HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040342.tiff University
Knowledge to Go Places
Agricultural Experiment Station
16 Admin.Bldg.•3001 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins,Colorado 80523-3001
(970)491-5371 • (970)491-7396(FAX)
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES/
December 22,2003
Dear Friend of Agriculture:
I am pleased to share with you a report developed by the Agricultural Experiment Station at Colorado
State University. The Agricultural Experiment Station, as an integral component of the land grant
institution Colorado State University,has a mission to conduct research that supports an agricultural
system that is profitable and environmentally sustainable. Our research program strives to be relevant to
the needs of agricultural producers,processors,and marketers as well as reflect the concerns of
consumers.In an effort to share the results of our research activities,we are pleased to send you the
enclosed publication highlighting results obtained from eight research projects conducted by our faculty
at Colorado State University.These projects were selected from our 139 ongoing projects to illustrate the
breadth of Agricultural Experiment Station programs, which range from crop production to human
nutrition.
Agriculture continues to be an important asset to Colorado's economy. Recent statistics show that total
agricultural sector output exceeds$5 billion and this value approaches$10 billion by considering the
green and equine industries. A recent survey of Coloradoans revealed that 80%of them feel that
agriculture is very important to the quality of life in Colorado and that 85%feel it is very important to
maintain land and water in agriculture. The maintenance of open space and other quality of life
considerations are also important contributions of agriculture to Colorado's future.
I hope that you enjoy the report. If you have questions or comments concerning our agricultural research
programs at Colorado State University,please contact me.
Sincerely,
s,A ,}4yr,e40/
Lee E. Sommers
Director
LES
Agriculture, the essential investment
2004-0342
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/ his annual report summarizes ments at Colorado State in Fort Collins as well as
the results obtained by a selected group of at off-campus research centers.
the more than ISO ongoing research projects In developing a plan, the Colorado Agricul-
supported by the Agricultural Experiment tural Experiment Station placed emphasis on the
Station at Colorado State University. following: (I)support priority research programs
The Agricultural Experiment Station central to the CAES mission; (2) retain faculty.
1111„ is an integral component of Colorado State research scientists, and research support personnel;
1E University,your land-grant university, and it (3) reduce operating expenses; and (4) maintain
is committed to conducting research based research centers and facilities that are necessary
on the agricultural and natural resources to support the research programs of the faculty
needs of the people of Colorado. Our mis- and research scientists located both on-and off-
// °X.aYe sion is to support research leading to an agriculture campus.With this magnitude of funding reduction,
that is economically viable, environmentally sus- it was necessary to eliminate vacant faculty posi-
tainable, and socially acceptable. The Agricultural tions. terminate support positions, reduce operat-
Experiment Station research efforts extend across ing expenses, and close the Mountain Meadow
proud of our the entire campus involving faculty and staff from Research Center. In spite of these challenges, our
more than 20 academic departments in 6 colleges. faculty and staff remain dedicated to providing
In addition to projects conducted by faculty located relevant and Quality research programs.
in Fort Collins,we have a network of off-campus Many of the research projects described in
faculty and research centers conducting research to meet this report receive significant support from state,
agricultural production needs in different regions of regional, and federal funding agencies. Eachyear,
the state. To address the complex problems facing the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station
their abilities agriculture, it is essential that academic depart- compiles a report on external funding of our
ments and off-campus research centers work in agricultural and natural resource research program.
concert with each other to solve problems through The total external funds received by our faculty
to conduct interdisciplinary efforts. exceed$20 million peryear. Thus, funds provided
This pastyear has been a difficult one for by the state of Colorado leverage at least a two-fold
the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station increase in external support for our research pro-
relevant and due to reduced state funding. Proportional state grams.We are proud of our faculty and their abili-
budget cuts taken by higher education if applied ties to conduct relevant and important research.
to the research programs since fiscalyear 2002 I hopeyou enjoy this report. Please contact
important would amount to more than 23 percent in funding me ifyou have any Questions concerning the
reductions.This large a reduction was not deemed research program supported by the Agricultural
feasible; therefore, Colorado State University Experiment Station at Colorado State University.
7 ll provided additional support to limit the cumulative
research. program reduction to 18 percent, or$1.62 million. Lee E. Sommers
These budget reductions are permanent decreases Director
in funding,so long-term changes are required in Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station
programs located in academic colleges and depart- Lee.Sommers@colostate.edu
Cologgg
University
Knowledge to Co Places
olorado Agricultural Experiment Station
Funding for Fiscal Year 2003-2004
Vvhe Agricultural Experiment Station at Colorado • Multi-State Research—A portion of the Hatch funds are
State University is funded by appropriations from the Colorado mandated by Congress to be applied to research problems that are
legislature through the Colorado Commission on Higher regional in nature and involve the efforts of several states. Funds
Education, appropriations from the federal government through the are administered the same as Hatch funds.
United States Department of Agriculture, and from self-generated • McIntire-Stennis—Funds appropriated by the federal
income through the sale of commodities. The relative amount of government to support research in forestry and forest resources.
each funding source is shown in the chart. Funds are administered the same as Hatch funds.
• State—Funds appropriated by the Colorado legislature • Cash—Funds originating from the sale of goods and
and allocated to Colorado State University by the Commission on services associated with Agricultural Experiment Station programs.
Higher Education. Commodities sold include crops and livestock, which are by-
• Hatch— Funds appropriated by the federal government to products of applied research programs conducted at research
each land-grant university for support of a base research program centers.
in agriculture and natural resources. These funds were authorized In addition to the above direct funding sources, scientists
by the Hatch Act of 1887, as amended by the Agricultural supported by the Agricultural Experiment Station are active
Research, Education, and Extension Reform Act of 1998 and in securing contract and grant funding from numerous private
administered by the Cooperative States Research, Education, and sources, as well as state and federal agencies. In the 2002-2003
Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. fiscal year, contract and grant funding from these external sources
The funds are prorated to each state based on a formula that contributed in excess of$20 million of support to our research
includes several factors such as rural population and number of programs.
farms.
