College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

I Tec alum promoted to CEO of Toro

The Toro Co., a manufacturer of mowers and other gardening equipment, today announced that Rick Olson will be its next CEO. Olson, 52, joined Toro in 1986 as a manufacturing process engineer. He was promoted last August to chief operating officer from his previous position as group vice president of international and micro-irrigation businesses. He joined …Continue reading “I Tec alum promoted to CEO of Toro”

Hanna: Top causes for mechanical corn yield loss

Harvest equipment can have a lot to do with how much yield loss you experience. Being attentive to both equipment and field conditions is critical in minimizing yield loss. Research shows during harvest, 60% of yield loss typically occurs at the corn head, according to Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer Mark Hanna.

Strip-tillage and cover Crop field day planned for July 28 in Webster County

Speaking at the field day is Matt Helmers, professor and extension specialist in ag and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University. He will highlight practices and ongoing research efforts to meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Mark Hanna, extension agricultural engineer, will share tips on adjusting planter settings for strip-till and no-till …Continue reading “Strip-tillage and cover Crop field day planned for July 28 in Webster County”

Strip-till technologies focus of ISU field day, July 13

The event will begin with a discussion of agronomic considerations for strip-tillage. Sessions on fall versus spring strip-tillage and the use of UAV technology for crop scouting will follow. The day will conclude with lunch and an optional field tour of strip-till research at Iowa State. Matt Darr and Mark Hanna will make presentations during the …Continue reading “Strip-till technologies focus of ISU field day, July 13”

Helmers: Soil erosion can wash out profits

Cover crops, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program wetlands, saturated buffers and bioreactors all successfully reduce nitrates, said Matt Helmers, Iowa State Extension ag engineer. The Nashua research farm has replicated subsurface drainage plots to evaluate the performance of various in-field management practices. It also has one of the first bioreactors built in Iowa. “It’s possible to meet our …Continue reading “Helmers: Soil erosion can wash out profits”

Ukrainians study grain logistics at Iowa State

Iowa State University (ISU) in May welcomed seven Cochran fellows from Ukraine for training centered on improving post-harvest grain logistics and decreasing trade barriers between the U.S. and Ukraine. The director of the training program, Dirk Maier, is a professor and post-harvest engineer in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at ISU. Maier, who is …Continue reading “Ukrainians study grain logistics at Iowa State”

Xin: Opportunities and challenges of going cage-free

By Dr. Hongwei Xin Special to Poultry Times AMES, Iowa — The number of food service retailers, grocers, chain restaurants and tourism companies that have pledged to source only cage-free eggs by year 2025 translates to more than 160 million laying hens needed to meet the demand. This quantity exceeds half of the current U.S. …Continue reading “Xin: Opportunities and challenges of going cage-free”

Darr: How today’s farmers got a head-start on tomorrow’s tech

“In a day and age when you get excited about what’s happening with autonomous vehicles and folks like Google are making strides, we’re proud that agriculture has been using it in food production in the US for going on two decades now,” said Matt Darr, an associate professor in Iowa State University’s Department of Agriculture …Continue reading “Darr: How today’s farmers got a head-start on tomorrow’s tech”

Hanna: Cut combine maintenance time with a preharvest inspection

A common issue with any machinery stored for long periods of time can be especially damaging to electronic components, wiring and sensors, says Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer Mark Hanna. “It’s probably been 10 or 11 months since you’ve run that machine, so it’s important to watch for rodent damage.”

Modules provide education on grain handling, storage safety

The series is authored by Iowa State researchers Greg Brenneman, agricultural engineering specialist; Steve Johnson, farm management specialist; Erin Bowers, postdoctorate research associate in agriculture and biosystems engineering; Charles Hurburgh, professor and extension ag health and safety specialist in agriculture and biosystems engineering; Alison Robertson, associate professor and extension specialist in plant pathology and microbiology; …Continue reading “Modules provide education on grain handling, storage safety”

Iowa State University joins 12 public and private universities calling for increased federal investment in agricultural research in response to modern challenges

In the Retaking the Field report, Iowa State researchers Lisa Schulte Moore and Matthew Helmers outline efforts to protect soil and water by interspersing strips of native prairie in corn and soybean crops. The practice of STRIPS — Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips — helps to improve water quality by reducing sediment, …Continue reading “Iowa State University joins 12 public and private universities calling for increased federal investment in agricultural research in response to modern challenges”

FPEF awards scholarship to AST senior

The Fluid Power Educational Foundation (FPEF) Board of Trustees awarded Eric Herbers of New Vienna, Iowa a $2,000 scholarship. Mr. Herbers is a senior in agricultural systems technology and was awarded the prestigious scholarship underwritten by Danfoss. “A minimum GPA, an essay, and three letters of recommendation were required from each applicant. The Board of …Continue reading “FPEF awards scholarship to AST senior”

Helmers to present at Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Summit

The Fertilizer Institute’s annual 4R Summit kicks off at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 15th at the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites, 120 West Market Street, in Indianapolis, Ind. It is open to farmers, agribusiness professionals and other stakeholders nationwide. Meeting registration and hotel reservations are available at the 4R website, nutrientstewardship.org, or by calling 800-315-1906. …Continue reading “Helmers to present at Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Summit”

Xin: Lowest egg prices in a decade

Hongwei Xin, director of the Egg Industry Center, says the layer population here has rebounded, “As of today, we have about 48 million laying hens and we lost about 25 million during the AI outbreak. So, at the high point, our state had about 59 million and so we’re about 10 to 11 million birds …Continue reading “Xin: Lowest egg prices in a decade”

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