1997 A\\t Acitict ALI~ii 01- T111- Ai \1\M\ iTIRAL EXPERIMENT STATION Paul 1. Parks, Provosit Jamnes E. Marion, D~ean and Director, AAEIS Mlc rthur F Io0 Research Director, Alabama A&\I c D~avid ''em, Associate Director Emmrett Thomipson, Associate Director June 1 enton, Associate D~irector S~tewxart Schneller, Associjate Director Tin Boosinger, Associate D~irector Par Green, AssNistant D irectr RoN Roberson, Assistant Director C ONTENTS InroduOction I etter from the Dean and Director2 lhe Past3 F'oodi Production and F'ood Saftrs Families and the Economy Our Ens ironnment Global Opportunities Reaching Out The 3 6 8 11 14 _________________________17 N est Generation The Future Financial Report 19 21 'lhis report xx produced by the Office of Research Information: as James R. Roherson, Editor Catherine L. Smith, Associate Editor Leigh A. Stribling, Associare FEditor '1eresa Rodriguez, D)esigner Info',mation con/l/(ined here/in is avalable to all r'egadl/ess of rar(, color .4e\, 0/' niol originl. 4 4 j Q' ': u.) 1 P THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP Fe support cces SUCs5tories can he told wXithot acknow ledging the many people or groups who offered and encouragement along the wxav. TIhis is cer- tainly true for the Alahama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES), which throughout its 120 yecars of service has relied on alliances wxith many groups to he successful through bo0th prosperous and lean times. IThose partnerships have allowxed the AAES to suirv ive and often thrivec ini the face of change and austere budget cuts. The 1 997 Anntial Report of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station pay s tribute to the poXX er of partnerships that haXve led to many outstand- ing research accomplishments, and ultimately a hetter life for Alabama's citizens. M Na LtLer rom the Deain and Director The Powe't o/ fParane(v/ish is an appropriate title for this 1997 annual report since it draws tipon and broadens a theme that has dominated our work this past year within the Alahama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) and the College of Agricoltore. Partnerships of the AAES range from the traditional partnership b~etxxween the state and federal goxernments, to the partnerships among fixe schools and colleges on the Auburn [ nix ersit (AT) campus and wx Alahama \&\1 I'nixersits (XA\ It ), and also to ith the partnerships with universities across the state, in the region, and xxorldxvide. Perhaps the most important partnership the AAES maintains. hoxex er, is xxith the people we setsve-producers, processors, agribusiness people, consumers, alumni, and students. What other partners xx be important to us this sear and in the future? (ertainls ill among these xx ould be the Agricultural Economic I)exelopment group, xxhich is forxxarding legislation to support a bond issue to build and renox ate facilities at At and AANI I for agriculture. forestry, veterinary medicine, and animal diagnostic services. Another important partnership xxill be the cooperatixe research program betxeen AIU and AANICI. '[his cooperatix-e program noss supports research in food safety and ntutrition, enxvironmental and xater qluality, and plant systems. We expect this program to springboard the AAFS's $2 million per year program to a multimillion dollar program that xxill answer the most pressing problems facing agriculture. As I hax-e often said, the objectixe of Successful research partnerships is meeting real needs of real people. We may talk about xvirtual reality, virtual unixersities and so on, but thus far xe have no xirtual people sith virtual needs for food, fiber, and shelter. We need real programs to meet the needs of real people, and xwe in the AAES pledge to use our resources xisely to do so. '[his is our Poss er of Partnership for the people xe setsve. James E. -Marion Director, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Dean, College of Agriculture TA THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP A .... AAES Annual Report 1997 U p ___ providing a safe and secure food and 0O fiber systemn f IL: E RESEARCHERS finl N itiitioi) aid Foodi Sclien hav dliop~ed ) ~ an im~prox ed test to determine the specific meat protein in fresh and heat-processed meats, These research dex eiopments xxiii aid in the battie against illegalix processed or mislab~eled meat produnets. Researcehers hav e dex eloped a giou 01o)f specific antib~odies for a rapid and sensitix e t test. The present test can onix identifx meat species in either rass or cooked prodciits. 