Rick Lentz, soil scientist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, was invited to make a presentation at the

-------------2007 Weekly News Notes-------------

Page Opened Times.

On November 23, biological science technician Mindie Funke and soil scientists Anita Koehn and David Tarkalson gave a presentation to 8 cub scouts and 2 scout leaders about the mission of USDA-ARS, some prominent inventions developed by ARS, educational requirements to become a scientist, and the research conducted at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID. The participants also toured the genetics and chemistry laboratories.

Kimberly, ID, ARS soil scientists Bob Sojka and Gary Lehrsch have been invited by Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) partner Aquatrols Corporation to make a site visit to TIfton Georgia on December 5th. The purpose is to share insights with other ARS/Aquatrols research partners and Aquatrols-supported university research partners. The Kimberly team has been examining surfactant effects on the physical properties of three Pacific Northwest soils. Their findings have included new insights on the way surfactants and hydrophobic properties of soils interact under irrigated conditions. The CRADA partners will share insights and explore directions for future research and possible expanded team collaborations. Aquatrols is one of the world's leading suppliers of surfactants and supports a robust cooperative research effort aimed at developing improved water management of problems soils, with potential to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.

On November 7, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, presented research on the influence of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) on sugarbeet storability at the annual meeting of the Idaho Association of Plant Pathology in Jerome, ID. Strausbaugh presented research that establishes sugar loss associated with BNYVV in sugarbeet storage. The meeting brought together scientists and industry personnel to discuss current management options for BNYVV in sugarbeets. Strausbaugh works in the sugarbeet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On November 12, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, assisted Amalgamated Sugar Company research personnel in presenting data from the 2007 Rhizomania and Curly Top nurseries at the Snake River Sugarbeet Research and Seed Committee Meeting in Twin Falls, ID. Strausbaugh assisted in presenting results from the 2007 nurseries which are then used to determine the sugarbeet cultivars acceptable for Amalgamated’s production area. The meeting brought together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current disease nursery data and determine cultivars acceptable for production. Strausbaugh works in the sugarbeet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On November 13, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, presented an overview of the Sugarbeet program’s research projects at University of Idaho Sugarbeet Working Group Meeting in Twin Falls, ID. Strausbaugh presented an outline of the research objectives for the sugarbeet program. The meeting brought together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current sugarbeet research and research priorities. Strausbaugh works in the sugarbeet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

Bob Sojka, soil scientist, ARS Kimberly, ID, was contacted on November 9 by Kathy Cotney from Farm Progress Magazine regarding a story she is preparing on irrigation-induced erosion. Ms Cotney became aware of the work from the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) as a result of recent publications and from her browsing of the NWISRL website. Cotney will use interview comments and information from the website in preparing her story, which is aimed at western irrigation farmers.

ARS Kimberly, ID, soil scientists Bob Sojka, David Tarkalson, Rick Lentz, and Gary Lehrsch attended the annual meetings of the American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) held November 4-8 in New Orleans, LA, and presented papers on their recent research findings in the areas of crop nutrient management and use of soil amendments, and Sojka presented an invited paper on the importance and challenge of modeling irrigation-induced erosion.

On October 10-11, Robert Dungan, soil scientist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), Kimberly, ID, attended the ARS Microbes in the Environment meeting held in Albany, CA, and presented information on the dairy industry in Idaho, past NWISRL research on microbes, and his future research objectives. The meeting was a good opportunity for ARS scientists to showcase their research on topics like microbial source tracking, aflatoxins, and remote sensing. This meeting opened the door to collaborative research efforts between ARS scientists. About 25 people attended the meeting, including ARS scientists, National Program Staff, and NRCS.

On October 10, April Leytem, soil scientist, and Dave Bjorneberg, agricultural engineer, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID; Mario de Haro Marti, University of Idaho; and Dave Roper, local farmer and owner of MVP Environmental Services, held a field demonstration to highlight work done under an NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant which evaluated the effects of manure application method on ammonia emissions. Three application methods were demonstrated including: surface application, aerway injection, and shank injection. Two methods of measuring ammonia emissions from plots were evaluated: open path UV lasers and ammonia traps. It was demonstrated with the ammonia traps that a 50% reduction in ammonia emissions could be achieved with shank injection, while both the aerway injection and surface application methods did not differ in ammonia emissions. Approximately 20 people attended mostly from NRCS and Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

On October 2-4, David Tarkalson, soil scientist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), Kimberly, ID, attended the GRACEnet Research Workshop held in Athens, GA, and presented his future research efforts at the NWISRL. The workshop was attended by approximately 30 ARS scientists.

