1998 Kimberly ARS Weekly News

-------------1998 Weekly News Notes-------------

December 10, 1998. Twenty-five shareholders/customers met all day with the ARS project leaders at the ARS, NWISRL, Kimberly, Idaho location. Objectives of this meeting were to identify (1) immediate, 1-3 yrs, and future needs, 5-10 yrs, of irrigated agriculture, (2) select 5-10 high priority needs, and (3) identify solutions or obstacles to solving each of the high priority needs. In the short time available, there were 32 short-term needs and 19 future needs contributed by the shareholders/customers. This information will be condensed and summarized to help guide future research activities at the NWISRL and posted on the Laboratory's web site as it becomes available (http://kimberly.ars.usda.gov). (KIM19981216N1)

December 2-4, 1998. Hank Mayland and Glenn Shewmaker presented results of cooperative studies on 'PM/AM-Harvesting Effects on Forage Quality' at the California/Nevada Alfalfa Symposium held in Reno, Nevada. More than 600 alfalfa growers attended this successful symposium. Attendees strongly applauded the ARS study and asked for repeated showings of the time lapse video showing the cattle preferences for PM- vs AM-harvested alfalfa. (KIM19981209N1)

December 4, 1998. Dale Westermann attended an Agronomy Work Group meeting in Boise to review revised Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practice standards. Representatives from University of Idaho (U of I), NRCS, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Idaho Water Resources (IDWR), Soil Conservation Commission (SCC), Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and the plant food industry attended the meeting. The work group is responsible for developing recommendations on each standard for consideration by the SCC Best Management Practices (BMP) Technical Committee before being incorporated in Idaho's Ag Plan Catalog of BMPs. The new NRCS Nutrient Management Standard, Code 590, was reviewed along with 14 other revised standards. (KIM19981209N2)

November 30, 1998. Dr. Richard Allen, Agricultural Engineer, joined the University of Idaho staff housed in the ARS-Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory at Kimberly. Dr. Allen's assignment is to conduct research on factors affecting surface and ground water quality and quantity in southern Idaho. Prior to accepting this position, he was with Utah State University at Logan, Utah. University of Idaho and ARS scientists conduct cooperative research studies. D.T. Westermann (KIM981204N1)

November 15-18, 1998. Jim Wright traveled to Beltsville, Maryland, to participate in the ARS National Program Component Workshop on "Watershed Processes and Characterization." The workshop was conducted to initiate the Watershed Component of the ARS 201 Water Quality and Management National Program (www.nps.ars.usda.gov). Some 43 ARS locations have program components related to watershed research. The workshop was attended by about 70 ARS personnel and partners, stakeholders and users. Issues and problems identified by the non-ARS participants will be refined for the National Program Statement. The ARS watershed research programs provide unique opportunities for collaborative research among ARS and non-ARS research groups on a watershed scale. Many workshop participants indicated a major need for watershed-scale data for use in developing TMDL's, and other water quality guidelines, and model development and verification. (KIM19981125N1)

November 18, 1998. Chuck Robbins and Dale Westermann participated in the NRCS's West Region Agronomy Consortium annual meeting in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Robbins led a discussion on heavy metals and salts in animal waste and commerical fertilizers, while Dr. Westermann discussed the movement of phosphorus in soils. Both topics are related to NRCS nutrient management standard, code 590. Idaho is presently revising their standard to manage nutrient applications from animal manure. The consortium was organized by Ralph Fisher, NRCS Agronomist for Idaho, and was attended by over 30 individuals from the western States. (KIM19981125N2)

November 12-14, 1998. Bob Sojka traveled to Lubbock, Texas to work with Dr. Dan Upchurch on final stages of manuscript preparation for an invited editorial article to appear in 1999 in the Soil Science Society of America Journal commenting on current soil research trends. While there, Bob had a chance to tour the partially constructed ARS plant stress laboratory on the Texas Tech University campus. The new lab promises to be one of the most outstanding research facilities in ARS when completed. (KIM19981119N1)

November 17, 1998. Bob Sojka was interviewed by Mr. Dick Lehnart for an article on subsoiling research to appear in Potato Grower Magazine. The interview covered the NWISRL findings that Russet Burbank potato had small yield and substantial grade improvements, resulting in large profit increases for zone-subsoiling with the Paratill shortly after planting to relieve compaction stress. Reprints and photos were supplied for the article. (KIM19981119N2)

November 18, 1998. Bob Sojka answered an enquiry from LUNOR, a vegetable processing firm in Luneray, France regarding irrigation- induced erosion potential from supplemental irrigation for potatoes. The contact, with Mr. Emmanuel Cote, asked for broad information on irrigation-induced erosion, exploring problem potential and strategies for problem avoidance. A packet of information from NWISRL was prepared from research conducted by ARS on these topics, along with a suggested list of additional contacts. (KIM19981119N3)

November 18, 1998. Dave Bjorneberg presented information about controlling soil erosion under sprinkler irrigation with tillage and PAM at a Sprinkler Workshop in Buhl, Idaho, sponsored by the Balanced Rock Soil Conservation District. Approximately 20 irrigators learned about irrigation water management, pump efficiency, irrigation scheduling and erosion control. (KIM19981119N4)

On October 19-20, 1998, Tammie Darling attended training entitled "How to Better Manage Multiple Locations," in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jeannette Barnes and Kara Vander Linden also attended the training in Boston on November 2-3. Some highlights of the class were: 1) improving communications through face-to-face meetings, site visits, new technology, etc.; 2) recognizing and appreciating different work styles and personalities; 3) team building; 4) managing conflict; 5) building group trust; and 6) recognition and motivation. The training was presented by Keye Productivity Center, a Division of American Management Association. KIM19981106N1)

October 18-23, 1998. Hank Mayland participated in the 90th Annual American Society of Agronomy (ASA) meetings held in Baltimore, Maryland. Hank and coworkers discussed research and results from the preference, intake, and digestibility studies of PM-and AM-harvested alfalfa hay. Wisconsin and Minnesota forage scientists also recognized the potential and were getting queries from their constituents, and were encouraged to investigate factors affecting the adoption of PM- AM-harvesting in their area. Other scientists had set aside research information on diurnal cycling of forage sugars because they could not see a practical application until viewing the ARS data. KIM19981029N1)

October 18-23, 1998. J. Kristian Aase presented results of tillage research at the 90th Annual meeting of ASA, CSSA and SSSA in Baltimore, Maryland. The title of his presentation was "Zone-subsoiling Extent and Duration on Furrow Irrigated Soils." Coauthors were Bob Sojka and Dave Bjorneberg. Kris also presided at, and led discussion at, a session entitled "Soil Water Management and Dryland Cropping Systems." KIM19981029N2)

October 20, 1998. Gary Lehrsch discussed his research on "N Placement and Furrow Irrigation Management Effects on Corn Yield and N Uptake" with approximately 15 interested attendees at the ASA meetings. Cooperating with Gary in the research were Bob Sojka and Dale Westermann. KIM19981029N3)

October 20, 1998. Rick Lentz presented a paper as senior author at the ASA meetings. The paper was entitled "Soil Water and Solute Transport Under Conventional and Polyacrylamide Managed Furrow Irrigation" KIM19981029N4)

October 20, 1998. Rick Lentz presented a paper as junior author with Dennis Kincaid at the ASA meetings. The paper was entitled "An Automated Vacuum Extraction Control System for Soil Water Percolation Samplers". KIM19981029N5)

October 21, 1998. Rick Lentz demonstrated software he developed to monitor real-time runoff, infiltration, and mass losses from irrigated furrows at the ASA meetings. The presentation was entitled "WASH-FLD: Real-time Infiltration Monitoring Software for Furrow Irrigation." KIM19981029N6)

October 18-22, 1998. Chuck Robbins attended the national ASA meetings in Baltimore, Maryland, and presented the poster "Phosphorus Extractability and Solubility from Three Sources Added to a Calcareous Subsoil." KIM19981029N7)

