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ANR in the News
It’s Friday, July 31, 2009
Welcome to the ANR News, a weekly update of news and events about Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU. The following are recent stories naming MSU ANR [CANR, MAES, MSUE] people and programs in major national, regional, and local media outlets
July 24, 2009
Mlive.com
Kirk Heinze: Green Buildings and Robots to Make Their Way into Dairy Farming
Dairy farming is a very important part of Michigan's agriculture mix, and I have found diary producers among the most innovative and environmentally conscious business people I know. Take for instance the new Pasture Dairy Research and Education Center slated to open at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station on August 19. http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/07/kirk_heinze_green_buildings_an.html
July 24, 2009
Bay Mills News
Enjoy a six-legged light show
Lightning bugs aren't bugs, and their greenish light has nothing to do with lightning. But that doesn't detract from the fact that they are one of nature's backyard wonders. "The light show evolved to aid males in courting females," explained Tom Ellis, Extension entomologist at Michigan State University. "Each species has its own blinking code." http://www.baymillsnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=1855&TM=49621.14
July 24, 2009
Michigan RealEstateRama
Kuipers works with credit unions to help residents avoid foreclosure
State Sen. Wayne Kuipers announced today that he is working with credit unions to provide residents with information on how to avoid foreclosure. The Michigan Credit Union League partnered with the United Way and the Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) to produce the “Right at Home” DVD and Web site. These options give individuals access to a wealth of information regarding the steps it takes when financial pressures threaten homeownership. Kuipers is providing this free resource to the constituents of the 30th District. http://michigan.realestaterama.com/2009/07/24/kuipers-works-with-credit-unions-to-help-residents-avoid-foreclosure-ID0188.html
July 24, 2009
Michigan Farmer
20th Annual Viticulture Day Is July 29
Michigan State University Extension and the National Grape Cooperative are teaming up this summer to host the 20th Annual Viticulture Day July 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor. The conference includes a trade show and 10 workshops focusing on insect and disease management and other horticultural issues specific to grape production. Presenters include members of the MSU Grape Team and other viticulture experts. The day will conclude with wine hospitality and a steak cookout. http://michiganfarmer.com/story.aspx?s=25113&c=9
July 23, 2009
Detroit News
John Hantz envisions vacant Detroit land as a working farm
What about soil contamination? Under tutelage from some of Michigan State University and the Kellogg Foundation's scientists, he recognizes that "some land will need to be planted in trees." So picture a juvenile pine forest, paved with walking and biking trails, renewing yesterday's junkyards for tomorrow's specialty crops. Hantz talks about using biofuels and wind power, about creating a futuristic new farm that will attract international attention and provide wholesome, local food to Detroit residents. http://www.detnews.com/article/20090723/OPINION03/907230340/John-Hantz-envisions-vacant-Detroit-land-as-a-working-farm
July 23, 2009
MSUE Spotlight
11 MSU Extension professionals promoted to Senior status
A few years ago, the MSU Extension administrative team began exploring ways to recognize team members for their scholarship and leadership as Extension professionals. After receiving input from a variety of groups and investigating promotion policies at other Cooperative Extension programs, we developed a career path process that recognizes and rewards career advancement for academic staff that mirrors the promotion process for faculty in academic units. http://msuespotlight.com/2009/07/23/11-msu-extension-professionals-promoted-to-senior-status/
July 23, 2009
Daily Press
2009's weathered crops
Cool temperatures and lack of rainfall have stunted the growth of some crops in the area. Local gardeners say their warm weather crops - like tomatoes, strawberries and corn - won't grow, while other crops are weeks behind schedule. "This has been a cooler than normal summer so far, so the warm season crops, like corn, peppers, and tomatoes aren't going to perform as well, and we're seeing that at this point," said Warren Schauer, MSU Extension educator. http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/513992.html?nav=5003
July 23, 2009
Candgnews.com
Bugs can be beneficial or bad, experts say
When some people see a crawling insect, their first instinct is to step on it or hire an exterminator. But some experts say that insects are also beneficial to yards, gardens and the environment. Sandra Goeddeke-Richards, horticulture program coordinator for the Macomb County MSU Extension, warned that the misuse of pesticides can kill off beneficial bugs and cause other harmful insects to proliferate.“I can’t even begin to express the multitude of checks and balances that are out there,” she said. http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2009/7-22-09/MSU-Extention-bugs.asp
July 23, 2009
Michigan Farmer
Forage Demonstration Day Is July 25
The latest in forage equipment and research projects will be on display July 25 at the annual Forage Demonstration Day held at the Michigan State University Lake City Experiment Station. The demonstration day will run from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. "We encourage anyone with an interest in forage production in the state to attend this field day," says Janice Rumph, MSU Extension north region livestock educator. "The research we are doing on Teff production offers some new alternatives to forage production in Michigan that we think producers will find interesting. The line-up of equipment that day will cover all aspects of quality forage production, so there will be something for everyone." http://michiganfarmer.com/story.aspx?s=25092&c=9
