College News

For the eighth year in a row, Iowa State’s agricultural programs have been named to the top 4% worldwide among other agriculture and forestry institutions, according to the 2021 QS World University Rankings. Iowa State’s agricultural programs ranked 14 among 401 institutions worldwide in 2021. This is up from last year’s No. 16 ranking. Nationally, Iowa State’s rank was No. 6 out of agricultural and forestry programs among 65 U.S. higher education institutions. More

FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA GIFT SUPPORTS STUDENT INNOVATION

A gift from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) will promote College of Agriculture and Life Sciences student innovation in the new Student Innovation Center at Iowa State. The $250,000 gift commitment will help support technology and innovation programming within the new facility. More

ISU MEATS LABORATORY EARNS 2021 AG LEADERS AWARD FROM IDALS

The ISU Meats Laboratory is a recipient of the 2021 Secretary’s Iowa Ag Leader Award, which recognizes exceptional contributions to the state’s agriculture community. The ISU Meats Lab and the Iowa Food Bank Association played vital roles in the state’s food security initiatives including Pass the Pork, Beef Up Iowa and Turkey to Table. Video More

NEW LOOK AT SORGHUM LEAVES COULD BOOST PRODUCTION

Research from Iowa State studying sorghum leaf angle patterns and their underlying genetics and physiology sheds light on opportunities to increase sorghum production. The findings challenge previous understanding of the genetic control of traits associated with a “smart canopy.” More

RESEARCH PROJECT ADDS FLAVOR TO STUDENTS’ DIET

EXAMINING CELLULOSIC FEEDSTOCKS FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION

An agronomy modeling study based on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) mandate – 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol production into gasoline by 2022 – included scenarios to predict the impact of planting cellulosic feedstocks on the environment and the economy. More

THAMODARAN TO PRESENT HERTZ LECTURE ON EMERGING ISSUES IN AG APRIL 12

Dhamu Thamodaran (’83 PhD agricultural economics) will present, “Emerging Issues in Global Markets and Trade” as the 2021 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture speaker on Monday, April 12 at 7 p.m. Thamodaran will present virtually – guests may watch online or in the Sun Room of the ISU Memorial Union. Thamodaran, retired executive vice president, chief strategy officer and chief commodity hedging officer for Smithfield Foods, has been a respected global leader in the agricultural industry for more than 30 years. More

HOUSER NAMED SMITHFIELD FOODS CHAIR IN MEAT SCIENCE EXTENSION

Terry Houser ('01 MS meat science, food science and technology, animal science, '04 PhD), associate professor and extension meat specialist at Iowa State, has been named the Smithfield Foods Chair in Meat Science Extension. Houser was presented with the chair at a February 25 medallion ceremony hosted by Daniel J. Robison, holder of the Endowed Dean’s Chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The chair was previously held by Professor Emeritus of Animal Science Joe Cordray ('71 animal science), who served more than 50 years with Iowa State’s meat science program. More

CUSTOM RATE SURVEY SHOWS COSTS FOR IOWA FARMING

Data that shows what Iowans charge and pay for custom farming is available in the 2021 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey, conducted by ISU Extension and Outreach. Compared to last year, most custom rates saw a decline except for the cost of farm labor. More

NEW HERBICIDE GUIDE RELEASED - INFO ON VOLUNTEER CORN, WEEDS

ISU Extension and Outreach has released the 2021 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn and Soybean Production. The guide is updated annually, and this year’s version gives special attention to the issue of volunteer corn, which could be more severe in 2021 following the germination of storm-damaged corn from last year’s derecho. More

AG BUSINESS CLUB HONORS DEITER ON RETIREMENT

The Agricultural Business Club honored Ron Deiter at its annual banquet on March 6. Deiter served as club advisor since 1978 and will retire June 30. The banquet program can be viewed on the club's Facebook page. The program included Izak Christiansen (’18 ag business), Elizabeth Burns-Thompson (’11 ag business, international ag) and current students. Send well wishes to rdeiter@iastate.edu or 518 FarmHouse Lane, Ames, IA 50014. You may also give in his honor to support the Ron, Lynn and Mark Deiter Scholarship online.