October 18-27, 1998. Bob Sojka attended the ASA meetings, and presented the paper entitled "Reduced Migration and Numbers of Microorganisms and Weed Seed in Furrow Irrigation Water Treated With Polyacrylamide (PAM)" by R.E. Sojka, J.A. Entry and D.W. Morishita. The paper was attended by approximately 30 individuals. Sojka stayed in Beltsville to interact with NR&SAS program staff leaders on Friday, October 23, and to participate in the planning conference Monday and Tuesday, October 26-27, for the Upcoming Soil Resource Assessment and Management National Program Workshop, tentatively scheduled for February 22-26, 1999 in Denver, Colorado. KIM19981029N8)

October 27, 1998. Rick Lentz, Chuck Robbins, and Dale Westermann traveled to Caldwell, Idaho to meet with Idaho Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Commission Representative, David Ferguson. The purpose of the meeting was to 1) become acquainted with the Lower Boise River watershed and irrigation drainage system; 2) discuss water quality conditions and TMDL assessment of the Lower Boise River and its tributaries as related to irrigated agriculture; 3) identify research questions pertaining to phosphorus loading that have broad applicability and regional significance; and 4) discuss technical issues related to potential phosphorus-pollution trading involvement between municipalities (sewage treatment) and agriculture. Opportunities for collaboration and ideas for future research were identified and discussed. KIM19981029N9)

October 15, 1998. Hank Mayland was invited by the Kimberly High School to discuss how plant science fits into his research program. Mayland visited with 26 seniors in the Plant Science class and discussed elements and elemental interactions in the nutrition of plants and animals. He also told how plant photosynthesis results in an accumulation of sugars in forage plants during daylight and net loss during darkness. He used one of the preference videos to show how persistent animals are in eating PM-harvested vs. AM harvest forage. The preference relates to the greater soluble sugars in PM hay and this produces greater weight gain and milk production. KIM19981022N1)

October 8, 1998. About 30 representatives from Compost West, Inc., United Dairymen of Idaho, Amalgamated Sugar Company, University of Idaho, ARS, and the farming community met to discuss the present ongoing compost study being conducted by University of Idaho in cooperation with ARS and others, and to discuss the potential of combining the `fly-ash' waste from sugar factory with the dairy waste being composted. The goal would be to apply this composted product to sugarbeet land. This would save the sugar company about $35 per ton to dispose this waste and allow it to be applied back to the land for beneficial purposes. Research efforts to characterize this potential use were discussed. KIM19981015N1)

October 9, 1998. Bob Rynk and Brad Beckman, University of Idaho, and Dan Sullivan, Oregon State University, visited with Dale Westermann about the University of Idaho cooperative compost study being conducted near the ARS location. The purpose of their visit was to take video clips of this study to raise issues and key points about the advantages, limitations, and opportunities that composting and compost offer to agriculture. This information will be combined with other studies being conducted in the Pacific Northwest for use in satellite linked composting workshops to be held in western North America. The filming project is being partially supported by the Western Region SARE. KIM19981015N2)

October 13, 1998. Personnel of the State of Idaho, Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ), met with Drs. Jim Entry, Gary Lehrsch, Rick Lentz, Hank Mayland, Chuck Robbins, and Dale Westermann, all soil scientists from the Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory. Attending from DEQ were Michael Cook, Rick Huddleston, and Paul Wakagawa, all of the Wastewater Land Application Permitting Section. DEQ personnel were interested in identifying appropriate hydraulic and organic loading rates for year-round application of potato processing wastewater to predominantly coarse-textured soils in eastern Idaho. Opportunities for collaboration and ideas for future funded research were identified. KIM19981015N3)

October 1, 1998. Bob Sojka was an invited speaker of the Idaho State University Department of Biological and Life Sciences. He spent the afternoon visiting with Dr. Maribeth Watwood and her research team and touring the ISU research facilities. The visit also afforded an opportunity to discuss facets of Polyacrylamide research that could be the source of further collaboration between Dr. Watwood's research team and the Kimberly ARS group. The title of Dr. Sojka's seminar was "Controlling Irrigation-Induced Erosion." It presented a brief summary of irrigation's importance and environmental benefits and an overview of recent research from the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab aimed at preventing erosion from irrigation and offsite environmental problems. KIM19981008N1)

October 2, 1998. Bob Sojka coordinated a visit to the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab (NWISRL) by Henri Asbell of Cytec Industries and Col Schiller of Ozchem Pty. Ltd. from Toowoomba Australia. Other NWISRL scientists involved were Rick Lentz, Kris Aase, Jim Entry and Dave Bjorneberg. Ozchem Pty. Ltd. is the Australian marketing arm of Cytec for their irrigation erosion control product "Irrigaid," which is an anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) corresponding to the PAM used in the NWISRL research on this technology. Australian farming tracks and irrigation schemes are remote and large in scale, with different soil and water conditions than are common in the United States. Col Schiller's visit was to gather information and expertise to try to address the unique needs of Australian agriculture for implementation of PAM technology. PAM technology has only recently been introduced to Australia, but has been met with very enthusiastic farmer and environmental community acceptance. The challenge is now to adapt the technology for their specific needs. KIM19981008N2)

September 14-16, 1998. Dale Westermann attended a coordinating committee meeting at ARS Headquarters, College Park, Maryland, to develop the program statements and plan for the nutrient component of the Animal Waste and Byproducts Utilization and Management National Program. The nutrient component contains three problem areas: animal nutrition and waste storage and handling concerns, land application concerns, and off-site impacts. The next steps for this committee are to develop an action plan, identify current ARS research activities in the problem area, identify research gaps, and suggest ARS locations to address the gaps. Customers will have an opportunity to review the draft document before completion. (KIM980924N1)

September 19, 1998. Hank Mayland met with Dr. Vance Owens sharing results of PM versus AM harvesting on forage quality and showing him our research facility. Vance had examined the effect of harvesting time on the ensilability of red clover and alfalfa. He is currently Extension Forage Specialist with South Dakota State University and is a candidate for a similar position in Idaho. (KIM980924N2)

September 22-23, 1998. The NWISRL was visited by National Program Leaders, Dr. Robert Wright, Soil Management, and Dr. Michael Jawson, Soil Science and Microbiology. After a general meeting with the Location's staff, Drs. Wright and Jawson were given a tour of the Location's physical facilities and research farms. Each of the ten project leaders at the NWISRL had the opportunity to discuss their current and future research program with the Program Leaders. Future scientific staffing plans and a need for a program review were also discussed with Dale Westermann, Research Leader.(KIM980924N3)

August 14-16, 1998. As a member of the Irrigation and Drainage National Program Team, Dr. Robert E. Sojka traveled to Beltsville to work on drafting the irrigation & drainage subprogram statement, specifically providing input on irrigation-induced erosion. Dr. Dale T. Westermann who is also a member of the team was unable to attend but provided input through Dr. Sojka on environmental impacts. (KIM980910N1)

August 27, 1998. Dr. Jedd Waddell, Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota, gave a seminar about his work identifying "Potato growing areas of the world." We were particularly interested in his use of existing climate and soil databases and his production of overlay maps to identify potential areas where potatoes might be grown. This was a stopover on his visit with Lamb Weston folks in the Columbia Basin about his modeling activity. Jedd is currently on post-doc. (KIM980910N2)

August 28, 1998. Dr. James L. Wright was visited by Clair Prestwich, NRCS, Twin Falls. Mr. Prestwich wanted Dr. Wright's evaluation of crop irrigation requirement values predicted by computer software recently developed for NRCS. Mr. Prestwich was scheduled to attend several days of meetings with the software developer and needed assistance in evaluating the performance of the model used. (KIM980910N3)

September 9, 1998. Drs. Gary Lehrsch, Henry F. Mayland, David L. Bjorneberg, Robert E. Sojka, Charles W. Robbins, and J. Kristian Aase hosted an information display for the Irrigators' Water Quality Committee at the Twin Falls County Fair, Filer, Idaho. (KIM980910N4)

August 20, 1998. Dale Westermann was visited by David Rann, Research and Development Officer for Simplot, Australia. Mr. Rann is the field production manager for a potato processing plant in Tasmania, Australia. Potato production practices and nutritional management issues were discussed with Dale Westermann. (KIM980828N1)

