighter.

A first of its kind: Master's in Agronomy program marks 25th anniversary

The Master of Science in Agronomy program celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer. Offered as a distance education program, it stemmed from an identified need to provide a master’s degree option that would better align with working professionals’ schedules.

Iowa Nitrogen Initiative to host summer field days

On-farm nitrogen rate trial research and nutrient management will be featured at four field days across Iowa in August and September as part of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative’s summer 2023 Field Day Series. The INI, which is a partnership between Iowa State University, agricultural service providers and Iowa farmers, leverages the latest advances in precision agriculture and cropping systems modeling to improve nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for Iowa farmers.

Iowa State University research on genetic mutations aims to advance plant breeding

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded $649,443 for a three-year grant led by Siddique I. Aboobucker, research scientist in agronomy at Iowa State University, to investigate genetic mechanisms that could improve processes to create pure genetic lines for breeding corn and, eventually, other crops.   

Lübberstedt takes new role leading National Association of Plant Breeders

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University professor Thomas Lübberstedt assumed the role of president of the National Association of Plant Breeders at the organization’s annual meeting, July 16-20, in Greenville, South Carolina, hosted by Clemson Uni

McGarry reflects on time spent as U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen

With the spin of a wheel, Maddy McGarry became the 2023 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen. McGarry (’20 agricultural and life sciences education, international agriculture), of Jewell, Iowa, was bestowed her title at the end of a week-long experience earlier this year in Washington, D.C., as part of her participation in the National Cherry Blossom Princess Program.

Greiner named director of Iowa Pork Industry Center

Stepping into the director role, Laura Greiner is ready to guide Iowa State University’s Iowa Pork Industry Center in its efforts to maintain the state’s standing as a leader in advancing animal agriculture. Greiner, assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State, succeeds Dr. Chris Rademacher, who has spent the past year as the center’s interim director.

A delicious partnership: Serving Iowa State-raised turkey at campus dining locations

The Department of Animal Science has partnered with ISU Dining and West Liberty Foods to utilize some of the turkey produced at Iowa State in campus dining centers. The first flock of turkeys raised at the Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility was recently sent to West Liberty Foods for processing. This fall, students, faculty and staff will get to enjoy the resulting oven roasted turkey breast at ISU Dining locations.

Iowa State to lead consortium to build trust between pork producers, consumers

The National Pork Board recently announced a new five-year effort focused on addressing consumer questions related to the pork industry’s We Care ethical principles and strengthening consumers’ confidence in choosing pork. Iowa State University is among five universities taking part in the program, which will be led by an Iowa State professor.

Semester-long service learning experience in U.S. Virgin Islands

Three undergraduate students – Madison Lenaerts, senior in global resource systems; Maclane Murrell, junior in nutritional science; and Sophia Parker, junior in global resource systems – spent the spring semester on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, participating in the EARTH Program. The program provides Iowa State University students with many hands-on and service-learning opportunities.

Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University welcomes 20th industry partner, Ag Ingenuity Partners

AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University welcomes Ag Ingenuity Partners, the research division of Advanced Agrilytics, as its 20^th industry partner.