Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Please see the .pdf file that is attached. Thank you.

Accomplishments Objective 1:

In 2014, the Iowa State University Grain Lab was contracted by the USDA Grain Inspection Service to determine whether more than one make or model of a Near Infrared (NIR) instrument could be effectively used in grain inspections. Thirty-two instruments were measured as part of the study, broadening the access of grain elevators to utilize NIR instruments in their quality management and quality control decisions. Grains included were wheat, barley, corn and soybeans. Also at Iowa State University, calibrations to measure methionine, lysine, and cysteine were initially developed in 2007 for two brands of NIR analyzers commonly used by seed breeders and grain handlers.  These calibrations were done in conjunction with an organic seed breeding program.

Strategies to improve microbiological quality of wheat flour were assessed at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. A combination of lactic acid and sodium chloride in tempering water prior to milling can reduce microbial load of the flour by up to 5 logs without dramatic effects on functional properties of white flour. Additionally, this tempering treatment can be used to "clean" a mill. After 4 passes through a mill the microbial load was reduced to non-detectable levels in resulting flour.

At North Dakota State University, research examining the variation in milling conditions for whole wheat showed that whole wheat flours have significant (P<0.05) differences in quality. When whole wheat flours were milled at higher rotor speeds there was lower starch damage and greater amount of fine particles in the flour. Whole wheat flours milled from samples with lower seed moisture content also had low starch damage, but had lower amount of fine particles. The milling conditions also had an impact on the dough and bread quality of the whole wheat flours milled on the centrifugal mill. The rotor speed and seed moisture affected the loaf volume. Overall, higher rotor speed resulted in better dough handling properties and higher loaf volume. Whole wheat flour produced from wheat with low seed moisture content also resulted in higher loaf volume.

The Office of the Texas State Chemist completed research on maize and sorghum distillers’ grains. Distillers grain (DG) by-products distributed in Texas during fiscal years 2008 to 2014 were evaluated. For the present work, we assessed 1) concentrations of protein, sulfur, and virginiamycin; 2) occurrence of animal protein prohibited for use in ruminant feed and Salmonella; and 3) prevalence and levels of aflatoxins and fumonisins in different types of DG by-products.  Also at the Office of the Texas State Chemist, the applicability and feasibility of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method was investigated to develop an accelerated spectroscopic method as an alternative analytical technique to commonly used wet chemical methods such as chromatographic and ELISA for fumonisin analysis in maize. 

At the ARS-USDA facility in Manhattan, Kansas, new methods for separating sorghum polymeric proteins were developed. Sorghum proteins were dived into three fractions (F1, F2, and F3) using solubility in aqueous alcohols, alkaline detergent solutions and by sonication. These proteins are potential targets for breeding efforts to manipulate to improve the nutritional quality of sorghum.

Short-term Outcomes

The Near Infrared Calibration statistics from Iowa State University demonstrated that we are able to measure methionine, lysine, and cysteine independently of the protein measurement.  Corn variety samples have been added to the calibration set so that the current calibration set includes corn from years 2006-2013. 

A new strategy to reduce microbial contamination in flour and in the mill was discovered at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. This represents an important step toward providing safe, ready-to-eat flours for products at risk for consumption without heat treatment by the consumer.

Research at North Dakota State University found that the rotor speed and seed moisture affected bread loaf volume. Overall, higher rotor speed resulted in better dough handling properties and higher loaf volume. Whole wheat flour produced from wheat with low seed moisture content also resulted in higher loaf volume.

Analysis of Maize DG by-products by the Office of the Texas State Chemist showed a marked difference in the level of protein, sulfur, and virginiamycin concentrations as well as in the prevalence of mycotoxins compared to sorghum DG by-products. Protein and sulfur contents of DG were largely different between maize and sorghum by-products as well as wet distillers’ grain with solubles (WDGS) and dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), indicating a significant effect of grain feedstock and dry-grind process stream on DG composition and quality.