August 3-5, 1998. Bob Sojka traveled to Beltsville to participate in the Partnership Management Team (PMT) committee of NRCS and ARS. The committee gathers input from the NRCS and ARS field relative to perceived research and technology needs, assesses and prioritizes them and makes recommendations to NRCS and ARS management to target research and resources. The current activity of the PMT committee solicited nearly 550 suggestions from the field for consideration by the committee. (KIM19980817N1)

August 11, 1998. Dr. Rick Lentz hosted a visit from Dr. David Laird of the Soil Tilth Laboratory, Ames, Iowa. In their meeting, they discussed some of their current research results relating to a cooperative future project that may involve the Kimberly Lab. Dr. Laird, a soil scientist with training in clay mineralogy and inorganic soil chemistry, and Dean Martens, a biochemist from the Soil Tilth Lab, are studying the relationship between organic matter and microscale soil structure. Their goal is to better define the role that organic matter plays in soil aggregation. (KIM19980817N2)

August 12, 1998. Dale Westermann was visited by Dr. Ian McPharlin, Senior Research Officer in Plant Research and Development Services, Government of Western Australia. Dr. McParlin is active in developing phosphate, nitrogen and irrigation management practices for potatoes produced in the Perth area of western Australia. These and other nutritional management issues were discussed with Dale Westermann. (KIM19980817N3)

August 13, 1998. Mr. Don Lilleboe, Editor of the "Sugarbeet Grower" magazine, interviewed Drs. Gary Lehrsch and Rick Lentz of the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, Idaho. Gary and Rick described studies that have been completed and other experiments currently under way to control soil surface crusting to increase sugarbeet seedling emergence. They also outlined possible future research projects, some to be conducted with a collaborator, Dr. Dennis Kincaid, also at Kimberly. Don recommended a number of those projects as being of great interest to sugarbeet producers. (KIM19980817N4)

August 11-12 and 17, 1998. Chuck Robbins and Dale Westermann participated in a dairy nutrient management workgroup that reviewed ten pilot nutrient management plans for dairies developed using Idaho's recently revised NRCS Nutrient Management guidelines. A wide range of issues and topics were discussed but much of the focus was on loading rates from manure and lagoons based on either nitrogen or phosphorus. This was the first field testing of the concept of using phosphorus thresholds to determine whether the application rate should be nitrogen or phosphorus based. This workshop was attended by about 25 individuals from the NRCS, Idaho Dairymen Association, Idaho Department of Agriculture, and individual dairy owners. It is the intent of Idaho's dairy industry and the Idaho Department of Agriculture that all Idaho dairies have a nutrient management plan in place within two years. The phosphorus threshold concentrations were developed from the research being conducted by ARS Soil Scientist Chuck Robbins on field plots at Kimberly. (KIM19980817N5)

July 26-29, 1998. Dale Westermann attended the 82nd annual meeting of the Potato Association of America in Fargo, ND. He participated in a symposium sponsored by the Production and Management Section of PAA by giving one of five invited papers entitled `Nutritional Requirements of Potatoes.' About 400 individuals attended the meeting from all facets of the potato industry. Plans were also finalized for the PAA publication `Potato Nutrient Diagnostic Concentrations.' This publication will be an up-to-date compilation of published diagnostic nutrient concentrations and color plates of selected deficiency symptoms. It should be ready for distribution by July 1999. (KIM19980805N1)

July 26-31, 1998. Hank Mayland attended combined meetings of Am. Soc. Animal Sci. and Dairy Sci. where he, Fisher and Burns presented a poster paper on the PM/AM harvested alfalfa forage quality studies. The poster attracted many people from across this country and five foreign countries. Discussions were pretty much continuous (8 to 5), often with Fisher and Mayland involved in separate groups. Mayland was active in Technology Transfer on PM/AM harvest effects on forage quality during the nine hours of poster display and throughout the sessions. (KIM19980805N2)

August 4, 1998. Dr. James L. Wright visited with Dr. Christopher Neale from Utah State University (USU). Dr. Neale was at the laboratory to discuss progress on research on the development of reflectance-based crop coefficients for southern Idaho/northern Utah. Harikishan Jayanthi, a graduate student from USU, is at the NWISRL this summer doing research on the topic under Dr. Wright's direction. The goal is to extend the utilization of the ET crop coefficients, developed by ARS at Kimberly, through the use of remotely sensible properties of irrigation crops. (KIM19980805N3)

August 4, 1998. Drs. Aase, Bjorneberg, Koehn, Lehrsch and Lentz attended an informal meeting with Dr. Fedja Strelkoff of the U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Strelkoff demonstrated an experimental furrow erosion simulation model that is adapted from his SRFR model, which simulates the hydraulics of furrow irrigation. A discussion of the program and computational details followed. (KIM19980805N4)

July 23, 1998. Dr. Dean Falk, U of I Dairy Specialist, invited Hank Mayland to visit with the Magic Valley Dairy Advisory Council at their monthly meeting for the purpose of sharing the PM- vs AM-harvesting effects on forage quality and animal performance. The meeting was held at one of the member dairies in Buhl, Idaho. Drs. Mark and Honor Tatarka (DVMs), as hosts, explained their operation and provided lunch. Mayland received many thanks for his data and video presentation. He also discussed antagonisms of large amounts of K from manure and fertilizer that are being applied to the land and antagonism of K on Mg absorption by the plant and later by the animal. This valuable information may provide an explanation for some producers whose herds seem to be suffering from Hypomagnesemia. PM harvesting of third cutting alfalfa is now underway with some harvesting scheduled for the PM. Highlights of PM/AM results and hypomagnesemia information were shared with the 10 attendees. (KIM19980729N1)

July 23, 1998. Hank Mayland met with dairymen mid-day, Thursday. Discussion centered on harvesting hay late in day to take advantage of soluble sugars being accumulated in the plant. The nearly two hour discussion was followed with lunch and a 15 minute video presentation showing strong preference of cattle for PM harvested vs. AM harvested grass and alfalfa hay. Most of the participants carried their cellular phones, and one individual immediately calls someone at his dairy and says: "Roger, don't start swathing that north pivot until after 3:00 p.m." (KIM19980729N2)

July 25, 1998. The Twin Falls "Times News" ran a full page story in their weekly magazine "The Ag Weekly" covering the Twin Falls Canal Company PAM (polyacrylamide) field day. The story emphasized the instructional material prepared by the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) at Kimberly for selection and use of PAM products for use in controlling furrow irrigation-induced erosion. The tour was conducted over two days to cover PAM use in the eastern and western halves of the Twin Falls Canal Company (TFCC) system. The tour visited farms where PAM has been used for several years and gained the insight of local farmer successes with the PAM technology. Representatives of the Northside Canal Company were also in attendance. Mr. Vince Alberti, Manager of the Twin Falls Canal Company drew attention to the accomplishments and continued cooperation of the TFCC and the USDA-ARS NWISRL, praising several NWISRL research efforts in addition to the PAM technology, all focused on reducing pollution from irrigation return flows to the Mid reach of the Snake River. The "Ag Weekly" is an agricultural magazine produced for rural residents of Southern Idaho and Northern Nevada and has a subscription base of about 40,000. (KIM19980729N3)

July 29, 1998. Mr. Don Lilleboe, Editor of the "The Sugarbeet Grower" Magazine, contacted Bob Sojka to arrange a visit to the Kimberly research staff on August 14th. "The Sugarbeet Grower" has followed the development of polyacrylamide (PAM) research technology development from the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory at Kimberly, ID, for several years, writing a number of good articles on the subject. His interest for the visit is to meet the staff involved in PAM and in sugarbeet research and to gather story material for stories on new developments in PAM-use that readers of "The Sugarbeet Grower" will have an interest in. It was suggested to Mr. Lilleboe that contacts also be made with Drs. Aase, Bjorneberg, Lehrsch, Lentz, and Kincaid for his visit, to learn about the many new thrusts in PAM and sugarbeet related research from the NWISRL. (KIM19980729N4)

July 28, 1998. Glenn Shewmaker attended a "Grazers' Water Quality Tour" in the Shoshone Basin. The tour was sponsored by the Twin Falls Soil and Water Conservation District. Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel coordinated discussions on evaluations of streams, how streams are put on the state's water quality limited list, proper functioning condition evaluation of streams, and management practices to improve water quality. (KIM19980729N5)