ADVISING STEADFAST DURING PANDEMIC

Helping students get involved and seek opportunities has been challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Nate Dobbels ('12 ag and life sciences education, international ag), academic advisor in agricultural education and studies, has made it a priority to continue advising in ways that make students feel comfortable. Dobbels, and fellow advisor Ben Chamberlain (’99 ag studies), were among the recipients of COVID-19 Exceptional Effort awards from Iowa State. More

THOMPSON UPROOTS TRADITIONAL LEARNING

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant Thompson ('07 horticulture, landscape architecture), assistant professor of horticulture, developed a virtual learning option for his plant identification course. Thompson created an extensive online library of content to offer his students – whether they were learning in-person or online. Thompson was presented the Excellence in Remote Instruction Award, one of several Iowa State COVID-19 Exceptional Effort awards given to faculty across campus. More

VIDEO: THE SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS

Spring is the season of new beginnings, and that’s certainly true at the Iowa State Department of Animal Science teaching farms. Over the past month, the various farms just south of campus have welcomed dozens of baby animals. The farms provide hands-on learning opportunities for agriculture and life sciences students. Learn more about programs studying animal life online. Video

CYCLONE NATION SUPPORTS STUDENTS IN NEED

Like thousands of Iowa Staters, Andrea Carrasquillo-Davila’s spring semester was cut short by the pandemic. Her family struggled with losing their jobs and how they would pay the mortgage as well as tuition. “It’s stressful,” she wrote at the time, “but we are blessed to have food on our table and a roof over our heads.”

Students like Carrasquillo-Davila, a senior in animal science, were left wondering whether they’d ever achieve their dream of an Iowa State degree. Fortunately, hundreds of alumni and friends provided emergency assistance – a veritable lifeline that continues today – to get Carrasquillo-Davila and others back on track. The college continues to fundraise to address unmet needs.

You can join the effort online. More

ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES, EVENTS

• New Publications Focus on Protecting Swine Building Investments
• Master Gardener Training 2021 to be Offered Online
• How to Sample Manure for Nutrient Analysis
• Revenue Protection Crop Insurance  
• How to Prepare When Applying for a Business Loan

These are just a few of the many new and updated resources and upcoming events from ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources. See more.

Alumni News

GOLDMON TAPPED FOR USDA LEADERSHIP ROLE

Dewayne Goldmon (‘91 PhD agronomy) has been appointed the inaugural senior advisor for racial equity to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack. Goldmon previously served as executive director of the National Black Growers Council, and worked for more than 30 years in various roles within the agriculture seed technology and chemical industries, retiring as the Outreach Lead for Bayer Crop Sciences in 2019.

HENRY FAMILY FARM OPERATION LONGVIEW FARMS NAMED TOP PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

The Henry Family from Nevada, Iowa, won the Top Producer of the Year Award with their farm operation, LongView Farms. The award, presented by Farm Journal and sponsored by BASF and Case IH, was presented during the Top Producer Summit in February. LongView Farms includes Steve Henry (’83 farm operation), Laurie Henry (’83 animal ecology), Scott Henry (’12 ag business, international ag, finance) and Eric Henry (’17 ag business). Video

SORENSON LEADS NATIONAL PORK PRODUCERS COUNCIL

Jen Sorenson has been elected 2021-2022 National Pork Producers Council president. Sorenson (’01 animal science, journalism and mass communication) serves as communications director for Iowa Select Farms and operates the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. In her role as NPPC president, she plans to focus on trade, domestic policy and climate. Sorenson was the recipient of the college’s 2018 Outstanding Young Professional Award. Video

SIEVERS 2021 YOUNG SWINE VET OF THE YEAR

Chris Sievers (’12 animal science, ’16 MS veterinary preventative medicine, ’16 DVM), veterinarian for the Swine Vet Center, was honored as the 2021 Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Sievers was honored for his resourcefulness, science-based recommendations and client education.

CUMINGS HONORED BY ISU AG BUSINESS CLUB

Erin Cumings (’02 ag business), senior consultant of business program management for Nationwide Insurance, was honored with the Iowa State Agricultural Business Club 2020 Outstanding Alumni Award during their annual awards banquet March 6. In her role, Cumings leads a team, focusing on insurance and risk management tools for farms and ranches in the eastern half of the United States. 

Young Alum of the Month

Hannah Pagel ('18 ag and life sciences education) is the associate editor for Agri-Pulse Communications in Washington, D.C. She writes the weekly Farm Hands on the Potomac section covering job changes, promotions and retirements in D.C. and in the agriculture industry; writes stories; prepares videos and graphics; and schedules and promotes stories on Agri-Pulse's social media channels.

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Email editor Melea Reicks Licht at mreicks@iastate.edu.