Shibu Jose named associate dean for research and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station

Bob Sharp named Curators' Distinguished Professor

George P. Smith, MU Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences and winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was the featured speaker at the first event in CAFNR Research Council’s new seminar series, “Coffee and Conversations,” Tuesday, Nov. 19. After time for informal discussion with the faculty, staff and students in attendance over coffee, Smith presented on phage display, the research for which he and two other researchers received the Nobel Prize. He also took questions from the audience after his presentation. The new CAFNR seminar series presents discussions centered on science and research.

With numerous research projects and demonstration sites, the Southwest Research Center offers many educational opportunities throughout its nearly 900 acres. Students who are part of the Greater Ozark Center for Advance Professional Studies (GO CAPS) program in Monett are getting a first-hand look at those educational opportunities. GO CAPS Monett, a program dedicated to giving high school students hands-on learning experiences, introduced an agri-business/food systems strand to its curriculum last year. The group has used the Southwest Research Center as its classroom since it began.

CAFNR faculty, staff member recognized for work internationally

Kerry Clark, director of CAFNR International Programs, and Vicki Bryan, coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Plant Group, were honored at the MU International Engagement Reception earlier this week. Clark was recognized for international engagement by a faculty member, and Bryan for a staff member. Clark, who is currently in Africa, was honored for her work with farmers there. Bryan was recognized for coordinating international guests and programs.

Miller receives Donald W. Fancher Provost Award

Lee Miller, associate professor in the Division of Plant Sciences, was honored with the 2019 Donald W. Fancher Provost Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Continuing Education. The award recognizes a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to Extension and in continuing education efforts of campus. Miller was recognized for his work providing disease diagnosis and control recommendations for turfgrass at the annual University of Missouri Faculty Awards Dinner this fall.

CAFNR faculty members have received the following recent grants (listed by Principal Investigator):

Kaitlyn Bissonnette, Evaluation of Experimental UPL Products for the Soybean Cyst Nematode in Soybean, 5/1/2019 – 12/31/2019, $9,177, UPL Ltd.

Pengyin Chen, Enhanced Pest Control Systems for Mid-South Soybean Production, 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2020, $40,000, Louisiana State University

Pengyin Chen, Breeding Soybeans for Resistance to Mature Soybean Seed Damage, 10/1/2019 – 9/29/2020, $55,702, Mississippi State University

Benjamin Knapp, Evaluating the Effect of Greentree Reservoir Water Management on the Health, Productivity, and Regeneration of Desirable Bottomland Hardwood Forest Tree Species, 7/1/2019 – 6/30/2020, $23,475, Missouri Department of Conservation

John Kruse, Bella Uva Vineyard and Winery, 9/12/2019 – 5/15/2020, $58,039, Bella Uva Vineyard and Winery

John A. Lory, Developing Image Standards and Automated Assessment Strategies to Assist with HEL Compliance Review, 9/15/2018 – 9/30/2020, $90,912, Department of Agriculture

Raymond E. Massey, Enhancing the Sustainability of US Cropping Systems through Cover Crops and an Innovative Information and Technology Network, 9/1/2019 – 8/31/2024, $185,846, North Carolina State University

Craig Paukert, Edward K. Love Foundation Fellowships, 1/1/2020 – 12/31/2020, $25,000, Edward K. Love Conservation Foundation

Qishen Song, Monsanto Service Order #68, 9/1/2017 – 10/31/2021, $34,230, Monsanto

Jinglu Tan, Acquisition of Goods and Services – CSWQ FY20, 4/1/2019 – 3/31/2020, $44,167, Agricultural Research Service

Lisa Webb, Evaluating Synergistic Effects of Seed Treatment Pesticides and Land Management Practices on Reproduction of Cavity-Nesting Bee Communities in Missouri, 7/1/2019 – 6/30/2020, $48,400, Missouri Department of Conservation

Lisa Webb, Linking Life History Needs of Wetland-Dependent Species with Habitat Conditions and Associated Ecological Processes to Implement the Wetland Planning Initiative, 7/1/2017 – 6/30/2020, $34,245, Missouri Department of Conservation

Provided by the MU Office of Research

Mapping Genetic and Production Success
Southern Farm Network

Free MU Extension guides help prospective industrial hemp grower
Platte County Citizen

Rex Ricketts receives 2019 Ag Educators Lifetime Achievement Award
KTTN

Yield Quest: How to Stop Soybean Cyst Nematode
Agriculture.com

Exposed: A scientific stalemate leaves our hormones and health at risk
Environmental Health News

Healthy Heifers: Prebreeding exams give insights into heifers’ productive lifespans
FarmTalk

Pollinators the subject of sustainability event
Columbia Missourian

The photo featured in the header is of the ribbon cutting for the new East Campus Plant Growth Facility. This state-of-the-art building houses research greenhouses and cutting-edge, controlled-environment plant growth chambers. MU scientists, including CAFNR researchers, will use the $28.2 million facility to conduct plant research addressing issues such as drought, flooding and other climate extremes. The growth chambers allow researchers to replicate climate conditions from all over the world, control for light, temperature and humidity, and speed up research from what is possible in the field. The size of the chambers provides opportunities to work with large plants and even trees, and to study plants both above and below ground. Often not much is not about roots deep in the ground. CAFNR, University of Missouri and city officials were all part of the standing-room-only ribbon-cutting event, held Friday, Nov. 15.