incorporate into the 'Decision Evaluator for the Cattle Industry' model, the grazing component applicable to the various regions of the United States as part of an improved management system.

modify the rumen submodel of the Cornell Carbohydrate Protein System for evaluating cattle diets to accommodate the effect of pH on ruminant methanogensis and ammonia production.

begin testing the new generation cotton production model on a field production basis with farmer cooperation.

use a computer model of dairy production to assess long-term impacts of global warming on dairy farms in the Northern U.S.

release a new decision support tool for cattle producers in the Northern Great Plains that will provide aid in managing rangeland in a sustainable manner.

continue efforts to understand insect resistance in corn varieties and use the information to develop new alternative pest control methodologies.

continue cooperative efforts in the development of environmentally friendly and generally nontoxic biopesticides and natural product based pesticides.

continue the evaluation of resistance genes and begin the establishment of molecular markers in order to accelerate up the incorporation of this resistance into commercial varieties.

continue development of alternative insect pest control methodologies. Specific protection methodologies will be tested in an areawide IPM Program involving producers, grain elevator operators, and wheat mills in Kansas and Oklahoma.

evaluate various commodity treatments for control of postharvest decay of citrus, apples, potatoes, and other crops.

determine the tolerance of various major varieties of tangerines/hybrids and round orange citrus types marketed as fresh fruits treated with low dose irradiation and conduct preliminary investigations to determine the response of methyl jasmonate for reducing peel injury to grapefruit due to irradiation exposure.

study the effects of heat/long-term controlled atmosphere quarantine treatment of pears and apples on fruit quality. Complete the insect mortality efficacy testing of this treatment to assure that it provides adequate quarantine security for U.S. trading partners.

continue cooperative efforts in developing environmentally friendly and generally nontoxic biopesticides. Potential biopesticides such as insect chitinase, chicken avidin, and entomopathogens such as fungi will be evaluated for their ability to protect crops and processed commodities from insect infestations in collaboration with other ARS, university, and biotech industry personnel.

continue evaluating genes in wheat and alfalfa that provide resistance to various insects and pests and begin the establishment of molecular markers to hasten the incorporation of this resistance into commercial varieties.

continue developing alternative insect pest control methodologies. Specific protection methodologies will be tested in an areawide IPM program that involves producers, elevator operators, and wheat mills in Kansas and Oklahoma.

evaluate new low risk insecticides (biopesticides, nontoxic compounds and products with novel chemistries) to control insects in milling and processing facilities, food storage, and bulk grain.

determine the potential for expanded use of aeration of wheat and corn stored in different regions of the U.S.

continue evaluating the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth and heat for cost-effective insect management in food processing facilities and distribution centers.

continue cooperation with food processors and packers to develop insect resistant packaging.

develop artificial diets for parasitoids that attack grain insect pests so that these beneficial insects can be raised commercially.

continue insect behavioral studies and the development of alternative insect pest control methodologies that incorporate the understanding of pest and natural enemy interactions.

develop alternative strategies to the use of fungicides for limiting postharvest decay of fruits and vegetables.

discover and develop natural product-based postharvest materials to protect against insect and microbial damage.

expose commodities to new fumigants at various concentrations to determine their potential as alternatives to methyl bromide. Fruit and nuts will be infested with an appropriate postharvest insect pest, treated, and evaluated as to efficacy and phytotoxicity.

investigate different sorption substrates for their ability to trap methyl bromide in an effluent gas stream. Those considered promising will be further investigated to determine their ability to sorb and desorb methyl bromide under various temperature and relative humidity conditions.

test the new Mediterranean fruit fly attacking strain of parasite, B. arisanus in field cage evaluations in Guatemala and Mexico in preparation to transferring the parasite to APHIS for use in those countries. Assistance will be provided to APHIS for developing colonization and mass rearing procedures.

continue the investigation of NIR as a tool for mosquito analysis. The species determination capabilities will be verified and the ability of the instrument to detect the presence of malarial organisms within the mosquito will be evaluated. Such information will provide the first rapid mosquito analytical method available, and save millions of dollars in time and effort worldwide.

