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| Weekly News 2000 |
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December 10-12, 2000. Hank Mayland participated in the National Alfalfa Conference in Las Vegas, NV. PM/AM-cutting strategies were discussed. Many alfalfa producers are aware of the benefits and are adopting afternoon-cutting management. Some hay associations and researchers are testing the concept in their environment. (KIM20001222N2)
December 18, 2000. Rick Lentz and Dale Westermann participated in a Southern Idaho in-service training workshop for extension personnel on field corn, small grain and nutrient management. Rick and Dale discussed their research on phosphorus transfer and transport processes affecting leaching and runoff in irrigated agricultural systems. Fifteen Idaho county and state extension personnel attended the training workshop. (KIM20001222N3)
November 20, 2000. Rick Lentz presented a seminar entitled "Using Polyacrylamide to Control Furrow Irrigation-Induced Erosion" at Sandia Laboratory in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Sandia Lab and University researchers attended the presentation. Lentz and cooperating Sandia researchers are using the Sandia Sedflume to examine detachment and transport processes under various sediment and water flow conditions. (KIM20001207N1)
November 29-December 1, 2000. Bob Sojka, Dave Bjorneberg and Dale Westermann attended the ARS 201-National Water Quality and Management Program workshop in Irving, TX. The workshop was attended by 201-National Program Leaders, Research Leaders and Lead Scientists of research projects to coordinate research activities prior to developing individual project plans and to plan national research initiatives. The three components in this National Program are Agricultural Watershed Management, Irrigation and Drainage Management, and Water Quality Protection and Management. (KIM20001207N2)
November 5-9, 2000. Scientists Gary Lehrsch, Rick Lentz, Hank Mayland, Kris Aase, Jim Wright, Bob Sojka and Dale Westermann attended the 2000 annual meetings of the ASA, CSSA & SSSA in Minneapolis, MN. While at the meetings, they presented a total of nine oral and poster papers, some of which were invited. In addition, Bob Sojka started his term as chair-elect for SSSA Division S6. Approximately 6,000 scientists attend these annual meetings. (KIM20001122N1)
November 14-16, 2000. Scientists Rick Lentz, Dennis Kincaid, Dave Bjorneberg, Bob Sojka, Jim Wright and Dale Westermann attended the 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium in Phoenix, AZ. This symposium was sponsored by the ASAE in association with the Irrigation Association, who held their annual meeting and trade show immediately prior to the symposium. The ARS-NWISRL scientists presented a total of nine oral and poster papers covering crop water use, sprinkler technology, the use of polyacrylamide (PAM) to control soil erosion and infiltration under surface and sprinkler irrigation, and phosphorus losses under surface irrigation. All papers are contained in a special ASAE publication. The symposium was attended by over 350 scientists from the U.S. and several foreign countries. (KIM20001122N2)
October 19, 2000. Peter Droogers, International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, presented a seminar on "Combining Remote Sensing and Hydrological Models to Enhance Spatial and Temporal Resolution." The institute is one of the International Centers for Agricultural Science like International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). He also visited with some of the staff while here. (KIM20001026N1)
October 23, 2000. Hank Mayland was contacted by Melissa Sprague, Ph.D. student, who is planning to research management practices to improve nutritive value and palatability of fodder for dairy cattle. She is interested in work that we have done on diurnal cycling of soluble carbohydrates in forages. She was provided with a summary of studies underway or completed and a number of questions that remained unanswered. Melissa will be doing her studies at Hamilton, Victoria, in Australia. (KIM20001026N2)
October 23-24, 2000. Jim Wright and Dale Westermann discussed ARS career opportunities and research activities at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) with two soils laboratory classes from the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. Sixteen students visited the NWISRL as part of their formal course requirements being taught by Ross Spackman. Mr. Spackman is currently working on a Ph.D. through the University of Idaho and in cooperation with Drs. Bob Sojka and James Entry, ARS Soil Scientists. (KIM20001026N3)
October 24, 2000. Hank Mayland was contacted by Arne M•ller, of Agri Contact, a technology transfer organization in Hundested, Denmark. Mr. M•ller was provided general information about using canola as a phytoremediator of high soil selenium soils. The canola herbage was then fed to animals in low selenium areas to meet their selenium-nutrition needs. (KIM20001026N4)
October 25, 2000. T.L. Spofford, Irrigation Engineer, from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Water and Climate Center (NWCC) - Water Science and Technology Team in Portland, OR, visited with ARS and UI scientists at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL). While at Kimberly, Spofford gave a short outline of the organization of the NWCC and how ARS could be involved in their program. The NWCC provides information on animal waste management, water and wind erosion, irrigation and water management, hydrology, nutrient management, pest management, water quality and wetlands/drainage issues to NRCS, producers and the general public. (KIM20001026N5)
October 5, 2000. Dr. Jim Wright was visited by Rich Kessler of the University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Laboratory (UO-SRML). The UO-SRML operates solar monitoring stations around the Northwest to obtain high quality solar radiation data for solar energy resource evaluation and long-term climate studies. They would like to install a High Quality Solar Radiation Measurement station at Kimberly and are seeking the cooperation of ARS in these efforts. Solar radiation measurements are a key component of the procedures developed for estimating crop evapotranspiration from weather data. The goal of the UO-SRML is to utilize the past comprehensive record of solar radiation data obtained by ARS and the AgriMet station at Kimberly and to extend this with precision instrumentation and measurement of many of the components of solar radiation not now being measured. This cooperative effort will be beneficial to ARS as well as those supporting the UO-SRML in providing additional data for research efforts in optimizing the use of water and energy in irrigated agriculture and the impacts of climate and climate change on agriculture in general. (KIM20001019N1)
