October 13, 2004 - NGIRL scientists and technicians participated in the South Dakota State University Ag-Bio Careers Day. Students from many colleges and majors visited with the NGIRL volunteers to learn more about the USDA-ARS and the career opportunities available. The following majors were some of those represented by students at the careers fair: History, Economics, Biology, Soil Science, Agronomy, Animal Science, Ag Engineering, and Microbiology.

ARS Soil Scientist to present research on soil organic matter and aggregate stability.  On July 26, Joseph L. Pikul Jr., USDA‑ARS Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory, Brookings, SD will present his research at the 2004 Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Annual Conference to be held in St. Paul, Minnesota, July 24-28. Dr. Pikul has been conducting on-farm research near Brookings, SD to ascertain the nature of soil aggregate stability under “new management”. His presentation will focus on the relationship between soil particulate organic matter and aggregate stability. Dr Pikul has found that soil under diversified crop rotation or soil under no tillage has a greater concentration of particulate organic matter and greater aggregate stability. This finding is important because it shows that “new management” (increased rotation diversity or reduced tillage) causes a rapid improvement in soil properties, and these improved properties may reduce soil erosion and improve water conservation.  

NGIRL Scientists Participate in International Conference.  Scientists from the Crops and Entomology Research Unit at the ARS Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory, Brookings, SD, will attend the Seventh International Conference on Precision Agriculture in Minneapolis, MN, on 25-28 July 2004.  The goal of the conference is to highlight the latest significant research and its application in precision agriculture, and showcase emerging technologies and information management for agriculture.  Dr. Shannon Osborne will present a poster “Evaluating Existing Sensor-based Variable Nitrogen Technology for Spring Wheat Production in the Northern Great Plains”.  Co-author on this presentation is Dr. William Raun of Oklahoma State University.  Dr. Walter Riedell, Dr. Louis Hesler, and Dr. Osborne will present a poster entitled “Insect Pest and Disease Detection Using Remote Sensing Techniques”.  The conference brings together diverse segments of workers involved with precision agriculture, including researchers, business and industry representatives, farmers, and crop consultants.