evaluate the potential of the semi-automated microplate assay, blot assay, and other assays that can be used to detect and monitor pesticide resistance in insects.

cooperate with the grain industry in Kansas and Oklahoma in using detection technology for monitoring the level of insect infestation in wheat to improve quality through the application of a variety of insect control measures.

begin studies to determine the influence of insect movement behavior and response to pheromones on the implementation and interpretation of pest insect monitoring programs.

determine the optimal density of McPhail traps or others for detecting or delimiting Mexican fruit fly outbreaks. This will be accomplished by conducting research to test the effective distance at which an adult fly would be at risk of capture by a McPhail trap.

develop and test a long lasting lure containing a new synthetic attractant for efficacy in citrus orchards. Bait stations will continue to be improved and tested with emphasis on the Mexican and Mediterranean fruit fly.

transfer to APHIS recombinant antigen-based diagnostic tests for equine piroplasmosis.

validation of a live animal test for scrapie in sheep.

develop methods for rapidly identifying avian influenza viruses and infections by different avian influenza virus strains.

develop improved detection and identification tests for plant pathogens in commodities, seeds, and other plant products. Such tests will reduce the risk of spreading disease from one crop to another and reduces commodity losses in storage.

cooperate with industry to develop an integrated insect management system for use in food processing facilities, distribution centers, and grocery stores. The system will rely on sanitation and insect monitoring using spatial analysis so that controls can be specifically targeted to infestations.

cooperate industry to develop improved pheromone baited traps and methods to monitor stored product pests in commercial facilities.

continue with investigations into the movement behavior of insect pests and use the information to develop more effective pest monitoring strategies.

collaborate with the grain industry to apply the characteristics of the Perten 4100 System for determining physical properties to predict end use functionality of wheat and other similar grains.

cooperate with commercial insecticide manufacturers to show that NIR can be used to differentiate parasitized and nonparasitized fly pupae to assist in developing biological controls.

cooperate with industry and researchers to apply NIR to rapidly, by age, grade mosquitoes and flies.

develop new instrumental methods for determining fruit and vegetable quality based on human sensory analysis characteristics.

develop/transfer technology on wheat quality evaluation for detecting the presence of TCK mold spores.

cooperate with the peanut industry and FAO/WHO to implement aflatoxin testing programs for peanuts exported/traded in world markets.

scale up the enzymatic retting process for commercial development using fiber flax and seed flax straw to produce high and consistent staple length flax/linen fibers tailored for use by specific industries.

continue to update the information in the Stored Grain Advisor software and expand coverage to include corn in addition to wheat. A new version of the software will also be developed that is more applicable to storage conditions and problems found in large concrete grain elevators.

continue to cooperate with various industry partners to develop more effective insect controls and provide information linking the insect trap catch data to the economic impact of specific levels of infestation.

evaluate the application of specific insect monitoring, control, and sanitation programs at each of the areawide stored wheat IPM program test site and evaluate the impact on wheat quality and insect populations.

continue the development of the wheat end use quality relational data base.

conduct grain drying tests to determine the energy performance of an experimental closed-loop heat pump grain dryer in cooperation with a CRADA partner and the Department of Energy. Energy performance was found to be three to four times greater than conventional high temperature batch dryers and 15 to 20 percent higher than that reported in the literature for heat pump-based grain drying, but management, automation and control of grain flow, air flow, and refrigerant flow needs improvement to sustain total system performance.

evaluate the potential for development or installation of online sensing devices in a pilot elevator for automatic quality segregation of incoming grain.

cooperate with grain cleaner manufacturers and Kansas State University research associates in reviewing the engineering design requirements for removing dockage from wheat in high capacity systems at grain export facilities.

evaluate strong and weak gluten wheat flours for frozen dough quality through fractionation and reconstitution of the major flour components, and ascertain which component causes dough weakening during proofing and baking.

