College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

Grant to help fill gaps in how livestock manure management affects antibiotic resistance

What does manure have in common with antibiotic resistance? For starters, they both stink, though in different ways. But there might be even more to the relationship than that. Researchers at Iowa State University recently received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study how …Continue reading “Grant to help fill gaps in how livestock manure management affects antibiotic resistance”

Going bio-based

What if all agricultural waste could be bio-based? Researchers at Iowa State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering are exploring the viability of creating more bio-based supply chains. The approach could not only inform future agricultural sector decisions, but could be used right now.

New screening tool developed by Iowa State University researchers can speed detection of bovine tuberculosis

A new screening tool developed by researchers at Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture can dramatically reduce the time to detect strains of bacteria that cause a serious livestock disease and that impact the health of millions of people worldwide.

Keeping pigs comfortable during high heat and humidity

As the temperature and humidity level rise outside, producer need to address animal comfort indoors. Iowa Pork Industry Center interim director Jay Harmon said it’s the combination of air movement and wetting that help pigs. Wetting pigs is imperative because pigs don’t truly sweat like humans so. Wetting pigs is like giving them some artificial …Continue reading “Keeping pigs comfortable during high heat and humidity”

Iowa State surveys livestock producers on distillers grains use

Iowa State University is about halfway through a three-month long online survey of livestock producers’ use of distillers grains. The nationwide survey is focused on the beef, dairy, swine and poultry sectors. Kurt Rosentrater, an assistant professor in the department of agricultural and biosystems engineering Iowa State University, said the survey may have to be …Continue reading “Iowa State surveys livestock producers on distillers grains use”

Putting an end to questionable water

Farming in the Midwest, especially Iowa, is in ample supply as crop fields and livestock farms stretch for miles. With such an abundance of agriculture in the region, environmental discord resulting from farming techniques such as fertilization is something Iowa State researchers are working to resolve. Fertilization, a necessity when growing high-quality corn, can compromise …Continue reading “Putting an end to questionable water”

Iowa State to lead alternative hen-housing study

Iowa State University researchers will join with University of California-Davis scientists to investigate alternative egg production systems to help improve animal welfare and other practices. Project leaders say the study will assess alternative housing systems for laying hens in Iowa, the leading state in US egg production, and in California, where a state law known …Continue reading “Iowa State to lead alternative hen-housing study”

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