'I 'he ness test can ibe used tin iboth raxw and heat"pr ocessed meats, and xwill redue the cost ot tihe present test bx at least 50O%. Since the test is simple and inckpensix e, it has been des ei- nn HHRES-deueloped test kit, which cian determine specific meat proteins in fresh and heat-processed meat products, aids inspectors and consumers in dete citing undeclared meat proteins. ouped into a conenient k~it, wxhich can ibe used ,ooe;L 2 I''/Ahon0 The history of the Rlabama Agricultural Exiperiment Station is a story of a scientific institution responding to the need to provide the food and fiber tuec IY,?JiIicooh/ rc7toIer' lip /beit,;ee tie state Li/id /ee/era/ iut * required by a growing needs of farmers. population in Rlabama. In more recent The early history of years, the ARES the ARES is marked by has sought new the dual objectives of uses for building a basic core of traditional farm knowledge and of crops and serving the pressing encouraged N ~ ~ farmers to diversify into new, more profitable farm enterprises. 1 8 83 The Station's first bulletin described how to THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP .... AAES Annual Report 1997 to I apidix check mane samplecs fur AAFI"S researchers in Plant Pathologv anti Entomoiogx haxve pla edi a major role in ticseloping fresh marker tomatoes and cutc umbers that are iresis- tleaii b~acteria rtiai cisi ixtake up c in specific meat proteins. residlence in ground meat priotuicts. Researchers are aiso looking at the effects of irradiiation on such characteristics as storage, x itamin retention, smell, anti tiax or. I.duricting the pubir ahiiut the x .iiii anti safety of food irradiation is also an impoiriont par ot the exrension c'omo~uucnt of this project. Th far, irraitaion los is passing the iahoratorx rests but efforts to conince the pubhlic of its henefits anti saftetx still aire a challenge because of the public's perception ot radiation. A national piliit pioject fir Beef Ouialits Assurance D~uring the next three wairs, com- mecialii shiitake mushroiiim p od uceris could gnixx 300,)000 pounds of fresh shiitake mushrooms. But tor southern producers to com)pete xx northern and ith xx estern producers. thcN most has e the most up-to-date and cost effecrix c information on proiduction methods. \\ oi king at one of the fewv shiitake mishiroom research centers in the I'nited States, tint to thsease anti insect pests. IThese scientists lhas e introduced henef'icial hactria that groxx on the roots of these ecunomiclly important piats. Beneficial root-ciolon izi ng hacteia cause changes in the plant. hiiusting the plant's detfense mechanism, incieasing groxwrh, and in tcumher reduicing the aimiint (it AAFI'S scientists at Alahama \& \ f nix ersits aire colliaborating xxith the Shiitalke Produceirs ot Alabania to tind insect-feeding stimulant in the plant. AFS research efforts on heneficial root-coloiinig bactria aire also undeixxi xx the I nix ersitN- of F loidia's ith Institute tfor F'ocd Ancd Agricuituirai Sciences. In addition, AAFIS scientists ire xx oirking xx a seed treatment coin ith pam~ to ties cliii ai commercial formuilation of bacteriad seetd treatment foi tilt' wass to incicase shiitake mushroom pro~duction. Other ireseairch M() ) education has plans include heen condticed in Alabama in u1I997. IThe pirogram is titled 'Beet DjolitN is Lx cix C attleman's Business" and emphausizes thaut ec rsthing that is clone or fails to he clone on the tfarm can attect the iiiiaiits bieet prdtiir ultimateof the Ik prcthased hn consumers. lthroiugh diispilxys and brief lectures, the program familiarizes .Alabama carriemuen xxith propler inagement techniquies, detinitions ot I'SI) \ ci and qitality grading, and the reasons for cow ceviluaring the addition of nitrogen to increase sicids. t irimiteix, this research w\ill help pioduceis reduce the costs of production, xd hit'h x iii ioxwer consumer prices foi shijitake iiushiiooiis. iits. ii F'untied lbx the Aliabama C attleen'si Association andc xx iirkung xxith industriaul mieit processing facilities, AAES researchers ini carcass contiemnatio n, among other things. 