Based on research from the Office of the Texas State Chemist, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) spectra showed a clear visual difference among fumonisin contaminated groups, indicating higher sensitivity and better ability of SERS method in determining fumonisin concentration in ground maize sample than conventional Raman spectroscopy.

Research from the ARS-USDA facility in Manhattan, Kansas examined sorghum, an important drought and heat tolerant grain for areas of the central U.S. However, sorghum is known to have lower nutritional quality when compared to grains such as maize. In order to further understand the differences between sorghum and other grains, a new method for fractionating sorghum polymeric proteins was developed. This method can be used to predict sorghum protein digestibility and provides new information that can be used to improve the nutritional quality of sorghum.

Activities:

Industry users of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) used the data provided by the Iowa State University Grain Quality Initiative for grain management planning, storage choices, and other strategic decisions. Service samples from the 2014 crop included approximately 14,400 samples from 54 clients, up approximately 9% from the 2013 sample count. Rapid measures allow the characterization of corn and soybean traits, allowing enhanced ration balances for livestock diets and providing a leading indicator for important user traits. These allow nutritionists to save time and money in identifying products of high value to feed rations.

Thirteen genotypes of wheat flour were grown at five locations in North Dakota in 2014 and 2015 to measure pasta quality. The genotypes were harvested and were evaluated for their grain, milling, semolina and pasta qualities.  Grain quality included test weight and kernel size, weight, vitreousness, polyphenol oxidase activity and protein, ash, yellow pigment contents. Milling quality included total extraction, semolina extraction, and speck count. Semolina quality included protein and ash contents, mixogram, gluten index, and Hunter L, a, b values. Pasta quality included color score, cooking loss, cooked firmness and cooked weight.  Quality parameters for samples harvested in 2015 are currently being determined. 

The Office of the Texas State Chemist surveyed the commercial mycotoxin testing kits based on the GIPSA standard to investigate the performance characteristics of products in the market. OTSC has evaluated twelve quantitative aflatoxin test kits and six quantitative fumonisin test kits manufactured by four companies including Charm Sciences Inc., Romer® Labs, Inc., Neogen Corporation and VICAM Waters Business.

Milestones:

The results of the North Dakota State University oxidation study in pita chips lead to the re-direction of the corn and DDG research. The focus shifted to optimizing DDG extracts for the purpose of enhancing tocopherol levels in extracts and incorporating the optimized extracts in pita chips as a natural antioxidant.  The higher recovery of antioxidants (e.g. tocopherol) from DDG versus corn suggests that the ethanol production process does not degrade the antioxidant compounds. Thus, the higher antioxidant concentration in DDG supports this source of raw material because fewer inputs would be needed to recover larger concentration of important food ingredients, thereby making the ingredient less expensive to end users.

Also at North Dakota State University, pasta color had a positive correlation with semolina Hunter b-value (r=0.95) and kernel yellow pigment content (r=0.56).  The correlation coefficient for kernel yellow pigment content and pasta color was lower than expected, which indicates that another factor might be affecting pasta color.  Polyphenol oxidase activity, associated with browning, did not correlate with any of the quality parameters tested.  It was anticipated that polyphenol oxidase activity would negatively correlate with semolina Hunter L-value and pasta color. Speck count had a negative correlation with semolina Hunter L-value (r=-0.73) but neither speck count or Hunter L-value correlated with pasta color. Research will continue in order to find the factor(s) that modify appearance of dry pasta. Once identified these factors can be used in durum breeding program to improve the pasta color that consumers desire.

Of all the aflatoxin testing kits evaluated by the Office of the Texas State Chemist, 27% of the trails at different concentration levels failed to meet the GIPSA requirement of the performance requirements. Ten of the twelve aflatoxin kits have been certified by GIPSA. The two kits that do not have the GIPSA certificate failed to meet the GIPSA requirement. However, for kits which have obtained the GIPSA certificate, some of the kits failed to meet the extended GIPSA requirements at higher concentrations (i.e. > 100 ppb). Of all six fumonisin kits, regardless of the GIPSA certificate status, all six kits failed to meet the current or extended GIPSA requirements.

