Research Highlights News

Ag professor father and son duo develop proso millet as crop for the future

Ames, IA — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, but these crops are unfamiliar to many Iowa farmers.

Conference will tackle 'forever chemicals' solutions for packaging industry

A one-day conference, PFAS: Impact on the Planet and Solutions for the Packaging Industry, will be held Nov. 2, in Madison, Wisconsin. Co-sponsors include the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium at Iowa State University, the Green Bay Innovation Group and the Grainger Institute for Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Iowa State University team helps roll out national soil carbon program for working lands

An Iowa State University-led group will lead training for a process to measure and monitor soil carbon stocks as part of a new national program meant to provide a basis for financial assistance to farmers and landowners who adopt climate-smart conservation practices. The “Know Your Carbon Landscape” project will also gather data to support carbon-related research and education at demonstration sites in the Midwest that are part of a Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network coordinated by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. 

New study will explore factors affecting reproductive success

The impacts of obesity and heat stress on reproductive health will be the focus of a study at Iowa State University funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It will also investigate impacts from the compound known as DMBA a member of a chemical class found in smoke from wildfires and other types of burning organic matter, including cigarette and second-hand smoke. The project will be led by Aileen Keating, professor of animal science and director of the Interdepartmental Toxicology Program at Iowa State and will also support training for two early career scientists. 

Singh appointed to Sprague Professorship 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. 

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. 

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 Universi

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.

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.

Scientists lead quest for perennial cover tailored to conventional cropping systems

Iowa State University researchers are leading a quest to develop a farming system that integrates cash crops with a cover crop that would only need to be planted once every five to 15 years. It’s a tall order, but one the research team thinks can soon be realized.

Meristem Crop Performance partners with Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University

Meristem Crop Performance has joined the Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University as an industry partner. In this role, Meristem will serve on the ISRC’s industry advisory council.

Researcher aims to increase food safety through poultry gut health

Melha Mellata, associate professor of molecular microbiology at Iowa State University, is on a mission to improve poultry health and mitigate bacterial infections, such as salmonella, in poultry and humans. With federal support, Mellata and her team aim to develop a probiotic with several key, beneficial microbes to boost the gut health of chickens and other livestock, reducing reduce the chances for pathogens to ever become established. 

New USDA grant supports research to initiate Ag DIRT experiment, refine cover crop recommendations

A team of scientists led by Iowa State University will study the intricacies of cereal rye cover crops with support from a $649,000 grant from USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture. One of their top objectives is to launch the first-known Ag DIRT (Detritus Input and Removal Treatments) study to quantify how biomass from cover crops impacts long-term soil carbon. 

Rodriguez appointed interim director of Seed Science Center at Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa – Lulu Rodriguez has been named interim director of the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University, effective April 28.

Iowa State University’s Manjit Misra Named Director of USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

AMES, Iowa – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has named Manjit K. Misra as its new director.

Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University welcomes new partner, Sound Agriculture

AMES, Iowa — Sound Agriculture has joined the Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University as an industry partner.