|  | | | Faculty in the News - April 2007 | |
The U's food tasters
Pioneer Press, April 29, 2007
Bite. Chew. Spit. Repeat. That pretty much sums up Corinne Otte's assignment three hours each week. For science and $10 an hour, she and six other University of Minnesota students come to the basement of the food sciences building on the St. Paul campus to test the texture of protein bars, dissecting their crunchiness, their oiliness and dozens of other qualities no computer can understand.
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Almanac: Conservation panel has bold ideas
Star Tribune, April 29, 2007
The ideas are bold. The call for action urgent. ... "The intent is to try to take the politics out of conservation in Minnesota to make it science-based," said Mike Kilgore, a University of Minnesota associate professor who chaired the group.
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Choice of a lifetime
Star Tribune, April 28, 2007
The pressure year comes to an end as four high school seniors make their college choices. One, Mao Lee, sees college as a way out of poverty, but is reluctant to leave her large Hmong family. Ultimately, Lee chooses the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus and its ESPM major.
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Marla Spivak: What can we do to save honey bees?
Eden Prairie News, April 28, 2007
Diseases, parasitic mites, pesticides and agricultural practices are
some of the factors contributing to the decline of honey bees in the
United States. It’s no wonder bees are suffering. … Marla Spivak is an
entomologist specializing in apiculture with University of Minnesota
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Minnesota / Citizen oversight sought for DNR
Pioneer Press, April 27, 2007
Minnesota's current conservation efforts are failing and need new direction from a citizen commission that would oversee the Department of Natural Resources, according to a panel appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. ... "We had a real sense that time is running out,'' said council chairman Mike Kilgore, a University of Minnesota forestry professor.
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A warning on conservation policy
Star Tribune, April 27, 2007
Minnesota must dramatically change how the state's natural resources are managed, conserved and funded or face continued degradation of its waters, lands and wildlife habitat, according to a new state report. ... "The intent is to try to take the politics out of conservation in Minnesota to make it science-based," said Mike Kilgore, a University of Minnesota associate professor who chaired the group of 11 citizens and four legislators called the Conservation Legacy Council.
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Does backing biofuels with public money work?
National Public Radio, April 27, 2007
Congress is using financial incentives to encourage the biofuels industry as a way of responding to concerns about global warming. Are public tax dollars really buying the environmental benefits we want? "There are some ethanol plants that are using coal for their process heat..." says University of Minnesota economist Doug Tiffany.
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Bailey's rose honors 9/11 victims
Star Tribune, April 27, 2007
Bailey Nurseries in Newport chose a fragrant, deep-yellow hybrid tea rose to honor the crew and passengers of United Flight 93. ... Jeff Gillman, woody plant researcher and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, agreed that the new elms hold promise.
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Here's some last minute corn planting tips
Farm and Ranch Guide, April 26, 2007
Wait to plant corn until the soil temperature is right. ... Dale Hicks, University of Minnesota State Extension corn specialist, indicates that there are two planting windows in Minnesota.
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U students to 'beautify' busy corner in Falcon Heights
Minnesota Sun, April 25, 2007
Bright blue skies, moderate temperatures and a light breeze made Wednesday, April 18, a beautiful day in the metro area. A group of University of Minnesota students began to do their part to improve the physical appearance of a busy corner in Falcon Heights.
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U of M trying to solve bee problem
KARE 11, April 25, 2007
In life's A,B,C's, bees belong near the top. ... What has in recent months come to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has struck a one-third of the nation's beekeepers - sometimes wiping out 80 percent of their bee colonies, according Dr. Marla Spivak, an Etomologist at the University of Minnesota.
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Good Question: Why Do Bad Foods Taste So Good?
WCCO-TV, April 24, 2007
When you get hungry, what do you crave? Chances are it is not always healthy. ... "Those (tastes) are fundamentally wired in," said Dr. Zata Vickers, a food scientist at the University of Minnesota. "We are programmed to learn to like those (bad foods)."