September 19, 2000. Hank Mayland visited with Jess Walls, representative for FOSS North American, about opportunities to use Near Infra-red Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) in forage materials. This technology would greatly enhance producer adoption of afternoon forage harvesting to take advantage of increased TNC in forage and subsequent increased animal productivity. (KIM20000928N1)
August 30, 2000. Dennis Kincaid hosted a group of four from Sask Water, the provincial water research and extension agency for Saskatchewan, Canada. Sask Water is located at Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. Dr. Kincaid described the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory's research and discussed issues related to irrigation and water quality, and took them on a tour of farms in the area. They also visited with the Twin Falls Canal Company and Northside Canal Company. (KIM20000831N1)
August 24, 2000. At the request of Dr. Richard G. Allen, Professor of Water Resources, University of Idaho, James Wright and David Bjorneberg of the Kimberly ARS staff, presented research results and discussed irrigation research in general to a group of graduate students from the Utah State University Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering/International Irrigation Center. Students were from the United States and several foreign countries. They were interested in results on crop water use research and on the use of minimum tillage and polyacrylamide (PAM) to reduce irrigation induced soil erosion. (KIM20000831N2)
August 28, 2000. Ashok Alva, Soil Scientist-Research Leader, and Hal Collins, Soil Microbiologist, both from the USDA-ARS group at Prosser, WA, visited the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) to get better acquainted with the research program and the individual scientists at Kimberly. Dr. Alva also gave an overview of the current research program at Prosser and explored possible future cooperation to develop a cropping systems research program for irrigated crop production in the Pacific Northwest, with emphasis on potato production. (KIM20000831N3)
August 29, 2000. Bob Sojka and Dale Westermann attended a meeting of the Pacific Northwest ARS Scientists in Boise, ID, to explore the potential of developing a proposal to evaluate the effect of agricultural practices (includes rangeland and grazing) on salmonid habitat. The proposal would focus on three primary areas: 1) fate and transport of nutrients, pesticides and pathogens, 2) impact on water temperature, and 3) sediment transport to surface waters. Greater than 80% of the land area in the Pacific Northwest is impacted by the listing of salmonid fishes under the Endangered Species Act. Close to $1 billion is now being spent yearly in the Pacific Northwest on salmonid recovery efforts. (KIM20000831N4)
August 3-4, 2000. Dale Westermann participated in the Idaho Bean Workshop and Field Day celebrating 75 years of field bean research at the Kimberly University of Idaho (UI) Research and Extension Center and 50 years of the dry bean cooperative nursery. The conference was organized by Dr. Shree Singh, UI Bean Breeder. Dale Westermann along with coauthor, Brad Brown, UI, presented an oral paper on the status of soil fertility and plant nutritional information needed for dry and garden bean production in the western U.S. Participants were from all major U.S. dry bean production areas and eleven foreign countries. (KIM20000810N1)
Dr. Dan Strawn visited the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) on Tuesday, August 8, 2000. Dr. Strawn is a new soil chemist for the University of Idaho. He is located at the main campus in Moscow. Dan took the opportunity to become more familiar with the ARS scientists at Kimberly and to explore their perceptions of key research questions that need to be addressed. The NWISRL welcomed Dan's visit and emphasized the importance of building a strong commitment among the faculty on the main campus to conduct research that addresses arid zone irrigated agriculture, which accounts for the agricultural mainstream economy of the State of Idaho. Dan likewise informed the NWISRL staff of several new instrumentation technologies and analytical techniques available to the field of soil chemistry, and explored the potential for collaborations with the NWISRL staff to initiate use of these technologies to address the research needs of the NWISRL. (KIM20000810N2)
August 9, 2000. Dave Ferguson (Boise) and Keith Griswold (Caldwell), Idaho Soil Conservation Commission, met with Rick Lentz, Dave Bjorneberg and Dale Westermann to discuss the background information on selected best management practices (BMPs) and how this information may be converted to phosphorus effluent trading credits on the lower Boise river watershed. This trading would compensate agriculture for using selected BMPs to reduce sediment and phosphorus losses in irrigation runoff and return flows. A developing total maximum daily load (TMDL) on the Brownlee Reservoir Watershed will soon mandate a reduction in phosphorus loadings from the Boise River as well as from six other rivers in Idaho and Oregon that enter the Snake River-Brownlee Reservoir system. Research studies at Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) developed much of the information being used in these BMPs, especially that related to sediment and phosphorus trapping for the various management systems. (KIM20000810N3)
August 9, 2000. Mr. Robert Palmer, entrepreneur from Elko, Nevada, visited with Dennis Kincaid, Jim Wright, and Hank Mayland about establishing a sprinkler-irrigated alfalfa production enterprise near Eureka, Nevada. Soil, water, environment, equipment, and other factors affecting alfalfa production were discussed. Data and technical publications prepared by our staff were shared with Mr. Palmer. (KIM20000810N4)
