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Campus Chatter - April 26, 2017
 
University of Illinois Agronomy Day turns 60 in 2017
 
URBANA, Ill. — Equipment and crop varieties may have changed, but the goal of Agronomy Day has been consistent since its inception in 1957 – to communicate cutting-edge research results that will benefit the Illinois farming community. The 60th annual Agronomy Day will be Aug. 17 at the University of Illinois.
 
“Agronomy Day provides direct connections among the agricultural grower, the consumer, and the research scientist,” says Bob Dunker, agronomist and former superintendent of the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center, and chairperson for Agronomy Day. “Making these connections advances the goal of feeding our growing population across the globe.”
 
Agronomy Day was held in a new  location in 2016, and the South First Street Facility will host the event again this year. The facility is located at 4202 South 1st Street in Savoy. Directions, registration and more details are onthe Agronomy Day website at http://agronomyday.cropsci.illinois.edu
 
Experts will discuss a variety of topics from soil fertility to insect management, crop production, weed control, corn and soybean genetics, plant diseases, farm economics, and agricultural engineering. Field tours depart at 7 a.m. from the main tent, making continuous stops at research plots throughout the event.
 
Supplement may enhance dairy health, reproductive capacity
 
URBANA, Ill. — Animal scientist Phil
Cardoso knew that milk protein increases when dairy cows are fed the amino acid methionine, but he suspected that the supplement might have additional health benefits.
 
Last year, Cardoso and a team of collaborators discovered that methionine supplementation may increase embryo survival in dairy cows. But he had more questions. For example, can methionine speed up the amount of time between calving and ovulation? And does it affect gene expression in ovarian follicles?
 
The team measured follicle growth over time, with the idea that follicles that are quicker to reach a certain diameter might release oocytes sooner. However, cows that had been fed rumen-protected methionine did not technically produce bigger follicles faster than cows that were not supplemented with the amino acid. That is, the analysis did not show a statistical difference, but Cardoso saw a pattern.
 
“Follicles in methionine-fed cows did appear to be a little bigger than the others prior to ovulation. I’d like to repeat the experiment with more cows on a commercial farm to see if the difference would be more substantial,” Cardoso says.
 
What the study did show conclusively was that certain genes were expressed in different rates in ovarian follicles from cows that were supplemented with methionine. Two of those genes stood out.
 
A gene necessary for synthesis of estrogen and other hormones was higher in follicles from animals that received methionine. “If a cow can produce more estrogen, she is going to come in heat faster, and may get pregnant more easily,” Cardoso explains.
 
The team also found evidence that methionine supplementation could make cows and calves less susceptible to disease. A gene associated with inflammation and cancer potential, known as tumor necrosis factor, was lower in the ovarian follicular cells of animals that were supplemented with methionine.
 
Milton-Union MVCTC FFA Chapter holds banquet
 
WEST MILTON, Ohio — More than 180 parents, members and guests were in attendance at Milton-Union High School when the Milton-Union MVCTC FFA chapter recently held its second annual Parent-Member Banquet.
 
Highlights include:
 
•2016-17 Treasurer Daniel Albaugh, Reporter Jessica Leffew and Secretary Kassidy Thompson submitted officer books for district evaluations. They all earned a gold rating and will be recognized at the 2016 Ohio State FFA Convention.
 
•High School Principal Mrs. Laurie Grube will be receiving the Honorary State FFA Degree at the 2017 State FFA Convention.
 
•Junior members Daniel Albaugh, Kassidy Thompson, and Abby Hissong will be receiving their State FFA Degrees at the 2017 State FFA Convention
 
•An 8th-grade student, Erica Pratt, was recognized for her involvement in FFA and her hard work on her Supervised Agricultural Experience with the Star
Greenhand Degree.
 
•24 members were awarded the FFA Greenhand Degree, the first degree possible in FFA.
 
•Eight members were awarded the FFA Chapter Degree, the second degree possible in FFA.
 
•Scholarship is an important aspect in a school career, so the students in each class with the highest GPA were honored with the Scholarship pin and Certificate.
 
•14 members who applied to be recognized for their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs were selected in their respective categories.
 
•The 2017-18 chapter officers were installed. They are: Abby Hissong, president; Jessica Leffew, vice president; Emily Hornberger, secretary; Daniel Albaugh, treasurer; Tyler Pratt, assistant treasurer; Jamie Rasor, reporter; Jacob Hornberger, sentinel; Joel Cress, student Advisor; and Eryn Oldham, parliamentarian. 
 
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing  their potential for “Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success” through agricultural education. 
4/27/2017