Inside Ag Newsletter

View as PDF

In this Issue

• News from the College of Ag
• Faculty of the Month
• Accomplishments and Highlights
• Publications and Funding Opportunities

News from the College of Ag

• Two MSU students named Goldwater scholars
• MSU Extension identifies first known blacklegged tick in Montana
• Lisa Rew to give provost lecture April 15
• Veterinary student McKenna Quirk recognized by AVMA
• Wendy Stock receives national economic education award
• MSU team publishes new Yellowstone research

Faculty of the Month

Our next faculty member of the month is Will Wetzel Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences!

Dr. Wetzel was nominated for his excitement and passion in the classroom and for caring deeply about the engagement of his students. Congratulations, Dr. Wetzel!

Accomplishments and Highlights

• The Montana Wheat and Barley Committee hosted its annual “March Madness” research competition last month, and 19 MSU students competed. Master’s students Sergei O’Sullivan (left) and Ishita Isha (center) and doctoral student Brandon Tillett (right) received the top prizes of $1,000 each.

• At the Western Society of Weed Science annual meeting in Seattle, graduate students Erin Teichroew, Lilly Sencenbaugh, Emma Kubinski, Sophia Lattes, Ian McRyhew, Devanshi Desai, and Het Desai presented research, along with faculty Tracy Sterling, Fabian Menalled, Jane Mangold and Lisa Rew. Emma Kubinski and advisor Fabian Menalled moderated a symposium titled “Innovative Approaches for Weed Science Education and Communication,” which including sessions on re-thinking the Extension paradigm (Mangold), co-creating research with farmers (Lattes), teaching weed science to undergraduates (Menalled and Kubinski), online teaching of herbicide physiology (Sterling) and experiential learning about edible weeds (Berrios-Ortiz).
• Tracy Sterling, a WSWS Fellow who will retire this summer, was recognized at the meeting’s Retirement Reception. Congratulations, Dr. Sterling, and thank you for your extensive and deeply meaningful service to MSU!
  
• Devanshi Desai, who is advised by Tim Seipel and Lovreet Shergill, later received second prize for her poster and project, “Enhancing Weed Control Using Light-Activated Sensors and Mapping in Chem-fallow” at the Weed Science Society of America’s annual meeting.

Notes and Announcements

CSA shares are now available from Towne’s Harvest Garden! More information is available at townesharvest.montana.edu.

• What: 18 Weeks of fresh veggies from June 11th- October 15th
• Where: pick-up is located at The MSU Hort Farm, Wednesdays 4-6pm
• Pricing: Regular Share - $650/Student Share - $540

Publications and Funding Opportunities

Recent Publications

• Eggers, M. J., Sigler, W. A., Kiekover, N., Bradley, P. M., Smalling, K. L., Parker, A., Peterson, R.K.D., LaFave, J. I. “Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA.” Environmental Pollution.Sponheim, I.M. and Perry, D.K. “Using an Adapted LOSA to Assess Safety Conditions of an Undergraduate Construction Course,” Journal of Agricultural Systems, Technology and Management.

Funding Opportunities

• The WSARE Sabbatical Research & Education Program is currently accepting proposals.

View as PDF

In this Issue

• News from the College of Ag
• Faculty of the Month
• Awards, Accomplishments and Highlights
• Publications and Funding Opportunities

News from the College of Ag

• MSU Extension to co-host Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum April 8-9
• Pat Secor receives $2.8 million grant to advance Lyme disease research
• MSU among top research institutions in U.S. in Carnegie classification
• Brent Roeder featured in Time magazine
• Students and mentors recognized at Founders Day Awards for Student Excellence

Faculty of the Month

The March faculty member of the month is Mari Eggers of the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences!

Dr. Eggers plays a crucial leadership role in MSU’s environmental health program and engages in extensive community involvement and public education. She was nominated for going above and beyond as an adviser and teacher, believing in her students and caring for student wellbeing and community.

Congratulations, Dr. Eggers!

Awards, Accomplishments and Highlights

• Congratulations to our students and faculty honored during Founders Day! 
  • Paula Diaz, microbiology - environmental health (Mentor: Mari Eggers)
  • Chloe Hinson, plant sciences (Mentor: Jennifer Lachowiec)
  • Colton Noyes, plant sciences - crop science (Mentor: Liz Greenfield)
  • James O'Connor, animal science - equine option (Mentor: Andi Shockley)
• In addition, PSPP department head Mike Giroux received the Vice President for Research's Meritorious Technology/Science Award as part of the Founders Day Faculty Awards. 
• A College of Agriculture delegation represented MSU at the APLU Academic Programs Staff Development Workshop in Tucson last month. The Office of Student Support (Mandi McCarthy-Rogers, Melissa Hill and Mel Wysocki) presented “Creating CAOSS: Where Chaos Meets Opportunity,” an overview of the evolution of their shared advising space and how they integrate campus services to support the COA’s diverse and changing student population. Mel Wysocki also presented “MANRRS For Change: Strengthening Agriculture for the Next Generation,” highlighting how the club has shaped the college experience for Ag international students, contributing to retention efforts with over 300 touchpoints in its short existence.