'The 14- x\ I- foot diispay s consist it N urrition antld Foocd Science are looking the oxcirall effects of iria of photos, diagrams, 3-dimensional muck-uips, and taxidlerms spec imoens. In adition to heing usedi in Alabama, the dlisplax s haxve been exhihitedl at the Naitional Stare BA Co('mudinator's meeting in 'I cnnesse, ition on ground as a b~eef. '[hex are stuids ing through the Beef Qualityj Assurance program, Hlabama cattlemen learn that "Beef Qluality, is Every Cattleman's Business." iiradiation means tot eliminating ~a IPennss lxania iif ',. co/i 015~7:1 17-a atiction mark~et at the requiest the raise German carp, a high protein source bred in a pond located on the Experiment Station farm. The Experiment Station offered to furnish fish to stock the ponds of interested farmers. 1 885~ The first branch experiment station was created in the prairie lands of Alabama, also known as the Canebrake or Black Belt region. The soil in this area was severely depleted by many years of cotton farming. 1 8 88 A new cooperative soil test program was begun. In the first year, soil samples from 10 different areas of the state were gathered, and experiments using different mixtures of fertilizers were conducted. The THL POWER OF PARTNERSHIP " " " AAES Annrul Repoirt 1997 dliagno)'e a haiteti um that poses r i'k to huiiman health and can cause see re economnic losses for cattle producers. In cattle, the bacterium (, rnpa/okhrrrftr can induce abortion and cauxe intertilit\. As pa.rt uf dcxeluping suxti nable cotton proiduictiiin xsyxtems fur north Alabama, AAFl'S scientists at .\lahanma \NI I 'nix ei ity and Auburn I nix ersity and scientists wxith the 'Innexxee Vallev \Athuiritx are studx ing the putential use ut poultrx litter ax an alternatix e nitrogen xouirce fur cottoni. 'T'beir research indicares that xxhen fresh poultry littei is applied to cotton, it producex lint x feldlx similar to ui bler than thoxe pioutced bxv comxmercial unitrogen. In addition, poultrx lirtei has improx ed the xxaterholding c apaitir of the xis I lumens can be infected xxith the bacterium xx hen they cat raxx beef, raw inilk, and cottage chbeese. I bis uex procetlure prux ides a powxerfuil tuol to investigate a disease that resuilts in a loss in animal productiun and a risk tu [Cicumber beetles may not transmit bacterial wilt disease as readily thanks to ongoing research by ARES scientists. buman health. \ \LS researchersx in I'uulti x Science bav e dc loped a rapid diagnostic test fur reux irux infections in chickens. Reox iruxexs cauise a nu mber of debilitaring diseases oif commiercial chicken and t~ hir rec'ix iid IPennxx lxania Beef Council, the Sunbelt Agric oltural Exp in Georgia, antI the 100th A\nnixverxarx N ational Cattlemen's Beef Axxociation (NCBA) Counxention in CoAlorado. Sponxorx fur the BQ( A program in Alabama include Alabama Cattlemen'x Axxociation, Alabama \ eterinaarx \ ledical Axxociation, Alabama Fa ~rmer's litter continuouslx fur fou~r x ars. If' cotton farmeirx uxe piiulti x litter ax a nitrougen xotirce, Alabamaxs 430,)0(0 acrex of cottun criip alone can usxe about 43% ut pouiltrx xxaxte produced in the xtate, thusx Alc iating the litter dlixpoxal problem and improx ing Alabama cotton xuilx. Sxx turkex r\x flocks xxorldxx ide. B~ecausxe this test can be adapted to manx tter poolirusxes, it reprexentx a ma jot br eak- throii'h for the diagnosis of al x iral diseases oif poultrx «-here the disease cannot be diagnosed based solelx on the clinical pictrte. \ \l-S researchers in B~otany and NlIicruhiologx are also xxorkinug to identit\ the specific xpecies of pathogens that cauxe dixeaxe in pouiltrx and catf'ish. Ax ian celluilitix. catixed b\ an intection that uccuirx under the skin uf otherxise me breederx tace a dilemma: they xxant breeding xtock that usex feed efficientlx. hut meat from feed-efficient hogs can loxe muixture xxhen it ix packaged. I ost moixturie, xeen ax (1ii1p in the borttim of the pac kage, meanx a loxx of nimnex for xxxime breedlerx antI procesxorx, antI a prouc ic that ix unattracrix e to conxtimerx. In a project funded bx the "Natioual Pork Produicerxs Cunc il, \ \ 1. rexeaicherx in A\nim~al and IDairx Sciencex and the xxx Coiiperatixve, Inc., A\labaima Cooperatix e Ex.tension Sysxtem, D)epartment of Animal anti I airx Sciences at Aubuirn I 'nix erxit, N( 23 \ anti the Alaibamai I ~ixextock M arketx Asxociation. AAES xcientiextx hax e dcl loped txx o poxxerful dhiagnioxtic tiiolx, xxhichi shluod help prexent ecionomlic loxxex tot the cattle antI poultrx intduxtriex. \ \ES rexearcherx in IPoultrx Science and healthb irds, c'osts the poultry industrx $40) million each xear. In catfish proucion I'i/nau~ci//n '(w/ /7" along xx rbh another bacterial pathugen, cauxex mute than $50) million in annual losses. me hireeding pro B~otany antI \icrobiologx, xxorking xxitb the ['SI)A National Aniimal I iaxe (:enter, hax e dex loped a pirocedlure to gram are cheterming the generic factorx in lix e animalx that affect cunxumer acceptance of pork~ proiduictx. following year, researchers went directly to the various soil areas of the State to pursue the investigation on a broader scale. 