The 12th Pennsylvania Cattleman's College, co-sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension, will be held Feb. 27 at the Sheraton Four Points in Greensburg, Pa. The program will present innovations in genetic prediction and selection, estrus synchronization and reproduction available to beef producers, and advances using sexed semen in artificial-insemination programs. The program also will feature an address by Mike Bumgarner from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. (more)
Jonathan Lynch, professor of horticulture at Penn State, investigates ways to increase crop yields through improving plant root systems. His work recently received a boost when philanthropist Warren G. Buffett offered him the use of a 50-acre field in South Africa along with a $1.5 million research grant. Having an experimental base in the Southern Hemisphere, Lynch said, will give him access to two growing seasons and the ability to study drought and other stress factors on a large scale. (more)
Three faculty members in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences -- Thomas Baker, professor of entomology, Douglas Beegle, professor of agronomy, and Jeffrey Peters, professor of environmental toxicology -- have been named distinguished professors by the University. (more)
Members of the Penn State Poultry Science Club had their hands full earlier this year -- full of awards. Penn Staters were big winners in the College Student Program at the recent International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta, Ga. (more)
A common plant virus lures aphids to infected plants by making the plants more attractive, but when the insects taste the plant, they quickly leave for tastier, healthier ones. In the process, the insects rapidly transmit the disease, according to Penn State entomologists. This type of host alteration has implications beyond agriculture. If pathogens can alter hosts to make transmission more efficient, they may be doing it in insect-transmitted human diseases, such as malaria or dengue fever. (more)
Wildlife resources expert Margaret Brittingham has partnered with Penn State's Office of Physical Plant to help relocate and manage the extremely large crow population living on the University Park campus. The goal of the "crow relocation" program is to coax thousands of crows away from vehicles, sidewalks and populated spots, and guide them to a place where they can roost and not make life quite so messy. To view this IN MOTION feature story, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/PennState#p/a/u/1/HSwoRCl1aUU online. (more)
A beautiful tropical vacation to Costa Rica sounds like the perfect spring break, but for 15 students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences majoring in environmental resource management or in community, environment and development, the 10-day trip last year was more than just sun and fun. The group spent the first five days at a university in Guacimo, then traveled the country, learning firsthand about environmental and sustainable practices from the ecologically conscious people. (more)
Budding environmental engineers will learn about job opportunities when Penn State's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering sponsors its annual Agricultural Systems Management, Biological Engineering and Environmental Resource Management Career Day program. The event will be held from noon until 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, in the Agricultural Engineering Building at Penn State's University Park campus. (more)
Penn State Cooperative Extension is offering several programs this spring on deer and habitat management. According to Dave Jackson, extension forester, deer populations larger than the habitat can support pose serious problems for homeowners, agricultural producers, woodland owners and the public. Safety -- from Lyme disease to deer-vehicle collisions -- is one issue affecting many people. "A recent Maryland survey found that one out of six citizens knows someone who hit a deer with a car," he said. "Deer browsing reduces farm crop yields, damages landscape plantings and reduces forest plant diversity. Managing deer populations so they are in balance with the available habitat is essential." (more)
Water quality and water conservation will be the focus of five Web-based seminars produced by Penn State Cooperative Extension this spring. Topics will include water testing, septic systems, managing ponds and lakes, and safe drinking water. The first webinar will cover strategies to monitor water wells, springs and streams that are near gas-drilling sites. That presentation will air at noon and again at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27. (more)