On August 30, Kimberly, ID, research plant pathologist Carl Strausbaugh gave an invited presentation on the storability of sugar beets at a Holly Hybrid research meeting in Kimberly, ID. Strausbaugh presented research on how curly top and rhizomania influence the storability of sugar beets. The meeting brought together scientists and industry personnel to discuss current research on sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

Kimberly, ID, research leader and soil scientist Bob Sojka was contacted on August 24 by Associated Press reporter Dinesh Ramde. Ramde was seeking background information on the use of polyacrylamide (PAM) in agricultural and environmental management. He was particularly interested in the distinction between water soluble PAMs and Super water-absorbent (often called crosslinked) PAMs. He was doing background research on PAM-12 a new product produced by ENCAP, LLC of Green Bay, WI. PAM-12 is one of the few commercial products that have shown successful treatment of environmental and agricultural problems in non-irrigated settings as a result of its unique formulation properties and dry delivery system.

On August 23-24, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, will give invited presentations on a tour throughout locations in the Intermountain West. Strausbaugh will present research related to the management of curly top, rhizomania, and root rots in sugar beets. The meeting will bring together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current research on sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On August 21, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, gave an invited presentation on research related to the management of curly top at a research meeting for Bayer CropScience in Twin Falls, ID. Strausbaugh presented research related to the management of curly top in sugar beets. The meeting brought together scientists and industry personnel to discuss current research on curly top in sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On August 15, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, gave a invited presentation on research related to the management of root rots at a research meeting for KWS and Betaseed Inc. in Kimberly, ID. Strausbaugh presented research that establishes the bacterial and fungal organisms important to managing root rot losses in sugar beets. The meeting brought together scientists and industry personnel to discuss current research on root rots in sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID. Drs. April Leytem and Bob Sojka of the Kimberly ARS laboratory were invited speakers at the July 25th board meeting of the United Dairymen of Idaho (UDI). Sojka, Director of the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), gave a presentation identifying what ARS is and how ARS and the NWISRL can work with the Northwest Dairy Industry to identify and achieve solutions to soil water and air issues challenging Pacific Northwest (PNW) dairy production and dairying's environmental impacts. The UDI and other dairy organizations have been highly supportive of the NWISRL and are seeking its expanded participation in a proposed dairy research facility to be built in the next two years in Southern Idaho, the heart of the PNW dairy industry expansion. Dr. Leytem gave a presentation of technical findings from ongoing work at the NWISRL currently addressing natural resource management within the dairy industry. Twenty two board members attended the meeting.

On July 24, Dave Bjorneberg, agricultural engineer, presented a summary of the Upper Snake-Rock Conservation Effects Assessment Project at the Soil and Water Conservation Society annual meeting in Tampa, FL. Bjorneberg described ongoing watershed research and summarized some preliminary results.

On August 2, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, will present research on the management of curly top at the meeting of the Curly Top Working Group in Riverside, CA. Strausbaugh will present research that establishes the selection of resistant germplasm in nurseries, the use of clothianidin as a seed treatment, and cultivar selection for storability as important means of managing losses to curly top in sugar beets. The meeting will bring together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current management options for curly top in sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On July 29, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, will present research on the influence of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) on sugar beet storability at the joint meeting of the American Phytopathological Society and Society of Nematologists in San Diego, CA. Strausbaugh will present research that establishes sugar loss associated with BNYVV in sugar beet storage. The meeting will bring together scientists and industry personnel to discuss current management options for BNYVV in sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On May 18, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), Kimberly, ID, staff are invited to attend an open house by the Snake River and Twin Falls Soil and Water Conservation Districts to celebrate the establishment of a water-wise landscape demonstration site. In cooperation with the NWISRL, this 5-acre site was established seven years ago to showcase examples of plants and techniques that could help small acreage owners conserve water in private landscapes.

The Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) participated in the College of Southern Idaho's regional job fair on Tuesday, April 24, 2007. The NWISRL presented information on the scope and variety of job opportunities and career paths available in ARS and at the NWISRL in Kimberly, ID. The job fair held annually with approximately 1,000 people in attendance.

