New study shows miscanthus’ greater potential for productivity, economic returns

New research at Iowa State University shows that using advanced planting techniques can triple the amount of biomass produced by the perennial, bioenergy crop miscanthus in its establishment year. This would significantly increase the plant’s potential to store carbon and improve its economic viability for producers.   

Singh named CALS Associate Dean for Research and Discovery

 Asheesh "Danny" Singh has been named the new associate dean for research and discovery and associate director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station for Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective Jan 1, 2025. 

Iowans make progress towards monarch habitat conservation goals

Over the past few years, Iowa has consistently invested in monarch butterfly conservation by adding new areas of monarch habitat throughout the state. The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC) has recently updated its Monarch Conservation Effort Report, which offers a summary of monarch habitat establishment through 2022 in all 99 counties across the state.

New study finds conservation and farmers' job satisfaction are related

An innovative study has shed light on the factors that influence job satisfaction among farmers. The study, “What’s Good for the Land is Good for the Farmer: Investigating Conservation-Related Variables as Predictors of Farmers’ Job Satisfaction,” explores how economic dynamics, farm financial health, soil and water conservation, and climate change concerns impact farmers’ job satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

Partnership works to save threatened Iowa turtles

Iowa State University students are working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines to give a group of Iowa’s Blanding’s turtles a better chance for survival. Their project will be featured at one of the zoo's "Discover the Wild" events on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 1-2 p.m.

Lizzy Lang, a graduate research assistant pursuing a master’s degree in wildlife ecology, and Ayrin Alexander, a senior in animal ecology, have been the dedicated duo carrying out legwork for the project. They have worked long hours outdoors, communicating with public and private landowners, and tracking and trapping the turtles, usually while submerged in their wetland habitats.