Researchers have collaborated with industry professionals including commodity groups and food processors to complete research activity in 2015. Research and activity will continue in 2016 on NIR instrument calibration development and test kit evaluation. As noted above, research on the role of corn and DDG extracts in antioxidant applications. Development of new uses of grain and grain by-products will continue to be explored by researchers.

Accomplishments Objective 2:

New infrared (IR) heating approaches are currently being developed for corn drying at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. The goal of the first project is to develop effective strategies to achieve simultaneous drying and microbial decontamination while maintaining dried corn quality and prevent development of mycotoxins, especially aflatoxins. In soybeans, specific research entails improving germination rate of soybean seed dried using in-bin drying systems equipped with recently-introduced technology comprised of cables with sensors to measure ambient air conditions as well as monitor grain moisture content and temperature. For rice, specific research entails the determination of conditions under which natural air/low temperature (NA/LT) in-bin drying/storage result in reduced grain quality and production of harmful mold/mycotoxins; and establishing mathematical models to predict the degradation rates of the quality indices and mycotoxins.

At the University of Idaho, research on the optimization and verification of methods for detecting and quantifying fungal population in soil using semi-selective media and microscope were tested. As the physical and chemical characteristics of food matrices vary significantly, detection methods for DON and OTA in wheat samples were tested for its validity and necessary modification were made. As areas within each agroecological zone of the Pacific Northwest will shift due to climate change, three agroecologial zones and three locations per each agroecologial were selected based on different climate and agricultural conditions.

The ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss has the goal of reducing postharvest losses of grains and oilseeds in many parts of the world. Harvest operations in developing countries were studied as a review paper to understand how harvest losses contribute to overall postharvest losses.  The summary of review results indicates that the speed of manual cutting operations risks significant crop loss due to delayed harvesting in developing countries. 

At Iowa State University, planning has begun for a feed and grain science research and teaching facility, to be located in the animal science research corridor south of the University. Iowa State University uses 15,000 tons of feed per year for various species. Additionally, as part of the American Association of Cereal Chemistry Food Safety Task Force outputs, a guidance document for the application of ISO22000, Food Safety Management Systems to bulk processing and handling operations was created and is now available.

Iowa State University established a relationship with a large agribusiness insurance company. As part of this relationship, a database containing workers’ compensation claims was provided to researchers to examine for relevant patterns. The database includes claims from over 25 grain elevators in the upper Midwest. Initial analysis has begun – more advanced modeling will continue in 2016.

Research collaboration between Purdue University, North Dakota State University and the USDA-ARS-CGAHR facility in Manhattan, Kansas examined the heat transfer during cooling of DDGS piles, during winter and summer conditions. In addition, the hopper flow characteristics of modified DDGS were evaluated. The effect of time consolidation, atmospheric conditions, and mechanical treatment on bulk DDGS on flow characteristics were evaluated.

Research collaboration between the University of Kentucky, Kansas State University, and the USDA-ARS facility in Manhattan, Kansas examined pack factors. A number of factors influence the amount of packing in stored-grain. Packing is defined as the increase in grain bulk density caused by the cumulative weight of overbearing material on the compressible grain products. As material is added, the vertical pressure increases in an exponential manner with grain height. Bin geometry, material properties, and numerous other variables influence packing, therefore, these factors were considered when developing the new packing model and conducting subsequent model validation exercises in commercial storage structures. An error analysis was conducted to evaluate the source and magnitude of errors related to measuring stored grain inventory.

Grain quality is becoming increasingly important to both domestic and international consumers, and understanding economically efficient approaches to supply quality grain is an important concern for U.S. producers. Changing economic conditions, government policies, technical innovations, and biological barriers related to the production of high quality grains usually result in changing marketing opportunities. A Montana State University project provides research-based information regarding the impacts of changing economic conditions on domestic demand, supply, product price and production risk, and production choices.

Short-term Outcomes:

Research at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville seeks to optimize natural air and low temperature drying for rice, corn, and soybeans with a goal of using the information to successfully implement new in-bin systems for Arkansas and the U.S. Mid-South. Research driving this goal is in progress.