16 July 1998. Dave Sparrow, Administrator, and Don Suchan, wheat producer and Board Member, of the Idaho Wheat Commission, Boise, visited the NWISRL. Dale Westermann, Research Leader, discussed the research projects in soil management, irrigation management, and water quality/environment being conducted by the eleven ARS scientists at the location. Afterwards they toured the physical facilities. (KIM19980722N1)

16 July 1998. Glenn E. Shewmaker, satisfactorily completed defense of his dissertation. He has now fulfilled requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Congratulations Glenn. (KIM19980722N2)

20 July 1998. Hank Mayland hosted Dr. Jack Stroehlein, retired soil scientist from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Information and field visits were shared on erosion control, P cycling, PM/AM hay, and crop nutrition. Jack had personal visits with others whom he remembers from his 1978 sabattic with us. (KIM19980722N3)

21-22 July 1998. The Twin Falls Canal Company sponsored two days of PAM Field Days in the Magic Valley. Bob Sojka gave presentations on PAM material considerations and application tips. The presentation included demonstration of the NWISRL website set up by John Stevens and in particular the PAM page. He also handed out a new station note entitled "The PAMphlet: a concise guide for safe and practical use of polyacrylamide (PAM) for irrigation-induced erosion control and infiltration enhancement." The field days featured stops at local farms where PAM has been used successfully for several years, and demonstration of several types of PAM applicators. Mr. Vince Alberti of the Twin Falls Canal Company cited the importance of promotion of the PAM technology developed at the NWISRL as a component BMP for meeting TMDLs for water quality improvement goals in the middle reach of the Snake River. During lunch, Dale Westermann and Bob Sojka gave an update of water quality improvement research at the NWISRL, with particular emphasis on new directions of PAM research. Dave Bjorneberg also attended the tour. (KIM19980722N4)

8 July 1998. H. F. Mayland attended a public meeting in Twin Falls scheduled by the Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA) regarding the livestock protection collar. This product is the result of ten years research by Dr. Guy Connelly of USDA-APHIS-ACD then located in Twin Falls. The collar offers yet another means of protecting free-ranging sheep and goats from attacking coyotes. Dr. Connelly presented some of the background on the development and testing of the collar. Representatives from the IDA presented format for hearings and adoption of regulations for using the collar in Idaho. It is currently used in five other states. With proper placement of the collar, it is quite specific for coyotes. The meeting was attended by six agency people, eight ranchers, and one friend of the animals group. (KIM19980715N1)

8 July 1998. Dr. James L. Wright, as acting Research Leader, visited with Dr. David R. Lineback, Dean of the College of Agriculture, University of Idaho (U of I). Dr. Lineback was meeting with U of I research personnel in the area and visited with Dr. Wright about U of I-ARS cooperative research and related programs. Future budget situations and buildings and facilities were discussed. Several U of I research and their personnel are located in the Kimberly ARS Laboratory. Dean Lineback reported that the university appreciated the cooperative spirit of the arrangements and input of ARS staff to university research and graduate student programs. (KIM19980715N2)

9 July 1998. Dr. James L. Wright spent several hours discussing research and general irrigation matters of Idaho and surrounding states with Dr. Richard G. Allen, Professor of Engineering, from Utah State University (USU). Dr. Allen was visiting Kimberly as a candidate for the University of Idaho (U of I) position of Water Resource Research Engineer. The U of I decided to retain the research position at Kimberly after Dr. Charles Brockway retired in December 1997, because of its importance to water resource matters in Idaho. ARS will continue to provide office space for the position. Dr. Allen expressed interest in several aspects of cooperative research with ARS staff. Dr. Wright served as a member of the search committee established for filling the position. (KIM19980715N3)

9 July 1998. Upon invitation by the Magic Valley Garden Club, H. F. Mayland discussed mineral elements of importance to plants and animals at their monthly meeting. Dr. Mayland emphasized the blessings we in the U.S. enjoy in having different foods grown on different soils and different climates. Throughout the evening he reiterated his philosophy that in absence of genetic disorders or infectious disease that "we should eat a variety of foods in moderation." Soil pH, nutrient testing, elemental interactions and elemental bioavailability to plants and animals were discussed. This was an interesting sharing of concerns and information.(KIM19980715N4) P>

June 23-25, 1998. Dave Bjorneberg participated on the agricultural systems grant review panel for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service's (CSREES) National Research Initiative competitive grant program. The eight member panel reviewed and rated sixty proposals pertaining to a wide range of issues such as food safety, animal waste, irrigation management, precision agriculture and livestock management. (KIM19980701N1)

June 27-28, 1998. Hank Mayland visited with two livestock and two hay growers in Central Wyoming about PM/AM harvest consequences on forage quality and animal preference/production. The hay growers produce several hundred ton of alfalfa cubes and each volunteered to obtain 25 lb. samples from PM/AM harvests. These samples would be tested for forage carbohydrates, fiber, and crude protein and then evaluated for nitrogen fermentation efficiency studies. Results would provide information about the effect of the cubing process on forage quality differences between PM and AM harvest. (KIM19980701N2)

June 29, 1998. Bob Sojka, Dave Bjorneberg, Dennis Kincaid, and Rick Lentz were invited to write papers and make presentations at a workshop to be held in Beijing, China, in 1999 in preparation of a special issue of the International Journal of Sediment Research. Possible contributions for papers from the Kimberly Lab are:
1. Polyacrylamide conformation effects on treated furrow irrigation runoff and sediment yields

2. Soil erosion in irrigated agriculture: Impact on global resources and conservation practices

3. Unique requirements for modeling irrigation induced soil erosion
(KIM19980701N3)

June 15, 1998. Dale Westermann met with Terry Tindall and Gerald McNabb, Simplot, Pocatello, and Brett Pemberton, Scott Morris and Phil O'Keeffee, Simplot, Australia, to discuss fertilization management of Russet Burbank potatoes, particularly in the Tasmania and western Australia production areas. Interest centered on the optimization of nitrogen management throughout the production cycle, and adequate chloride and zinc concentrations in the petiole or various tuber productions. In these production areas, the infrastructure for routine monitoring of nutrient concentrations in the petiole is not always available. (KIM19980618N1)

June 16-17, 1998. Dale Westermann and Rick Lentz were hosts to Julia Moses and Emily Robeson, students from Minico High School. While at the location, Julia and Emily observed and participated in the daily research activities being carried out by the research staff. This activity was part of the earth career counseling program for high school students being directed by Pat Kaes, Career Counselor. (KIM19980618N2)

22 May 1998. Chuck Robbins visited the Kimberly High School Ecology Class and discussed the NWISRL's research and its relation to environmental concerns in agriculture. There was a lot of interest shown by the class in fish farming and animal industry impacts on phosphorus in river systems. Education requirements and opportunities in agriculture and environmental research were discussed by Dr. Robbins and the class. There were 38 students in the class of mostly seniors. (KIM19980604N1)

27-29 May 1998. Dale Westermann, Dave Bjorneberg, Rick Lentz, Dennis Kincaid, Jim Wright, and Bob Sojka attended the ARS workshop "Irrigation and Drainage in Harmony with the Environment" held in Ft. Collins, CO. The workshop gathered input from about 100 ARS stakeholders, customers, and scientists for use in developing the Irrigation and Drainage component of the Water Quality and Management National Program. Westermann and Sojka were part of the workshop organizing team, and in the meeting followup were designated to develop syntheses of key workshop recommendations. Westermann will coordinate summary and synthesis of comments related to the management of the impact of irrigation and drainage on the environment. Sojka will coordinate summary and synthesis of comments related to irrigation in humid environments and related to the theme of irrigation-induced erosion. Ultimately the national program structure of ARS will formulate teams around the research thrusts identified through this workshop. (KIM19980604N2)

28 May 1998. Hank Mayland was asked for a source of maize germplasm that was used by early Mayan civilization. This would be used by the local Herriott Museum as part of their permanent Mayan display. Early queries led to Dr. Mark Millard, Maize Curator, Plant Introduction Station, Iowa, who provided seeds of four maize races from Guatemala used by early Mayan and also forwarded seed of the early predicessor of maize called Teosinte. Mayland will work with Sara Sinclair and Mike Woods in cultivating this material for the museum. This will give school children and other visitors a feel for the Mayan culture, early history of corn, and the role of ARS and Germplasm repositories in preserving genetic material for later use. (KIM19980604N3)

