ISU welcomes new corn extension specialist in July

Leading the corn extension program in the top corn producing state in the nation is no small task, but Iowa State University has found just the right person to step in. Roger Elmore will take over the program in July when he joins the agronomy faculty as the state\u27s corn extension specialist

SHELF LABELING OF ORGANIC FOODS: EFFECTS ON CUSTOMER PERCEPTIONS AND SALES

The organic food industry is undergoing tremendous expansion. Retail grocers and organic food suppliers are interested in promoting organic foods to customers in mainstream grocery stores. The purpose of this study was to determine if point of purchase (POP) signage in retail grocery stores affects customer perceptions of organic foods and organic food purchasing behavior (sales). An experimental study was designed in which control and two levels of POP signage were tested in two grocery store environments in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Ten stores were involved; six from an upscale chain and four from a discount/warehouse chain. A customer intercept interview method was used to determine the perceptions of approximately 400 customers in each store; and sales data were tracked for 14 selected organic food items. Results revealed that customers in upscale stores were more likely than discount/warehouse store customers to recognize signs designating organic foods. Younger people, women and those having larger household sizes recognized organic signage most often. In both chains, signage increased the proportion of customers who reported ever buying and planning to buy organic foods. Sales data suggest a positive effect of POP signage on volume of sales for some, but not all tracked foods. Signage significantly increased the sales of skim milk, butter, eggs, deli bread, fresh carrots, spaghetti and flaked cereal in the discount/warehouse stores. In the upscale stores, significant effects of POP signage were found for skim milk, spaghetti, peach nectar and fresh carrots when the sales figures were adjusted for the store's weekly sales volume. The mixed sales results underscore the dynamic interplay between the store environment, its customers, and POP technology.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Marketing,

Perceptions of Members of the American Association of Cereal Chemists Regarding Production of Whole Grain Foods

This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and normative and barrier beliefs of members of the American Association of Cereal Chemists about the production of whole grain foods. A total of 212 returned questionnaires were used in the analyses. Respondents had a fair knowledge of whole grain foods and positive attitudes about consumer-health and personal/company benefits. Scientific findings provided important normative influences for respondents from academia, while consumer needs and interests were influential for those in industry. Barriers included issues regarding consumer needs as well as beliefs about cost and product quality. Industry respondents may need to see stronger consumer demand before promoting production of whole grain foods.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Fruit and vegetables on prescription: A brief intervention in primary care

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Fruit and vegetables on prescription: A brief intervention in primary care, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2014, 27 (supplement 2), pp. 186-193 which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12109. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.Background Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is a goal for the UK. Therefore, the effectiveness of a fruit and vegetable voucher scheme coupled with key ‘5-a-day’ consumption messages as a brief intervention in primary care consultations was assessed in this study. Methods 1188 vouchers as a prescription for fruits and vegetables were routinely distributed to patients attending a primary health care centre in a deprived area, and 124 volunteer patients routinely attending the centre were included. Telephone based questionnaires were used to examine changes in consumption in the short and medium term. Other key aspects assessed in the evaluation related to fruit and vegetable purchasing behaviour, knowledge relating to what constitutes a portion size, the relationship between food and health, and barriers to consumption. Results Although 76.2% of participants used the prescription vouchers when purchasing fruits and vegetables, a significant change in the consumption or purchasing behaviour was not observed (p0.05). Participants’ level of knowledge relating to number of portions recommended and the portion size of different fruits and vegetables showed moderate increase from baseline to short term and to medium term. The primary barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption were reported as ‘the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables’ and ‘the money available to spend on food’. Conclusion The use of “the fruit and vegetable on prescription” scheme was an effective method of engaging participants in improving awareness of key diet related health messages. However, further intervention is required to produce a significant impact on the actual behaviour change. Keywords fruit and vegetable prescription, mainstreaming prevention, health settingsThe study was funded by Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.This book chapter was submitted to the RAE2014 for the University of Chester - Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Nitrogen Application Timing and Cereal Rye (\u3cem\u3eSecale Cereale\u3c/em\u3e L.) Cover Crop Influence Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dryland contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are increased by N fertilizer applications and high soil water contents. Fertilizer timing and spring growth of cover crops prior to cash crop planting were investigated in separate studies to examine impacts on overall GHG emissions using a near continuous measurement system. There was a significant interaction between N fertilizer rate (0 vs. 224 kg N ha-1 surface-applied as urea) and application date (p= 0.01) for CO2 emissions. This interaction occurred because N fertilizer increased CO2 emissions by 35% for the 21 d interval following early spring application. When application was delayed until mid-spring, the opposite response occurred, and N fertilizer application reduced CO2 emissions by 19% (p=0.06). CO2 and non-CO2 emissions (N2O plus CH4) were analyzed separately in this study because previous research demonstrated that C addition from crop residues can offset CO2 emissions at this location. The soil was a CH4 sink for all six application dates, but atmospheric CH4 consumption was 85% greater during spring and early summer [averaging -85.8 g CO2e (ha×h)-1] than during fall/early winter [averaging -46.3 g CO2e (ha×h)-1]. The soil consumed CH4 at a rate to offset N2O emissions by 9.6% during midspring and early summer when N fertilizer wasn’t applied and by 3.1% when N fertilizer was applied. Dormant-seeded cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) produced an average of 445 kg biomass ha-1 during the first three weeks of spring growth, which is normally prior to corn (Zea mays L.) emergence. The cover crop reduced N2O emissions by 53% and did not increase CO2 emissions. However, since N2O emissions only made up 4% of total GHG emissions, the cover crop only reduced total GHG emissions by 2%. These results indicate that early spring in eastern South Dakota climates may be a key time to target mitigation strategies for soil GHG emissions in a corn and soybean production system. Delaying N fertilizer application from early spring to mid-spring has more potential to reduce these emissions (26% reduction) than growing a cereal rye cover crop that is terminated just prior to corn planting (2% reduction)