McIntire-
Multi Stennis Cash
State 2.9% 8.4%
8.2% State
Hatch 67.5%
13%
Total Budget: $11,587,036 Calralg
University
Knowledge to Go Places
olorado Agricultural Research System
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Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station Contributors
Research Centers Eastern Colorado Research Center Southwestern Colorado Research Center
ARDEC(Agricultural Research, David Schutz,Manager Mark Stack,Manager
Development,and Education Center) (970)345-6402 (970)562-4255
26204 County Road S7 16910 County Road Z
ARDEC Plant Science Programs Akron,CO 80720 P.O.Box 233
Reg Koll,Manager Yellow Jacket,CO 81335
(970)491-2405 Plainsman Research Center
4616 NE Frontage Road Kevin Larson,Manager Western Colorado Research Center
Fort Collins,CO 80524 (719)324-5643 (WCRC)
P.O.Box 477/42790 HWY 160 Frank Kelsey. Manager
ARDEC Animal Science Programs Walsh,CO 81090 (970)434-3264
Mike Hays.Manager 3168 B.5 Road
(970)491-7928 San Juan Basin Research Center
4482 E.County Road 56 Douglas Zalesky,Manager Grand Junction,CO 81503-9621
Fort Collins,CO 80524 (970)385-4574 WCRC at Fruita:
18683 State Highway 140 (970)858-3629
Arkansas Valley Research Center Hesperus,CO 81326 1910"L"Road
Mike Bartolo, Manager San Luis Valley Research Center(719) Fruita,CO 81521
254-6312 (719)754-3594 WCRC at Orchard Mesa:
279 27901 Road 21
Rocky Ford,CO 81067 0249 E. Road 9 North 3168 B.5 Road
Center,CO 81125 Grand Junction,CO 81503-9621
WCRC at Rogers Mesa:
(970)872-3387
3060 Highway 92
Hotchkiss,CO 81419
The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station 2003 Annual Report was produced by the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station,Colorado State University Outreach
Communications and Technology,and Colorado State University Publications and Printing.
e-mail: aes@coop.ext.colostate.edu Writer: Leslie Patterson Design: Terry Nash,Cathay Zipp
Web: http://www.colostate.edu/depts/AES Photography:Bill Cotton Production:Lisa Schmitz
Editors: Barbara Dennis, Jeannine Kline
Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws,regulations.and executive orders regarding affirmative action
requirements in all programs.The office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities,ethnic
minorities,women,and other protected class members re encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.
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•
al Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program
="d - '-q. 4 Celebrates 40 Years of Service
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• �: `k'4, :r coif Haley, associate Colorado wheat must be able to withstand
7 ..s ,4: "
Air ,5x41 j-: f ,,,.. professor of soil and crop sciences, stresses that are somewhat different from
...
'. "' �'�t' ;�, is far tooyoung to have 40 years of those found in other areas of the Great Plains.
`� •\_ 1'' personal experience in the business Colorado is located on the western edge of
titalt� 0 I' 4'` 1l of wheat breeding. As the fourth the nation's great winter wheat breadbasket,
ovi' •
'CC , t wheat breeder to direct Colorado and the state's dry conditions and high
'4\'4'' , 'A, it i State University's Wheat Breeding temperatures often reduce yields and adversey,
sr‘,„ 4, v •• -, , ` ' ' \ and Genetics Program, however, affect processing Quality.At the same time,
Haley knows that the foundation of the lack of moisture makes Colorado winter
his program was laid by the hard wheat less prone to certain diseases and pests.
°N��" work, perseverance, and creativity of the However, the Russian wheat aphid has
eat is breeders and researchers that went before been a persistent pest of Colorado wheat
him" Established in 1963, Colorado State's since 1986. The small, pale green, spindle-
Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program shaped insect damages wheat by sucking sap
the backbone conducts basic and applied research on the from and injecting toxic saliva into the leaves.
development of improved wheat cultivars with The aphids prevent young wheat leaves from
specific adaptation to the difficult growing flattening out, and the insects live within
of dryland conditions in the central High Plains region. the tighty,curled leaves, protecting them
Since its inception, the Wheat Breeding from the weather and insecticides.Since the
and Genetics Program has released more than original strain of Russian wheat aphid arrived
farming 20 improved wheat cultivars, and University- in Colorado, it has cost wheat growers in the
bred wheat cultivars now account for roughy state more than $132 million in crop losses.
in eastern 60 percent of Colorado's 2.6 million acres of A large component of Colorado State
wheat. This figure is drasticaly different from University's wheat breeding effort in recent
the mid- to late-1990s, when a single cultivar years has been directed toward rapid
Colorado. from Texas (known as TAM 107) dominated deployment of genetic resistance to Russian
the landscape in eastern Colorado. wheat aphid. At the time of the pest's arrival,
Wheat Is the backbone of dryland farming no wheat cultivars in the Great Plains (or
in eastern Colorado" More Colorado acres the entire United States, for that matter) had
are planted with wheat than any other crop, resistance to Russian wheat aphid. Since 1994.
but wheat is traditionaly a crop with low however, several improved cultivars carrying
economic returns. Development of improved resistance to Russian wheat aphid have been
wheat cultivars serves a vital function for released by Colorado State University through
the wheat industry in Colorado by reducing a partnership with the Colorado Wheat
costs of wheat production, minimizing or Administrative Committee and the Colorado
eliminating the need for chemical pesticides, Wheat Research Foundation. Funding from
and providing improved wheat marketing the Agricultural Experiment Station has been
options. In partnership with the Agricultural instrumental in identifying, developing, and
Experiment Station, Colorado wheat farmers investigating strains of wheat resistant to
nrversity enthusiastically support the wheat breeding Russian wheat aphid. Development of Russian
Knowledge to Go Places research at Colorado State University. wheat aphid-resistant cultivars provides wheat
producers in Colorado and the west-central industry, and the Wheat Quality Laboratory
Great Plains with an effective, economical, houses a variety of highly specialized
and environmentally-sound means of equipment to evaluate experimental wheat
mitigating economic losses From Russian cultivars for these criteria.
wheat aphid. All this effort is directed towards the
Resistance dream of producing
to Russian wheat a perfect wheat
aphid is only one fa��r cultivar. "Although I
component in
p can readily envision
producing a quality the ideal wheat
superior wheat : k cultivar, I expect
cultivar. Wheat that I will never find
breeding is a team it. Compromise
effort requiring the j is definitely the
expertise of many • se name of the game."