July 24, 2000. Bob Rodriguez, reporter for the Fresno, CA, Bee contacted both Gary Banuelos, Fresno, and Hank Mayland, Kimberly, regarding the phytoremediation article appearing in Agricultural Research magazine. Mr. Rodriguez was interested in the concept of phytoremediation, why we were concerned about selenium, how did we join in this research, how did the research results apply to the Central Valley, and what were the long term benefits of phytoremediation research. (KIM20000803N1)
July 25, 2000. Dale Westermann attended a meeting at the WRRC, Albany, CA, called by the Area Director, Dr. A. Betschart, to review ARS research objectives related to animal-pathogen relationships. This included studies with E. coli 0157:H7 in compost, contaminated water, food products, irrigation/flood water, and ground water recharge. Jane Robens, ARS-NPL for Food Quality from Beltsville, MD, and ARS representatives from Fresno, Phoenix, Riverside, Albany, and Fargo attended. (KIM20000803N2)
July 27-29, 2000. Dale Westermann attended the annual meeting of the SERA-IEG 17 at Madison, WI. The meeting's major theme was minimizing agricultural phsophorus losses for protection of the water resource: linking phosphorus research at various scales. About 125 phosphorus researchers from the U.S. and several foreign countries attended the workshop and discussed phosphorus transfer and transport issues, the NRCS Phosphorus Index development, and protocol issues related to the national phosphorus project. (KIM20000803N3)
July 20, 2000. Mr. Alan Kozak, Millersburg, OH, called to thank Hank Mayland for his helpful suggestions regarding his dairy operation. He had contacted Dr. Mayland in December 1999, and again April 2000 regarding a new 120 acre pasture of a blended perennial ryegrass that his dairy cows refused to graze. Mr. Kozak followed up on Dr. Mayland's suggestion and sent grass tillers to several labs where endophyte infection has since been documented. This and several lots planted in New York were apparently contaminated with seed containing the endophyte. The endophyte likely produced volatile toxins that were unacceptable to the cows. Mr. Kozak has replanted about 100 acres to brown mid-rib sorghum that the cows like well once they got accustomed to it. He also cut about 125 acres of alfalfa/grass between 4:00 and 11:00 p.m. following our earlier findings. (KIM20000720N1)
June 21, 2000. Rick Lentz, Bob Sojka, and Dave Bjorneberg hosted a group of primary grade teachers for Water Camp 2000 at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory. More than thirty teachers from across southern Idaho participated in the educational tour. Dr. Lentz was invited by University of Idaho Extension Educator, Howard Niebling, to organize a demonstration and discussion on the use of polyacrylamide (PAM) in irrigated agriculture to prevent soil erosion and manage infiltration. The three soil scientists summarized some of the extensive PAM research conducted at the laboratory in the last nine years. (KIM20000706N1)
July 5, 2000. Ed White, journalist for 'Western Producer,' an agricultural newspaper of Saskatoon, Sashkatchewan, interviewed Hank Mayland about ramifications of the ARS news release 'Canola--A Superb Selenium Slurper' for western Canada. Dr. Mayland described the excess and deficient aspects of Selenium nutrition for animals. He also discussed the use of Phytoremediators to extract heavy metals and the proposed use of vegetative plants, like canola, to serve as a source of Selenium for animals being raised on otherwise Selenium deficient forage. (KIM20000706N2)
June 11-14, 2000. Rick Lentz attended the 81st Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Pacific Division and Western Society of Soil Science in Ashland, Oregon, where he gave an oral and poster presentation entitled "Managing Infiltration from Ponded and Flowing Water with Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) and Surfactants". Lentz reported laboratory results which showed how PAM or PAM plus surfactant treatments can be used to selectively reduce water infiltration in irrigation furrows and soil-lined distribution canals. The use of these new techniques potentially can increase furrow irrigation application uniformity and water-use efficiency, and reduce water leakage from irrigation water distribution canals. Thus, the technology may help conserve irrigation water and help prevent water, fertilizer, and agri-chemical leaching losses that typically occur at the inflow end of irrigation furrows. (KIM20000622N1)
June 13-16, 2000. Bob Sojka and David Horne visited the Lubbock, Texas, ARS group. Dr. Horne is a Soil Physicist from Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand, spending a six-month sabbatical at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab, working with Dr. Sojka. Dr. Sojka presented a seminar entitled "Reinventing Irrigation with Polyacrylamide (PAM)," and Dr. Horne presented a seminar entitled "An Introduction to Some Soil Water and Structure Management Issues in New Zealand." The seminars were each attended by approximately 50 people from the Lubbock location and Texas Tech University. The remainder of the visit was occupied by planning among Sojka, Horne and the Lubbock ARS Lab Director, Dr. Dan Upchurch, for a field study involving drip irrigation water management. (KIM20000622N2)
June 19, 2000. Bob Sojka was phone-interviewed by Vicky Boyd, Editor of "The Grower" magazine. Ms. Boyd is preparing a story entitled "Clearly Better" on polyacrylamide (PAM) use for erosion reduction, runoff water quality improvement and infiltration enhancement in irrigated agriculture. The story focuses on improvements made in the Stanislaus County, California Hydrologic Project and the improvements it has made in recent years improving the quality of irrigation return flows. The Kimberly Idaho ARS work was noted as a seminal chapter in the technology development, and the article drew heavily from Kimberly publications and website information for technical detail. The Kimberly PAM website was posted as an information source for readers. (KIM20000622N3)
