Steve Yaninek to step down in Entomology

Dr. Steve Yaninek has announced that he will step out of the role of head of the Department of Entomology to return to his scholarly activities, effective fall 2016. "We are very grateful to Dr. Yaninek for his leadership over the last 15 years," said Dean Jay Akridge. "He has been a great ambassador for the department." Dr. Bob Joly, Professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, will chair the search advisory committee for the next Entomology Department Head and the following faculty and staff have agreed to serve on the committee:

• Tim Gibb, Insect Diagnostician
• Catherine Hill, Professor
• Eileen Luke, CERIS Director
• Christian Krupke, Professor
• Linda Mason, Professor
• Doug Richmond, Associate Professor
• Jeff Stuart, Professor
• Jen Zaspel, Assistant Professor

College welcomes new faculty member

R.P. Kingsly  Ambrose, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Kingsly earned his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering and M.S. in Agricultural Processing from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India, and his Ph.D. in Agricultural & Biological Engineering from Purdue. He was a research scientist in the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET, Punjab, India) from 2001-2007, and a post-doctoral Research Associate at Purdue University before joining the faculty at Kansas State University in the Grain Science and Industry department. Kingsly's areas of research interest include agricultural safety and health and food process engineering. Specifically, he studies grain processing and milling, particle technology, particulate flow and materials handling, physical and chemical properties and correlation in food and feed materials, and process modeling and simulation.

Klein Ileleji, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, received the Innovative Extension Methods or Impact Assessment award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) at the ASABE International Meeting in New Orleans in July. The ASABE competition encourages agricultural engineers in industry and public service to strive for excellence in extension activities through the interchange of ideas on successful methods and techniques. Dr. Ileleji, along with Samuel McNeill and George Opit, received the award for "Technical Assistance Program on Commodity Protection and Stored Grain Management in Nigeria."

Kevin Keener, Food Science and Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has received the Purdue College of Agriculture’s Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award. The Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award recognizes faculty members for excellence in integrating and promoting all facets of the land grant mission—discovery, engagement, and learning—and who exemplify its spirit of partnership. This award highlights and celebrates faculty members who have successfully developed an integrated, comprehensive program that benefits agriculture nationally and/or internationally. Dr. Keener will deliver a seminar on his work later this fall at an award ceremony and reception.

Three Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduate students were recognized for being among the top 5% of student presenters during NRES-sponsored sessions at the Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Andi Hodaj was recognized for his presentation on Two-stage Ditch Scenarios and its Future Role as a Best Management Practice. Amanda Montgomery was recognized for her presentation on The effects of different biofuel crops and fertilizer rates on subsurface water quality and yield on marginal land. Carlington Wallace was recognized for his presentation on Quantifying the Effects of Future Climate Conditions on Runoff, Sediment, and Chemical Losses for Different Watershed Sizes.

Extension publication provides two-year plan for beginning cover crop farmers

 A new Purdue Extension publication offers farmers a basic introduction and step-by-step instructions for using cover crops in a corn-soybean rotation. The publication, An Introduction to Integrating Cover Crops Into a Corn-Soybean Rotation, is intended for farmers who are new to using cover crops. It describes the essential principles for developing successful cover crop systems, including adjusting the planter and planting practices, scouting for insects and using good-quality seed. "Cover crops have many potential benefits, but farmers need to manage them carefully to avoid or reduce the risks to crop production," writes lead author Eileen Kladivko, professor of agronomy. The plan presented in the publication involves no-till farming methods, a system designed to conserve fertile topsoil from year to year. The publication is available free for download at Purdue Extension's The Education Store at www.edustore.purdue.edu.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/extension-publication-provides-two-year-plan-for-beginning-cover-crop-farmers.html

Effort on to stop spread of Asian longhorned beetle

Cliff Sadof, Entomology, is urging people to check trees for signs of the invasive Asian longhorned beetle during the month of August, a time of peak emergence of the beetle, and report any sightings. Sadof noted that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, is in the midst of a campaign to raise public awareness of the beetle, which threatens urban and suburban shade trees, recreational resources such as parks, forest resources and wildlife. "If you see an Asian longhorned beetle you should to report it," he said. "It is highly destructive. Once a tree is infested there is no cure for it." APHIS said the beetle has led to the loss over 130,000 trees in the United States since it was discovered in 1996. 