continue to refine the enzymatic 'retting' process to separate flax fibers from the stem of the flax plant. ARS will provide the capability to 'cottonize' the fiber, i.e., to cut it into staple lengths so that it can be processed on cotton equipment, and will begin studies on the utilization of this material for cotton-linen blends.

continue its five year areawide stored wheat IPM program in Kansas and Oklahoma using early aeration to cool grain and decrease insect and mold population growth, and assess impact on wheat quality and insect populations in cooperation with Kansas and Oklahoma State Universities and farmers and operators of grain elevators.

design and assemble a second generation experimental closed-loop heat pump grain dryer for further validation of energy efficiency and assessment of improved grain quality and functionality when such a system is used to dry grain.

continue to evaluate the potential for development and/or installation of online sensing devices in a pilot elevator setting for automatic quality segregation of incoming grain.

continue to cooperate with grain cleaner manufacturers and research associates in reviewing the requirements necessary to remove dockage from wheat in high capacity systems (20,000-80,000 bu/hr) at grain export facilities.

cooperate with industry in the development of insect monitoring strategies (including the types of traps, locations of traps, etc.) leading to new trap designs and pheromone combinations that will increase the effectiveness and acceptance of insect pest monitoring. Improved techniques for analyzing trap data will pinpoint sources of insect contamination and lead to decreased pesticide use and better and more economical control of insect pests.

establish the feasibility of using a patented process to tenderize both the large and small broiler breast muscles without whole carcass chilling. This will reduce the need for water/ice and chlorine used for chilling, and will shorten processing time by eliminating the need for postmortem 'aging' prior to muscle removal.

develop hyperspectral imaging technology which can assist industry to measure the quality of deciduous fruits (apples and cherries) during growth and maturation, and in various postharvest stages.

begin pilot plant trials on nonsulfide dehairing processes to eliminate the particularly noxious chemical now used in the tanning process.

complete analysis of grading peanuts with high moisture content to enable industry utilization of continuous flow drying and improved inventory control during harvest and initial marketing.

add the measurement of protein to the food product database used for dietary fiber.

design a pilot plant facility to produce retted flax and determine the feasibility of using enzyme retting by industry.

develop universal calibrations for radio frequency and microwave moisture sensors and evaluate other opportunities for lowering costs that will foster the development of cost-effective reliable online moisture sensing equipment to aid in preserving high quality of cereal grains and their products.

evaluate the effect of selected enzymes and enzyme combinations on weakening of frozen bread during proofing and baking, and subsequent keeping quality of the baked bread after 16 weeks of frozen storage.

complete analysis of grading peanuts with high moisture content to enable industry utilization of continuous flow drying and improvement of inventory control during harvest and marketing.

develop optimum marketing strategies for beef cattle in the Northern Great Plains.

implement a new 'end use' classification and measurement scheme to be used intermittently for wheat.

continue working with the grain industry to establish an acceptable standard for red versus white classes of wheat. In addition, ARS will test the effectiveness of a modified instrument to predict the end use performance of wheat samples and analyze important properties of other small grains, such as sorghum, rice, and oats.

provide GIPSA with an experimental automatic test weight prototype and specifications for use in developing an evaluation site for automated grain inspection data collection.

continue cooperation with Perten Instruments of North America to add NIR measurements of wheat to the Perten 4100 Single Kernel Characterization System (SKCS). This instrument, which will be commercially available, objectively distinguishes red and white kernels of wheat and measure the protein concentration in single wheat kernels. The NIR instrumentation can also detect the presence of internal insects in single kernels and bunted kernels in addition to providing standard SKCS measures of single wheat kernel hardness, weight, size, and moisture content.

evaluate the potential for rapid, objective assessment of starch modification in single kernels of malted barley using physical measures similar to those for crushing wheat for hardness classification with the Perten SKCS.

develop and combine a machine vision analysis component with Perten•s 4100 Single Kernel Characterization System to increase wheat quality prediction performance. Preliminary studies have demonstrated an increase in the accuracy of hardness classification and the potential for improved flour yield predictions.

develop a machine vision based methodology to objectively evaluate bread crumb grain in ARS bake laboratory evaluations of early generation hard winter wheat varieties.