Bob Sojka was elected this Spring as Soil Science Society Division S-6 Chair-Elect. SSSA Division S-6 deals with the science of soil and water conservation and management. The Division Chair participates in a three-year cycle of responsibilities, representing the division in society board meetings, conducting the division business meeting, and planning the division annual scientific program. The Soil Science Society of America has a membership of approximately 5,000, and Division S-6 is one of the largest of ten subject matter divisions. Dr. Sojka has served SSSA as an Associate Editor and as a Technical Editor of the Soil Science Society of America Journal. (KIM20000622N4)
June 9, 2000. Jim Wright, Soil Scientist, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, spent an afternoon visiting with Robin Wells, an engineer with the Energy Division of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), concerning the use of evapotranspiration (ET) crop coefficients for predicting crop water use in southern Idaho. IDWR is utilizing the crop ET estimates provided by the AgriMet program of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which utilizes the results of ARS research at Kimberly, to help irrigators manage their systems more efficiently. Of particular concern are procedures for adjusting for unusual climatic differences and varied conditions that exist in some farming areas which are close to surrounding dry regions, such as exist near lava flows and rock outcrops. Jim Wright reviewed the theoretical considerations of the crop coefficients and reference ET equations resulting from the ARS research and suggested means of adapting these to the varied local climatic conditions. He also initiated some changes in the AgriMet report that will hopefully help IDWR in their task of providing irrigation management guidance for these circumstances. (KIM20000615N1)
June 13, 2000. Dr. Howard Thomas, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Technology Specialist for the West Region, made a short presentation on the new NRCS technology transfer organization and how his position fits into that system. He is the primary contact for technology transfer information as it relates to NRCS in the western U.S. Dr. Thomas also took this opportunity to visit with each project leader about their conservation related research programs. (KIM20000615N2)
June 5, 2000. Rick Lentz, Dave Bjorneberg and Dale Westermann attended a meeting called by the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission to form an agricultural pollution abatement plan - BMP (best management practice) effectiveness committee. Individuals attending were from Natural Resources Conservation Service, Idaho Department of Agriculture, Division of Environmental Quality, and University of Idaho. An initial high priority item to be evaluated by this committee is the use of BMPs in phosphorus effluent trading to meet TMDL (total maximum daily load) standards for the lower Boise river. (KIM20000608N1)
June 6, 2000. Dr. David Horne, Soil Scientist, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, presented a seminar on "New Zealand Agriculture, Soils, and Soil Science." Dr. Horne described New Zealand agriculture as largely pasture-based for sheep and dairy cow production. He noted that New Zealand has a 'Commodity Based Economy' which has suffered greatly following formation of the European Community. New Zealand is needing a 'Value Added Economy.' Agricultural research there is now heavily committed to 'keeping it green.' Dave is here on a six-month sabbatic working with Dr. Bob Sojka on aspects of polyacrylamide (PAM) effects on water infiltration into soils. (KIM20000608N2)
May 26, 2000. Lee Maddox of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, Columbia, TN, conducted a radio interview with Hank Mayland, USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, on the benefits of cutting hay in the afternoon. Dr. Mayland also discussed the time-lapse video tape illustrating the preference by steers for the PM-cut forage. A tape and explanatory text were sent to Lee for viewing and for use in a later TV broadcast. (KIM20000601N1)
May 30, 2000. Hank Mayland, USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Glenn Shewmaker and Ron Thaemert, University of Idaho, participated in an Alfalfa Grazing School held on a ranch near Star, Idaho. They were given three years of performance data and observed grazing behavior of the 250 cow-calf pairs on alfalfa. The experience provided supporting evidence for a paper that Dr. Mayland is writing on grazing behavior and diurnal soluble carbohydrate distribution in forage plants. (KIM20000601N2)
May 18, 2000. "Pouring a glass of milk is only a few steps away from pouring a glass of sunshine." This quote is the lead-in to a story on 'Late-afternoon-cut hay makes more milk' published in May 10, 2000, Hoard's Dairyman. This article promotes the concept developed by Hank Mayland several years ago that afternoon-cut forage has increased feed value compared to morning-cut forage. Several researchers are contributing to the overall knowledge base. (KIM20000525N1)
May 23, 2000. Dr. Benton Glaze, University of Idaho Extension Livestock Specialist (beef & swine), gave a seminar on 'Selection Response and Genetic Parameters in Polled Hereford Cattle Selected for Feed Conversion'. Results of the study were of interest. Most interesting were the shared experiences of analyzing the huge data set using newly developed statistical software. The handicaps included missing data, and not having had a direct hand in conducting the actual research. (KIM20000525N2)
May 11, 2000. Hank Mayland was party to a two-hour conference call originated by staff members of Caribou National Forest, Soda Springs, Idaho. They are concerned with Selenium issues in salvage soils, spoils, water, plants, bioavailability, plant uptake, percolation to ground water, and water quality. The U.S. Forest Service staff on Caribou will be drafting standards for the P-mining companies in the area. (KIM20000518N1)
May 15, 2000. Jim Entry, Soil Microbiologist at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, presented a seminar on the "Efficacy of PAM to reduce microorganisms in water." (KIM20000518N2)