3 June 1998. Hank Mayland discussed current knowledge of PM vs AM harvest effects on forage quality and animal responses with Dean Falk, U of I extension dairy scientist; Stan Gortsema, Power County Agent; and Dale Michaelson, farmer from the American Falls area. They were simply amazed by the information, raised some pertinent questions, and will go back to their constituents with this almost unbelievable story. Ruminants have a strong preference of PM-harvested vs. AM- harvested hay, will eat more of it, will gain body weight and produce more milk. A similar meeting was held the previous day with Bill Hazen, Gooding/Lincoln county extension agent, who was also amazed with these results. (KIM19980604N4)

May 14, 1998. Chuck Robbins participated in the Kimberly, Idaho fourth grade Idaho History Fair. He talked to 89 students about the role of agriculture in Idaho history. The main emphasis was the livestock industry and it's part in the first permanent white settlements of the region. The students were shown how wool was carded and made into yarn for weaving and for making wool felt. The students were allowed to make carded wool bats on a hand-powered carder. They were shown a number of hand-made felt items made from different kinds and colors of wool. (KIM19980522N1)

May 18, 1998. Susie Hansen, Glenn Shewmaker and Hank Mayland met with a producer group from Jerome, Idaho about implications of PM/AM forage harvest technology. The group included Dr. Bob Whitchurch, Dairy Nutritionist; Dr. Gregory Ledbetter, DVM and manager of the C-Bar-M Dairy of 1,000 milking cows; and Mr. Ralph May, farm manager producing grains and forage for the dairy. Greg and Ralph were astonished with results of PM/AM harvest technology developed to date. This includes increased forage yield, quality, animal preference, dry matter intake and increased cow weight gain and milk production from the PM vs. AM harvest. They are studying the logistics and economics of doing a trial with perhaps two groups of 125 cows receiving either PM or AM harvested haylage. (KIM19980522N2)

May 19, 1998. Dale Westermann attended a meeting in Boise with Jim Wood, NRCS, Warren McFall, Idaho EPA, Ronda Hirnyck, IDA, Brad Brown, UI-Parma, and Bob Mahler, UI- Moscow. The purpose of this meeting was to review and develop the Cropland Topic section of Idaho's ONE PLAN website at www.oneplan.state.id.us. The One Plan is a one stop internet access point for those seeking all pertinent information regarding regulatory issues facing farm and ranch enterprises. Special attention was given to the subsection of Nutrient Management. It was further divided into several sub-subsections that will be developed within the next few months simultaneously with Idaho's nutrient management guides for various crops. (KIM19980522N3)

May 20, 1998. Dale Westermann met with Jim Wood, NRCS, Ralph Fisher, NRCS, Jenifer Beddoes, IDA, and Bob Mahler, UI-Moscow to discuss phosphorus threshold concentrations for possible use in land applications of CAFO wastes under Idaho conditions. There is currently published in the Federal Register for review a revised National NRCS bulletin that provides guidelines for the development of nutrient management plans and establishes the concept of threshold concentrations. As defined, phosphorus loading above this concentration would be detrimental to the environment. It addition, after recent CAFO legislation passed by 1998 Idaho Legislators, the United Dairymen of Idaho asked the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho NRCS to help develop nutrient management plans for all certified dairies in Idaho. (KIM19980522N4)

May 4-8, 1998. The Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory (NWISRL) staff participated in Southern Idaho's Water Awareness Week. This is a program to provide Idaho young people (6th graders) with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and sustain an awareness of the importance of water in their lives and to lay the foundation for an understanding of the critical water issues they will face as adults in the 21st Century. Approximately 350 young people and 28 adults participated in the activities at the ARS Laboratory. These included a demonstration of PAM (polyacrylamide) effectiveness to control soil erosion, a working sand model to illustrate ground water flow, the importance of water in plant nutrition and temperature regulation, the use of biosolids and manure as waste or resource materials, and a short video on effects of irrigation practices on the water quality of the Middle Snake River. (KIM19980513N1)

May 7, 1998. Nineteen 7th and 8th young women from West Minico Junior High School, led by Pat Kaes, Counselor, visited the NWISRL to explore career opportunities in agricultural research. Dale Westermann presented the general opportunities in the research program and activities at the Location and in ARS; Anita Koehn, Research Associate, and Sheryl Ver Wey, Biological Technician, discussed their career paths in agriculture; and Rick Lentz, Soil Scientist, and Dave Bjorneberg, Agricultural Engineer, discussed opportunities in relationship to their research studies. (KIM19980513N2)

May 12, 1998. Rick Lentz and Bob Sojka met for two hours with Cyril Collin and Dennis Marroni of SNF Floerger and Jerry Raman of Chemtall (an SNF subsidiary) regarding environmental safety of polyacrylamides. SNF Floerger is one of the world's largest manufacturers of polyacrylamides (PAMs). Floerger and Chemtall are interested in identifying and making public data needed to assure EPA and state environmental entities of the enviro-safety of polyacrylamides and regarding the rapid degradation of acrylamide monomer in the environment. Several lines of possible cooperation and collaborative enquiry were discussed along with the possibility of joint authorship of review articles in the referreed literature to widely disseminate the identified data. Possibilities of onsite visits by Kimberly PAM researchers to SNF and Chemtall facilities were also considered. (KIM19980513N3)

May 12, 1998. Dr. (almost) Jeanine Shoemake, Idaho State University Microbiology, gave a seminar to about 25 people, including two representatives of a French manufacturer of polyacrylamide (PAM). Jeanine told about results of her research on PAM as a nitrogen source for soil microorganisms and the impact on microbial amadise activity. Results strongly demonstrate a rapid and complete breakdown of the PAM molecule. This activity occurs because of an enzyme called amadise that cleaves amide groups from the PAM structure. The research has further emphasized the environmental friendliness of the PAM molecule. (KIM19980513N4)

April 22-24, 1998. Jim Entry and Dale Westermann attended the first ARS Animal Manure, Waste Utilization and and Management National Program Workshop held in Kansas City. The purpose of the workshop was to initiate ARS' national program in this subject area. Approximately 120 ARS personnel, customers, stakeholders and partners attended. High priority research issues were identified by customers, stakeholders and partners, who in turn learned about ARS' current national program and research activities. ARS research teams across locations were initiated to address key elements of this program. Key areas identified were nutrient management, air quality, and pathogens. Workshop participants also developed stronger professional and interpersonal relationships which will facilitate future multi- disciplinary research activities. (KIM19980429N1)

April 28, 1998. Bob Sojka completed a joint ARS/NRCS agency response document to seventeen questions posed by EPA regarding development and use of new technology employing polyacrylamides (PAMs) for irrigation-induced erosion control. The document, entitled "ARS and NRCS response to EPA Region 10's questions regarding the use of polyacrylamide for surface irrigation erosion control and inter-agency discussion session remarks April 9, 1998" was co-authored by R.E. Sojka, T.L. Spofford and F.W. Barvenik. The document was distributed to key Pacific West Area officials, ARS Program Staff, Key NRCS officials, and EPA Officials in attendance at the meeting April 9. Several state and industry stakeholders were also provided copies of the document. The response is viewed as an opportunity to build consensus among agencies on the use of polyacrylamides to reduce erosion from agriculture and its contribution of non-point source pollution to riparian receiving waters. The latter issue is an important focus of environmental remediation in the Western United States. Participants from all three agencies concurred on the need to encourage several new research thrusts aimed at further improving the technology and to answer important remaining environmental questions surrounding the technology. (KIM19980429N2)

April 28, 1998. Dr. Jim Entry presented a seminar to the staff and visitors at the USDA-ARS's Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab at Kimberly. The seminar, titled 'Influence of land use on coliform bacterial populations in the Currency Creek Catchment' was a summary of total and fecal coliform counts in stream flow affected by overland flow across cropland, pasture land and land receiving manure from either cattle or poultry. Jim showed large numbers of coliform in runoff from areas having animal or animal residue activity and that these amounts decreased exponentially with time after a rainfall event. (KIM19980429N3)