€
people from many , ' y Haley says. Wheat
diverse disciplines. �" y/1�' ;� producers are
Wheat breeding $ 4 looking for cultivars
research at Colorado that emerge well in
State University relies titit t
the fall, don't fall
on an impressive $ over or shatter before
network of held. ;. 1 - k harvest, tolerate
greenhouse, and '.-04;04111 ° multiple climatic
laboratory facilities. - stresses, and produce
In the field, Haley highyields with
and his team of researchers identify plants superior processing quality.
with desirable traits. Crosses are made and "There are so many traits that are
growth is studied in greenhouses. Insect desirable to producers, as well as to the
resistance also is evaluated in greenhouse processing industry—and an immense Annual Report, 2003
environments under the supervision of Frank number and combination of genes control Colorado Agricultural
Peairs in the Department of Bioagricultural these traits. The wheat genome is incredibly Experiment Station
Sciences and Pest Management. In Colorado complex. and combining all the necessary 16 Administration Building
State's newly-renovated Wheat Quality genes into a single package is virtually 3001 Campus Delivery
Laboratory, milling, dough mixing, and test impossible with current technologies. Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
baking of bread and noodles is done.A Fortunately, I am part of a great community Msvv.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
multitude of different criteria are important of wheat researchers, and we will continue to Phone (970) 491-5371
to wheat processors and the end-use work toward these goals." Fax (970) 491-7396
The DNA of Wheat
Wheat has an incredibly large genome. Wheat is polyploid, which means that, hundreds ofyears ago, two species found
in nature crossed and produced what is now known as Durham wheat; then, a third species hybridized with the first two to
produce bread wheat.As the wheat genome is so complex and wheat is a public sector crop that tends to be a low-value
crop, sequencing the wheat genome probably is not going to happen soon, but DNA markers have been identified for a few
characteristics such as Russian wheat aphid resistance.
However, researchers are facing a new challenge.A new biotype or strain of the Russian wheat aphid was discovered in
Colorado fields thisyear.Asyet, genetic resistance against this biotype has not been identified in wheat plants.
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at r is a limited to cost the problem with these extensive
it I7 commodity in the western United data requirements is that conditions can vaar
States, and accurate estimates of water greatly over short distances. Consequentht a
s used in irrigation are necessary for single weather station provides estimates of
xl ",. administration of water in the region. water use that are applicable to onh^ a small
C
In the upper Gunnison River Basin, area. Simpler methods of estimating crop
1 f Colorado State University professor water use requiring only one or two weather
" ,� ��Is of soil and crop sciences Dan Smith is variables are available, but thev are less
1w:;
researching forage water use. accurate and require local calibration.
Smith. with funding from the Agricultural Smith is testing the calculations made by
Experiment Station and the Upper Gunnison different methods against data being collected
(_ /ccii rate River Water Conservancy District, is working in the field to find the most accurate and
with research scientist Joe Brummer of the simplest method for computing consumptive
Western Colorado Research Center and use in mountain meadows. To collect field
estimates of graduate student Darcy Temple to find a data, Smith and his team have installed nine
simpleyet accurate method for determining lysimeters in representative irrigated meadows
the consumptive use of water in irrigated throughout the upper Gunnison River basin.
consumptive mountain meadows. "Consumptive use is The lysimeters look like large, square-sided
the portion of the irrigation water applied to buckets in which grass is growing. The water
meadows that doesn't return to the stream in the lysimeters is maintained at a level
irrigation system," Smith explains. similar to that of the surrounding irrigated
Accurate estimates of consumptive meadow by using a float valve attached to a
water use are irrigation water use are essential for supply reservoir. Water use is measured by
administration of water in Colorado and other changes in the level of water in the supply
7 western states because irrigation accounts reservoir. Each of Smith's lysimeter sites also
essential for for 80 to 90 percent of the region's total is equipped with a rain gauge and instruments
consumptive use. Colorado's allowable for measuring weather variables.
7 use under interstate compact agreements, One of the most popular methods of
administration like the Colorado River Compact, largely calculating consumptive use has been the Soil
is attributable to irrigation. In addition, Conservation Service's (SCS) Blaney-Criddle
when irrigation water rights are changed to method. The method has been a favorite
of water. other uses, only the consumptive use can be because its only data requirement is average
transferred. daily temperature. based on measurements of
There are several methods for calculating maximum and minimum daily temperatures.
consumptive use. All are based on measures "In mountain meadows in the western United
of weather variables such as temperature, States, it is recognized that the SCS Blaney-
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cao§gi 1 humidity, wind, and solar radiation. The most Criddle method greatly underestimates water
accurate methods require data for all four of use unless crop coefficients are adjusted to
these weather variables, so a complete (and meet local conditions,"Smith says. However,
University
more expensive) weather station is required to even when these adjustments based on
Knowledge to Go Places use these sophisticated methods. In addition local methods are made, calculated values
of consumptive use and actual water use promising because it was based on the use
are poorly correlated. Using data collected of temperature. But instead of using average
in the mountain meadows, Smith tried to daily temperature, this method relies on
use alternative expressions of average daily the difference between the maximum and
temperature. such as the average of hourly minimum daily temperature.
temperatures throughout the day or just "Looking back, the Hargreaves method
during the light period should have been
of each day, to calibrate the first choice for
the SCS Blaney-Criddle. these high-altitude
The results of Smith's E„t ; :_ environments,"says
analysis indicate that > Smith. "Days with
water use is poorly - l► radically different
correlated with average *IV 14(�, levels of solar radiation
daily temperature � � can have the same
regardless of the average temperature."
temperature expression Smith says. With
used. oneyear of data
Smith and his ; ,' collection remaining,
co-workers were not Smith claims that the
completely surprised by Hargreaves approach is
these results. He notes producing much more
that solar radiation is yr 7 accurate estimates of
the best single weather consumptive water use
variable that predicts consumptive water than the more conventional SCS Blaney-
use. Fortunately, one lysimeter location Criddle method.
was equipped with a complete weather Data requirements for the Hargreaves Annual Report, 2003
station, so the group was able to conduct method are modest enough that Smith can Colorado Agricultural
preliminary analyses to confirm the value of imagine a day when the approach could Experiment Station
solar radiation as a predictor of crop water be used over a wide range of conditions to 16 Administration Building
use. Radiation methods for estimating crop monitor crop water use. The resulting data 3001 Campus Delivery
water use were investigated. One of these could then be used as a real-time inventory Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
methods, called the Hargreaves method, tool to aid Colorado officials in their efforts www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
which was developed in the 1970s but went to monitor the state's compliance with Phone (970) 491-5371
relatively unnoticed until recently, looked interstate compacts. Fax (970) 491-7396
Forage Crops and Water Use
For the most part, environmental conditions determine the water use of plants, but different crops require different
amounts of water even if they are grown under the same weather conditions. Forage crops, like hay, have low water
requirements compared to most other crops. Forage crops are good crops for planting during drought or in naturally arid
regions because they can be harvested at any growth stage. This means that the farmer can harvest forage crops early and
escape drought-induced crop failures. Furthermore, established perennial forages will remain viable during drought periods
only to re-initiate growth upon resumption of moisture from either rainfall or irrigation. Finally, seeding of annual forages is
relatively inexpensive.