May 15, 2000. Evert Byington, USDA-ARS National Program Leader for NP-205 Rangeland, Pasture and Forage, visited the project leaders and became more familiar with the mission of the location. He was hosted by Hank Mayland who shared his research efforts into mineral cycling in the soil-plant-animal system and more recent work on benefits of afternoon cutting of forage. Dr. Mayland also arranged a luncheon session with three dairy-forage producers in the Magic Valley. The group then briefly toured some of the dairy areas where challenges of forage harvesting, conservation, storage, and quality assessment were strongly evident. (KIM20000518N3)
April 4, 2000. Kris Aase, Soil Scientist at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, presented a seminar on sprinkler-irrigation water quality influences P in runoff. Dr. Aase presented some early findings that he and cooperators will study in more detail. (KIM20000511N1)
April 18, 2000. David Bjorneberg, Agricultural Engineer at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, presented a seminar on "P dynamics of surface water runoff". Dr. Bjorneberg presented early findings of P runoff from a straw mulch that was sprinkle-irrigated with RO- or 1/2 RO-tap water. Investigators found unexpected results that they will be studying in more detail. (KIM20000511N2)
April 19, 2000. Upon request of Kurt Reitsma, South Dakota State Department of Agriculture in Pierre, Hank Mayland sent ten copies of the ARS special publication "Saline Seep: Diagnosis, Control, and Reclamation." This publication is out of print and only 12 copies are currently available. (KIM20000511N3)
April 25, 2000. Richard Allen, Water Resources Engineer with the University of Idaho and officed in the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory at Kimberly, Idaho, presented a seminar on "How to put the E in ET: the UN-FAO-56 procedure." Dr. Allen was one of the authors instrumental in writing the UN-FAO-56 document incorporating some results from Dr. Jim Wright's evapotranspiration (ET) research program. Dr. Allen was complimentary of the Kimberly ET research and showed how evaporation could be accounted for in the water balance equation. (KIM20000511N4)
May 1-2, 2000. Bob Sojka and David J. Horne, visiting New Zealand Soil Physicist, traveled to Moscow, Idaho, to meet with students and faculty interested in research on polyacrylamide (PAM) use for erosion control, infiltration enhancement and water clarification. Dr. Horne is spending a six month sabbatic with the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) to study the effects of PAM on infiltration uniformity. In Moscow, Sojka met with Ross Spackman, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Plant Soils and Entomological Sciences; Sojka is on Spackman's degree committee. On May 2nd Sojka presented a seminar in the Engineering Department on work from the NWISRL use of PAM for erosion control and runoff water quality improvement. (KIM20000511N5)
May 3, 2000. David Bjorneberg, Agricultural Engineer, and Rick Lentz, Soil Scientist, along with five technical and office staff of the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) participated in Water Festival 2000 at the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. This educational activity for 6th grade students addressed important water resource issues and featured 20 learning stations. The NWISRL set up two stations describing ARS research efforts, irrigation systems, soil and water management, and use of polyacrylamide (PAM) in furrow irrigation to reduce erosion in fields and decrease sediment and nutrient loads in irrigation return flows entering the Snake River. Over 900 6th grade students from 16 schools in Twin Falls and surrounding communities attended the day-long event. (KIM20000511N6)
May 2, 2000. Rick Lentz, Soil Scientist at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), Kimberly, ID, presented a seminar entitled "Temperature effects on furrow infiltration". Dr. Lentz discussed the series of studies completed in cooperation with Dr. David Bjorneberg, Agricultural Engineer, NWISRL, which showed a significant influence of temperature on irrigation furrow infiltration rates. These studies appear to be the first to identify and quantify this phenomenon in the field. Irrigators can use this information to increase furrow advance rates on fields with longer, softer (high intake), or little-sloped furrows, resulting in increased water use efficiency and reduced nutrient leaching losses at inflow ends of furrows. (KIM20000511N7)
May 5, 2000. Dr. Al Nihat Balci, Istanbul, Turkey, and David Mead, Twin Falls, ID, toured the Laboratory with Dale Westermann. Dr. Balci attended Utah State University and Washington State University and recently retired from being the Director of a watershed research group in Istanbul. He was very interested in the research program at Kimberly, particularly the ongoing studies to reduce irrigation induced soil erosion. Mr. Mead is a Twin Falls banker supportive of the Laboratory and had attended Utah State University with Dr. Balci. (KIM20000511N8)
May 9, 2000. Bob Sojka, Soil Scientist at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, presented a seminar on "Water quality issues in irrigated agriculture in Australia." Dr. Sojka was invited by the Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture (ISIA) at Tatura, Victoria, the Goulburn-Murray Water District, and the Australian Land Resource and Development Council (LRRDC) because of his research and knowledge of polyacrylamide (PAM). (KIM20000511N9)
Bob Sojka was interviewed on Monday, 25 April, by Mark Anderson for video footage to be released through the Idaho State University Information Office. The interview focused on recent work at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab (NWISRL), by Sojka and NWISRL co-investigator, Dr. James Entry, that has explored the sequestration of microorganisms from irrigation runoff water using polyacrylamide (PAM) as an erosion and infiltration management additive to the irrigation water. The NWISRL and Dr. Maribeth Watwood of Idaho State University's (ISU) Biological Science Department have had several collaborative projects looking on PAM effects on microorganisms. The sequestration work, while not a direct collaboration, was an outgrowth of the original work and has pointed the way for projects at ISU, NWISRL and University of Idaho to look at additional potential for PAM to sequester microorganisms in managed surface waters. To date the sequestration work by Sojka and Entry has resulted in two journal publications and a patent. The interview also touched briefly on a related project with Dr. Don Morishita, weed scientist at the University of Idaho, in which a similar sequestration was seen for weed seed. Sequestration of microorganisms and weed seed by PAM helps prevent the spread of weeds and diseases within farmers' fields and among neighboring fields via irrigation return flows. Ultimately this effect should lead to a reduced need for pesticides and could have public health implications for controlling coliforms and other human health-threatening organisms in return flows to riparian waters. (KIM20000427N1)
