IN THIS NEWSLINE ISSUED DECEMBER 23, 2004:

1. 1 RANGELAND MONITORING IN RESPONSE TO DROUGHT
2. 4-H HERO PACKS
3. WINTER IS IDEAL PRUNING TIME
4. 4 PUBLICATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORIES UPDATED
5. OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
6. 6 BONE BUILDERS VOLUNTEER TRAINING
7. NEW BOOK AND BOOK SIGNING
8. TWO RECENT RESEARCH REPORTS
9. HORSE NUTRITION AND HOOF CARE
10. EVENTS
    

1 RANGELAND MONITORING IN RESPONSE TO DROUGHT

In response to several years of drought, personnel from the UA School of Natural Resources are working with 10 different ranches across Arizona to develop site-specific range monitoring protocols. Each protocol will be management driven and will be based on local weather patterns and rangeland conditions.

The Coordinated Integrated Rangeland Monitoring Program will give managers, including ranchers and state and federal agencies, better information and afford them more flexibility in adjusting livestock numbers in accordance with rangeland trend data.

George Ruyle, School of Natural Resources

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/srnr/pdf/renew_fall_2004.pdf

2 4-H HERO PACKS

The Arizona 4-H Youth Development Program is putting together Hero Packs to support the families of those who serve with the Army Reserve, National Guard, or Accessions Command.

The packs contain items such as an e-camera, 4-H backpack, assorted toys and other 4-H items and a hand written letter to the service member or their family. They are being distributed by 4-H offices in Arizona counties where Army and Air Force bases are located. These Hero Packs are designed to boost the morale of families of deployed soldiers.

The HERO PACK Community Service Initiative is sponsored by USDA Army-Youth Development Project, a collaboration of the US Army Child and Youth Services, and the National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, US Department of Agriculture, underAuburn University.

Lisa Lauxman, Arizona 4-H Youth Development

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/4-H/teen.htm

3 WINTER IS IDEAL PRUNING TIME

Trees in the wild are never pruned, yet they often have long healthy lives. In a natural setting, their branches develop a balance and form typical of the species. It is when trees are brought into an urban situation thatcorrect pruning becomes so important. Pruning is both a skill and an art.

Deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves and go through a dormant period in response to cold (and sometimes drought). The best time of year to prune is during this dormancy -- when all of the foliage has dropped. Generally this occurs from mid-December to the latter part of January (or beyond, in higher elevations). All pruning should be done before buds show evidence of swelling.

Limbs of various sizes will be removed during pruning. Matching the limb size to the hand tool will make the job go more easily. There is always the possibility of spreading a disease from one plant to another. When pruning several plants, it is wise to disinfect your tools between plants. Dip or coat the blades with a 10% bleach solution or with alcohol. After using pruning tools, thoroughly wash, dry, and coat the blades with a film of light oil to prevent rusting. If kept sharp and clean, good tools will provide years of service.

Elizabeth Davison, Department of Plant Sciences

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1139/

4 PUBLICATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORIES UPDATED

The publication "Laboratories Conducting Soil, Plant, Feed, or Water Testing" has been updated. It now includes all the Certified Environmental labs in Tucson and the Phoenix area as well as Blythe, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The listing includes laboratories that offer their services to the general public as well as the those that test feeds, soil, plant material and more.

This publication should be useful to county agents and volunteers serving agricultural clientele as well as individual home and property owners.

Jeff Schalau, Yavapai County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1111.pdf

5 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has named CALS Professor Jack Elliot Region V ACTE Outstanding Educator of the Year.

The award was presented at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, Dec. 9-11, in Las Vegas. Elliot has taught agricultural education at the University of Arizona for 12 years. He has published over 135 curriculums, articles and other academic works.

Elliot serves as a member of the Arizona State Board of Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) advisory committee and co-chaired the Arizona CTE teacher certification committee. For the past 13 years, he has managed an Arizona Department of Education Career and Technical grant, which involves coordinating efforts with Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona Tech Prep directors.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 78th year, ACTE's membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

Jack Elliott, Department of Agricultural Education

To learn more:
http://www.acteonline.org

6 BONE BUILDERS VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Osteoporosis, believed to be a disease that afflicts older people, is often described as a childhood disease with old-age outcomes. One in every 2 women and 1 in every 8 men will suffer osteoporosis-related fractures in their lifetime. Often, people don't realize they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks.