Forage crops have been grown in the dry, sunny Upper Gunnison River Basin since the 19th century, when farmers began
using the mountain meadows to grow forage crops for draft animals. More recently, cattle have been raised in the mountain
meadows. Mountain meadows supply the forage base foryear-round livestock production in the Rocky Mountain region, and
hayyields from mountain meadows average about 1.3 tons per acre.
‘teed arrior
CSU Scientist Investigates Biological
•
• 1 ' Controls of Knapweeds
or •
iffuse knapweed pink flowers, spots, and spines." Hufbauer
(Centaurea diffusa) and spotted says. These reports inspired Hufbauer to call
knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) are in Carney, an expert on plant hybridization, to
dY exotic species that readily displace help investigate the source of the intermediate
native vegetation, and now Ruth plants. With special funding provided to
p Hufbauer, assistant professor in the the Agricultural Experiment Station by the
Department of Bioagricultural Sciences Colorado legislature for the express purpose
its ` and Pest Management at Colorado State of researching invasive plants, Hufbauer and
University, and her colleague Shanna Carney are investigating whether spotted and
Carney, assistant professor in the diffuse knapweed are hybridizing, and the
Department of Biology, are finding evidence researchers are trying to find the exact origin
arefully that suggests these plants may be hybridizing. of the plants for the purpose of identiying
Diffuse and spotted knapweed compete possible biological controls.
with other plants for sunlight, water, and Using DNA markers, the researchers are
investigated nutrients and release chemicals from their examining the levels of genetic variation in
roots that may act as herbicides on other North American populations of spotted and
7 plants (referred to as allelopathy). In addition, diffuse knapweed. Hufbauer and Carney have
biological animals grazing aren't very interested in discovered that many diffuse and spotted
knapweed, which is a poor forage plant, knapweed plants share the same chloroplast
but pollinators may be more attracted to DNA sequence. "There may not be a lot of
control can be
knapweed than other flowering plants. barriers between the spotted and diffuse
Knapweed forces land managers to remove knapweed hybridizing," Hufbauer explains.
an i•
mportant land from cattle production and institute Field and lab research supports Hufbauer
expensive and indiscriminate herbicide and Carney's genetic research. Graduate
spraying programs. student Robin Marrs recently found what
tool in weed There are more than 80,000 acres of seems to be a natural hybrid swarm. The
diffuse knapweed in Colorado and 3.5 million population contained spotted knapweed,
acres across the west. Spotted knapweed is diffuse knapweed, and intermediate
management. it less common in Colorado, with only 2,500 phenotypes spanning the spectrum between
acres, but it may just be a matter of time them that match descriptions of hybrids. The
until spotted knapweed gains more of a implications of this hybridization could be
foothold in the state, as there are more than positive and negative. Hufbauer points to
seven million acres of spotted knapweed Jorge Vivanco's catechin research. Catechin
across western North America. Knapweed is the"natural herbicide" released by the
has become so prevalent in certain areas that roots of spotted knapweed that inhibits the
some residents can easily identify the plants. germination and growth of other plants.
Jo1O ]! g Diffuse knapweed has white flowers and spiny Diffuse knapweed secretes a distinct chemical,
��•�// `1[rCC}aa��aaa��ax`ppVVi bracts. Spotted knapweed has purple flowers 8-hydroxyquinolone, which has similar
University and spotted or black-tipped bracts. "But more effects. Catechin is toxic to diffuse knapweed,
and more, people have reported plants that and 8-hydroxyquinolone is toxic to spotted
Knowledge to Go P/aces sound like a hybrid of the two: plants with knapweed. Hufbauer and her team were
concerned that the hybrid plants could be to find where the weeds originated so that
"superinvaders" that produce and detoxify proper biological controls can be found
both chemicals. However, when Marrs and investigated. Insects or pathogens that
characterized the chemical exudates of the might feed on the plant and arrest its growth
plants from her hybrid swarm, she found that in its native land might work to control
the intermediate saimm the Centaurea
plants produced populations
very little of in Colorado
either chemical. better than the
This could make IMO current biological
the hybrids less *,. '. XI?` control options,"
'y
competitive ""' Hufbauer says.
than the parent kr "However, these
plants. "However, , controls need to
hybrids might be be thoroughly
'
either more or 1e investigated before
F,
less susceptible they are applied.
to specialized „, _� Once a biological
herbivores r ' control is put out
than the parent - , " in an environment,
r
plants," Hufbauer " ...,-.*1.1"-_4110, ` it can't be taken
says. '/ 4.... back. However,
Now. it can introduce
Hulbauer hopes a host of other
to identify a problems."
more exact origin , I rt; It is this
for the weeds. , : -"` painstaking Annual Report, 2003
Although it has process of making Colorado Agricultural
been assumed that knapweed came over from sure that a decision is right not just for the Experiment Station
Eurasia in the 19th century, probably in ship's next threeyears but for the next Soyears or 16 Administration Building
ballast or straw, the exact origin of Colorado more that attracted Hufbauer to studying 3001 Campus Delivery
knapweeds are still unknown. European biological control. Hufbauer is optimistic Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
Centaurea samples are being sent to that carefully investigated biological wvuw.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
Hufbauer by Rene Sforza, a USDA employee control can be an important tool in weed Phone (970) 491-5371
working overseas. "It is particularly important management. Fax (970) 491-7396
More About Diffuse and Spotted Knapweeds .
Diffuse knapweed is a biennial. In the plant's firstyear of growth, it only produces a rosette of foliage, but in its second
year of growth. it produces a seed stalk. Diffuse knapweed spreads its seed by falling over when mature and tumbling in the
wind across the land.
Although spotted knapweed infestations are not as severe in Colorado as diffuse knapweed, spotted knapweed has the
potential of spreading over large areas in a short period of time. Each plant produces up to 25.000 seeds that are dispersed
by wind, animals, and people, and seeds may remain viable for eightyears. Spotted knapweed tolerates dry conditions, similar
to diffuse knapweed, but will survive in higher moisture areas as well.
Knapweeds are poisonous to horses, causing chewing disease for which there is no cure.