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Here's how to get the dirt on your garden's soil
Pioneer Press, April 24, 2007
Slinging the mud! Digging the dirt! ... Carl Rosen, an extension soil scientist at the University of Minnesota, gently agreed that my veggies need more attention than water and the occasional shot of Miracle Gro.
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Maria Ruud: Act now to protect our environment, children
Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 23, 2007
Several weeks ago, an historic event took place in the House Chamber. ... Or ask ecologist Lee Frelich from the University of Minnesota, who spoke to the Legislature about how our forests are changing because of global warming -- and what that means for our timber industry.
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Hope growing that biofuels may be a net gain for wildlife, humans
Sulphur Southwest Daily News - Louisiana, April 23, 2007
Just when you think things can't get any worse for the future of the Conservation Reserve Program . . . they don't. ... It takes one gallon of greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels (for farm and refinery machinery) to produce 1.2 gallons of corn-based ethanol, but the same amount of fossil fuels can produce five gallons of ethanol from prairie grasses, according to University of Minnesota researchers David Tilman and Jason Hill.
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Happy birthday, Carl Linnaeus, creator of genus and species
Pioneer Press, April 23, 2007
God, the Bible tells us, gave Adam the job of naming the animals. ... "His influence is profound," said Susan Weller, University of Minnesota entomology professor. "He is probably one of the most famous people in Sweden."
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Recent job growth in Minnesota
Minnesota Public Radio, April 23, 2007
Minnesota added only 3,000 jobs to its workforce in March, down from 11,000 added in January. Are these numbers a cause of concern? Minnesota state economist and U of M professor Tom Stinson comments and takes calls from listeners.
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Serum protein profiles under study
Dairy Herd Management, April 23, 2007
Researchers at the University of Minnesota's Waseca-based calf-and heifer-rearing facility routinely run a serum protein test on all incoming calves. Dr. Hugh Chester Jones says producers should strive to increase the serum protein levels of incoming calves, above 5.5 if possible.
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Editorial: The other side of ethanol
Star Tribune, April 23, 2007
When the price of corn soared toward $4 a bushel last year, Minnesota grain farmers celebrated. ... In an important article in the current issue of Foreign Affairs, two University of Minnesota professors explore this tension. C. Ford Runge and Benjamin Senauer note that U.S. ethanol production will more than double by 2008 and that corn prices have risen to their highest point in a decade.
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Climate experts say drought that has hurt Midwest farmers is finally receding
San Diego Union Tribune, April 20, 2007
Dan Lilienthal says his farm can't take another dry summer. If the experts are right and current trends hold, he won't have to. ... Dale Nordquist, associate director of the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, said crop producers are expected to do well again, and many have already sold some of their future crop at good prices.
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Minnesota/Wisconsin / Drought is over except up north
Pioneer Press, April 20, 2007
The worst of the drought that gripped much of the state last year has retreated to the North Woods and should stay there this summer, state and national forecasters predicted this week. ... Front-yard grass lovers and back-yard gardeners can return to business as usual, said Mark Seeley, a climatologist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
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Editorial: Watching the future
Waseca County News, April 20, 2007
The future of ethanol looks bright but there are many unanswered questions about its long-term viability and eventual place in the realm of biofuels. The University of Minnesota's Jason Hill says it is important to look at the entire picture when assessing biofuels, including the energy to produce the fuels, environmental concerns and economics.
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Grain golden in 2006
Pioneer Press, April 12, 2007
Minnesota farmers enjoyed their most profitable year ever in 2006, buoyed by soaring grain prices and a booming ethanol market, according to farm financial data released Wednesday by the University of Minnesota.
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Girardin honored by Seed Savers
Cannon Falls Beacon, April 12, 2007
Joel Girardin of Cannon Falls has been awarded the Oak Medallion in recognition of everything he has done over the years for the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) of Decorah, Iowa. … After Joel had been growing garlic for about five years, he got involved with Dr. Carl Rosen, head of the Soil and Science Department at the University of Minnesota.