April 20, 1998, Earth Day Presentation. Hank Mayland provided a 90 minute discussion about how ARS research at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab, Kimberly, meets agricultural production goals while being environmentally friendly. He also shared with this Burley High School biology class of 30 students, the training needed for various careers in Agricultural Research Service. He emphasized a need for varied facts before adequately designing or evaluating environmental impacts. Topics discussed included global warming, climate, weather, hydrology, soils, agronomy and plant and animal nutrition. All these processes depend on solar energy. Photosynthesis is driven by several wavelengths of the light spectrum providing the energy for green plant growth. (KIM19980423N1)

April 20, 1998. Rick Lentz travelled to Utah State University, Department of Plant, Soils, and Meteorology, where he met with Soils faculty members, Drs. William Campbell, Janis Beottinger, Paul Grossl, Jeanette Norton, and Lynn Dudley; and presented a seminar to graduate students and faculty. In the presentation, Lentz briefly summarized research on polyacrylamide use in furrow irrigation, what it is, how it's applied, and results produced, then discussed an ongoing study that compares conventional vs. PAM-managed furrow irrigation effects on soil water percolation rate and organic and inorganic solute transport. The latter topic focused on design and calibration of soil water percolation samplers, experimental design and methods, and preliminary results. Part of the visit included time in the Science Technology Library doing literature review. (KIM19980423N2)

March 30-31, 1998. Bob Sojka traveled to Beltsville, MD, to meet with the joint NRCS/ARS Partnership Management Team (PMT) of which he is a member. The committee assesses the NRCS needs for critical science activity which can be met through ARS research. The team makes recommendations to NRCS and ARS program staff on program prioritization, staffing, and allocation of funds. (KIM19980415N1)

April 7, 1998. Dr. Jeff Stark, Agronomist and Superintendent of the Aberdeen Experiment Station, presented a seminar on "Potential for precision fertilization of potato". He illustrated variability of nitrate, potassium, and phosphorus soil tests under a given center pivot sprinkler. Site specific data were shown as frequency plots and used to identify those that would be under or over fertilized if fertilizer was applied to meet the average soil test for the pivot area. He noted that potato yield may vary by a factor of 2X under a given pivot. He suggested that factors amenably to management changes be considered in assessing site specific farming. Technology is far ahead of the realistic-application to agricultural production. (KIM19980415N2)

April 9, 1998. Drs. Bob Sojka and Dave Bjorneberg participated in a half day technical exchange via teleconference with NRCS, and EPA. The exchange involved twelve EPA, ARS, and NRCS scientists and administrators and one representative of Washington State University. All principles except Sojka and Bjorneberg met in the Seattle Washington EPA region 10 office. The exchange was to open a dialogue between EPA, NRCS, and ARS in order to begin resolving technical and procedural questions by EPA relative to the use of polyacrylamides for irrigation induced erosion control. There were also questions posed by NRCS and ARS relative to EPA's regualtory posture on use of PAMs in the environment. The responses to EPA's questions are being formalized in a white paper document authored by R.E. Sojka and T.L. Spofford to be circulated to key NRCS, EPA, and ARS administrators and PAM researchers. (KIM19980415N3)

April 6-10, 1998. Dr. Lentz attended a USDA Training Course conducted in San Antonio, TX. The class was designed to increase a project leader's supervisory and managerial skills. (KIM19980415N4)

April 13, 1998. Dr. Jim Wright traveled to Utah State University to present an invited seminar to the faculty and graduate students of the Plants, Soils and Biometeorology Department. The seminar summarized research on the use of bromide as a tracer to study the leaching of nitrate through the silt loam soils of southern Idaho. Dr. Wright also conferred with Dr. Rick Allen and Dr. Bob Hill on current evapotranspiration research. (KIM19980415N5)

April 13, 1998. Dr. Lentz was invited by Phil Osterli and Paul Sousa of University of California Cooperative Extension to attend a Modesto, CA, meeting and present research and comments germane to environmental issues involving polyacrylamide (PAM)-use in furrow irrigation. The meeting was attended by the California State Water Quality Coordinator, supervisor and staff of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS, and UC Cooperative Extension participants, and industry representatives. Lentz presented new research results from a number of Kimberly field experiments and a watershed study that quantified PAM concentrations in treated furrow streams, field runoff, wastewater flows, and natural surface streams. This body of research provides important documentation showing that on fields treated using the NRCS Practice Standard, runoff PAM losses are 3% or less of the total applied. Aqueous PAM that does leave the field in runoff is rapidly removed from water, nearly disappearing by the time tailwater flows a distance of 93 to 600 m. Data from a stream draining a heavily PAM-treated watershed confirmed these results. Hence potential aquatic toxicity of PAM and its degradation concerns in natural surface water bodies is of little concern. In addition, Lentz provided theoretical evidence showing a nearly negligible potential for acrylamide monomer (residual in PAM) transport to surface streams via ground water. (KIM19980415N6)

24 March 1998. Dr. Howard Neibling, University of Idaho Extension Irrigation Specialist presented a seminar at the USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Center, Kimberly, Idaho. Howard discussed installation, relative placement, water distribution, and filtration effects of drip systems on potato yields. The system has challenges and yet some appealing benefits like increased irrigation efficiency. Some farmers are adopting this technology on limited acreage even though it is not yet cost effective. (KIM19980401N1)

26 March 1998. David Tarkalson, graduate student at BYU, Provo, Utah, has conducted a portion of his research with Dr. Chuck Robbins, USDA- ARS, Kimberly, Idaho. David investigated mycorrhizal colonization of crop roots and discussed results in a seminar at the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Center, Kimberly. Colonization rates were well correlated with bean yields and Zn and Mn concentrations, but responses in field crops of wheat and corn were often reversed from expectations. The study put into question some of the currently held perceptions about 'soil quality.' David is now exploring opportunities for Ph.D. studies. (KIM19980401N2)

30 March 1998. Gary Lehrsch, Soil Scientist, presented an invited seminar entitled "Aggregate Stability Research at Kimberly, Idaho: Past, Present, and Future" to about 15 faculty, staff, and students of Utah State University's Department of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology at Logan, Utah. The purpose of the seminar was two- fold: 1) to acquaint the Department's personnel with a portion of the soil structure research occurring at USDA's Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, and 2) to foster increased communication among individuals conducting research on soil structure. (KIM19980401N3)

31 March 1998. Glenn E. Shewmaker, Biological Research Technician, met with the "Grazing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Technical Review Committee" at the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) office in Twin Falls, Idaho. Committee members representing USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS, DEQ, and livestock producers evaluated bids from environmental consulting firms on their technical skills and ability to provide services to monitor 5th or 6th order subwatersheds for sediment and phosphorus concentrations and to develop export coefficients for sediment and phosphorus attributable to livestock grazing. The bids were in response to Request for Proposal by DEQ to develop TMDLs for the areas in the Snake River basin impacted by grazing. (KIM19980401N4)

March 8-10, 1998. Dr. Lentz attended the ASAE Seventh International Drainage Symposium at Orlando, FL. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Eighth National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems. The meetings were attended by 550 scientists, including ARS, university, and extension professionals, NRCS staff, industry representatives, and consultants. Dr. Lentz presented a paper entitled �Design and Calibration of Percolation Samplers for Measuring Polyacrylamide-Amended Furrow-irrigation Effects on Drainage Water Quality.' The paper was published in the Proceedings of the Seventh International Drainage Symposium. (KIM19980318N1)

March 12, 1998. David Tarkalson successfully defended his Masters of Science thesis on March 12 in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Brigham Young University, Provo Utah. Dr. Charles W. Robbins served on his graduate committee and supervised the field portion of his research which was conducted on Chuck's subsoil plots at Kimberly, ID. The following three papers from David's thesis will be submitted for publication.

Tarkalson, D.L., V.D. Jolley, C.W. Robbins and R.E. Terry. Mycorrhizal colonization of wheat and sweet corn grown in manure-treated and untreated topsoil and subsoil. To be submitted to J. Plant Nutrition.

