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» Weekly News 2004
| Weekly News 2004 |
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On December 15-16, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, participated in a workshop to prepare a Pest Management Strategic Plan for Western U.S. Sugarbeet Production. Strausbaugh participated in reviewing and commenting on disease problems and production practices associated with growing sugarbeets. The workshop brought together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss critical needs for research, regulation, and education associated with sugarbeet production in the western U.S. (KIM2004.1229N1)
On November 29-30, Dennis Kincaid, Agricultural Engineer, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, participated in a technical workshop on water use efficiency of irrigation practices in Pasco, WA. This workshop was sponsored by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Dr. Kincaid presented results of his research on spray drift and evaporation losses from sprinklers. (KIM2004.1201N1)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research plant pathologist and plant geneticist participated in University of Idaho Sugarbeet Working Group Meeting: On November 16, Carl Strausbaugh and Anne Gillen, research plant pathologist and plant geneticist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, participated in the sugarbeet working group meeting held in Twin Falls, ID. Strausbaugh and Gillen presented an outline of the objectives for their research program. The meeting brought together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current sugarbeet research and research priorities. (KIM2004.1124N2)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research plant pathologist and plant geneticist participated in Snake River Sugarbeet Research and Seed Committee Meeting: On November 15, Carl Strausbaugh and Anne Gillen, research plant pathologist and plant geneticist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, participated in the sugarbeet research and seed committee meeting held in Twin Falls, ID. Strausbaugh and Gillen presented information showing the influence of Beet curly top virus on yield in both commercial and experimental hybrids. The meeting brought together scientists, growers, industry personnel, and seed committee members to discuss the 2004 sugarbeet variety trials and approve varieties for southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. (KIM2004.1124N1)
On November 4, Sheryl VerWey, a biological science technician at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) in Kimberly, ID, spoke to a group of 34 students from Hansen High School. She discussed general microbiological techniques and equipment used in a laboratory, some of the current research being done by the Soil Microbiology group, the general mission of ARS, NWISRL and the educational pathway she took to become a technician. (KIM2004.1110N1)
On November 1-4, Soil Scientists Bob Sojka, Hank Mayland, Rick Lentz, April Leytem, Gary Lehrsch, Jim Entry, and Nathan Nelson, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, described key findings from their soil and water management research at the American Society of Agronomy annual meeting held in Seattle, WA. (KIM2004.1110N2)
On October 27-28, Rick Lentz, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, was invited to speak at the 2004 South Platte Forum on the use of polyacrylamide (PAM) for controlling erosion, improving water quality of irrigation return flows, and managing infiltration in irrigated agriculture, and his current research on PAM use for sealing irrigation ponds and canals. The forum was attended by 160+ irrigation, engineering, and municipal water professionals from several states to discuss water quality and quantity challenges facing South Platte River users. (KIM2004.1110N3)
On October 18, Rick Lentz and Gary Lehrsch, Soil Scientists, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, participated in the Agriculture and Water Quality in the Pacific Northwest Conference in Boise, ID. Lentz gave a talk on acrylamide monomer, a residual neurotoxicant present in polyacrylamide products used in furrow irrigation. Lentz presented evidence from his field research indicating that little if any of this very soluble material applied in irrigation furrows percolates below the root zone. Lehrsch presented research findings showing that mobile agricultural chemicals would likely be transported preferentially through large pores to depths of three feet or more in southern Idaho soils, even with careful irrigation management. The conference was attended by more than 100 individuals, including farmers, ranchers, researchers, and regulatory personnel from Oregon, Washington and Idaho. (KIM2004.1110N4)