• The Department of Animal & Range Sciences is pleased to welcome Haily Griggs as its new student success coordinator!
• In late February, MSU hosted the Gallatin Water Science Symposium in Inspiration Hall. The event brought together more than 120 scientists and water managers to learn about and discuss water resources in the Gallatin Valley. Many thanks to all attendees and to event organizer Adam Sigler of MSU Extension and the LRES department!
  
• An Animal & Range Sciences Research Showcase will take place from 1-4 p.m. Monday, March 10, in ABB 138. Faculty members presenting MAES project research seminars are:
  • 1 p.m. - Dr. Lance McNew: "Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management in Working Landscapes.”
  • 2 p.m. - Dan Atwater, "Monitoring and Modeling Rangeland Responses to Global Change."
  • 3 p.m. - Dr. Sarah McCoski, "Exploring the Role of Environment on Early Embryogenesis and Pregnancy Retention."
• The COA has a newly updated home for faculty and staff resources! The page includes links to hospitality forms, DegreeWorks, Ag IT and other important resources. Check it out here, and please contact Emily Williams with any questions.

The Dan Scott Ranch Management Program has teamed up with local ranch groups to train the next generation of ranch workers with the Montana Ranch Boot Camp, which will kick off this summer. Taught by ranchers, its vision is to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience that equips them with ranch and rural skills before they enter more advanced training. This experience will set them up for success and prepare the future workforce of our rural communities.

The camp will alternate being hosted by the Winnett ACES and the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, both rancher-led groups that focus on strengthening local communities through land stewardship and economic opportunity. You can help support the program through a sponsorship by contacting the Winnett ACES. (info@winnettaces.org)

Publications and Funding Opportunities

Recent Publications

• Perry, D. K., Smalley, S. W., Pate, M. L., & Lawver, R. G. “Analysis of a Multi-year Teacher Professional Development: Perspectives from the Final Year,” Journal of Agricultural Education.
• Sponheim, I.M. and Perry, D.K. “Using an Adapted LOSA to Assess Safety Conditions of an Undergraduate Construction Course,” Journal of Agricultural Systems, Technology and Management.
• Pinto, J. R. L., Pinhal, C. V. G., Fernandes, O. A., & Rosalen, D. L. “Optimal flight height and spectral indices for detecting insect injury in peanut crops using UAS,” International Journal of Remote Sensing.
• O’Shea-Stone G, Tripet B, Thomson, J., Garrott R, Copié V. “Polar Metabolite Profiles Distinguish Between Early and Severe Sub-Maintenance Nutritional States of Wild Bighorn Sheep,” Metabolites.
• Kluth, J.; Davis, N.G.; Wyffels, S.A.; Marlow, C.B.; Vermeire, L.T.; Sitz, T.E.; Hamilton, T.G.; DelCurto, T. ”Foraging Behavior, Botanical Composition, and Quality of Beef Cattle Diets on Burned Versus Unburned Foothill Rangelands,” Grasses.
• Goosey, H., Oppedisano, T., Miller, K., Kosto, A., D’Imperio, E., Sexton, G. “Blister Beetles of Montana,” MontGuide.

Funding Opportunities

• The WSARE Sabbatical Research & Education Program is currently accepting proposals.

View as PDF

In this Issue

• News from the College of Ag
• Awards, Accomplishments and Highlights
• Publications and Funding Opportunities

News from the College of Ag

• MSU scientists publish new research on Yellowstone microbes
• With new funding, Flenniken lab continues bee health research
• Dana Rashid awarded $1 million Keck grant to study inflammation and development
• Andrew Felton publishes new research on global water cycle
• Two MSU graduate students study critical aspects of sawfly management

Awards, Accomplishments and Highlights

• Caroline Roeder, a graduate student in the Department of Ag Econ and Econ, was named a Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholar. 
• Graduate students Tegner Jacobson and Sobha Sonar from the Bimczok lab and River Dauwen from the Yeoman lab presented their work at Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases in Chicago last month. Tegner Jacobson was awarded first prize for his excellent oral presentation on Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae biofilms.
• Congratulations to James O’Connor, recipient of a Founder’s Day Award for Student Excellence!  He chose equine instructor Andi Shockley as his mentor to be honored alongside him at the annual awards ceremony set for Friday, Feb. 14.
• Katie Friede and Jackie Pondolfino, master’s students in Animal & Range Sciences, received awards at the annual Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference held Jan. 13-14, in Idaho!
  • Katie took first place for her research poster "Effects of Cattle Hide Color and Changing Environmental Conditions at Northern Latitudes on Feeder Cattle Performance and Behavior." She is advised by Sam Wyffels, Tim DelCurto and Darrin Boss.
  • Jackie took second place with her research poster, "Salt-Limited Trace Mineral and/or Protein Supplement Intake Behavior and Performance of Yearling Heifers Grazing Dryland Pastures." She is advised by Sam Wyffels and Tim DelCurto.
• Mariana Carrera of the Department of Ag Econ and Econ was appointed co-editor of the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization. 
• Undergraduate student and researcher Eve Heeley-Ray has received a McNair grant to pursue a project advised by Perry Miller and Samuel Koeshall in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. 