evaluate, in cooperation with GIPSA, the capability of the FOSS Grain Check 310 to assist inspectors in grading wheat. This instrument is one of the first commercially available that uses the principles of image analysis to measure grain quality.

develop, in cooperation with GIPSA, a knowledge base of the qualitative characteristics that define wheat defects portrayed in the Interpretive Line Slides and develop a machine vision-based inspection system to identify the Line Slide defects in wheat-based on the knowledge base of qualitative characteristics.

continue to transfer the technology that provides accurate standards for repeatable calibrations of HVI strength measurements of cotton fiber. Research will continue to improve the accuracy and repeatability of other measurements, such as fineness, maturity, color, and length uniformity.

continue developing a combined machine vision and single kernel wheat characterization system to improve wheat hardness and flour yield predictions, and automate wheat inspection.

continue developing a machine vision-based inspection system to rapidly identify Line Slide defects in samples of wheat.

continue developing a machine vision based methodology for objectively evaluating bread crumb grain in ARS bake Laboratory tests and commercial bread baking processes.

continue cooperation with GIPSA to evaluate the capability of the FOSS Grain Check 310 to assist inspectors in grading wheat, corn and soybean and provide objective physical measures that relate to corn dry milling yield of yellow corn market samples.

cooperate with GIPSA and other grain industry segments to demonstrate the applicability of the Perten 4100 with the NIR attachment for identifying the presence of scab, vomitoxin levels, and kernel vitreousness in wheat.

continue assisting GIPSA in research and development of an inline automatic test weight device and components needed for automated grain inspection data collection at a commercial grain elevator facility.

transfer sorting technology enabling the U.S. tree nut industry to consistently meet foreign import standards for quality and aflatoxin presence.

test performance of the grain protein Artificial Neural Net against the current grading system for full implementation in the field.

determine whether microwave measurements for sensing moisture content of grain samples through their microwave dielectric properties can improve the accuracy of moisture sensing in grain.

implement studies to define and characterize the sensory texture profiles of major cuts of red meat and poultry, and relate the profiles to the development of improved instrumental procedures to estimate tenderness.

design fumonisin inspection programs for grain evaluation and transfer technology in cooperation with FDA and the grain industry.

design/develop aflatoxin inspection programs for farmers' stock peanuts, the peanut industry, and the Peanut Administrative Committee.

implement a rice database to be used for the measurement of rice quality.

evaluate near infrared transmission spectroscopy to determine quality standards for beef and pork trimmings produced from AMRS in cooperation with the National Meat Association and the American Meat Institute Foundation.

continue to determine which proteins in wheat are important for specific end use qualities and investigate the use of protein finger prints as a means of quality identification.

develop the methods and technology needed to acquire NIR spectral data during flour-water-dough mixing with an instrumented 10 gram mixograph, and relate spectral data to mechanical mixing energy requirements and compositional changes during wheat flour mixing.

investigate the potential use of durum wheat translocation lines for breadmaking.

continue development of the technology needed to acquire NIR spectral data during flour-water-dough mixing related to protein quality, dough development, strength and tolerance in wheat flours, and spectral properties of single wheat kernels.

develop a commercial scale hydrodynamic pressure system for meat products (either inline or batch system).

demonstrate the feasibility of profiling the status of raw poultry meat by identifying volatile organic compounds generated during storage and distribution. Develop a hand held instrument to measure the compounds in parts per billion.

in cooperation with the U.S. peanut industry, complete the feasibility of technology transfer of chemical testing for aflatoxin and farmer stock screening for all industry segments, and determine the impact of the technology on domestic and international competitiveness of U.S. peanuts.

expand the previously implemented rice database for the measurement of rice quality to include additional varieties of rice, and fill data gaps to make it more rigorous and widely accepted.

continue to investigate the use of durum wheat translocation lines for both breadmaking and pasta processing quality.

characterize the effects of genotype and environment on oat grain yield, quality, and dry milling characteristics, in collaboration with North Dakota State University.

