Making Money in the Shade
(Hoard's Dairyman) Some solar panels can capture the sun's energy while providing shade for cattle - a win-win for farmers.
Pandemic Disruptions Taking a Toll on Farmers' Mental Health
(MPR News) Backlogs at pork processing plants are forcing famers to face some difficult decisions regarding their herds. It’s not just the uncertainty and lost income that’s weighing on farmers; they care about what happens to their animals, said Lee Johnston, swine scientist at the WCROC.
Display Gardens are a Combination of Beauty and Research
(The Land) While the Horticulture Display Garden at Morris is a center for research, it also provides education to the public, and is a colorful place to walk around and get ideas for a home garden. The center’s All American Selections trial and display gardens are a unique feature. All America Selections (AAS) was founded in 1932 to run impartial trials of new flowers and vegetables which were not yet on the market. Horticulture Scientist Steve Poppe coordinates the horticulture research at WCROC and is an AAS judge.
Where Does the Energy Go?
(Hoard's Dairyman) A study of five Midwestern dairies unearthed which parts of the farm use the most electricity.
Keep floor space allowances in line with market weights
(National Hog Farmer) Market weight of slaughter hogs has been increasing over the last 30 years. The USDA reports that slaughter weights have increased from 250 pounds in 1990 to 283 pounds in 2018, which could be due to genetics, nutrition, and housing systems. U of MN researchers have been evaluating the proper floor space allowance for pigs.
A Tribute to One of Our Own - Rob Gardner
Rob Gardner joined the WCROC in 2014 as an Assistant Professor, after completing his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Rob brought expertise and passion for a totally new facet of renewable energy research at the WCROC by utilizing the many properties of algae for production of biofuels and bioproducts. Rob passed away on October 23, 2019 at the age of 39. He was a passionate teacher, had a great sense of humor, and an incredible spirit. He will be deeply missed.
The Future of Fertilizer
(The Western Producer) When something is the "first in the world," it's usually a big deal. And when it's a "first in the world" technology, it's normally a big secret. That's not the case in Morris, a town with out 5,000 people in western Minnesota. U of MN researchers who developed the first in the world technology at the WCROC, aren't a secretive bunch.