Bob Sojka attended a meeting of the Water Quality and Management writing team from 11-13 April in Beltsville, Maryland. The writing team met to help ARS National Program Staff produce a finalized version of the National Program Action Plan. The action plan is a guiding statement of the agency's water quality and management research in its Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems division. The document will serve as the framework for the formulation of national research teams. Sojka was one of several members responsible for the Irrigation and Drainage component of the action plan. (KIM20000427N2)
Rick Lentz and Bob Sojka represented the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab in Kanasas City, MO, 17-19 May at an ARS Soil Resource Management national program action plan workshop. The workshop brought together representatives of nearly all ARS research units with research activity covered under the Soil Resource Management national program for the purpose of beginning to identify research teams to pursue lines of research identified in the Soil Resource Management national program statement. (KIM20000427N3)
April 12, 2000. Hank Mayland was contacted by Troy Downing, Oregon State University Dairy Extension Specialist at Tillamook, Oregon, regarding the increase in forage quality during the day. 150 dairies having about 150 cows each rely largely on pasture. A possible meeting with dairy producers in the area was discussed. They are concerned about varietal difference in palatability and Phosphorous capture. (KIM20000420N1)
April 12, 2000. Dave Bjorneberg discussed practical aspects of using polyacrylamide (PAM) with surface irrigation at a Hispanic Irrigators' Workshop in Twin Falls, Idaho. The workshop was sponsored by the three conservation districts in Twin Falls County along with the Mid-Snake Resource Conservation and Development District and the Twin Falls Canal Company. The purpose of the workshop was to raise Hispanic irrigators' awareness about irrigation management including chemical and electrical safety. Thirteen irrigators attended the workshop. Participants were given cards to certify that they attended the workshop. (KIM20000420N2)
April 19, 2000. Hank Mayland was contacted by Ray Melander of Customer One Farm Cooperative of Merrill, Wisconsin, about the PM-cutting technology. Mr. Melander was interested in adding this technology to their newsletter and webb site (customeronecoop.com). Copies of published research material were forwarded him. (KIM20000420N3)
March 31, 2000. Dave Bjorneberg discussed water quality issues with about 30 members of the West End Men's Club, a civic group in Buhl, Idaho, at their regular weekly meeting. He discussed total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for sediment and phosphorus on the Snake River, management practices that irrigated agriculture can use to reduce negative impacts on water quality, and current research at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory that may result in new management practices for irrigated agriculture. Farmers and landowners in the group were particularly interested in how water quality standards could affect their operations and how they can justify the costs of best management practices given the current low farm prices. (KIM2000.0406N1)
April 3, 2000. The April edition of the New Holland News published an article entitled "If Cows Could Talk About Hay and Silage." The article highlighted the benefits of PM vs AM cutting on increasing forage value, animal preference, and animal performance. The information in the article is the result of research by Hank Mayland and cooperators since August 1996. (KIM2000.0406N2)
April 4, 2000. Kris Aase presented a seminar entitled "Sprinkler-irrigation Water Quality Influences P in Water Runoff." He discussed relationships of phosphorus in runoff from sprinkler irrigated soils to soil phosphorus forms. The relationships are not simple, and some of the difficulties were discussed in relation to P eutrophication of lakes and streams. The seminar was attended by ARS and University of Idaho personnel. (KIM2000.0406N3)
Dr. Jim Entry returned to Kimberly from a nine-week visit to Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. The trip was sponsored by the Organization for Economic and Co-operative Development. During his stay, Dr. Entry co-operated with Dr. Ian Phillips and Dr. Helen Stratton at the School of Environmental Engineering at the Nathan Campus. The investigators tested the efficacy of polyacrylamide (PAM), + Al(SO4)3 and PAM + CaO to filter chemical and coliform bacteria contained in hog waste flowing through columns with different soil types in a laboratory study. A field study was conducted at the Alistaer Park Farm in Dalby, Queensland, to investigate the efficacy of (PAM), + Al(SO4)3 and PAM + CaO to filter chemical and coliform bacteria contained in hog waste flowing over three different soil types. Results of this study will be reported in a journal article. Information gained in the trip to Australia will be incorporated into Dr. Entry's research program. (KIM2000.0323N1)
March 17, 2000. Katy Flanagan and Gary Grimm of Mountain Visions gave a seminar on multimedia options for technology transfer. This Boise, Idaho, group has been working with natural resource agencies to utilize various media for information transfer. Video, internet, interactive-webb pages, and CD-ROM technology were discussed with nine members of our staff. (KIM2000.0323N2)
March 21, 2000. Dr. Nora Olsen, Potato Specialist with the University of Idaho, presented a seminar for state and federal researchers. She talked about the Importance of Seed Vigor and Quality with emphasis on physiological age of the seed piece and its affect of productivity. (KIM20000323N3)