Research at the University of Illinois and the ADM Institute for the Prevent of Postharvest Loss: Postharvest losses of grains, oilseeds, and pulses worldwide are higher than desired, with reports of up to 30% in some countries. Harvest loss reduction is the essential first step in reducing overall postharvest losses. Increasing world food supply by reducing post-harvest losses, rather than by increasing production, makes a huge savings.  Each kernel of grain saved – also saves the water, fertilizer, chemical inputs, labor, transportation and environmental costs that were expended to produce that kernel.

As the result of research completed by Iowa State University, agribusiness insurance company premium costs can be communicated more openly to clients, with emphasis on why premiums are above or below the industry mean.

The ISO 22000 guidance document created through a partnership with Iowa State University, will serve as the basis for a practical training program for food safety in grain handling and processing industries.

Research collaboration between Purdue University, North Dakota State University, and the USDA-ARS-CGAHR facility in Manhattan, Kansas resulted in a 3-dimensional heat transfer model based on finite volume method. The model was developed to predict cooling pattern of M-DDGS pile, which is useful for the cooling of M-DDGS in pads before shipping. The hopper flow studies confirmed that environmental conditions have significant effect on flow behavior of M-DDGS. The particle segregation study confirmed the variation in particle size within a pile of DDGS formed by gravity-driven discharge. From the minimum orifice study, it is concluded that the minimum orifice opening of the hopper is 6.3 cm (175 times of GMD).

Current methods to estimate inventory are based on data from the 1930s and the University of Kentucky and Kansas State University are working with USDA-ARS and University of Georgia to develop new procedures and estimates of packing. An updated procedure will be used by all farmers in the US where 9.74 billion bushels of grain are stored and a 1% error in the inventory measurement, which is highly likely with the existing protocol, represents $840 million dollars nationally.

The research from Montana State University on the wind-borne diseases mitigation strategies helps provide a description and structure for a market-based system that would reduce farmers' losses associated with the spread of wind-borne crop diseases. The results show that by instituting a small check-off for all producers of a particular at-risk crop, an efficient, cost-effective protection system can be developed to minimize economic losses without depending on government support.

Activities:

From the pack factor study, led by the University of Kentucky: Laboratory experiments in a 6-foot diameter bin are being conducted to evaluate the effect of loading and unloading cycling on the packing of grain. During loading, measurements are taken at H/D ratios of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and when filled to 2.5. A laser scanning device is used to accurately map the surface and the mass of grain in the bin is recorded using load cells. The bin is unloaded and measurements taken at the same H/D ratios as used during filling.

The effect of aeration and moisture changes during aeration were evaluated with corn and soybeans in 6-inch diameter PVC tubes. The airflow rate was high and corresponded to a year of aeration in one week. Aeration with no moisture change had a minor effect (less than 1%) on the bulk density. This 1% change was due to vibration, settling, and potentially the influence of the airflow rate. Samples that had 4.6 points of moisture removed due to aeration had a volume change of 7.5%. The volume change observed in the grain was greater than the volume change expected due to moisture removal alone.

Accomplishments - Objective 3:

Modules developed as part of an FDA project ending on December 31, 2014 were finalized with presentations, teaching aids, and assessments archived as part of FDA’s distance learning program in a partnership between Kansas State University and Iowa State University.

Materials were updated in preparation for training grain elevator personnel on prevention of grain dust explosions. Training sessions will expose grain handling personnel to the basics of grain dust explosions, ignition sources, and prevention techniques. 

Authors of the MWPS-13 Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook revision, representing Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, and North Dakota State University, have continued to make progress in preparing and submitting drafts of the seven chapters which constitute this publication. The drafts of four chapters (1, 2, 6 and 7) are in hand, two chapters (3 and 4) were partially completed, and chapter 5 is still outstanding.

Short-term Outcomes:

Educational modules were developed for the FDA for use in training their personnel to inspect grain elevators for food safety issues.

