Agri News, MN
05-08-07
Iowa news and notes
ISU team takes first in Soils Judging Contest
AMES, Iowa -- A team from Iowa State University finished first in the 2007
American Society of Agronomy National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest.
Nick Ihde, a junior in agricultural business from Prairie du Chien, Wis., was the
first-place individual overall. Jana Matthiesen, a senior in agricultural studies from
Bryant, finished sixth out of 83 students in the competition.
Other team members included John Hammerly, Newton; David Laubenthal,
Wesley; Curtis Maeder, Creston; Grant Nelson, Greenfield; Adam Peterson,
Boone; and Ashley Raes, Johnston.
Team coaches are Jon Sandor and Amber Anderson.
Twenty-one universities participated in the contest.
Lauren Christian Swine Center dedicated
MADRID, Iowa -- The Lauren Christian Swine Research Center at the Iowa
State University Billsland Memorial Farm near Madrid was dedicated May 8.
"Lauren Christian conducted much of his research at the Billsland Farm and it is
appropriate that the research center be named in his honor,'' said Maynard
Hogberg, chairman of the ISU Department of Animal Science.
The late Lauren Christian, a native of LaPorte City, was a Charles F. Curtiss
Distinguished Professor of Agriculture in animal science. He was an international
recognized expert in swine genetics and the first director of the Iowa Pork
Industry Center. Christian was an ISU animal science faculty member for 33
years and was a consultant for private and corporate firms associated with swine
production.
He died in 1998.