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College News
SEARCH LAUNCHED FOR NEXT DEAN OF COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES
Iowa State University has launched the search for the Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Director of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station. The successful candidate will succeed Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology), who became the university’s 16th president in November. Joe Colletti will continue to serve in the interim roles until the search process concludes. More
GROWING IOWA’S BIOSCIENCE ECONOMY
A consultant’s report released in December recommends ways lawmakers can invest in the biosciences to help grow the state’s economy. Iowa State University leaders, including President Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology) and Patrick Schnable ('86 PhD plant breeding and genetics), Curtiss Distinguished Professor in agronomy and director of the Plant Sciences Institute, are preparing to advance the effort. They will promote research in biobased chemicals, precision and digital agriculture and vaccines and immunotherapeutics. More
IMPROVING AIR QUALITY
From black lights to biochar, to biofilters and beyond, Iowa State University researchers are involved in a number of efforts to mitigate odor caused by animal manure. Summaries of the college’s research and extension activities to combat odor are available online. More
TATTOO SENSORS TAP INTO PLANT DATA
Patrick Schnable ('86 PhD plant breeding and genetics), Curtiss Distinguished Professor in agronomy and director of the Plant Sciences Institute, helped test graphene-based plant sensors attached to tape. Once applied, the tattoo-like sensors provide data about crops’ water use. Schnable is working with Liang Dong, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, who developed the technology. More
ADVANCING CHICANO/HISPANICS, NATIVE AMERICANS
IN SCIENCE
Daniela Flores, a doctoral student in interdepartmental genetics, is the first Iowa State University graduate student elected to serve on the board of directors for the Society for the Advancement of Chicano/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. She attended her first conference with the society five years ago, and met Susan Lamont, animal science professor, and Gustavo MacIntosh, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology associate professor. The information she received from them convinced her to pursue an
advanced degree in genetics at Iowa State. More
AVIAN INFLUENZA NOT FOUND IN SMALL BIRDS, RODENTS
Iowa State University research found no evidence that small wild birds and rodents were possible sources of the avian influenza virus that decimated Iowa poultry flocks in 2015. Jim Adelman, assistant professor of natural resource ecology and management, and Kyoung-Jin Yoon, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, were the co-principal investigators of the study, which was funded by the Egg Industry Center. More
PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCES
The state of Iowa has abundant natural resources. Hear from Jesse Randall (pictured above), associate professor and extension forester, Adam Janke, assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist, and others about efforts of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach natural resources team to ensure Iowa's natural resources thrive in this video. More
NEW APP HELPS HOG AND CATTLE PRODUCERS
A new Iowa State University Livestock Crush Margin App has been developed to allow users to select cattle or hogs and pick their placement date for feeder cattle or weaned pigs. More
CROPS TEAM TAKES SECOND IN RECENT COMPETITIONS
The Iowa State University Crops Team won second place at the Kansas City American Royal crops competition and at the Chicago Collegiate Cops Contest in November. These contests represent the national finals of collegiate crops competition for the year. During the contests, students identified plants and seeds along with insects and crop diseases, took a written exam similar to the Certified Crop Advisor Exam and completed agronomic math problems. More
IOWA FARM, RURAL LIFE POLL GIVES INSIGHTS ON AG ISSUES
Over the past three decades, the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll has collected and analyzed a wealth of data on rural and agricultural issues. The 2017 Farm Poll focused on a range of issues including: weed and herbicide resistance management; soil health; extended rotations with small grains and forages; influence of agricultural information sources on decisions; and gender and decision making among multiple farm operators. View the complete 2017 summary and review previous reports dating back to 1982.
MORE COLLEGE NEWS
Save the Date
Join the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for a screening and panel discussion of the documentary Farmers for America, Tuesday, February 20. The event will run 6-9 p.m., and the location is pending. Pizza will be provided. The documentary, narrated by Mike Rowe, was created to celebrate, inspire and support young farmers. Register to attend by Friday, February 16. The event is co-hosted by the ISU Beginning Farmers Network, ISU Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative and Practical Farmers of Iowa. More
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Alumni News
WEIH HONORED FOR DISTINGUISHED FARM MANAGEMENT
 Kirk Weih (‘79 farm operations), with Hertz Farm Management, received the distinguished D. Howard Doane Award at the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia, in November. This award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture, with emphasis on farm management and rural appraising. Weih is past National President of the society and has managed, sold and acquired rural properties for clients since 1979.
SMITH WINS NATIONAL FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET
 Martha Smith (’04 ag business), area business manager-Channel Brand for Monsanto, won the Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention. Smith represented Colorado Farm Bureau Federation in the competition. The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic. More
CALS GRADS HONORED BY NORTH CENTRAL WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY
John Hinz (’92 MS crop production and physiology, ’95 PhD), senior field development representative for Bayer CropScience, was named fellow of the North Central Weed Science Society for his outstanding contributions to weed science. He received the honor at the organization’s annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri in December. Lowell Sandell (’97 agronomy, MS ’00 crop production and physiology) field marketing development specialist with Valent, received the Distinguished Achievement Award at the society’s annual meeting.
ALUMNI, FRIENDS SUPPORT EFFORTS TO GROW IOWA AG
More than 140 college alumni and friends, students, farmers and legislators gathered in support of Iowa agriculture on Dec. 11 at the Iowa State University Hansen Agricultural Student Learning Center. Hosted by Grow Iowa Agriculture, a grassroots organization led by Jim Christensen ('80 farm operation), pictured above, the event shared legislative priorities for the upcoming year and showed appreciation for past support. Learn about Iowa State University's legislative priorities on the Alliance for Iowa State website and follow Grow Iowa Agriculture on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with their efforts. The organization’s next event is the Grow Iowa Ag legislative day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, from 7-9 a.m. For details e-mail growagforiowa@gmail.com.
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