Resources

Pest Management and Crop Development Newsletter

http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/cespubs/pest/

A weekly newsletter during the growing season, providing up-to-date information on current pest problems and management options for growers. To order: call (800) 345-6087 or write U of I Extension Newsletter Service, 528WN Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801

Value-Enhanced Corn and Soybean Production in Illinois

http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/value/

"About two-thirds of the 16,800 farmers reported that value-enhanced crops had increased their farm income by an average of 12.5 percent," said Swanson. "It is estimated that Illinois farmers received a total of about $32 million in additional farm income during 1999 and 2000 from growing value-enhanced corn and soybeans." This report discusses changes in value-enhanced corn and soybean production in Illinois including opinions of farmers on the importance of value-enhanced crops in their production systems. Market and production information for high oil corn, non-GMO corn, white and yellow food-grade corn, waxy corn, high-extractable starch corn, non-GMO soybeans, STS (registered trademark), and clear hilum, food-grade soybeans are also discussed. Copies of the report can be obtained by contacting the Value Project office at (217) 244-4796, fax (217) 333-5502, or e-mail: swansonb@uiuc.edu

2001 Illinois Agronomy Report: Listing of Projects and Selected Research Reports from the Research and Education Centers

Crop Sciences Special Report Number 2001-05, Dec. 2001, p. 78

A summary of 18 research projects is included in this listing of current research projects by the University of Illinois, Crop Science Department. To order a copy call 217-333-9480, write Crop Sciences Dept., AW-101 Turner Hall, MC-046, Urbana, IL 60181.

Profitable Poultry: Raising Birds on Pasture

http://www.sare.org/bulletin/poultry

A free 16-page color bulletin offered by USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) - features farmer experiences, plus the latest research in a new "how-to" guide to raising chickens and turkeys using pens, movable fencing, and pastures. To order a copy, call 301-504-6422.

‘Thinking Paper’ On Mad Cow Disease

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/news/2002/bsepapers.htm

A report by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on possible actions to minimize human exposure to meat food products from cattle that could contain Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or the so-called Mad Cow Disease. BSE is a chronic degenerative disease affecting the nervous system of cattle. FSIS requests comments on both the current thinking paper and the Harvard risk assessment. For further information contact Daniel Engeljohn, Director, Regulations and Directives Development Staff, Office of Policy, Program Development and Evaluation, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, phone 202-720-5627.

Grasshopper Management

www.sidney.ars.usda.gov/grasshopper/index.htm

Kim Kaplan, ARS News Service, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, (301) 504-1637, Kaplan@ars.usda.gov

In 16 hours, a grasshopper will eat its own weight in green food. Seven grasshoppers per square yard over 10 acres can eat the same amount as one cow. The web site and CD-ROM are comprehensive sources for the most recent research in grasshopper management, identification, biology, ecology and control tactics for land managers, and farmers. Decision-making software, which is part of the package, can also help land managers decide if and when pesticide spraying will make economic and environmental sense. The grasshopper CD project is a collaborative effort of ARS, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the University of Wyoming, was coordinated by the ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney, Mont. The CD-ROM is available without charge by contacting the Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, 1500 North Central Ave., Sidney, MT 59270, phone (406) 433-5038, fax (406) 433-2020, hoppercd@sidney.ars.usda.gov.

Precision Farming Profitability

James Lowenberg-DeBoer, editor, (765) 494-4230, lowenberg-deboer@agecon.purdue.edu

Topics in this book include: estimating precision farming benefits, variety-performance testing with GPS, drainage, soil fertility, weed control, yield monitoring and mapping, soil sampling, remote sensing, variable-rate technologies, Geographic Information Systems, on-farm research, manure management, and weather information. To order call the Purdue Media Distribution Center at (888) 398-4636 or e-mail: Media.Order@ces.purdue.edu

"The Dirty Dozen: 12 Pasture Weeds"

Jerry Doll, Extension Weed Scientist, University of Wisconsin

The booklet contains descriptions and color pictures of our most common pasture weeds. For a copy, contact Peggy Compton at the Lancaster ARS, 7396 State Hwy. 35/81, Lancaster, WI 53813; ph. 608-723-6243, fax 608-723-2607 or e-mail peggy.compton@ces.uwex.edu

Low Cost Parlors for Wisconsin and Minnesota Dairy Producers

http://cdp.wisc.edu

A description on options for low cost dairy parlors by the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability. To order the fact sheet and CD-ROM call Arlin Brannstrom at 608-265-3030.

Field Guide to Butterflies of Illinois

A field guide to identify butterflies found in Illinois. This guide contains color photographs of species plus information on habitats, natural history, and distribution. To order: call (217) 333-6880, e-mail rjohnson@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu, or send request to: Distribution Office, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign, Illinois 61820.