July 23, 2009
The State News
MSU summer camps barely profit
Thousands of dollars in summer camp and program fees are collected by MSU each year, but profits for the university are lower than some might expect. The College of Natural Science and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Department of Entomology profits $500 to 600 from the Insect World Science Camp, which goes back into camps the following year, said Barb Stinnett, outreach coordinator for the Department of Entomology. “The goal is to get kids to look at MSU; that’s the primary goal,” Stinnett said. “If they were to choose entomology, that’s the bonus for us.” http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/07/msu_summer_camps_barely_profit
July 22, 2009
The Daily Reporter
Friends Camp concludes with luncheon
The week-long Friends Camp at the Branch County 4-H Fairgrounds came to a close last Friday as Michigan State University (MSU) Extension staffers and volunteers hosted a luncheon for the children and parents at the pavilion behind the 4-H Cabin. There were 50 youth signed up for the event. http://www.thedailyreporter.com/news/x1885906256/Friends-Camp-concludes-with-luncheon
July 22, 2009
Dairy Business
MSU studies pasture-based, robotic milking system
In the fall of 2008 the Michigan State University (MSU) Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) broke ground on the construction of a new free-stall dairy barn in preparation for the transition from a conventional dairy management system to a pasture-based dairy management system with automatic (robotic) milking. The transition to the pasture-based system and development of the Pasture Dairy Research and Education Center is funded with a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and additional support from Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Michigan State University Provost Office and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. http://dairywebmall.com/dbcpress/?p=3579
July 21, 2009
Grand Traverse Tribune
Extension offers plant diagnostic lab
Michigan State University has extension offices located throughout the state of Michigan. These local extensions of the university present communities with a number of plant-related diagnostic services for little or no charge. In the summer months, starting in mid-May and ending on Labor Day, Michigan State University Extension in Grand Traverse County hosts an open diagnostic lab on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their office on Front Street. http://www.gtherald.com/columns/local_story_203065740.html?keyword=secondarystory
July 21, 2009
WLNS.com
Ag Expo Kicks Off
Farmers and Ag experts from across the nation are in East Lansing, sharing and brainstorming ways to improve agriculture. It's the 30th annual Michigan State University Ag expo. Organizers expect more than 200 presenters. They'll display an array of farm equipment and exhibits. MSU President Lou Anna Simon explained the expo's importance. http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=10762135&nav=0RbQ
July 21, 2009
Chicagotribune.com
MSU shows Ethiopian teff grass at Lake City site
This week, Michigan State University plans to show off its experiments for using a forage plant from Ethiopia to meet the needs of American livestock. The East Lansing school's Lake City Experiment Station holds an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday to demonstrate research projects dealing with teff grass and other forage plants. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-foragedemonstrati,0,2606792.story
July 20, 2009
WILX.com
Farming goes High-Tec
Farmers don't have to worry about trying to keep a straight line in their fields anymore. Thanks to high-tech tractors like the ones on display on MSU's campus--- computers can do all the hard work.That's just one of the things you can learn more about at MSU's Ag Expo this week. Some of the tractors are even hands-free and programmed by satellites to do everything from steer to lay seed and fertilizer."Farmers across the world are using more high tech, just like every other industry", says Tim Rogers of the Ag Expo. "Agriculture is advancing very fast and these tractors have very cool features in it." http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/51250837.html
July 13, 2009
Mlive.com
Catering to Cows: Cushy conditions lead to increased production, experts say
Waterbeds in the stalls. Laser-guided, robotic milk machines. A back-scratching massage station. Lush pastures and a whenever-you-feel-like-it milking schedule. Michigan State University's $1.8 million Pasture Dairy Research and Education Center in Hickory Corners is pretty close to cow heaven. Mat Haan, project coordinator, said the revolutionary cow comforts in the new research facility are designed to help farmers make money. http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/07/catering_tocows_cushy_conditi.html
ANR@MSU is the ANR Communications blog covering news, events, issues and opinions about Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU. If you have topic ideas, contact Ruth Borger or Natalie Ebig Scott.
This week on ANR@MSU:
July 19, 2009
It’s Time to Rethink our Perceptions of Agriculture
By: Ruth Borger
There are few bright spots on Michigan’s economic horizon but those that are shining are beacons of opportunity. Michigan’s agriculture sector -- a broad value chain of agri-food and agri-energy interests -- is one of those bright lights that can and will lead our state in the years ahead. As the state’s second largest economic sector, Michigan’s agri-food and agri-energy sector represented an economic impact of $71.3 billion, an increase of approximately $7.6 billion or 11.9 percent from the adjusted interim 2006 study. http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/it%e2%80%99s-time-to-rethink-our-perceptions-of-agriculture/
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