Grain dust explosion units were updated and enhanced for delivery to grain elevator personnel.

Enabling the revision and updating of the MWPS-13 Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook is a new opportunity to enhance the NC-213 outreach plan and increase NC-213 impact among extension engineers, grain storage practitioners, grain handling equipment manufacturers and suppliers, farmers, university and community college professors and students.

Milestones:

Grain dust explosion training will be completed in the spring, summer, and fall of 2016 in a partnership between Purdue University and Iowa State University.

Editing of chapters for the MWPS-13 Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook will take place after all chapters have been submitted. This will be the major effort going forward with all chapters and is anticipated to be completed by early 2016. Once completed, an initial batch of the final publication will be printed that will acknowledge the financial support of the NC-213/The Anderson grant program.

Hurburgh, C.R., Alison Robertson and Erin Bowers.  2014.  Update on 2014 Crop Quality. Integrated Crop Management Newsletter.  Iowa State Extension and Outreach.  October 15, 2014.  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2014/1015Hurburgh.htm

Biller, Clemence, Charles Hurburgh, Nanning Cao, and Glen Rippke. 2014. Calibration of the JDSU MicroNir 1700 for agricultural product analysis. NIR News, 25: 16-29.

Medic, J, Dennis Lock, Charles R. Hurburgh, Jr. and Christine Atkinson.  2014. Uncertainty of methods for measuring soybean composition – an interlaboratory study.  Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 91: 363-384.

Joseph Kallenbach*, Bonnie Cobb, Scott Pryor, and Clifford Hall. Antioxidant Activity of Corn and Dry Distiller’s Grain Extracts in Chips. Presented at the American Oil Chemists Society Annual Meeting, May 3-6, 2015. Orlando, Fl.

Joseph Kallenbach*, Bonnie Cobb, Scott Pryor, and Clifford Hall. Antioxidant Activity of Corn and Dry Distiller’s Grain in Chips. Presented at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting.  July 11-14, 2015. Chicago, IL.

2015. H. Khalid, L. Deng, F. Manthey, S. Simsek. 2015. Does bran particle size affect whole-wheat bread quality? Abstract. AACC International.

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Handiseni, M., Jo, Y. K., Lee, K. M., and Zhou, X. G. 2015. Screening Brassicaceous plants as biofumigants for management of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA.  Plant Disease. In press

Lee, K. M., and Herrman, T. J. 2015. Determination and prediction of fumonisin contamination in maize by surface–enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Food and Bioprocess Technology. In press.

Perumal, R., Tesfaye, T., Kofoid, K., Prasad, V.P., Aiken, R., Bean, S.R., Wilson, J., Herald, T., and Little, C. 2015. Registration of nine grain sorghum seed parent (A/B) lines. J. Plant Registrations 9:244-248.

Dunn, K.L., Yang, L., Girard, A., Bean, S., and Awika, J. M. 2015. Sorghum tannins in a wheat flour dough matrix: Interactions and effects on starch and protein digestibility in flour tortillas. J. Agric. Food Chem. 63:1234-1241.

Griffiths G. Atungulu, HouMin Zhong, Anne Okeyo, Supriya Thote. 2015. Prevalence of Molds on Freshly-harvested Long-grain Pureline, Hybrid and Medium-grain Rice Cultivars. American Society of Biological and agricultural Engineers, Applied Engineering Journal, 31(6), DOI 10.13031/aea.31.11216.

Lawrence, J., Atungulu, G.G., Siebenmorgen, T.J. 2015. Modeling In-Bin Rice Drying using Natural-Air and Controlled-Air Drying Strategies. Transaction of American Society of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, 58(4), 1103-1111. DOI 10.13031/trans.58.10911.

Wilson S. A., Atungulu, G.G., Couch, A., Sadaka, S.  Radiant heating and tempering treatments for improving rate of moisture removal during drying of shelled corn.  American Society of Biological and agricultural Engineers, Applied Engineering Journal, 31(5), 799-808. DOI 10.13031/aea.31.11243.