Tarkalson, D.L., V.D. Jolley, C.W. Robbins and R.E. Terry. Manure and composted manure amendments of subsoil and mycorrhizal colonization of greenhouse grown dry bean. To be submitted to J. Plant Nutrition.

Tarkalson, D.L., V.D. Jolley, Rosemary Pendlton, C.W. Robbins, and R.E. Terry. Modification of staining techniques for assessing mycorrhizal colonization in dry bean, sweet corn and wheat. To be submitted to J. Plant Nutrition.

Brett Allen, a native of Filer ID, and a graduate to be (April 1998) from the same department, will come on board at Kimberly to conduct a similar field study, growing Viva dry beans on the same plots. He will start in mid-May and will study the affects of manure on mycorrhizal colonization in bean grown on calcarious topsoil and subsoil. (KIM19980318N2)

March 11-13, 1998. Dale Westermann attended the Western Regional Committee, Nutrient Management and Water Quality, WCC-103, in Honolulu, HI. This meeting was attended by representatives from the 13 western states, Canada, Mexico, and the fertilizer industry. Reports were given by each representative on research activities in their states and on other activities of interest. The committee developed a preliminary program for the 1999 Western Nutrient Management Conference in Salt Lake City, UT and selected 1) revising bulletin WREP-43, Critical Nutrient Ranges in Northwest Crops, and 2) compiling information on soil test concentrations for phosphorus that could be used for environmental purposes as projects for the next year. The committee will meet again in March, 1999. (KIM19980318N3)

March 12-13, 1998. Bob Sojka was in Hawaii at the joint invitation of the University of Hawaii's Civil Engineering Department and Department of Agronomy and Soil Science. He presented a seminar on use of polyacrylamides (PAM) to prevent erosion that was attended by approximately 40 faculty and staff and by visitors from Hawaii's Department of Transportation, NRCS, and The University of Hawaii's Marine Sciences Department. The visit included a day of consulting with interested individuals from all of these organizations on March 12 and a day of visiting with Drs. Chris Smith and Pam Mills of NRCS on March 13 to discuss specific applications of the PAM technology to reduce erosion and non-point source pollution from concentrated flow runoff in Hawaiian agriculture, road cuts, and construction sites. The adaptation of the PAM technology could be especially important in Hawaii because of the intimate linkage of land management problems and impacts on marine fisheries and reef habitat. The challenges are particularly unique because of Hawaii's diverse soils and climate combinations, especially the dominance of acidic oxisols with their high clay content, iron oxide particle coatings, low pH regimes and pH-dependent cation exchange capacity. Collaborative contact with Dr. Chittaranjan Ray will attempt to facilitate focused studies of these factors and their impact PAM efficacy for flocculation of turbid settling ponds, runoff and erosion, and infiltration-mediated phenomena. Progress on these problems in Hawaii would greatly impact extension of PAM-based erosion/pollution abatement technology to the fragile soils found extensively throughout the tropical regions of the world. (KIM19980318N4)

March 5, 1998. About 20 students enrolled in soils and irrigation classes at the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, instructed by Dr. Ross Spackman, visited the laboratory. Peter Palmer, Coordinator of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation AgriMet program, accompanied the class. ARS scientist, Jim Wright, presented a summary of some of his research as it is used in the AgriMet program. AgriMet is an agricultural meteorological information system serving the Pacific Northwest. It's purpose is to promote energy and water conservation. The system collects data from about 45 remote-site weather stations. The data are used with procedures primarily developed by ARS to predict the evapotranspiration from irrigated crops. This information generated by AgriMet is useful for irrigation scheduling and other crop management activities. (KIM19980311N1)

February 23, 1998. Dr. J. Kristian Aase presented an invited seminar to faculty and students of the Plant, Soil and Biometeorology Department at Utah State University, Logan, Utah. He discussed ongoing research in tillage and residue management under furrow irrigated conditions and soil erosion control using polyacrylamide in overhead sprinkler irrigation systems. (KIM19980304N1)

February 23-25, 1998. Dr. James L. Wright attended and participated as a technical review panel member on the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) panel held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Western SARE program is directed by a council of scientists, farmers, ranchers, business leaders and administrators in cooperation with the federal SARE office and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. About 20 panel members participated in the review and evaluation of 71 Western SARE proposals. (KIM19980304N2)

February 25, 1998. Rick Lentz was invited along with two other ARS scientists to participate in a tour of Colorado's Arkansas River agriculture lands. The purpose of the tour was to acquaint participants with the nature of local agriculture and extent of irrigation-associated erosion and salinization hazards, which threaten to significantly reduce agricultural productivity in the region. Participants discussed the seriousness of these hazards for local agriculture and suggested practices and strategies for mitigation and remediation. (KIM19980304N3)

February 26, 1998. Rick Lentz presented a seminar entitled "Polyacrylamide (PAM) research at Kimberly, Idaho" at the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Irrigation Water Management Workshop. The meeting was held at the Quality Inn, La Junta, CO. Irrigated agriculture produces a disproportionately large share of harvested crop and half the monetary value of global and U.S. crop production. Furrow irrigation-induced erosion represents a serious threat to the sustainablility of irrigated agriculture, and hence to agriculture as a whole. PAM technology provides a economical and successful method for nearly eliminating soil, nutrient, and organic losses from furrow irrigated fields. Lentz presented general information about PAM, practical application and tips, and an overview of PAM research conducted by ARS researchers at Kimberly, ID. Lentz also displayed a poster at the meeting that described PAM technology and its effectiveness. (KIM19980304N4)

February 26, 1998. Dr. Dennis Kincaid gave a talk and demonstration on "A new pressure regulation valve for irrigation pipelines," at the Idaho Agriculture Conservation Committee meeting at Twin Falls, Idaho. Approximately 20 people were in attendance. (KIM19980304N5)

February 26-27, 1998. Dr. Hank Mayland visited the Utah State University (USU) campus where he met with several ARS and USU staff regarding collaborative work. This included the following cooperative projects: (1) Dr. Jennifer MacAdam - measuring leaf tensile and shear breaking strength, (2) Dr. Randy Wiedmier - preparing technical paper on dairy cow performance when fed PM or AM harvested alfalfa hay, (3) Dr. Douglas Johnson - updating status of several studies cation absorption by select tall fescue cultivars, (4) Dr Phil Harrison - carbohydrate analysis of grass samples, and (5) continued literature searching for ongoing technical writing. (KIM19980304N6)

February 26-27, 1998. Drs. Dave Bjorneberg and Bob Sojka gave invited presentations to the first Montana Irrigation Water Symposium in Billings, Montana. Sojka gave two presentations "Irrigation-Induced Erosion" and "PAM (polyacrylamide) in Surface Irrigation." Bjorneberg gave the presentation "PAM and Conservation Tillage Under Sprinklers." The talks were supplemented with an informal presentation of the Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory's website and the information resources available to users and educators on it. The conference had nearly 200 attendees from a cross- section of NRCS field specialists, state conservationists, Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) representatives, university researchers, irrigation industry, consultants, other federal agencies and farmers. The program was organized and sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), and MACD. It marks the beginning of a concentrated effort in Montana to improve irrigation water use efficiency and to reduce irrigation's contribution to erosion and contamination of surface waters. (KIM19980304N7)

March 2, 1998. Dr. Chuck Robbins traveled to Utah State University to present a seminar to the faculty and graduate students in the Plant, Soil, Horticulture and Biometeorology Department on "Reclamation of Eroded Soils with Dairy Manure and Cheese Whey." He also spent time with Dr. Conly, Department of Food Science and Technology, discussing hog manure and slaughter house waste disposal in western Utah where a 200,000 hog feeding operation is being developed. Soil phosphorus and potassium buildup in the disposal areas is a concern and has not been addressed by the developers. (KIM19980304N8)

Press Inquiries:
February 25, 1998. Rick Lentz was interviewed for two local Colorado Radio Programs. Topic was the use of polyacrylamides to control furrow irrigation- induced erosion and manage infiltration. Discussed the importance of irrigated agriculture to the U.S. and the world, seriousness of the associated erosion problem, the application of PAM technology, and its success at halting irrigation-caused erosion and improving irrigation return-flow water quality.