PJhe Sweet Taste of Success
Colorado State Researcher Meets the
Challenge of a Sweet Corn Pest
fie
•
L=/ weet corn is an important their pest management efforts on the corn
,, III component of the agricultural economy earworm. Corn that is shipped nationwide
of western Colorado. Sweet corn often is sprayed with insecticide several
acreage has grown consistently since times throughout the season to control
1990, and local marketing companies corn earworm. "At the end of the season,
, negotiated national distribution growers were just bumping up their schedule
1 I contracts in 2001. Sweet corn is sold to twice a week in order to deal with the
4� under a Market Order, which has strict dusky sap beetle," Hammon recalls. There
Quality guidelines, and corn from each was no research to justify the scheduling
field is inspected before shipment decision. Hammon decided that it was time
is allowed. Dusky sap beetle, Carpophilus to investigate the biology of the dusky sap
Olorado Iugubris. is a pest that attacks and beetle for clues as to how the pest might be
contaminates corn ears. If infestation levels managed.
exceed those specified by the Market Order, With funds from the Agricultural
super-sweet the field is rejected and the grower faces a Experiment Station and the Colorado Specialty
financial loss. If sweet corn shipments have Crop Program, Hammon began his research.
consistent contamination that falls within the A six-acre field of sweet corn was purchased
corn has Market Order specifications but is detectable for studying the dusky sap beetle's biology
by grocers and consumers, extension of and for trying different sprays and schedules.
developed national marketing contracts is jeopardized. Hammon caged beetles on ears of corn to
This is what occurred in 2001. examine their lifecycle. He discovered that
In crops where Quality is not of such the adult beetles were in the field from the
• concern, the black, Quarter-inch-long dusky moment the corn pollen started falling but
a natlOnal
sap beetle often is ignored, but Colorado that the adults did not enter the ears until
super-sweet corn, particularly Olathe- about seven days before harvest. The beetles
reputation for grown sweet corn, has developed a national were attracted to the fermentation process
reputation for quality. The 2001 sap beetle that was going on as the corn was producing
infestation resulted in almost 10 percent of its sugars.After entering the ear through the
quality. the sweet corn crop being rejected and a freshly grown silk, the adults would take about
loss of more than $500,000 to growers. The three days to produce their pale, worm-like
future of the specialty crop was in jeopardy. larvae. With this finding, Hammon was able to
An emergency plan for dealing with the revolutionize the spray schedule for the pest,
beetle was required. Bob Hammon, who concentrating the sprays into the final few
was working as a research scientist at the days before harvest. Hammon credits Leonard
Agricultural Experiment Station Western Felix, owner of the Olathe Spray Service,
(�lllOO Colorado Research Center and who now with putting the new spray schedule into an
��// works as an area extension agent with Tri- affordable system and testing it on commercial
River Cooperative Extension, was called in to fields. "Once the spray schedule change was
university
develop a strategy for dealing with the pest. made, there were no more rejected acres,
Knowledge to Go Places Traditionally, growers have concentrated and sap beetle infestations in treated fields
dropped to the lowest levels experienced in using fermenting attractants like bread
years," Hammon says. dough or rotten fruit. These methods might
Hammon notes that his spray schedule be particularly applicable to the fresh
does not necessarily reduce the amount market sweet corn industry, where corn is
of pesticide used on corn but ensures handpicked several times over a series of
that the sprays are effective. Despite the days.
fact that sweet corn is sprayed a number This year, growers have enthusiastically
of times throughout the growing season, accepted Hammon's pest management
Hammon points out that pesticide residues program, and Hammon is continuing his
are undetectable on corn kernels. "The study of the dusky sap beetle. In addition to
husk is very effective at protecting the corn pheromone trapping, he is investigating how
from exposure to pesticide," Hammon says. post-harvest management might impact the
However, Hammon is interested in finding huge flights of the beetles that typically occur
ways to reduce the use of pesticides on in October. "Time will tell," Hammon says
sweet corn by means of pheromone traps about his pest management efforts.
41.
9 ,
Annual Report, 2003
,3� Colorado Agricultural
Experiment Station
I6 Administration Building
3001 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
www.colostate.edu/Depts/AE5
9/ K;
f Phone (970) 491-5371
• Fax (970) 491-7396
A Growing Concern: Colorado Sweet Corn
Before Colorado sweet corn became a nationally recognized quality crop, Olathe, Colorado, was just another struggling
small town. In the late 1970s, area farmers were having a hard time making ends meet. There wasn't much of a market for
sugar beets and barley, the crops traditionally grown in the area. Then, Olathe farmers started cultivating new varieties of
sweet corn, and the town's economic situation turned around. Everyyear in August, the townspeople of Olathe now celebrate
their winning crop with a Corn Festival that attracts nearly 20,000 participants.
The cultivation of corn in Colorado can be traced back to the ancient Anasazi, who farmed at nearby Mesa Verde. Olathe
sweet corn is a descendant of that staple food. Sweet corn is low in fat, sodium-free, and a good source of fiber and
vitamin C.
4 r,--ro -- '4 I +>Fmpri r
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•,,..4',� • st n the I840s. a tragic event criteria. The seed lot may be classified as
} .. °.: , • ,",: in the history of agriculture changed entered, downgraded in class, or rejected as
w
a country forever. A fungus destroyed seed. In a practical sense. this means that the
y F the Irish potato crop. the population's seed has gone through a series of inspections k il�y * ; major food source, and precipitated and met certain conditions that give assurance
p �, + ,4 " ' the Irish Potato Famine. Rob Davidson, to the buyer that the seed should produce a
} * Colorado State University Cooperative reasonable crop with a minimum of problems
4 ,...44'f;.., 7" I1f 7 � ,., t Extension state seed potato specialist during the first season of growth."