Sammy Sadaka, Scott Osborn, Griffiths Atungulu and Gagandeep Ubhi. 2015. On-farm Grain Sorghum Drying and Storage.  Arkansas Grain Sorghum Production Handbook, Chapter 10, pg1-12.

G.G. Atungulu, H. Zhong, S. Thote, A. Okeyo, A. Couch, S. Sadaka, T. Siebenmorgen. 2015. Microbial Prevalence on Freshly Harvested Long-Grain Hybrid, Long-Grain Pure-Line, and Medium-Grain Rice. Rice Quality and Processing. B.R. Wells- Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2014, Research Series 626, 306-313.

Zhongli Pan, Griffiths G. Atungulu, Xuan Li. 2014. Infrared Heating. In: Emerging Technologies for Food Processing. 2nd Edition. Da-Wen Sun (ed.). Academic Press-an Imprint of Elsevier, San Diego CA. Pg. 461-474.

Griffiths G. Atungulu and Zhongli Pan. 2014. Rice industrial processing worldwide and impact on macro- and micronutrient content, stability, and retention. ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 1324 (2014) 15–28, doi:10.1111/nyas.12492.

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Lee, H.J. and D. Ryu. 2015. Advances in mycotoxin research: Public health perspectives. J. Food Sci. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.13156.

Kuruc, J.A., J. Hegstad, H.J. Lee, K. Simons, D. Ryu, and C. Wolf-Hall. 2015. Infestation and quantification of ochratoxigenic fungi in barley and wheat naturally contaminated with ochratoxin A. J. Food Prot. 78(7):1350-1356.

Bianchini, A., R. Horsley, M.M. Jack, B. Kobielush, D. Ryu, S. Tittlemier, W.W. Wilson, H.K. Abbas, S. Abel, G. Harrison, J.D. Miller, W.T. Shier, and G. Weaver. 2015. DON Occurrence in Grains: A North American Perspective. Cereal Foods World 60(1):32-56.

Paulsen, M.R., P.K. Kalita, and K.D. Rausch. 2015. Postharvest losses due to harvesting operations in developing countries: a review. ASABE Paper No. 152176663, presented at 2015 ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, Jul 26-29, 2015.

Paulsen, M.R. 2015. Harvesting: effects of crop maturity and moisture on losses. Abstract presented at First International Congress on Postharvest Loss Prevention, Rome Italy, Oct 4-7, 2015.

Medic, J., C. Atkinson, and C. R. Hurburgh.  2014.  Current Knowledge in Soybean Composition.  J Am Oil Chem Soc (2014) 91:363–384

Laux, C, G. A. Mosher and C.R. Hurburgh.  2015.  Application of quality management systems to grain: an inventory management case study.  Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 31(2), 313-321.

Siliveru, K., R. Bhadra, R. P. K. Ambrose, and M. E. Casada. 2015. Hopper flow characteristics of modified distillers dried grains with solubles. ASABE Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana (Paper No. # 152189631).

Boac, J., R. Bhadra, M. E. Casada, S. A. Thompson, A.P. Turner, M. D. Montross, S. G. McNeill, R. G. Maghirang. Stored grain pack factors for wheat: comparison of three methods to field measurements. Trans ASABE 58(4): 1089-1101.

Bhadra, R., A. P. Turner, M. E. Casada, M. D. Montross, S. A. Thompson, J. M. Boac, S. G. McNeill, R. G. Maghirang. Pack factor measurements for corn in grain storage bins. Trans ASABE. 58(3): 879-890.

A.P. Turner, M.D. Montross, S.G. McNeill, M.P. Sama, M.E. Casada, J.M. Boac, R. Bhadra, R.G. Maghirang, S.A. Thompson. Modeling the compressibility behavior of hard red winter wheat varieties. Submitted to Trans ASABE

A.P. Turner, M.D. Montross, J.J. Jackson, S.G. McNeill, M.E. Casada, J.M. Boac, R. Bhadra, R.G. Maghirang, S.A. Thompson. Error analysis of stored grain inventory determination. Submitted to Trans ASABE

A.P. Turner, M.D. Montross, J.J. Jackson, N.K. Koeninger, S.G. McNeill, M.E. Casada, J.M. Boac, R. Bhadra, R.G. Maghirang, S.A. Thompson. Stored grain surface estimation using a low density point cloud. Submitted to Appl. Eng. Agric.