Volunteers are needed to teach others about reducing their risks of osteoporosis. The next two-day training session will be January 28 and 29 in both Phoenix and Tucson.

Bone Builders volunteers will learn about osteoporosis and risk factors for developing it, prevention techniques through nutrition and exercise, screening and treatment options, and tips for educating others in their community.

Sharon Hoelscher Day, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://www.bonebuilders.org

7 NEW BOOK AND BOOK SIGNING

University of Arizona School of Natural Resources professor Guy McPherson will sign copies of his newly published book at the UA campus bookstore on January 25 from noon to 1:00 p.m.

According to McPherson, "Killing the Natives" thoroughly describes how "our indefatigable pursuit of the American Dream -- 'live long and prosper' -- threatens the world's native cultures, languages and species, and ultimately our own civilization. This critical, scholarly assessment is rooted in history, shaped by culture, and bounded by a broad and optimistic vision. It contains pragmatic solutions to important, timely problems."

Guy R. McPherson, School of Natural Resources

To learn more:
http://www.whitmorebooks.com/kinahasamdrb.html

8 TWO RECENT RESEARCH REPORTS

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has issued two new agricultural reports based on faculty research conducted over the past year. The table of contents for each can be found at the links below:

2004 Vegetable Report:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1348/

2004 Forage & Grain Report
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1349/

9 HORSE NUTRITION AND HOOF CARE

Two upcoming workshop series on horse care will be held at the Equine Center at the Campus Agricultural Center in Tucson.

The first workshop provides horse owners with an in-depth study of equine nutritional management. The series of three weekly educational sessions of two to three hours each will focus on applied aspects of feeding horses to help participants with their current feeding program.

Attendees who bring a hay sample will receive an analysis to determine how to balance diets for each of the different classes of horses being fed.Computer assisted analyses are conducted and software is available for participant use. The workshops will be held January 31 and February 7 & 14,2005.

Horse owners who are interested in learning more about proper hoof function and care can attend a two-part workshop. The first session is for the horse owner interested in just the basics of hoof care, while the second for those interested in gaining hands-on training in the proper trimming of horses. It includes information on how to detect physiological unsoundness found inlegs and hooves and the identification of various trimming/shoeing methods. Lectures will be held January 10, 17, and 25; with laboratory sessions on January 29 and 30.

Bill Schurg, Department of Animal Sciences

To learn more:
http://animal.cals.arizona.edu/equine/workshops/index.php

10 EVENTS

December 28-January 2 - Arizona National Livestock Show, Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix. The largest Livestock Show in the Southwest and a Phoenix tradition since 1948, held annually during the winter holiday season. For more information, see http://www.anls.org/

January 25-27 - 17th Annual Southwest Indian Agricultural Association (SWIAA) Annual Conference, Laughlin, Nevada. A diverse program is planned that includes topics and speakers from the national, regional, and local levels. For registration see http://cals.arizona.edu/nativeamericanprograms/swiaa.pdf

January 27 - 28 - First Annual Colorado River Horticulture Conference, "Meeting the Challenges of Horticulture in the Low Desert," Nautical Inn & Resort, Lake Havasu City. Conference pre-registration is $60.00 before January 15 and $85.00 after January 15. For more information on the conference, contact mohavece@ag.arizona.edu or enorton@cals.arizona.edu
For program topics see http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/pdf_files/hort_conf_colorado_river.pdf

February 7-9 - Workshop on Climate Variability and Ecosystem Impacts in Southwestern Forests/Woodlands, Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa (928-284-4040). When calling to reserve a room, be sure to mention "NAU/UA Forest Health." Registration deadline is January 10. For more information, click on http://cals.arizona.edu/gila/naturalresources/index.html

February 24-25 - 20th Annual Southwest Nutrition and Management Conference, sponsored by CALS Department of Animal Sciences, Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center, 60 East Fifth Street, Tempe, Arizona.For more information see http://animal.cals.arizona.edu/swnmc/2005/brochure_2005.pdf

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