Did You Know?

• It pays.  Work from IANR's Agricultural Research Division, Nebraska's sole public entity charged with conducting agricultural research, pays dividends for Nebraska. A study covering 1949-1991 showed for every $1 invested in ARD, investors received the equivalent net annual benefits of 36 cents every year for 31 years, beating the 9 percent and 12 percent average returns of the S&P 500 and NASDQ composite indexes during the same period. On average, this rate of return in other states was 29 percent compared to Nebraska's 36 percent.
  
  
• Dr. Who? IANR's new Doctor of Plant Health program for plant practitioners will help meet the demand to detect and diagnose all plant health issues and manage plant systems. The professional, holistic program, offered through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, allows students to learn from some of the most-cited agricultural scientists in the world, while working with Nebraska's diverse ecoregions, soils and crops through internships. Healthy plants help feed and beautify the world. Make your impact: check it out at www.dph.unl.edu/.
  
  
• A cut above. IANR meat scientist Chris Calkins has been on the leading edge of developing new cuts of meat such as the flat iron steak, ranch steak and petite tender from the beef chuck, or shoulder. These cuts formerly were used for hamburger and stew meat. As a result, beef carcass values have increased by $50 to $70 per head – or $1.2 billion per year for the U.S. cattle industry. Look for more new cuts from Calkins' collaborative work, such as the Delmonico steak, boneless country-style chuck ribs, America's Beef Roast, and Denver and Sierra cuts.
  
  
• Ready, SET, Go! For many young people, their first class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is through UNL Extension 4-H. About 135,000, or one of every three eligible, Nebraska youth are enrolled in 4-H. Nebraska 4-H is a leader in implementing the national mission mandates of healthy lifestyles, citizenship, and science, engineering and technology (SET). Such programs as robotics building and programming are fields vital to the country's advancement and to prepare the next generation of scientists to compete globally.
  
  
• Not just a job. Many graduates of IANR's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources don't just work for others after graduation – several have started their own businesses. CASNR prepares students to have confidence and competence to succeed and contribute to their communities. 2006 graduates Heather Byers started Great Plains Nursery near Weston, featuring native trees, shrubs and perennials; Brett Nunnenkamp's The Country Pumpkin, near Sutton, wholesales pumpkins and gourds. Pickled asparagus spears are the specialty business of Neal Ely of Grafton, a 2007 graduate. Oxbow Animal Health in Murdock, started by 1971 graduate John Miller, ships its small animal food throughout the U.S. and to 26 countries.
  
  
• Nebraska lifeline.  UNL Extension, a part of IANR, is showing both rural and urban Nebraskans how to save water. Field days in the Republican River Basin have shown producers how to achieve nearly full yields with less water, helping preserve the economic viability of farmers and communities in this water-short area. In urban areas, extension teaches homeowners how to have lovely landscapes using drought-resistant plants that require less water. In addition, www.water.unl.edu Web site is an extensive resource for all things water.