March 22, 2000. Dr. Bob Sojka was interviewed by Marlene Fritz of the University of Idaho's Information Service regarding recent findings in a cooperative project with Dr. Don Morishita of the University of Idaho. Sojka and Morishita teamed for a two-year corn study that examined the effects of polyacrylamide (PAM) and herbides on sediment loss, infiltration, and loss of four important weed species seeds (Kochia--Kochia scoparia; Redroot Pigweed--Amaranthus retroflexus; Lambsquarters--Chenopodium album; and Hairy Nightshade--Solanum sarracoides). Herbicide treatment controlled weeds, however, non-herbicide treatment had higher infiltration, less erosion, and less weed seed loss than herbicide treatments (because of the vegetative mulching effect of the weeds). PAM treatments, with or without herbicides, had slightly higher infiltration, very little erosion, and greatly reduced weed seed loss. The study showed that PAM can effectively sequester weed seed from runoff water while controlling erosion. The study is important because it shows that using PAM helps prevent the spread of weed seeds down along a furrow and between fields. Ultimately this could help reduce the amount of herbicide needed to control weeds. Sojka and Morishita have been funded by the Pacific Northwest's STEEP project to expand their work, looking at similar dynamics in field beans, and measuring herbicide residues in the soil and runoff. (KIM2000.0323N4)
March 16, 2000. NWISRL Soil Scientist Dr. Bob Sojka returned to Kimberly last week from a two month visit with Australia's Institute for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture (ISIA) at Tatura, Victoria. The trip was sponsored by ISIA, Australia's Land and Water Resources Research and Development Council, Goulburn Murray Water, and Australia's suppliers of agricultural polyacrylamide (PAM). During his stay, Dr. Sojka visited irrigated agriculture in five of Australia's six states, assessing the nature and extent of erosion and infiltration problems and the potential for using PAM to help solve the problems. During the trip, Dr. Sojka personally interviewed over 40 Australian farmers and farm managers on their farms, spoke at one field day and conducted eight PAM workshops, whose combined attendance numbered about 150 scientists, conservationists and water managers. The visit will result in a report to the trip sponsors and to ARS, and development of one or more research proposals with ISIA to investigate specific aspects of PAM use for Australia's agricultural and environmental needs. Insights and ideas gleaned from the Australian trip will also be applied to Dr. Sojka's research program in the U.S. (KIM2000.0316N1)
7 March 2000. Nathan Oberg, U of Idaho, graduate student, presented a seminar on the 'Role of Jasmonates in Potato Physiology'. The potato storage industry has relied on CIPC for many years to prevent sprouting in potato tubers. Janmonates are being investigated as alternative compounds as use of CIPC is being phased out. Representatives of the jasmonate family are found in many crops and seem to carry out some hormonal functions. (KIM2000.0309N1)
March 6, 2000. Dale Westermann announced that the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory located northeast of Kimberly has over 1000 publications to its credit! The Laboratory was started in 1963-64 and at one time had 20 scientists working on soil and irrigation problems. It now has 10 scientists. It•s mission is to develop environmentally compatible and economically sustainable new and improved integrated water, soil, nutrient and crop management practices for irrigated agriculture in the United States. Significant agricultural production problems recently solved includes the control of irrigation-induced soil erosion with polyacrylamide(PAM) and the effect of harvesting practices on forage quality and animal production. Additional information may be obtained by calling 208-423-5582 or visiting their web page at http://kimberly.ars.usda.gov . (KIM2000.0309N2)
March 7, 2000. Dale Westermann met with David Roper, Vice President National Pork Producers and discussed ways that the ARS-NWISRL could provide information to help develop science-based nutrient management plans. Of particular interest is the criteria to use when making lagoon and manure applications on a phosphorus loading basis, the best way to handle solids separated from lagoon liquids, the value of manure as a soil amendment, and the potential problems with enteric organisms. (KIM2000.0309N3)
February 22, 2000. Hank Mayland, upon request by Evert Byington, Leader of NP-205, provided a four paragraph summary of his research on forage cues and benefits of afternoon cutting of forage. Names and addresses of cooperators were provided for this ARS annual report. (KIM2000.0302N1)
February 23-24, 2000. Dale Westermann attended a meeting of the NRCS western regional agronomists and water quality specialists in Spokane, Washington. The purpose of this meeting was to coordinate activities as each state develops their phosphorus index. The phosphorus index is a resource management tool to indicate the relative potential impact of phosphorus movement from agricultural land on surface and ground water. Dr. Westermann discussed with the group the soil, site and management factors that affect phosphorus movement from irrigated land. (KIM2000.0302N2)
February 28, 2000. Dale Westermann presented a seminar on phosphorus in irrigation runoff water over calcareous soils. The seminar was well attended with University of Idaho, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and private consultants being present. More research is needed on P species originating from soil inorganic and organic sources on these calcareous soils before we fully understand this system. (KIM2000.0302N3)
February 28, 2000. Hank Mayland was consulted by Jay Christensen of Pickett Equipment, Burley, Idaho, about environmental, forage type, and harvesting equipment effects related to harvesting, conserving, and storing quality hay. Mr. Christensen became aware of our forage work while surfing the internet. Pickett Equipment is considering designing and building a forage conditioner- windrower to increase drying rate of cut forages. (KIM2000.0302N4)
