NEWS

CSU Loses an Esteemed Colleague 

On March 24, 2008, Dr. Tim Stanton, Professor of Animal Science, passed away.  Dr. Stanton worked in the Animal Sciences Department for over 25 years focusing on Beef Feedlot issues but his knowledge, scientific expertise, and common sense combined in an unique way so that his influence was broadly felt in many agricultural sectors.

In 2004, Dr. Stanton wrote a description of his lagoon management project on a Colorado dairy for CDN. The beneficial impact of this work was extremely important to Tim. At the time of his death Tim was working with Loren Losh of AgSmart  to develop this research into a successful commercial product, "The O2 Solution", an economical and effective solution for wastewater lagoon odors, sludge build up and maintenance of appropriate levels of ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus. Because of Tim's research and support, the State of Colorado (CDPHE) granted AgSmart the opportunity to conduct a pilot project to treat a municipal wastewater treatment system, the first such allowed by the state.

All of us at Colorado Dairy News would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Renate, their son, Will Stanton, and two daughters, Jackie and Hanni Stanton, as well as Tim's close friends. In lieu of flowers, Tim's wish was that contributions be either made to a memorial fund for higher education for his children or to Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colo.

CSU Goes Green: The Land Grant College of the 21st Century

Advertisements touting Colorado State University as "The Green University" are popping up all over the place as CSU campaigns to raise its national stature. The effort is strongly backed by President Larry Penley, who has been traveling the country, telling the story, he likes to say, of the "21st century land grant university." This green movement is more than recycling and energy savings. It is the university commitment to solve problems
associated with climate change.

Click here for more information

Superclusters at CSU: What are They?

Supercluster was a phrase coined at CSU in 2006 by President Penley to describe CSU's newly designed model for technological transfer.

The Supercluster Method

• Working with businesses, areas with needed research are identified early on based on global needs.
• Supercluster collaborates with CSU Ventures to establish patents and develop market feasibility.
• Supercluster works with an existing industry partner to help develop product and move it to market quickly.
• Co-development of product, licensing and additional intellectual property development are continually cultivated throughout process.
  

Detailed information about the evolution of the superclusters method and descriptions of the three designated superclusters at CSU is available at: www.superclusters.colostate.edu

What are the CSU Superclusters doing for You, the Dairy Producer?

The Infectious Disease Supercluster, as its name indicates, focuses on infectious disease of viral and bacterial origin in animals and plants.  Directed by Dr. Barry Beaty, the emphasis is on the understanding the epidemiology of these diseases and marketing ways to stop their spread or cure them.

The Food Safety Cluster, a subgroup of the Infectious Disease Supercluster, is primarily staffed by members of the Animal Science Department.

Major research goals, priorities and capabilities of the Food Safety Cluster are to:

• Study the behavior of pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and Campylobacter) in foods;
• Reduce the incidence of foodborne illness by developing procedures, techniques, and effective interventions for pathogen reduction and control throughout the food chain;
• Study the molecular ecology and transmission dynamics of human foodborne pathogens;
• Probe the molecular pathogenesis of human foodborne diseases;
• Develop techniques and biosensors for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens; 
• Develop and improve methodology for detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) specified risk material in animal products;  
• Develop animal identification and traceability systems for prevention/control of spread of  foreign animal diseases, foodborne pathogen incidents/outbreaks and agricultural/food bioterrorism; 
• Evaluate international trade regulations and develop science-rooted strategies to enhance exports of high quality, nutritious and safe food products;
• Outreach education activities for industry, regulatory and public health agencies, and consumers to assure that consumers worldwide have access to a dependable supply of safe and high quality food products.
  

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The Clean Energy Supercluster

The mission of the CSU Clean Energy Supercluster is to promote an institution-wide effort to develop and disseminate market-driven clean energy solutions ­ on a sufficient scale to significantly reduce the accumulation of greenhouse gases that are forcing global climate change.

Dr. Shawn Archibeque is among 100 scientists at CSU participating in this group. Part of his current research activity is looking at ways for the animal industry to use byproducts of biofuel production without creating environmental problems.

Bill Parton of Warner College of Natural Resources makes models. His current models are being used to evaluate the environmental impact of biofuel cropping systems. These models are helping determine the environmental impact of expanding corn and grain biofuel cropping systems on net greenhouse gas exchanges within the United States. This analysis is being expanded as part of an EPA project to evaluate the potential global impact of U.S. government mandated biofuel production on land use practices and net greenhouse gas flues at the global scale.

Click here for more about the clean energy supercluster

Governor's Energy Office in Full Swing

It has been a year since Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. issued an Executive Order to re-create the Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (originally created in 1977 to promote energy conservation in Colorado) into the Governor's Energy Office (GEO). GEO's mission is to lead Colorado to a New Energy Economy by advancing energy efficiency and renewable, clean energy resources.

The New Energy Economy embraces energy conservation as an important component in our energy future, yet requires a broader mission to meet the goals of expanding renewable and clean energy resources and opportunities for the state's economy, environment and energy independence.

GEO recognizes the critical role it will play in charting Colorado's leading role in the provision of clean and renewable forms of energy. GEO will work with communities, utilities, private and public organizations, and individuals to promote renewable energy such as wind, solar, and geothermal, and energy efficiency technologies in commercial and residential buildings. The New Energy Economy will benefit Colorado by bringing jobs and protecting our natural environment.

Click here to bookmark the home page for this busy office
Stay abreast of the constant string of new programs.

Click here to stay abreast of biomass energy initiatives in CO

Carbon Sequestration

This term is tossed around in "green" circles. In certain conversations it sounds like a potential gold mine because of the value added to your land or dairy operation by certain practices and in other conversation it appears a mirage due to the infancy of the "carbon market". If you are interested in learning more, the Governor's Energy Office sponsored an all day program on carbon sequestration in February. The target audience was primarily ranchers and farmers. The opportunity for dairy producers to get involved will coincide with the capture of methane.

Click here for the proceedings from the conference

Topics included:

• Terrestrial (Agriculture and Forestry) Carbon Sequestration Opportunities in Colorado
• Climate Change 2008 
• Colorado Climate Action Plan 
• Overview of CCX®, Chicago Climate Exchange 
• National Carbon Offset Coalition, Inc. 
• Greenhouse gases and agriculture in Colorado: Emissions and opportunities 
• Forestry Carbon Credits 
• Duke Guidelines for Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets 
• Generated by Changing Land Management 
• Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Opportunities In Colorado 
• Carbon Credits ... A Unique Market-Based Approach With Benefits for Landowners 
• Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Opportunities in Colorado
  

CSU Graduate Kevin McSweeney Featured in DCRC Newsletter

The latest Dairy Council Reproduction Council Newsletter Q & A features CSU graduate Kevin McSweeney, DVM, owner and founder of Bovine Reproductive Specialists, based in Loveland, Colorado. Kevin shares his background, as well as his thoughts on trends in reproduction today and how producers can successfully improve reproductive programs in their herd.

Click here to view the complete Q&A

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information about ILM activities