KBLJ-KBZZ This, That & Other (T.T.O.) Program, with Randy Hamilton. Live interview that aired on 25 February 1998 at 8:55 a.m. Audience included urban populations in La Junta and Rocky Ford, CO, and growers in rural hinterlands.

KLMR Local News Program. Recorded interview that was aired 26 February 1998 on a morning program. Audience included residents of La Mar, CO and growers in surrounding rural areas in both Colorado and Kansas. (KIM19980304N9)

Feb. 10-11, 1998. Kris Aase and Dale Westermann attended the second Western Precision Agricultural Conference in Boise, ID. This conference was attended by about 300 researchers, farmers, consultants, and commercial exhibitors. It was sponsored by WSU, UI, Idaho Precision Ag Assoc., and the Far West Fert. & AgriChem. Assoc. More than 25 speakers presented precision ag information of all crops on GIS, GPS, yield mapping and other facets of this emerging practice. (KIM19980218N1)

Feb. 17, 1998. ARS Soil Scientist Gary Lehrsch met with Mr. Michael Cook, Mr. Rick Huddleston, and three other members of Idaho's Division of Environmental Quality Wastewater Land Application Permitting Section in Boise. They discussed DEQ's need for research findings to support their evaluations of proposed land applications of various wastewaters. Their needs were for data on 1) acceptable, year-round hydraulic and organic loading rates, 2) N and P management on coarse- and fine-textured soils, 3) acceptable selenium application rates to cropland and rangeland soils, and 4) practical techniques to sample the soil solution moving through crop root zones into underlying geologic strata. (KIM19980218N2)

Feb. 10-13, 1998. Charles W. Robbins was invited to be the "wrap up" speaker for a Soil, Water and Groundwater Management symposium held on the Ute Mountain, Ute Indian Reservation, Towaoc, Colorado (Four Corners area of southwestern Colorado. The two day symposium included a field tour and a working session concerned with irrigated agriculture challenges on the Ute Indian tribal Farm and Ranch Enterprise. This tribe has been in a struggle with the US and Colorado governments since the early 1900's over water rights promised in tribal treaties with the US government. The Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 awarded the Ute Mountain tribe 22,900 acre feet of water annually from the McPhee Reservoir located north east of Cortez CO. Since then the tribe has installed 61 of a planned 109 center pivot sprinklers. Eventually this project will irrigate 7600 acres on the reservation. Most of the developed land is salt and sodium free. Small patches of sodic soils (less than 5 percent of the total irrigated lands) are intermingled in the irrigated areas and cause farm management problems, particularly high run off, wet and slick spots, harvesting problems, and areas that the center pivots get stuck and damage the pivots. Chuck Robbins was invited to help develop and test economical methods to decrease the impact of these sodic spots using biological, physical and chemical methods. A simplified method, developed while in Australia, for monitoring sodic soil changes will also be evaluated on these sites. The Farm and Ranch Enterprise mission includes 1) developing a competitive agricultural business, 2) provide training and experience to Ute Mountain tribal members to take over the project, 3) research and development of new methods, 4) special summer tribal youth programs for gaining work experiences, and 5) a stable economic base for the tribe.(KIM19980218N3)

February 5, 1998. Dale Westermann presented the results from the 1997 compost study on potatoes at a meeting of about 50 small dairy operators organized by the Northside Soil and Water Conservation District. The purpose of this meeting was to acquaint dairy operators and other interested individuals on the proper handling of dairy manure and compost, and to review the impact of Idaho's temporary regulations on confined animal feeding operations.(KIM19980212N1)

February 4-5, 1998. Chuck Robbins and Dale Westermann attended and made presentations at a dairy waste land application workshop organized by the Idaho Department of Agriculture in Twin Falls, Idaho. Dr. Robbins discussed the overall effects of manure application on soil salinity and plant growth, and Dr. Westermann reviewed soil phosphorous relationships as related to manure applications and crop production. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss the technical aspects of land application of CAFO's (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) manure and effluent. Regulatory and service agencies, dairy operators, and commercial personnel were in attendance.(KIM19980212N2)

January 21-22, 1998. Dale T. Westermann attended and participated in the 30th Annual Idaho and Potato Conference in Pocatello, Idaho. He presented management-oriented workshops on the N and P nutritional relationships in the potato plant and on the N, P and K fertilizer recommendations and practices for potato production. The conference was attended by over 1,300 potato growers, company fieldmen, extension personnel, and private consultants from Idaho, as well as from other potato production areas in the U.S. and world. This event is considered one of the best potato production conferences in the U.S. and a place to learn about cutting edge technology. (KIM19980128N1)

January 6-8, 1998. Gary Lehrsch and Jim Wright attended and participated in the Eighth Annual Nonpoint Source Water Quality Workshop held at Boise State University. Dr. Lehrsch presented a poster (Dr. C. W. Robbins as coauthor) entitled "Cheese Whey Utilization to Improve Soil Physical Properties under Furrow Irrigation." Dr. Wright (Drs. G. A. Lehrsch and D. T. Westermann as coauthors) presented a paper entitled "Nitrate (N) Leaching Studied with a Bromide Tracer in an Irrigated Silt Loam Soil." This conference was attended by over 200 representatives from various state and federal agencies and private companies concerned with researching, monitoring and regulating water quality in Idaho's ground water and surface water.(KIM19980114N1)

January 12, 1998. Drs. Dave Bjorneberg, Rick Lentz and Bob Sojka attended the Phoenix ARS Water Conservation Lab's annual program review and customer feedback session. The session was attended by about 100 people, including ARS scientists, university researchers, state, local, and action agency representatives and other private and public customers with stakeholdings in the activities of the Phoenix Lab. The session provided an excellent chance for exchange of ideas related to the general needs of arid zone agriculture and advanced irrigation technology.(KIM19980114N2)

January 13, 1998. Drs. Dave Bjorneberg, Rick Lentz, and Bob Sojka joined representatives from ARS National Program staff, the Phoenix Lab, Dr. Fedja Strelkoff of University of Arizona, and Tom Spofford of NRCS to discuss the modification of Dr. Strelkoff's surface-irrigation model, SRFR, for use as a stand-alone model to predict furrow-irrigation hydraulics and irrigation-induced erosion. This model could be used to evaluate surface-irrigation management. The dicussion also considered using such a modification of SRFR as a replacement for the existing furrow irrigation module of the Water Erosion Prediction Program (WEPP), which has demonstrated a number of problems in adequately predicting furrow irrigation-induced erosion. (KIM19980114N3)

January 12, 1998. Glenn Shewmaker met with Darren Brandt, Sonny Buhider, and Mike Etchevery of State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ); representatives from the Magic Valley Cattlemens' Association; Rich Yankey, USDA-NRCS; and Ken Sanders, University of Idaho. Darren Brandt presented a DEQ contract proposal for the purpose of developing sediment and total phosphorus export coefficients for grazing activities in southern Idaho. The group discussed the proposal and selection of sites which would be appropriate to study. This information will be used as guidelines in the development of the phosphorus total maximum daily load (TMDL) for southern Idaho's grazed range and forest lands. (KIM19980114N4)

January 5, 1998. Dale Westermann, Jim Wright and Glen Shewmaker discussed with Tonya Dembrowski, DEQ, Cascade, ID evapotranspiration estimates of water used by irrigated pastures in the McCall/Cascade area, information on phosphorus cycling with emphasis on animal-forage relationships, and information on soil phosphorus solubility relationships under anaerobic conditions. This information will be used as guidelines in the development of the phosphorus TMDL for Cascade reservoir.(KIM19980108N1)

January 6, 1998. Dale Westermann attended and participated in the Idaho Crop Protection Association 25th annual fertilizer and chemical conference. Dr. Westermann was a panel member in a half day workshop on nutrient management and fertilization practices and he presented an oral talk on phosphorus uptake, concerns and remedies in potato production. This conference was attended by almost 600 field representatives from fertilizer and chemical dealers and organizations in Idaho, northern Nevada and eastern Oregon. (KIM19980108N2)

Last edit is KIMYYMMDDNn time stamp assigned to each article at time of sending to Area Office. List maintained by jl stevens. Beginning 98 @ 9-24-98

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