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MT ARS facility saving energy and dollars with new lot lighting scheme
When NPARL Utilities Services Repairer Operator Eric Steinbeisser had to replace the lighting system for the ARS lab's parking lot, he took advantage of the opportunity to find lower cost options that also saved energy. After studying several alternatives, Steinbeisser settled on a new induction light system that required only two poles and four fixtures, as opposed to the previous eight fixtures on six poles, while still providing the same recommended foot candles of lighting. In addition, Steinbeisser added a new LED light for the lab's flagpole, again at considerable cost and energy savings. Altogether the new outdoor lighting saves the lab $325 and 5,256 KWH per year, while the new flagpole LED lighting saves an additional $70 per year and 1,139 KWH.
(Eric Steinbeisser, 406.433.9421, eric.steinbeisser@ars.usda.gov)
MT ARS entomologist invited to speak at Virginia Tech, microbial company
NPARL Research Entomologist Stefan Jaronski will be presenting an invited departmental seminar at Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg VA, on February 21. His talk is entitled "The Hunt for a Better Mousetrap (Mycoinsecticide), Or, The Perils of Pathology" in which he will discuss not only the many scientific aspects to be considered in developing a mycoinsecticide, but also draw on his recent research related to developing fungi to control grasshoppers. He is visiting Virginia Tech to discuss collaboration plans with Don Mullins and other faculty. Dr. Jaronski will also be presenting a seminar at Novozymes Biologicals, Salem VA, regarding persistence of mycoinsecticides in the environment. Dr. Jaronski is a member of NPARL's Pest Management Research Unit.
(Stefan Jaronski, 406.433.9486, stefan.jaronski@ars.usda.gov)
MT ARS Botanist invited to speak at Montana State University
NPARL Botanist John Gaskin was invited to speak at the Montana State University - Bozeman, Department ofLand Resources and Environmental Sciences on Monday, Feb. 11. Dr. Gaskin, Research Leader of NPARL's Pest Management Research Unit, discussed "Genetic tools for invasive weed management."
(John Gaskin, 406.433.9444, john.gaskin@ars.usda.gov)
MT ARS lab participates in regional Ag Shows
NPARL employees participated in two area agricultural trade shows in February. On Feb. 5-6, NPARL had a booth at the National Hard Spring Wheat Show in Williston, ND. On display was information on the Montana ARS lab's oilseeds and dryland malting barley research by Research Agronomist Brett Allen and Research Soil Scientist Upendra Sainju, respectively. Both scientists are with the lab's Agricultural Systems Research Unit. Also featured was information on NPARL's biological control program for alfalfa weevil conducted by Research Entomologist Tatyana Rand of NPARL's Pest Management Unit. On Feb. 7-8, NPARL hosted a booth at the Glendive Agri-Trade Exhibition in Glendive, MT, featuring the same research. Earlier, lab employees had participated in the 2013 Richland County (MT) Ag Days on Jan. 10-11. In addition to hosting a booth, two NPARL employees, Physical Scientist Bill Iversen and Biological Science Technician Nicole Davidson, gave presentations during a special gardening workshop held at the event. Iversen, a member of the lab's Ag Systems Unit working on irrigation issues, spoke on rainwater capture techniques, while Davidson, a member of the lab's Pest Management Unit working on grasshopper management, spoke on garden pests.
(Brett Allen, 406.433.9402, brett.allen@ars.usda.gov)
(Upendra Sainju, 406.433.9408, upendra.sainju@ars.usda.gov)
(Tatyana Rand, 406.433.9439, tatyana.rand@ars.usda.gov)
(Bill Iversen, 406.433.9417, bill.iversen@ars.usda.gov)
(Nicole Davidson, 406.433.9474, nicole.davidson@ars.usda.gov)
MT ARS entomologist named to grasshopper board executive committee
NPARL Insect Pathologist Stefan Jaronski was elected to the Executive Committee of the National Grasshopper Management Board at that group's 2013 Annual Meeting held in Aurora, CO Jan. 22-23. He joins fellow NPARL Research Entomologist Dave Branson on the organization's Executive Committee. In addition to their leadership roles, Drs. Branson and Jaronski also gave research updates at the session. Dr. Branson's presentation was entitled, "How does grasshopper community diversity affect rangeland production?" Dr. Jaronski gave two presentations, one entitled "Still more fun with fungi for grasshopper management," and the other, "Long term persistence study of Metarhizium acridum "Green Muscle." Both Jaronski and Branson are members of the Sidney, MT ARS lab's Pest Management Unit.
(Stefan Jaronski, 406.433.9486, stefan.jaronski@ars.usda.gov)
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