Kimberly, ID, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory Soil Scientists, Drs. Bob Sojka and Rick Lentz, have been invited by the Bureau of Reclamation's Del Smith to meet with Bureau personnel and representatives of the Denver EPA office on November 9 to discuss use of polyacrylamide (PAM) use for canal and pond sealing. Preliminary tests by the Bureau of Reclamation, NRCS and ARS show a potential of about 30% reduction in seepage loss of water from canals and laterals treated with PAM. PAM use as a sealant is new and experimental, but has the potential to inexpensively save significant amounts of water in ponds and conveyance canals, which could be highly beneficial in many drought prone areas of the Western U.S. and around the world. (KIM20041027N1)
Kimberly, ID, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory Soil Scientist, Dr. Bob Sojka, has been invited by the Wyoming Soil and Water Conservation Society, Lower Wind River Conservation District, and NRCS to speak at their upcoming "Conservation Tillage and Soil Health Workshop." The workshop will be in Riverton, WY, on November 10. Sojka will give a talk entitled "Polyacrylamide (PAM) for Reducing Irrigation-Induced Erosion and Managing Infiltration." (KIM20041027N2)
On October 18, Hank Mayland, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, presented a lecture on forage quality to students at the College of Southern Idaho. He talked about bloat, grass tetany, nitrate poisoning and other factors that affect animal health. This topic was of great interest to the students because mismanagement of forages leads to several hundred thousand dollar losses in South Central Idaho alone. (KIM2004.1020N2)
On October 11-17, Hank Mayland, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, participated in the Pacific North West Forage Workers sessions held in Prineville and Merrill, OR. All aspects of forage establishment, production, harvesting, and some feeding details were discussed. Field plots at Pilot Butte and Madras, OR, were visited. The hay judging contest at Merrill presented opportunities for discussion of production, testing, marketing, and feeding. Fifty hays were entered into this competition. Niche marketing was a highlight of the sessions. (KIM2004.1020N1)
On September 28, "Career Days" was sponsored by the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. This event provided an opportunity for approximately 500 participants, comprised of students and the general public, to discuss employment opportunities with the many business and government agencies present. Five ARS employees of Kimberly Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory were present to discuss employment opportunities in ARS. Special emphasis was placed on encouraging women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities to apply for ARS positions. (KIM2004.0929N1)
On August 25, representatives from national feed industry, Dennis Gehler, Forage Product Manager with Croplan; and Margaret Winsryg, nutritional dairy and equine systems consultant previously with Purina Feeds, met with Kimberly, ID, ARS scientist Hank Mayland to discuss research needs appropriate to NP-205, Rangeland, Pastures, and Forages. Gehler and Winsryg put in a strong pitch for more research on interaction of soluble sugars and fibers in diets of horses and cattle and their effects on animal health. It is suggested that an imbalance of soluble sugars and digestive fiber leads to production of toxins that ultimately produce foot problems and lameness (laminitis) in these animals. (2004.0901N1)
The ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, Idaho had a Triple Anniversary Celebration / Open House on August 17. The location celebrated the laboratory's 40th anniversary, ARS's 50th aniversary and the Centennial of the NWISRL's host communities of Twin Falls and Kimberly, Idaho. The program ran from 4 pm to 8 pm. The Laboratory staff put together a series of displays, demonstrations, posters, and videos to inform and entertain visitors. Approximately seventy five guests attended. A few key local stake-holders and Acting Research Leader, Bob Sojka, made short remarks during an on-site barbecue at 6 pm. The day's events were a general open house as opposed to a "field day", thereby attracting a broad cross section of the general public. (2004.0818N1)
On July 19, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory scientists April Leytem and Nathan Nelson will travel to New Bern, NC, to attend the annual meeting of the SERA-17 national phosphorus workgroup. The meeting will discuss the progress of phosphorus site index development in the U.S. as well as topics related to phosphorus testing, transport, modeling and best management practices developed to reduce phosphorus losses to surface and shallow groundwaters. Leytem and Nelson serve as chairs on the transport and modeling workgroups, respectively. (KIM2004.0721N3)
On July 21, Dale Westermann, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, is invited to discuss the research that the Kimberly lab is doing on gaseous emissions from the land application of animal wastes at the USDA Air Quality Task Force Committee meeting in Coeur d'Alene, ID. This committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the scientific basis of the impact of agriculture on air quality. Members are appointed by the Secretary. (KIM2004.0721N2)
Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory Soil Scientist, Dr. Bob Sojka, will be an invited participant in an interactive forum at the Soil Water Conservation Society of America's annual meeting in Minneapolis, MN, on July 26. The forum, entitled "Finding Common Ground on Soil Quality - Balancing Benefits with Pitfalls" will explore the pros and cons of the soil quality concept as seen from perspectives of a concept proponent (Dr. Doug Karlen, ARS Ames, IA), a concept skeptic (Dr. Sojka) and from a case study presented by Dr. Michael Singer of the University of California at Davis. The forum will be moderated by Dr. Jorge Delgado (ARS Ft. Collins, CO). The Soil Water Conservation Society of America is the leading professional society among soil conservation action agencies and independent service providers. (KIM2004.0721N1)
On June 25, 2004, David Bjorneberg, agricultural engineer, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, was contacted by Otto Pohl, a freelance writer based in Berlin, Germany. Dr. Bjorneberg provided him information about using water soluble polyacrylamide (PAM) to control soil erosion. Mr. Pohl was doing research for an article about PAM use in agriculture. The primary focus of his article was using super- absorbent PAM to increase the amount of water held in the soil. He was not aware that there are two different categories of polyacrylamides prior to this interview. (KIM2004.0629N1)
On May 12, Kimberly ARS staff provided descriptive information to about 300 sixth grade students participating in National Water Awareness Week. Physical demonstrations were given of water infiltration, soil water holding capacity, runoff, erosion, tillage, and surface cover effects. Other water user groups also participated in this successful event. (KIM2004.0512N1)
On April 4-7, Hank Mayland, Soil Scientist, visited alfalfa and grass hay producers in the Columbia Basin. He spoke at a breakfast meeting in Moses Lake and luncheon meeting in Ellensburg, WA, with Columbia Basin Agricultural Consultants. He discussed the diurnal changes that occur in plants and how afternoon cutting maximized the sugar concentration and minimized nitrate concentration. Large quantities of double compressed hay are exported to Pacific Rim countries and many are not accepting hay that exceeds 1000 ppm nitrate-nitrogen creating a major challenge. (KIM2004.0511N1)
On February 11, Dale Westermann, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, was contacted by Nancy Butler, staff writer for Potato Grower Magazine, for information on phosphorus fertilization of potatoes that she is using to prepare an article for publication. Dr. Westermann provided information from his research on phosphorus management for Russet Burbank potato production. (KIM2004.0225N1)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has invited Dr. Bob Sojka, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab soil scientist, Kimberly, ID, to participate in a Conservation Security Program (CSP) Workshop on 12 and 13 February in Fort Worth, TX. The CSP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to producers who advance conservation goals on tribal and private working lands. Dr. Sojka has been asked to be part of a team that will provide insight during the workshop on irrigation water management. Input from the workshop will help NRCS develop the final rules for the CSP program. (KIM2004.0128N1)
Kathy Holley of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Grand Junction, CO, Max Schmidt of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Grand Junction, CO, and Ron Blake, NRCS Mountain Home, ID, will visit the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab (NWISRL) in Kimberly, ID, on 3 and 4 February. They will meet with several NWISRL scientists who have been involved with various aspects of polyacrylamide (PAM) research. The visit is part of several technical exchanges in recent months designed to coordinate collaboration between BOR, NRCS and ARS to conduct the science needed to deploy the use of PAM as a new inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of canal sealing for water conservation. Seepage loss of water from irrigation conveyance canals and lateral ditches is a significant issue across the western U.S. and around the world. (KIM2004.0128N2)
On January 25-29, Hank Mayland, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, will participate in the Society Range Management meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. He will coauthor a poster presentation by student Linda MacKay on 'Horse preference for afternoon and morning harvested alfalfa grass hay.' (KIM2004.0121N1)
On February 8-14, Hank Mayland, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, will participate in an NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) Forage and Testing Consortium annual conference in Madison, WI, and work with cooperators in summarizing, interpreting, and writing a paper on 'Lactation responses to TMR containing either afternoon or morning harvested alfalfa hay.' (KIM2004.0121N2)