•
and the potato pathologist for the In addition. Davidson and his co-workers
Colorado Potato Certification Service, have been responsible for helping to identify
u A is intent on not repeating history. the various disease and pest threats to
searchers Although potatoes are not the primary successful certified seed potato production
food of the United States, Colorado potatoes in Colorado and other parts of the west and
are big business. Colorado routinely ranks for developing management strategies to help
are making among the top five or six states in acreage growers limit or control pest and disease
planted, and Colorado is the fourth largest problems. Their work has been instrumental
producer of potato seed. Growers in the state in reducing the impacts from diseases such
sure that produce in excess of ISO cultivars and sell 1.4 as bacterial ring rot and blackleg/soft rot to
7 million hundredweight of seed throughout negligible levels. When other seed regions
Colorado the United States and to several international have been struggling. Davidson's research.
markets. The majority of Colorado's seed along with the research of his colleagues like
potatoes are produced in the San Luis Valley. Richard Zink, has helped Colorado growers
seed otatoesDavidson and other researchers at the continue to produce high-quality seed stocks
pSan Luis Valley Research Center's Colorado for sale into the surrounding region. For
Potato Certification Service are involved in example. Davidson has conducted research
maintain making sure that Colorado seed potatoes on a technique for killing potato vines at
maintain their excellent reputation so that the end of the growing season. "Growers
7" growers can continue to expand their markets use a variety of techniques," he says, "to kill
their excellent and their profits. "Certification," Davidson vines at the end of the season in order to
explains, "is the official process of evaluating prevent additional spread of virus diseases
potatoes based upon a set of standards and provide for higher-quality potatoes with
reputation. relating to seed history and acceptability for good skin set. Research, funded in part by the
production. The certification process focuses Agricultural Experiment Station, demonstrated
on disease tolerances, specified growing and that vines could be chopped and sulfuric acid
production regulations, pathogen/disease (one type of vine desiccant) could be applied
testing, grade inspections, and grower within 48 hours with no spread of bacterial
onl expectations, and ends with issuance of an or virus diseases. This is important because
/1 official state tag indicating the status of many of the cultivars being grown have very
University the seed within the program. A seed lot is large vines that are difficult to kill with only
classified according toyears of production. one application of acid. This research allowed
h'nonledtle to Go Places levels of disease, handling methods, and other the growers to chop the vines mechanically
(a practice that normally would spread many around 7,900 acres of Colorado-developed
different types of viral or bacterial diseases) cultivars. representing more than 50 percent
to reduce foliage, apply sulfuric acid once, of the seed acreage entered into the program.
and have an effective, safe, and economical "Since many of these clones are under Fed-
vine kill." eral Plant Variety Protection, additional rev-
Another key focus of this research pro- enues to support research are generated for
gram over the past several years is the evalu- CSU through the collection of royalties. This
ation of advanced clones from the Colorado results in a win-win situation for both the
cultivar development program, headed by growers and the University," Davidson says.
David Holm. Clones are screened for their Davidson's potato research seems never-
reaction to several of the major disease ending. Presently, he is particularly con-
threats found in Colorado including bacterial cerned about two serious threats to Colorado
ring rot, potato virus Y, and potato leafroll seed potato production —importing serious
virus. Through this screening, clones that diseases and pests from other regions and
have problems expressing disease symptoms the practice of growers cultivating noncerti-
are removed from the system. This has result- lied or common seed in the seed-producing
ed in significant reductions of these particu- region and perpetuating disease problems or
lar diseases being found in the certified seed reintroducing disease problems into other-
crop. Currently, Colorado producers raise wise clean, certified seed.
f .R�11
Annual Report. 2003
! �., Colorado Agricultural
Experiment Station
16 Administration Building
3001 Campus Delivery
141 t \ Fort Collins. CO SOs23-3001
+ k jiihs 2r,, : ,''° 1. NIC 't« y �- www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
1:1, r ie� Phone (970) 491-5371
i�. "� Fax (970) 491-7396
Y
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a ,summer..days and cool nights
egion;.
sI 4in*#wtiude in the
a, russets and the let's.The
{ " '` r" l pptato In the region is a variety
I! I ...'k forra varlery of uses.
1, I,'t E e Aawir:the Chipeta potato
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I I
- : .71 harles Shackelford, to as geotextiles. The GCL typically is held
J t professor of civil engineering at together with glue or by stitching or needle
'1 Colorado State University and director punching through the geotextiles. The product
of the Rocky Mountain Regional is shipped in rolls and simply is rolled out to
l' Hazardous Substance Research line the excavated pit. When the product is
[ P Center, is concerned about nitrate shipped, it is only about 5-6 mm thick, but
1:11"°"`• "'j X
frairAigh .:!" and other dangerous substances when water is added, the bentonite swells,
seeping into groundwater from animal resulting in thicknesses typically of 10-15 mm.
"` i feedlots. Shackelford, along with civil Unfortunately, bentonite also can
engineering assistant professor Kenneth contract significantly when exposed to certain
" Carlson, is investigating whether manufactured chemicals and chemical concentrations,
(Dike natural geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are a better resulting in increased leakage. Therefore,
way of lining animal waste lagoons than Shackelford and his research team, using
traditional compacted clay liners. funding from the Agricultural Experiment
variability in Lagoons typically contain animal waste for Station, are testing the product's stability
periods ranging from 6 to 24 months. They against contraction using a simulated animal
allow waste to partially decompose before it waste stream containing 147 mg/L of calcium,
clays leads to is applied to fields. At present, most animal 679 mg/L of sodium, 1756 mg/L of chloride,
waste lagoons are lined with compacted clay. and 415 mg/L of ammonium-nitrogen. The
A pit is excavated for the lagoon. and either composition of the waste stream is based on
incon9i8tency natural clay near the pit is recovered and re- literature characterization of a wide variety
compacted to line the pit. or if natural clay of actual animal waste streams. Clint Brown,
is not available locally, a suitable alternative a graduate student working with Shackelford,
in traditional
clay is shipped to the site to line the pit. "This is permeating a GCL using the simulated
approach leads to a great deal of inconsistency waste stream as well as tap water processed
compacted clay in clay liners from region to region because of to remove ions under both aerobic and
the natural variability in the available clays," anaerobic conditions to evaluate the effects
Shackelford says. of the simulated waste stream. The results of
liners. " In contrast. GCLs are manufactured, these tests indicate that the simulated solution
which results in more uniform properties. As had little impact on the hydraulic conductivity
a result, the use of GCLs has the potential of the GCL. The GCL was able to maintain
for establishing more uniform standards a low hydraulic conductivity throughout the
for lining animal waste lagoons throughout tests. and the hydraulic performance of the
the country. GCLs have been manufactured GCL essentially was unaffected by whether
since about 1990, but only recently have the tests were conducted under aerobic or
(�oo`y�' O they been marketed for use in lining animal anaerobic conditions. Although the simulated
w� `��)rr���aa++ waste lagoons. GCLs consist of a thin animal waste stream apparently does not have
layer of naturally occurring, high-swelling a high enough chemical strength to pose a
University
clay called sodium bentonite, sandwiched threat to the stability of GCLs. Shackelford
Knowledge to Go Places between two textile-like materials, referred warns that more research needs to be done on
using GCLs to store other types of wastes, and concentration of three categories of
including actual animal waste streams. antibiotics widely used in animals across the
Now Shackelford is conducting tests United States.