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/effort-on-to-stop-spread-of-asian-longhorned-beetle.html

Endangered animals can be identified by rate of genetic diversity loss

A Purdue study presents a novel approach for identifying vertebrate populations at risk of extinction by estimating the rate of genetic diversity loss, a measurement that could help researchers and conservationists better identify and rank species that are threatened or endangered. Populations with low genetic diversity may not be able to adapt to challenges such as changing environmental conditions, shrinking habitats or new diseases, which could put them at risk of disappearing. But a study by genetic researchers shows that the criteria currently used to identify at-risk species are not correlated with genetic diversity, suggesting that many threatened species could be overlooked. Janna Willoughby, a then-doctoral student in wildlife genetics, and Andrew DeWoody, professor of genetics, developed a statistical approach conservationists can use to estimate the number of generations remaining before a population reaches a threshold of low genetic variation.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/endangered-animals-can-be-identified-by-rate-of-genetic-diversity-loss.html

U2U survey provides insight into farmers across 22 watersheds

The Useful to Usable climate initiative based at Purdue has published a survey in the form of a statistical atlas with information on farmers' practices, beliefs about climate and weather and the tools they use to make farm decisions. Atlas 2, produced in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Corn project, is the second in a two-part series. The 22 watershed areas surveyed in 2012 cover a substantial portion of 11 Corn Belt states, all of which are major corn and soybean crop areas. The survey was sent to 18,707 farmers with at least $100,000 in gross sales and a minimum of 80 acres of corn production in 22 six-digit Hydrologic Code Unit watersheds. Using this information and continuing with the format of the series, the new atlas provides additional findings by watershed. Also, each section contains a tabulated presentation of survey data and a series of maps that visually represent the distribution of responses across the study region.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/u2u-survey-provides-insight-into-farmers-across-22-watersheds.html

Researcher to explore compounds in mint plants

Natalia Dudareva, distinguished professor of biochemistry, has received a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant to conduct mint research. She is part of a research team led by Michigan State University that received a $5.1 million NSF grant. Mints, or Lamiaceae, are the world's sixth-largest family of flowering plants. Dudareva's research will focus on identifying chemical compounds and their formation in 14 species of mint family. That will allow researchers to produce the compounds and increase their levels in plants. The research could lead to exploring new uses for plants of the mint family, such as for medicinal purposes. "This research is not only important for the mint industry, but also for agriculture and medicine as plant species in this family produce a wide range of metabolites used as food additives, medicinal compounds and other industrial purposes," Dudareva said.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/purdue-researcher-to-explore-compounds-in-mint-plants.html

Purdue to help two Indiana regions bolster economic development

A team of Purdue University community and regional development professionals will play a key role in advancing the efforts of two groups of Indiana counties that are working to develop regional approaches to growing businesses and creating jobs. The two regions, consisting of 11 counties in the state, have been selected by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to be part of Stronger Economies Together, a nationwide program undertaken in partnership with the regional rural development centers and the nation's land-grant university system. Professional staff from the Purdue Center for Regional Development and Purdue Extension will coordinate and provide leadership to the State Resource Team, composed of individuals from state and federal agencies, universities and other organizations with expertise in community and regional development. "The SET program is another example of how Purdue is strengthening collaborations to build vibrant economies across Indiana," said Jason Henderson, director of Purdue Extension. 

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/purdue-to-help-2-indiana-regions-bolster-economic-development.html

Purdue experts: Tree deaths across Indiana may be related to weather stress

Homeowners and landowners need to keep an eye on trees that may be dying from weather-related stress, Purdue University tree experts say. Symptoms recently noted on mature oak, tulip and maple trees in Indiana include leaf scorch - the browning of leaves - branch dieback and premature defoliation. Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension consumer horticulture specialist, said healthy trees do not die quickly, and there are likely numerous stress factors adding to what is happening to some trees. "Indiana weather has given us pretty much every extreme in the last few years from extreme heat and drought, to bitter cold and high winds and to floods," Lerner said. "The added stress, especially on urban trees that have compromised root systems, may make them more vulnerable than non-urban trees."

