“While subsurface drainage is important for crop production, we need to consider the design of these systems for proper function, as well as to minimize nitrate loss,” says Greg Brenneman, an Iowa State University Extension ag engineer. Drainage systems need to be designed for efficient collection of excess soil water, as well as adequately moving …Continue reading “Brenneman: Drainage design — for profit and water quality”
Shawn Shouse, Extension ag engineer with Iowa State University in Lewis, Iowa, says while most of the technology remains pretty much the same, interest among the cattle industry is growing. “Based on our survey, about half of the expansion in the beef industry over the past five years has been done with confined buildings,” he says. …Continue reading “Shouse: Cattle building benefits factor into industry expansion”
By Brett C. Ramirez, Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Graduate Research Assistant. To create a facility that performs at the level our pigs and producers desire, we must improve and unify ventilation design, construction integrity, control and monitoring.
Matt Darr, associate professor in Iowa State University’s agricultural and biosystems engineering department, has received a fellowship recently created by the founders and owners of KINZE Manufacturing Inc. in Williamsburg, Iowa.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Iowa Grain Quality Initiative (IGQI) is embarking on a project in Rwanda assessing the impact of mycotoxins – toxic chemicals produced by fungi found in food crops. The program will sample and test animal feed grains in Rwanda and is slated to begin mid-March. Little research has been undertaken …Continue reading “Iowa Grain Quality Initiative begins life-saving research in Rwanda”
Iowa State’s agricultural and biosystems engineering program was ranked first in the nation, according to the 2017 U.S. News and World Report on university graduate programs. Steven Mickelson, chair of the agriculture and biosystems engineering program, discussed the significant change that placed the department at the top of the nation’s graduate program ranking.
Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences presented awards to faculty and staff March 9. The award winners included: The Team Award went to the Bioplastics for the Green Industry Team. This interdisciplinary team has made significant contributions through research, extension and graduate education to improve the sustainability of specialty crop production. Producers …Continue reading “ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences presents outstanding faculty and staff awards”
In the past couple of weeks, high temperatures have been well above average, with dew point temperatures above grain temperatures. This can cause grain bins to act like solar collectors on the south side. The southwest side heats up, causing the air to rise and dry the grain, says Kris Kohl, Iowa States University agricultural engineer.
Iowa State University will conduct a five-year research project that will study the impact of pipeline construction on crop production and soil compaction.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) presented its 2016 Iowa Environmental Steward Award to Black Hawk County Farm Bureau members Ben and Anna Bader of Jesup. The Baders are part owners and operators of Bader Farms with Ben’s parents, Lee and Debra. Ben’s portion of the family farm consists of a 1,000-head feeder-to-finish swine barn …Continue reading “AST alum earns IPPA environmental award”
Matt Darr, an Iowa State University professor of ag and biosystems engineering, sees new opportunities in digital agriculture. “It’s about using precision information to help farmers do things better, more efficiently and profitably.”
The new report outlines Iowa State research led by Hongwei Xin and colleagues, who developed adaptations for cage-free egg production systems that improve indoor-air quality and allow more farmers to respond to consumer demand by adapting cage-free systems.
By Brett C. Ramirez* and Harishchandra Jadhav, Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Graduate Research Assistants. Proper air distribution from planned ceiling inlets plays a major role in providing an environment that is acceptable for both pigs and workers.
Ethanol plants need to be especially cautious of moldy corn this spring due to a humid fall and excessive amounts of corn stored in outdoor piles. Charles Hurburgh, Iowa State University Extension grain quality specialist and ABE professor, says mid- to late February will bring reports of moldy corn, hot spots and blue eye mold …Continue reading “Hurburgh: Beware of moldy corn this spring”
Don’t assume application requirements of new products and strategies to control resistant weeds will mimic those of glyphosate and other products you’re familiar with, cautions Dr. Mark Hanna, Iowa State University Extension Agricultural Engineer. Look now at labels of herbicides you’re considering for use next spring to prepare for proper nozzles and travel speeds, and …Continue reading “Hanna: Match sprayer to new herbicides”