determine the most efficient and accurate measurement system for oat groat percentage determination by mechanical means.

develop management practices for the specialist non-Apis bee pollinators for enhancing commercial production of a new avocado introduced at two groves in Ventura County, California.

improve guayule production by working with cooperators to identify strategies necessary to control annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds, determine the optimum time for seed harvest, and determine methods for optimizing the yield and quality of guayule latex.

develop and release a root knot nematode resistant Habanero-type pepper. The pepper is an extremely pungent one (Capsicum chinese) that is becoming popular in the U.S., however, it is susceptible to root knot nematodes as are all known commercial cultivars. A conventional backcross breeding procedure is being used to move a highly effective resistance gene from a Scotch Bonnet-type germplasm line into commercial Habanero. ARS is ready to initiate the third backcross cycle, and anticipates having advanced breeding lines ready for release by the end of FY 2000.

develop micro-quantification methods for rubber analysis so that guayule plants can be evaluated for potential performance while young instead of at least two years old.

begin testing rubber yield and quality from genetically engineered guayule.

plant large test plots of elite cuphea varieties in the Midwest in cooperation with farmers and 100 acres of lesquerella in the Southwest, both of which could produce oils for use in industrial products.

develop new fruit and vegetable germplasm for culinary, ornamental, and dual purpose culinary/ornamental applications. This material will provide rural development opportunities for mainstream and niche markets. Candidate introductions include new disease resistant and cold hardy citrus rootstocks, peach and nectarine selections adapted to the Southeastern U.S., and dual purpose pepper germplasm. Genetically engineered pears with antibacterial genes for control of fire blight will provide an opportunity for improved profitability in that industry.

complete forage nutritive evaluations of chicory and plantain in the Northeast and test the response of these species to defoliation.

develop microquantification methods for rubber analysis so that quayule plants can be evaluated for potential performance while young instead of at least two years old.

begin testing rubber yield and quality from genetically engineered guayule.

demonstrate the feasibility of using alternative production practices to manipulate beneficial microorganisms for mitigation of fruit tree replant disease. Preliminary trials demonstrate that short term plantings of wheat are effective in enhancing populations of Rhizoctonia-suppressive fluorescent pseudomonades. Applicable technologies will be transferred to producers. These technologies offer alternatives to methyl bromide for disease control.

plant, harvest, and process up to 30 acres of elite cuphea varieties and 500 acres of lesquerella to develop cropping and processing guidelines.

develop improved methods for handling and storing fresh cut fruits and vegetables to maintain quality and microbiological safety.

establish the field efficacy of organic based flocculants and soil stabilizers to control irrigation induced soil erosion. NRCS, irrigators, consultants and other water users will be able to use this technology to control soil erosion using 'natural' compounds that readily degrade in the environment.

complete development of extruded high fiber and high energy food bars using milk components for possible use in school lunch and other domestic programs.

conduct research with an industrial partner through a CRADA, to complete research necessary for commercialization of Zeagen corn fiber gum, a substitute for imported Arabic gum.

test and modify low oil uptake rice batter for various fried food applications and obtain a more comprehensive scientific understanding of the mechanisms of oil uptake. This will be done in cooperation with a CRADA partner.

continue to develop an improved phytase, including a reduced-cost plant produced phytase. Phytase is an animal feed additive that reduces the level of phosphorus in animal manure which protects the environment. Recent evidence linking Pfiesteria fish kills to runoff from animal production facilities has spurred interest in phytase as a means of helping abate future Pfiesteria-caused fish kills.

work with American tanneries to apply ARS technology to recover chromium in the solid waste byproducts from the tanning process. The recovered chromium is recycled back into the tanning process. The collagen which is also recovered from the solid waste has commercial value.

demonstrate the potential of natural fiber reinforced starch foam materials by moving innovations from the laboratory to the pilot plant stage with industrial partners.

execute license agreements for the intellectual property rights on biobased material for synthetic skin to treat burns and wounds.

commercialize guayule latex as a safe alternative to natural rubber for future production of hypoallergenic latex products by the industrial sector.