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/purdue-experts-tree-deaths-across-indiana-may-be-related-to-weather-stress.html

National Conference for Agribusiness to feature new research

Results of a new survey about performance management practices in agribusinesses will be a featured discussion topic on Nov. 10-11 during the National Conference for Agribusiness at Purdue University. The conference, hosted by the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, will be at the Courtyard by Marriott, Lafayette, and will cover talent management topics, including performance management, which describes the formal employee review process. Data from the Performance Management in Agribusiness Survey will be released and summarized for the first time. Steve Vande Loo, retired national vice president of region commercialization for Coca-Cola Refreshments, will serve as keynote speaker. The conference goal is to help leaders shape performance management strategies within their organizations, said Michael Gunderson, associate director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business and associate professor of agricultural economics. Given that survey responses indicated more than half of all middle managers in agribusiness believe their organizations are ineffective at performance management, the topic is vital.

Full story: http://tinyurl.com/owheqlb

No accident: Ancient walnut forests linked to languages, trade routes

If Persian walnut trees could talk, they might tell of the numerous traders who moved along the Silk Roads' thousands of miles over thousands of years, carrying among their valuable merchandise the seeds that would turn into the mighty walnut forests that are spread across Asia. Research done by Keith Woeste, research geneticist for the USDA Forest Service and a Purdue adjunct assistant professor of forestry, shows that ancient languages match up with the genetic codes found in Persian walnut (Juglans regia) forests, suggesting that the stands of trees seen today may be remnants of the first planned afforestation known in the world. In a paper published in the journal PLoS One, Woeste found that the evolution of language and spread of walnut forests overlapped over wide swaths of Asia over thousands of years. He believes as traders traversed the Silk Roads, connecting Eastern Europe and Africa with far-East Asia, they purposely planted walnut forests as a long-term agricultural investment.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/no-accident-ancient-walnut-forests-linked-to-languages,-trade-routes.html

Center for Global Food Security seeks applicants for U.S. Borlaug fellows

The Purdue Center for Global Food Security is seeking applications for U.S. Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security. A total of $400,000 in funding for the U.S. Borlaug Fellows comes from a five-year, $5 million grant to Purdue from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "This program supports exceptional U.S. graduate students conducting research on topics related to USAID's global hunger and food security initiative, 'Feed the Future,' " said distinguished professor Gebisa Ejeta, who leads the center. Grants from this round range from $15,000 to $40,000 per student for projects lasting from six months to two years and are intended to provide support for graduate students interested in conducting critical food security research toward a master's or doctoral degree.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/center-for-global-food-security-seeks-applicants-for-u.s.-borlaug-fellows.html

Dates and Deadlines

September 16: Named Professor Renewal Seminar in celebration of Mitch Tuinstra. 3:30 pm, Deans Auditorium, Pfendler Hall

September 17: Celebration of Teaching Excellence. Activities throughout the day

September 19: Purdue Family Day

September 23: Ag Research Award Seminar and Reception – Dr. Nate Mosier, 3:00 pm, Deans Auditorium, Pfendler Hall

September 23: College of Agriculture Scholarship Dinner

October 1: Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award – Dr. Kevin Keener, 2:00 pm, Deans Auditorium, Pfendler Hall

October 6: Purdue Agriculture Fall Career Fair

October 14-16: Purdue Extension Professional Development Conference

October 20-21: Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD) fall meeting at Purdue

October 22: Visit to Purdue Agriculture by Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA Director

Deadlines:

September 14: Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award nominations

October 1: Certificate of Distinction nominations

October 1: AgSEED proposals

Upcoming internal funding deadlines for researchers
The Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships office offers several internal funding opportunities to support researchers at Purdue. Here is a list of upcoming proposal deadlines and links to program descriptions:
o    New R01/U01/P01 Program – due Sept. 17, 2015;
o    Competing Renewal R01 Program – due Sept. 22;
o    Laboratory and University Core Facility Research Equipment Program – Sept. 23, 2015;
o    Non-Laboratory Research Infrastructure and Equipment Program – Tier 1 proposals due to assistant deans of research Sept. 22 with Tier 2 proposals due to EVPRP Sept. 23;
o    Selected NIH Training Grant Program – due Sept. 25;
o    Clifford Kinley Trust - Social Science –due to Karen Plaut by Sept. 28
o    Showalter Trust –due to Karen Plaut by October 19
o    NIH Centers Program – rolling deadlines.

For more dates and deadlines, check the Purdue Agriculture calendar.