to determine GCLs
the potential are becoming
for adsorption increasingly
of chemical popular in the
constituents to rik
= }" feedlot industry
the bentonite V� because they are
.
and geotextile of - i economical and
GCLs. The results • i ; easy to repair.
of these tests will \, ,t,' Ultimately,
provide apartial
r Shackelford hopes
assessment of -= / to determine
the ability of the +, e< " whether GCLs
GCL to delay - �- ? t can be used as a
the migration of safer alternative
0
the waste stream to current lining
liit
constituents. T,'� I ,� systems in animal Annual Report, 2003
3
At the same "� waste containment Colorado Agricultural
time. Carlson. " .A is a lagoons. He
M Shackelford's co- Experiment Station
i i �''J ;R hopes that his 16 Administration Building
investigator, is ' ,1''' ! research will be 3001 Campus Delivery
analyzing waste ` J instrumental in Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
samples from developing a set www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
lagoons, groundwater, and surface water of design guidelines pertaining to the use of Phone (970) 491-5371
around Colorado to detect the presence GCLs in animal waste disposal practice. Fax (970) 491-7396
The Many Uses of Bentonite
Since being discovered in 1890 near Fort Benton, Wyoming, the clay known as bentonite has been Quarried for a variety
of uses. Bentonite's volume increases several times when it comes into contact with water, making it valuable for a wide range
of applications.
In addition to its use in GCLs, bentonite is used in industry to create molds for casting iron and steel and as a mud
constituent for oil and water well drilling. Bentonite is also crucial to paper making, where it improves the efficiency of
conversion of pulp into paper as well as the Quality of the paper. In paper recycling, bentonite offers useful de-inking
properties.
At home, bentonite can be found in the medicine chest in pharmaceuticals like calamine lotion, wet compresses, and
anti-irritants used for eczema. Mud packs, baby powders, and face creams may also contain bentonite. In the kitchen,
bentonite is an ingredient crucial to the processing of edible oils and fats (soya, palm, canola oil). It also is used as a
clarification agent in drinks like beer,wine, and mineral water and in products like sugar or honey. Bentonite is an essential
ingredient in laundry detergents and liQuid hand soaps where it removes the impurities of solvents and softens fabrics.
However, cat owners may most readily recognize bentonite. Due to bentonite's ability to absorb refuse by forming
clumps, the clay is a common ingredient in cat litters.
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�c- t w "Rr r
s, Oil " .w:w-, ;� k �� their research at the Colorado State University
v,, - health benefits Veterinary Teaching Hospital on companion
of the essential dogs that had torn cruciate ligaments needing
N., " —�° omega-3 fatty acids a surgery called tibial plateau leveling
as,,,,,„ found naturally in osteotomy (TPLO). "When a dog comes into
fish and a few other the Department of Clinical Sciences and Small
fe. zed' �
\ /� I foods are in the Animal Orthopedics needing TPLO on one
Itr ;i. E • news. Associate knee, its other knee is almost always bad as
professor Mary well, but the other knee has notyet become
Harris and Rod acutely affected," Hansen explains. "The dogs
f t Hansen of the with a bilateral chronic degenerative joint
Department of Food disease allow us to investigate how a diet
Science and Human containing fish oil might affect osteoarthritis
// Nutrition are investigating how these omega- in both its acute and chronic phases," Harris
c9 0 111C, the 3 fatty acids might slow down the action and says.
production of matrix metalloproteinaises With a grant from the Colorado State
(MMPs), a family of enzymes that are University Agriculture Experiment Station
big issue is influential in causing osteoarthritis. and a separate grant from Purina, Harris and
MMPs are normal enzymes associated Hansen along with colleagues Ken Allen and
with growth and the turnover of tissue. They Elizabeth Pluhar compared the health of dogs
whether toe break down tissue so that new tissue can grow. that were fed an omega-3 enriched Purina
�" However, when there are too many MMPs. food with dogs in a control group that were
Ollld have An
can result. fed a similar Purina product with no omega-
should estimated 20.7 million Americans 3. The dogs were fed the special diets from
suffer from osteoarthritis. It is a chronic, 7 days prior to the surgery to 56 days post-
more fish oil 2i1 progressive, and debilitating disease surgery. "The dogs seemed to enjoy the food
characterized by the breakdown of the joint's and had no trouble digesting it," Hansen says.
7 cartilage. Cartilage breakdown causes bones Blood and synovial fluid samples from the
our diets. to rub against each other, resulting in pain acute and chronic knees were taken on six
and loss of movement. The degenerative different days during the recovery period. The
disease affects the hands and weight-bearing researchers discovered that MMPs in the acute
joints of mostly middle-aged and older knee were not influenced by the omega-3 diet.
people. The Arthritis Foundation reports that "We think the surgery overwhelmed whatever
knee osteoarthritis can be as disabling as any nutritional intervention could accomplish,"
cardiovascular disease except stroke. Hansen says.
Colo 0 Harris and Hansen speculated that However, the MMPs in the chronic knee
�.�1/ supplementing a diet with omega-3, or fish were regulated by fish oil. MMPs can be
oil, might help slow the course of this disease. regulated in at least three different ways: the
University
As osteoarthritis is not uniQue to the human production of MMPs can be slowed, MMPs
Knowledge to Go Places population, Harris and Hansen conducted can be prevented from being activated, and
the body's disposal rate of MMPs can be drugs. These drugs act the same as fish
increased. In Harris and Hansen's research oil but can be costly and have serious side
the omega-3 diet seemed to affect all three effects like tendonitis, steroid-induced
control points of MMPs. Omega-3 slowed osteoporosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and
down the production and prevented the liver and kidney disease.
activation of In the
MMPs and also p future, Harris
helped increase ' and Hansen
s a %
the body's f`#,f * will continue to
disposal rate of �t _ 7" ,. investigate the
MMPs. ,,,E � I health benefits
To me, arr of omega-3 fatty
the big issue '*r $ acids. Harris
Al
is whether we
;l; is enthusiastic
a t ,_.:
should have ! about beginning
'- t
more fish oil t a new project
in our diets," funded by the
Hansen says. "In Agricultural
dogs, there were i Experiment
positive results I A Station in
after 63 days le ` � which she will
t
of treatment I study MMPs
—a very small t,* in a clinical
portion of a population,
lifetime. If wet following the
ate more fish oil progress of Annual Report, 2003
throughout our pregnant women Colorado Agricultural
lives, would the .. , as they intake Experiment Station
results be more N fatty acids to 16 Administration Building
dramatic?" - - - reduce pre-term 3001 Campus Delivery
Certainly treating osteoarthritis with delivery. Hansen plans on looking at omega-3 Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
fish oil seems preferable to traditional and possibly other fatty acids in connection www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
treatments. Osteoarthritis usually is treated with other diseases such as gum disease and Phone (970) 491-5371
with aspirin and other anti-inflammatory cancer. Fax (970) 491-7396
The Health Benefits of Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to human health. Promising research is being conducted on the beneficial effects of
omega-3 on health problems ranging from psoriasis to cancer. In the womb, the omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in
fetal brain and vision development, and they continue to play a major part in our health at every stage in life by assisting in
the prevention and management of certain diseases and chronic conditions.