Malawi Market Link: Understanding small farmers’ profits through an excel model

Malawi is food insecure due, in part, to lack of consistent marketplace access. This essay analyzes a linear simulation model in excel. The purpose of the model is to understand which variables affect the quantity of pigeon peas shipped from farm to market in small villages. The model’s objective function maximizes small farmers’ profits in Malawi. The variables in the model are base price, infrastructure rate, distance traveled, warehouse rate, and days to sell date. Due to inconsistent data in rural Africa, the model’s input variables may be easily changed. For example, the user of the model could see how changes in base price affect the quantity shipped. The quantity shipped is used to calculate the small farmers’ profits. The results of the model show the importance of economies of scale and differences in transportation and warehousing costs

Effects of Sulfur Fertility in Soybean Production

Sulfur is required for soybean development in crop production. In recent years, less sulfur has been applied and has accumulated in fields due to less manure being applied, increased grain yields, and less acid rain. In a research trial completed at DuPont Pioneer in Johnston, IA, sulfur was applied during vegetative stages and ahead of peak crop demand during reproductive stages. Each time, four different rates were applied: one, two, three, and four times the recommended amounts. Data was collected throughout the growing season including tissue tests, soil tests, flowering time, and soil infiltration. At the end of the season, yield data were collected and analyzed. None of the sulfur rate and timing treatments produced soybean yield that significantly differed from the non-treated control. Results correspond to previous research which has generally only found a soybean yield benefit to sulfur application on sandy and low organic matter soils

Enriching The Student Experience, Paying It Forward

For many students, receiving a scholarship not only supports them financially, it gives them that extra boost of confidence needed to take advantage of all the opportunities college presents. Alyssa Swam is such a student. As a Dean\u27s Leadership Scholar she receives financial support for working at least 10 hours per week in an area related to her major. Our scholarships come from someone who believes in us and in the college, she says. Being selected as a Dean\u27s Leadership Scholar was fantastic. It was like someone saying, \u27Here you go, you can do this!\u27 The donors believe in CALS and they believe I can make an impact and that helps me go that extra mile. Make that miles. Swan, a junior in animal science from Milwaukee is an officer in the ISU Horseman\u27s Association and a member of the Pre-Vet Club. She also is a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta / Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Zeta honor societies as well as the University Honors Program. She has worked as undergraduate research assistant in Matthew Ellinwood\u27s lab since her freshman year (see story on Ellinwood on page four). Swan worked as an animal caretaker and assisted Ellinwood with a surgical procedure related to his genetic research on the mucopolysaccharidoses diseases

Making Dream Of Sustainable Development A Reality

Don Koo Lee breathed deeply and looked out into the audience of delegates to the United Nations. He leaned into the microphone and began to speak: The core idea is that sustainable development is feasible when both developing and developed countries assume fully responsibility, share each other\u27s burden and collaborate, Lee said as part of his address. I believe these are the values we must continue to uphold and pursue. As minister of the Korea Forest Service, Lee (\u2775 MS forest biometry, \u2778 PhD silviculture) sought to inspire the delegates to work together in ecosystemic development, which he and other world leaders see as a possible solution for desertification, land degradation and drought