February 29, 2000. Dave Bjorneberg gave a presentation about best management practices for irrigated agriculture at the Division IV Idaho Association of Conservation Districts (IACD) Spring Meeting in Bellevue, Idaho. Division IV includes 11 south-central Idaho conservation districts. Dr. Bjorneberg discussed accepted technologies for minimizing negative impacts on water quality, current irrigation and water quality research at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), and possible future research topics. Forty-seven people attended the meeting including conservation district board members and staff, NRCS district conservationists, and IACD personnel. The attendees were also encouraged to contact the NWISRL whenever they identify important research topics. (KIM2000.0302N5)
February 11, 2000. Dr. Harold Steppuhn, Research Hydrologist, with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, visited with Kris Aase and gave a seminar on selecting grasses for salinity tolerance. (KIM2000.0224N1)
February 13-18, 2000. Hank Mayland participated in program planning, daily presentations, and technology transfer while at the annual meeting of the Society of Range Management in Boise, Idaho. The meeting was attended by 1,483 students, ranchers, educators, and agency technicians. (KIM2000.0224N2)
February 4, 2000. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Idaho Department of Agriculture, and University of Idaho personnel, along with Dale Westermann, met to review the plans for a computer aided nutrient management program. This program is being developed for use on Idaho's One Plan website to facilitate the development of nutrient management plans for all farming-cropping enterprises, including irrigated/nonirrigated, Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs). It will include geographic information system (GIS), animal sizing, and nutrient balance modules. It is anticipated that this program will substantially reduce the amount of planner's time currently necessary to develop these plans. A beta copy of the program should be available by July 1, 2000. (KIM2000.0210N1)
January 20-21, 2000. Hank Mayland was invited to discuss benefits of PM-forage cutting to the 75 growers/dairymen present at the Michigan Forage Council meeting at St Johns, Michigan. He also gave a seminar in Animal Science as Michigan State University, East Lansing. (KIM2000.0203N1)
January 25-26, 2000. Hank Mayland participated in Wisconsin Forage Council meetings in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, attended by 160 people representing dairy, forage, industry, and education. He presented information on 'Factors affecting palatability and intake of alfalfa and grasses. He focused on benefits of PM vs AM cutting on increasing forage value, animal preference, and animal performance. The animal preferencing video was shown during two formal presentations and another 8-10 times upon request by small groups and individuals. As a result of the interest generated by Dr. Mayland's presentation, Wisconsin Forage Council will fund sampling and testing to evaluate PM/AM-cutting in their environment during 2000. (KIM2000.0203N2)
January 24 & 27, 2000. Hank Mayland visited with U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center and University of Wisconsin staff to discuss opportunities for research on select aspects of PM-cutting of forage for dry hay or haylage. He also presented a seminar to about 35 USDA-ARS and University of Wisconsin staff and students. (KIM2000.0203N3)
January 25, 2000. Hank Mayland was interviewed by Ann Paulmann, Assistant Farm Director, Wisconsin Farm Report, Madison, Wisconsin, and Bob Bosold, Farm Director, WAXX, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, about PM/AM cutting of forage. (KIM2000.0203N4)
February 1, 2000. Dale Westermann presented a seminar at NWISRL on phosphorous nutrient management. About 30 ARS, University of Idaho, and several representatives from testing labs attended. (KIM2000.0203N5)
February 3, 2000. Hank Mayland presented a seminar on benefits of PM vs AM forage cutting to enhancing forage quality, animal preference, animal intake, and animal production to the Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. (KIM2000.0203N6)
January 26, 2000. Rick Lentz and Gary Lehrsch participated in a meeting with representatives of the Idaho potato processing industry, State of Idaho Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ), State of Washington Department of Ecology, Universities of Idaho and Minnesota, Washington State University, and environmental consultants. One purpose of the meeting was to review recent Minnesota research on water flow and nutrient transport beneath application sites that received potato processing wastewater during the non-growing season. Dr. Lehrsch also served as an invited member of a panel that discussed similarities and differences between non-growing season wastewater application in Minnesota and Idaho. Members of the panel pointed out design considerations for an experiment to both characterize and monitor water movement and solute transport within and below crop root zones of winter-time land application sites in Idaho. (KIM2000.0127N1)
January 4-6, 2000. Dale Westermann participated in the Idaho Crop Protection Association annual winter meetings in Jackpot, Nevada. He discussed management factors affecting phosphorus availability in calcareous soils, and soil-plant micronutrient availability relationships. This meeting is attended by over 500 crop production specialists from Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Nevada. (KIM2000.0120N1)
January 11-13, 2000. Rick Lentz attended the Nonpoint Source Water Quality Monitoring Results Workshop in Boise, Idaho. Attendants from several states discussed the latest research related to stream, river and reservoir systems, including effects of ecosystem and watershed, and forest, range, and irrigation effects on water quality and biological parameters. Lentz presented a poster entitled •Phosphorus leaching from furrow-irrigated calcareous soils.• (KIM2000.0120N2)
January 12-13, 2000. Dale Westermann discussed the potassium nutritional management aspects, and the use of compost and green manures in potato production at two Columbia Basin production workshops jointly sponsored by Washington State University Cooperative Extension and Washington State Potato Commission. The workshops were held in Moses Lake and Pasco, Washington, and attended by about 250 individuals. (KIM2000.0120N3)