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2007 American Honey Princess hails from ND
Bismarck Farm & Ranch Guide, April 12, 2007
Katie Klett of Jamestown, N.D., was selected as the 2007 American Honey Princess at the American Beekeeping Federation annual January convention in Austin, Texas. … Klett, the 20-year-old daughter of Bill and Wendy Klett of Jamestown, is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, where she is studying Scandinavian languages and entomology.
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Some tips for dealing with volatile feed prices
Bismarck Farm & Ranch Guide, April 12, 2007
From late February to early April, livestock producers have seen cash corn prices move from $4-plus to $3-plus/bushel. … Brian Buhr, University of Minnesota agricultural economist, recently spoke to pork producers via web cast about managing high feed cost risk.
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Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast
Business Week, April 12
Heavy crop losses have been reported throughout the Southeast after last weekend's frigid temperatures, and farmers are bracing for another expected cold snap next week. … "This year, it really is the crops," said Dale Nordquist, an extension economist with the University of Minnesota's Center for Farm Financial Management.
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Solving the corn supply problem
CNN, April 12, 2007
What's left behind from the ethanol-making process could be what saves the livestock industry from the high price of corn. ... Lactating cows can eat the feed for about 20 percent of their diet, with pigs at 30 percent and most poultry around 15 percent, according to Gerald Shurson, professor of swine nutrition and management at the University of Minnesota, who is considered perhaps the foremost DDGS expert in the country.
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Why are honey bees collapsing?
Hutchinson Leader, April 11, 2007
Honey bee colonies in the U.S. are overworked and under-appreciated. They are the world’s most important pollinators of many fruits, vegetables and seed crops, contributing billions of dollars in value to agriculture and our diet. ... Marla Spivak is an entomologist specializing in apiculture with University of Minnesota Extension.
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Citizens can weigh in on Minnesota budget choices
Hutchinson Leader, April 8, 2007
How should Minnesota spend its budget surplus? Should the state increase local government aid, provide property tax relief or rebate some taxes? ... Laura Kalambokidis is a University of Minnesota economist.
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Hydrogen for Clean Grain Production
H2 Daily, 7, 2007
Since so much of fossil fuels are used for transportation, hydrogen fuel cells are most prolifically used for automobiles of all kinds. ... The University of Minnesota at Morris has found an answer, converting wind to hydrogen, and the latter for anhydrous ammonia, to help farmers grow more food.
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It’s food vs. fuel in the battle for corn
Kansas City Star, April 7, 2007
The world wants more corn — to make snack chips, to sweeten soda, to fatten livestock. And, increasingly, to pump into your gas tank. ... “We’re filling our tanks with biofuels that are rationing staple foods away from the mouths of the poor,” said C. Ford Runge, at the Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy at the University of Minnesota.
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Getting the inside scoop on dairy sales
Park Bugle, April 7, 2007
What's maroon and gold, hard to find and good to eat? How about Gopher Gold ice cream a tempting mixture of..."We're artisan cheese makers..." says Jodi Nelson. senior lab services coordinator at the Dairy Food Products Salesroom at the U of M Department of Food Science and Nutrition.
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If the climate change isn't too drastic...
Star Tribune, April 6, 2007
Sick and tired of all that fear mongering about global warming? Take heart, there could be a silver lining. ... "It's actually pretty simple. We might start growing soybeans that have been adapted for Iowa," said Seth Naeve, a professor of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnesota.
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US invests massively in biofuel, but benefits uncertain
Voice of America Radio, April 5, 2007
The quest for a fuel that will reduce air pollution and US dependence on imported energy has led to massive investments in ethanol and other fuels produced from plants. "We were very thorough and looked at all the energy inputs," says University of Minnesota economist Doug Tiffany.
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