Jefferson-Moore, K., A. Bekkerman, N. Piggott, B. Goodwin, S. Palat, and C. Turner. 2015. “Potential check-off benefits to farmers in the presence of wind-borne diseases.” Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development. 7(5):176-177.

Bekkerman, A., E. Belasco, and A.Watson. “Decoupling Direct Payments: Potential Impacts of the 2014 Farm Bill on Farm Debt.” Agricultural Finance Review. 75(4):434-449.

Chen, C., A. Bekkerman, R. Afshar, K. Neill. 2015. “Intensification of Dryland Cropping System for Bio-feedstock Production: Evaluation of Agronomic and Economic Benefits of Camelina sativa.” Industrial Crops and Products. 71(September):114–121.

Miller, P., A. Bekkerman, C. Jones, M. Burgess, J. Holmes, and R. Engel. 2015. “Pea in Rotation with Wheat Reduced Uncertainty of Economic Returns in Southwest Montana.” Agronomy Journal. 107(2):541–550.

Miller, P., C. Jones, A. Bekkerman, J. Holmes. Short-term (2-yr) Effects of Crop Rotations and Nitrogen Rates on Winter Wheat Yield, Protein and Economics in North Central Montana. Montana State University Extension, Fertilizer Facts (No. 68), January 2015.

2015. Buteler, S.W. Sofie, D.K. Weaver, D. Driscoll, J. Muretta and T. Stadler. 2015. Development of nanoalumina dust as insecticide against Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica. International Journal of Pest Management 61: 80-89. DOI: 10.1080/09670874.2014.1001008.

Hurburgh, C. R.  2014.  Quality and Handling of the 2014 Iowa Crop.  Integrated Crop Management Newsletter.  Iowa State Extension and Outreach.  October 2, 2014.  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2014/1002Hurburgh.htm

Hurburgh, C.R., Alison Robertson and Erin Bowers.  2014.  Update on 2014 Crop Quality. Integrated Crop Management Newsletter.  Iowa State Extension and Outreach.  October 15, 2014.  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2014/1015Hurburgh.htm

Hurburgh, C. R.  2014.  Pay Attention to Stewardship Requirements for Biotech Grains.  Integrated Crop Management Newsletter.  Iowa State Extension and Outreach.  October 28, 2014.  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2014/1028Hurburgh.htm

Hurburgh, C. R.  2014.  Harvest 2014:  What We Know Now.  Proceedings of the 26th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference.  Ames, IA.  December 3, 2014.  http://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Proceedings-of-the-26th-Annual-Integrated-Crop-Management-Conference

Hart, C.E. 2015. Grain Market Trends and Outlook. Presented at the Northeast Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm Fall Field Day, Nashua, Iowa, August 2015.

Hart, C.E. 2015. Corn and Soybean Outlook. Presented at the Central Iowa Farm Business Association Annual Meeting, Paton, Iowa, August 2015.

Grover, A.K., S. Chopra, and G.A. Mosher. 2015. Adoption of Food Safety Modernization Act: A Six Sigma Approach to Risk Based Preventative Controls for Small Food Facilities. Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), 2015 Conference Proceedings Papers, November 2015, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Ryan, S.J., C.V. Schwab, and G.A. Mosher. 2015. Agricultural risk: Development of a probabilistic risk assessment model for measurement of the difference in risk of corn and biofuel switchgrass farming systems. International Society of Agricultural Safety and Health paper #15-01. Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, June 2015.

Ramaswamy, S.K. and G.A. Mosher. 2015. Analysis of predictive factors for agricultural student perceptions of quality management mitigating safety. International Society of Agricultural Safety and Health paper #15-03. Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, June 2015.