Oil-rich fish and supplements such as fish oil and cod liver oil are the richest and most readily available dietary sources
of omega-3. Omega-3 fortified everyday foods like bread and fruit juices are in production in the United States.
'4?T9'turommid*'s3«tUAfi N iii#-9il.>ji n ..g9¢f{N, .1iC iv,ii x ck1 ir,ltr'41,,No•rr^y;„'z n rill o- .,
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n
s »,iy °, united States were valued ,at 52.6 olTspring that are larger and will grow faster.
.:..' Fe q }. 04,x_ billion in 2001, and the beef 'mdustry In a national project to investigate EPDs,
d'' is the largest component of Colorado Colorado State University worked with Kansas
u
,;. . `e'^ agriculture. But Stephen Koonti, State University, Texas A&M University.
�,1r ;-N S associate professor of agricultural and Cornell University, and the USDA Agricultural
ii J v /o"t-?'r �' resource economics at Colorado Slate Research Service Meat Animal Research
., a w ' 1, ,;z viq University, wants to make the industry Center. Partial funding for the project was
better, not simply bigger. "Many provided by the National Cattlemen's Beef
agricultural experiments arc aimed at Association and the participating beef cattle
.., � producing more of a product. which ultimately breed associations. The research conducted
C� 6 is lowers prices." Koontz explains. "My research on EPDs allows producers to select carcass
is intended to improve a product in order to characteristics, including tenderness. This
enhance demand." EPD research also fits well with other research
research like ike Koontz's research was inspired by the conducted at Colorado State. Specifically.
declining demand for beef that has occurred the BeefCam Tenderness Evaluation System.
�" has
the last 30years. This trend is due to a a video-imaging technology developed by
this that has number of factors, but a significant part of Keith Belk and Gary Smith, allows producers
the decline can be attributed to palatability to get a picture of carcass tenderness and use
the potentialproblems. Tenderness is probably the that information to adjust their management
most important quality that contributes to practices.
palatability of beef, and Koontz claims that What makes for a quality piece of beef?
to help fanners consumers rate between one-out-of-four and Koontz says tender beef is a result of good
one-out-of-five beef eating experiences as genetics, good management. good harvest and
unsatisfactory, fabrication, slight aging, and knowledgeable
and ranchers Koontz and his colleague R. Mark Enns, preparation.
who is an assistant professor of animal science Would consumers be willing to pay
and a geneticist, are using funds from the more for a more tender product? Koontz
improve their Agriculture Experiment Station along with was unwilling to rely on consumer surveys to
checkoff dollars from the National Cattleman's answer this question. "Surveys are somewhat
Beef Association to measure the benefits unreliable; people may not do exactly what
income. and costs of developing tenderness EPDs they say they will do when it comes to
(Expected Progeny Differences) for beef cattle spending their own money." Instead, Koontz
breeds and to assess the economic benefits of and former Colorado State graduate student
making beef more palatable. Megan Bruch looked at grocery store data
EPDs are how seedstock producers —specifically the National Beef Tenderness
ColCoimprove different characteristics of beef Survey conducted by the National Cattleman's
animals. For example, there have long Beef Association —to discover how much
University been EPDs on animal weight and growth more consumers will pay for a more tender
performance. As a result. producers are product. Through the data. they determined
Knowledge to Go Places able to look across the pool of breeding that more tender cuts are priced at a premium.
Koontz found that a 10 percent improvement changes in the beef pricing, marketing, and
in tenderness would result in a 3.5 to 4 grading system." Koontz says, "In the short-
percent increase in retail beef prices. If term, it likely will be niche and high-end
the resulting product improvements would marketers who adopt this new technology
cause consumers and develop a
to bring new system to make
money to the it work. Then
beef industry, the if changes can
potential benefit be made in the
to the industry industry grading
could be huge. system, the
The short-term technology has
cost of improving the potential to
beef palatability be very successful
would be more across the industry
than offset by Jul as a whole."
•
permanent "It is research
increased industry like this that has
revenue. the potential to
Citing the help farmers and
fact that producers ranchers improve
have not yet y their income."
set up a system Koontz says of Annual Report, 2003
for making sure his findings. Colorado Agricultural
that high-quality "Declining beef Experiment Station
producers get demand has hurt 16 Administration Building
paid more and this industry." 3001 Campus Delivery
tough beef gets discounted, Koontz claims, Koontz feels that the findings and technology Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
"There needs to be a way to track beef offered by the Colorado State University www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
tenderness through the marketing system and research stands to improve the end product Phone (970) 491-5371
across different producers. There need to be and increase demand. Fax (970) 491-7396
CSU Develops a New Tool for Evaluating Beef
Colorado State University researcher, Keith Belk and his colleagues have created a revolutionary tool called BeefCam®,
which helps the beef industry attract new customers and be more profitable. Based on color vision technologies, BeefCam®
is becoming the technological foundation for improving beef grading and marketing around the world.
BeefCam® is a video-imaging technology that scans beef carcasses into color-differentiated images from which the
subsequent eating Quality can be determined with a high degree of predictability. For instance, BeefCam® can measure
lean color as it relates to the pH of the lean tissue, which can be an indicator of beef tenderness. BeefCam® helps beef
processors channel the most palatable carcasses toward value-added marketing programs. The result is a higher-quality, more
consistent product that keeps customers coming back for more.
BeefCam® research began with Colorado State University and Hunter Labs of Virginia in 1997. SmartMV, a Hunter Labs
subsidiary and Research Management Systems (RMS) worked with Colorado State University to commercialize the system.
BeefCam® was incorporated into the RMS Computer Vision System (CVS) technology. The commercial BeefCam® System,
first operational May 2000, continues to operate for the Nolan Ryan Tender Aged Beef program.
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