seek licensees and a CRADA partner to explore the potential of developing large scale manufacturing methods for a lightweight concrete based on wheat starch gels.

investigate the viability of Fantesk technology in food applications, metal working fluids, and medical applications in cooperation with industrial CRADA partners. Potential areas of commercialization will be pursued.

investigate the viability of utilizing cereal proteins as components for blends in the production of new biodegradable plastics in cooperation with the Biotechnology and Development Corporation.

investigate dry grind ethanol byproduct streams such as 'quick corn fiber' and distillers dry grains as alternative feedstocks for new functional (nutraceutical) food products.

develop and evaluate a new low cost method for extraction of valuable pectin from surplus U.S. citrus processing residues.

complete development of a new, lower cost extrusion method to produce biodegradable packaging and edible films from pectin, corn starch, and glycerol.

process up to 75,000 pounds of lesquerella seed to produce crude and refined oil, lesquerolic acid, and meal for industrial partners to use in developing industrial markets.

expand the utilization of Fantesk technology in food applications, particularly as a fat replacer in such items as soft serve ice creams and meats. CRADA partners will be sought in the food, medical, and lubrication areas. Potential commercialization applications will be sought.

conduct research to determine the viability of using supercritical fluids as a medium to produce new value-added materials from agricultural products via environmentally friendly processing procedures.

conduct research to evaluate potential industrial applications using cereal proteins. Develop CRADAs with industrial partners to advance commercialization of new cereal protein-based materials.

transfer technology to industry related to the use of corn flour and lignin for formulations of biopesticides. The formulations should make biopesticides more acceptable to end users as well as creating a new market for plant products.

cooperate with customers and stakeholders to overcome technical barriers facing the widespread commercialization of vegetable oil-based diesel fuels (biodiesel).

demonstrate improvement in scale up bioreactor technologies for two patented bioproducts, and develop new uses that have potential to increase demand for agricultural commodities.

commercialize 100 percent vegetable oil-based sheetfed and heatset inks.

conduct research for commercialization of biodegradable vegetable oil-based functional fluids for heavy equipment in cooperation with an industrial partner under a CRADA.

continue bioengineering phytase enzyme to enhance digestion of phytic acid by nonruminant animals and fish.

reduce the cost of enzymes by means of production in transgenic plant bioreactors in collaboration with a major biotechnology company under a CRADA. The byproduct plant fiber from processing, as well as fiber from animal manures, will be evaluated for use in composites, structural panels, filters for removal of pollutants from water, and for conversion to chemical feedstocks including fuels.

fractionate corn gluten meal from the corn wet-milling process to produce additional value added products.

develop new starch graft copolymers with unique properties using prime (never dried) starch as a feedstock in cooperation with a CRADA partner.

find new uses for high value proteins isolated from soy hulls in cooperation with industrial partners.

continue basic research to characterize the effects of processing and modification on the properties of starch and proteinaceous coproducts.

continue to transfer technology for single bath dyeing of wool/cotton blended fabrics. By cooperating with the textile industry, the use of two domestic fibers in new consumer products will be promoted.

continue technology transfer efforts with American industries to encourage the adoption of ARS technology for the recovery and utilization of protein and chromium from solid tannery waste.

produce biobased polyesters and surfactants from renewable fat and oil feedstocks by using wild type and genetically engineered microorganisms in a fermentation process.

test the potential application of native or chemically/physically modified biodegradable polymers in the production of fiber, film, and adhesives.

develop biodegradable packaging materials from renewable grain resources.

develop and evaluate grain and legume foods that promote health.

complete evaluation of commercial aquaculture feeds that incorporate high levels of fuel ethanol coproducts, and fully document findings and recommendations for stakeholder use.

characterize functional properties of corn gluten meal, an abundant corn wet-milling coproduct, and devise strategies to improve the properties of the meal for new food/feed markets.

further improve the production of fermentable sugars from corn fiber, an abundant corn wet-milling coproduct, utilizing novel bioconversion approaches. These sugars are potential feedstocks for fermentation to produce ethanol and such value added