On March 8, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, will present research on the storability of sugar beets at the Amalgamated Sugar Company’s Spring Seminar meeting in Boise, ID. Strausbaugh will give a presentation on the influence of cultivar and disease on the storage of sugar beets. The meeting will bring together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current storage of sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On March 3, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, presented research on the management of curly top in sugar beets at the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists in Salt Lake City, UT. Strausbaugh presented data on the use of host resistance and environmentally friendly insecticide seed treatments for the management of curly top in sugar beets. The meeting brought together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current management options for the control of curly top in sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On March 2, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, presented research on root rots in sugar beets at the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. Strausbaugh give a presentation on fungal and bacterial root rots associated with sugar beets. The meeting brought together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current management options for root rots in sugar beets. Strausbaugh works in the sugar beet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On February 27, soil scientists Rick Lentz and Gary Lehrsch, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, presented invited information on vadose zone monitoring and nitrogen release at the 8th Annual Wastewater Reuse Permit Program Meeting and Interstate Symposium held in Boise, ID. Lentz discussed vadose zone monitoring for wastewater land application sites and his recent research showing how changing nutrient-loads affect phosphorus leaching from soils. Lehrsch discussed nitrogen release and soil nitrogen balances when alfalfa was plowed down on wastewater reuse sites. The meeting and symposium was organized by the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and more than 30 individuals attended, including regulatory personnel from the Pacific Northwest States of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, and Idaho, as well as industry representatives.

On February 15, Dave Bjorneberg, agricultural engineer, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL), Kimberly, ID, will discuss current research and past accomplishments of the NWISRL at the Independent Dairy Environmental Action League (IDEAL) meeting in Boise, ID. Bjorneberg will discuss the current research program at Kimberly and how our expertise could potentially contribute to the proposed Idaho Center for Livestock and Environmental Studies. IDEAL was created by the Idaho Dairymen’s Association to respond to environmental challenges of the dairy industry

On February 15, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, will present research on the management of root rots in sugarbeets at the Amalgamated Sugarbeet Grower meeting in Twin Falls, ID. Strausbaugh will give a presentation on the management of fungal and bacterial root rots in sugarbeets. The meeting will bring together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current management options for root rots in sugarbeets. Strausbaugh works in the sugarbeet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

On February 14, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, will present research on the storability of sugarbeets at the Amalgamated Sugarbeet Grower meeting in Burley, ID. Strausbaugh will give a presentation on the influence of cultivar and disease on the storage of sugarbeets. The meeting will bring together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current the storage of sugarbeets. Strausbaugh works in the sugarbeet program at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

Dr. Bob Sojka, soil scientist and research leader of the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, ID, will present two invited papers at the 20th Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre Conference in Palmerston North, New Zealand, February 8-9. The conference theme is "Designing Sustainable Farms: Critical aspects of soil and water management." Sojka will present a session keynote paper entitled "Management of Irrigated Agriculture to Increase Carbon Storage" and a second paper, "Matrix-Based Fertilizers: A New Fertilizer Formulation Concept to Reduce Nutrient Leaching." The conference is expected to have over 300 attendees.

On January 30, Carl Strausbaugh, research plant pathologist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID, will present research on the management of root rots in sugarbeets at the Amalgamated Sugarbeet Grower meetings in Nyssa, OR, and Caldwell, ID. Strausbaugh will give a presentation on the management of fungal and bacterial root rots in sugarbeets. The meeting will bring together scientists, growers, and industry personnel to discuss current management options for root rots in sugarbeets.

On January 11 by invitation, Gary Lehrsch, soil scientist, ARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory reported sprinkler system modifications and soil and crop management practices effective in enhancing soil productivity, sustaining crop yields, and protecting water quality when sprinkler irrigating, as part of the Sustaining Productive Soils Workshop, held on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation in Toppenish, WA. Attending the workshop were more than 72 people, including tribal members, crop and livestock producers, personnel from USDA, EPA, and the Department of the Interior, as well as university researchers and extension agents.

Rick Lentz, soil scientist, ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, was invited to make a presentation at the Far West Idaho Winter Conference, January 10, Jackpot , ID. The topic concerns his recent research describing the effects of changing nutrient load on soil solution phosphorus and leaching.

File created 11-29-06 for 2007

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