Publications and Funding Opportunities

Recent Publications

• Jacobson, B. T., DeWit-Dibbert, J., Selong, E. T., Quirk, M., Throolin, M., Corona, C., Sonar, S., Zanca, L., Schwarz, E. R., & Bimczok, D. “Innovative Methodology for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Determination in Mycoplasma Biofilms.” Microorganisms.
• Jacobson, B.T., DeWit-Dibbert, J., Zanca, L. “Pathogen delivery route impacts disease severity in experimental Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection of domestic lambs.” Veterinary Research.
• Keller, L.M., Colman, D.R. & Boyd, E.S. “Simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic respiration in hot spring chemolithotrophic bacteria.” Nature Communications.
• Brenner, M. A., Marques, R. S., Posbergh, C. J., Zezeski, A. L., Geary, T. W., & McCoski, S. R. “Maternal Injectable Mineral Administration Effects on Calf Growth and Reproductive Parameters.” Animals.
• Accepted paper: Hagerty, N. and Tiwari, A. “Industrial Water Pollution and Agricultural Production in India.” Journal of the Association of Environmental Resource Economists.

Funding Opportunities

• The WSARE Sabbatical Research & Education Program is currently accepting proposals.
• The PREP-MT post-baccalaureate research education program is accepting applications from individuals interested in pursuing biomedical doctoral degrees until February 15.

View as PDF

In this Issue

• News from the College of Ag
• Events
• Awards, Accomplishments and New Faculty
• Publications and Funding Opportunities

News from the College of Ag

• Montana State names endowed chair in precision agriculture
• With technical education degree, new MSU alum Kyle Henry sees infinite possibilities
• Montana State researchers focus on tree carbohydrates in multi-phase study

Upcoming Events

• MSU Extension is hosting its annual cropping seminar series Jan. 6-10 in the Golden Triangle with stops in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre, Shelby and Stanford. More information is available on the MSU website.

• The Montana Fertilizer Advisory Council will hold a public meeting on January 29 at 12:30pm in PBB 108. 

• The Pulse Crop Working Group is hosting its annual research meeting February 17-19 in Bozeman. All faculty, students and staff are invited to attend. 

Awards, Accomplishments and New Faculty

• Congratulations to Samuel Koeshall, doctoral student in the LRES department, who placed 2nd in the PhD poster and oral presentation competition at the 2024 Crop Science Society of America meeting in San Antonio, TX! 

• Welcome to Bryan Fisher, a new research associate in Animal & Range Sciences!

• Wishing a wonderful retirement to longtime ARS professor Bok Sowell and administrative associate Denise Thompson. We will miss you!

• Brent Roeder, MSU Extension sheep and wool specialist, is quoted in the Time magazine article, "Farmers are using wool to save water in the drought-ridden west." You can read the full story here.

• Research from MSU Extension Forage Specialist Hayes Goosey is the subject of a USDA article published in October, “Livestock Grazing Makes More Habitat for Native Bees.” The full article can be found here.

• Lance McNew was a guest on The Art of Range podcast where he discussed "Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation," a book on which he served as co-editor. Check out the podcast episode here!

Many thanks to Chloe Hinson, president of MSU’s PSPP graduate student club, for providing a summary of the club’s activities this semester. 

“This semester has seen a resurgence in the graduate student community with the new Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology Graduate Student Club! Thanks to hard work within the community and support from the Graduate School, the CHS Foundation and the PSPP department, we have helped graduate students grow scientifically and professionally, and find their place here at MSU!

We have been promoting professional skills with a regular journal club, where graduate students lead discussion on important papers in agriculture. We hosted monthly practical workshops so current students could share their knowledge of the hands-on aspects of specific scientific processes.

To foster community, we invited graduate students to share a meal and relax together monthly! We have been thrilled by the participation and support from everyone in the PSPP department and from our graduate students in particular. We are looking forward to a great new semester and to continuing to further the values of the College of Ag and MSU!”

Publications and Funding Opportunities

Recent Publications

• Elizabeth A. Leipold, Hunter S. Stier, Robert T. Haynam, Laura Robison, Aubrey R. Sullivan, Taylor L. Kaltenbach, Laura R. Dykstra, B. Ray Beaver, Morgan Monroe, Olivia G. Jakabosky, Lance B. McNew. “An Inventory of Rangeland Wildlife in the Western United States.” Rangeland Ecology and Management.
• Jack T. Nance, Hayes B. Goosey. “Spring Activity of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Associated with Cattle Dung in Central and Eastern Montana.” Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society.

Funding Opportunities

• Proposals are now open for Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee funding. To view full details of the program, please visit the MFAC website. 
• Western SARE Sabbatical Grant Program opens January 22. More information available here.

Recent Grants

• Jane Ann Boles of the ARS department received COA OTO funding for upgrades to the Meat Science Lab.