College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

Helmers: Tile water nitrate testing

“We have 172 plots in all, and take about 4,000 water samples a year from them,” ISU Agricultural Engineering Specialist Dr. Matt Helmers told a group of farmers and agribusiness reps at the ISU Ag Engineering and Agronomy Research Farm near Boone. He said ISU has more than a $500,000 investment in drainage water quality …Continue reading “Helmers: Tile water nitrate testing”

Adding value, advancing energy

Grant Ives is discovering ways to add value to ethanol production. As an undergraduate in industrial technology, he’s worked alongside researchers in the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative lab using Near Infrared Spectroscopy to analyze grain samples for protein, oil, fiber and fat content. His internship has allowed him to make strides towards his real passion— making …Continue reading “Adding value, advancing energy”

50 years powering student success

It was August 1967 when Carl Bern first walked into a classroom at Iowa State University. He began his career in agricultural engineering as a teaching assistant, and has taught students at Iowa State every term since.

ISU Research Park boosts learning, economic development

Deere is setting up a research and innovation center collaborating with, among others, Matt Darr in the agricultural and biosystems engineering department. Darr, who was recently named to the Kinze Manufacturing Fellowship in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, has conducted several projects with Deere, many dealing with biomass harvesting equipment at Iowa State’s BioCentury Research Farm …Continue reading “ISU Research Park boosts learning, economic development”

Iowa State’s industrial playground

Large companies with extensive research and development facilities still seek their help, says Darren Jarboe (’85 ag business, ’86 agronomy, ’12 PhD industrial and ag technology), CCUR’s program manager for technology commercialization, marketing and communication. “Multi-national companies are innovating all the time and sometimes they like the idea of getting away from the company headquarters and …Continue reading “Iowa State’s industrial playground”

Shouse: Keeping up with routine inspections key to keeping grain at high quality through summer

Shawn Shouse, a field specialist with Iowa State University Extension, said producers should inspect their bins when empty to ensure they’re in good condition and they’re not allowing in water. It’s important to keep them clean and dry on the inside to avoid mold buildup and rust.

Xin to present at U of A Center for Food Animal Wellbeing Symposium

Considerations and innovations in transporting poultry and hogs and the challenges and opportunities in managing beef cattle health and well-being will be among the topics covered Aug. 3 during the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing’s seventh annual symposium on current issues and advances in food animal well-being. The center is a unit of the U …Continue reading “Xin to present at U of A Center for Food Animal Wellbeing Symposium”

Shouse: Shade, sprinklers keep livestock cool

Calm and muggy days are particularly troublesome for feedlot cattle, says Shawn Shouse, Extension ag engineer with Iowa State University. Many feedlots are without shade, leaving cattle to sometimes bake in the summer sun. Some feedlots offer natural or manmade shade, and Shouse says adding even the smallest bit of shade can make a difference.

Ag engineering student brings aquaponics to ISU and beyond

For Sophie Rotole, a junior in agricultural engineering, it’s been a great experience for an undergraduate. “Miniponics 3.0 was a great success for me personally. It was a great opportunity to experience the engineering design process. I really enjoyed designing and constructing a product from start to finish and watching it function as intended,” she …Continue reading “Ag engineering student brings aquaponics to ISU and beyond”

Hanna: Integrating cover crops and livestock operations

ISU Extension ag engineer Mark Hanna told attendees that a proper planter setting is critical for the row crop. He advises placing the corn seed at a soil depth of 2 inches using down pressure to ensure consistency of seed placement, and having the disk openers set such that they would hold a piece of …Continue reading “Hanna: Integrating cover crops and livestock operations”

Industrial and agricultural technology alum gives keynote speech at UAPB convocation

A native of Augusta, Arkansas, Dr. Brittini Brown holds a M.S. in Industrial and Agricultural Technology from Iowa State University and received her doctoral degree in Youth Development and Agricultural Education (YDAE) from Purdue University. Not only was she the first African-American woman to graduate with a doctoral degree from the department, she was also …Continue reading “Industrial and agricultural technology alum gives keynote speech at UAPB convocation”

Iowa State students to study in Argentina

Representatives from Iowa State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering recently met with officers of APOSGRAN at the Bolsa de Cereales in Rosario, Argentina, to discuss plans for a faculty-led study abroad course in Argentina in May 2018.

Cyclone Power Pullers refine tractor for maximum efficiency ahead of June competition

The 2017 Cyclone Power Pullers hope to build on the success of previous years by refining concepts and components that worked well in past competitions. The team designed and built their quarter-scale tractor, called the ExCYter, from scratch this academic year.

Innovative grad retrofits motorcycle and develops app for ethanol plants

Bringing home a brand-new Harley Davidson to modify is a little nerve-racking, but that’s what Alex Shaw did to fulfill his dream. “From a young age I realized I couldn’t ride a traditional motorcycle,” said Shaw who is graduating with an agricultural systems technology and industrial technology bachelor’s degree. The nerves in Shaw’s right hand were damaged …Continue reading “Innovative grad retrofits motorcycle and develops app for ethanol plants”

Andersen: Manure is valuable, should be treated like fertilizer

According to Daniel Andersen, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, there is about $24 worth of nutrients in 1,000 gallons of dairy manure. “It has lots of potential value but it’s got to get to the right field at the right time and in the right amount,” he said. “There might …Continue reading “Andersen: Manure is valuable, should be treated like fertilizer”

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