1898-1918 Educational meetings called Farmers' Institutes were held throughout Alabama. The meetings consisted of lectures by AIRES experts and informal information-sharing sessions on a variety of topics. 1 900 Soil improvement and cotton research continued to receive special emphasis. H display about the Auburn Station's program of cotton research received special recognition '- i at the Paris Exposition, winning a silver medal for excellence. THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 A [1~ 1 A wI t enhancing econon'nc opp:ortun Hities a 11 d the of life 1 uahity a Mong falnilies aund cofl1mnunities OLF IS A BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY in the tilted States, and the Southeast in );rticular has become a popular nlting region. flow cx er, Increasing )M1petition for a golter's dollar scans that golf courses most be eli maintained, challenging, and ,ooimed. \ES researchers are participatii the on-site testing ot moire risteir iLrx dre Testing niew putting green turigrasses to attract and keep golf enthusiasts. 1,11 neip Le jun cuos xindustry Ilan 2.5 newN and existing bentgrass 1 904 FARES researchers collaborated with USDA's Bureau ot Plant IndustryJ on a cottonresearch program. The program's aim was to improve the cotton industryJ in the South byj encouraging the development of better uarieties and cultivation techniques. 1 9 05 USDA contributed moneyj to the AIRES to expand its research on r 1mjp? , . i,. beet and dairyj cattle, forage crops, swine feeding, and livestock marketing. In addition to research at Auburn, hog-feeding research was pursued in collaboration with hog farmers in Houston and Sumter counties. 1 91 1 The State Legislature provided funds directly to the AIRES to combat the cotton boll weevil. The TH-E POWER OF PARTNERSI-II. " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 and hermucdagrasx c oltix arx. In order to stibjeet putting green tnrfgraxxex to "real world" conditions, the [ nited States Golf' Assocition (I HGA) in cooperation wxith the National 'I irf'graxx Lx alijation Program and the Goilf Course Superintendentx Axxoeiation (GCS~HA) is sponsoring on-site tests on 16 golf coorses across the ciontr. Alabama is the only state other than C alifornia that has txx o in-state test xites: the Couintry (luih ot Biimingham, Wxhitch is beingr cxaliiared hx\ rexcar chers hope toi identifx rixk fatrorx that can leadi to problemx and potectix e factors that help chiIlren dcexclop giiid Natiinal Inxtitute for Coimmoiut Promotion Research antI I"xcellentc. V '[he Sotutheaxt is a huoh of the for- xiicial xkills. ext intl iitrx. In Alabama alone, f'orectu generatex more than $9 hillion xx otth produnts eatch x ear and emlploxs xore than 67,000)( peiiple. In a cooperatix c effort hcrxx co etduicatiion andt iod liti iif Coil laboratotx in the xttitlx xxith Aubiuirn I'nix ersitx incliite researchers at \ anderhilt ( nix erxitx andi I ntiana I'nix crxitx. 'I'bis irexeartch has been N, funded h\ grants from the National Insxtituite of M ental Health anti the National Inxtituite of C hildien'x I lealth and I IAnman l)cx elopment. a nexx IForcxt lProduts 'Draining C enter hax heen establixhetd in \labaoua to puoxd terx icex to the fiirext iindiitirx. IThe (enter xxill he ixetd to xhiixx cii iiipmeot to priiixlctixc liuxcix. tiain oipeiatiix, and gix c fiircxtrx studtentx handx-on expericnce xxith fiirextrx calutipment and fiirext opleratiioxs. P~artners in the cenutet intl ode ulmiii Iinixerxitx; uur V \\ here are adx crtisements for cat- I erxcitx personnel, and the ( Otintrx fish most effectix er Ncxx spapers, magainoc, iradio, Cluib of Mlobile, xxhich ix being cxaluiated hx Unix ersity ot h'lorida personnel. \\LS agronomixtx are also xttidxing the effect of moxx log height and traffic untenxitx on nexx tx pex of hermordagi axx. l'his research ix being fuinded bx the I HG A, the A\labama I iurfgraxx Association, and the \labama and Gu ilf Coast ehaptres of the GC(SA\. V I loxx do f'amilies and neighbhot- telex ixsion. \ \ LS scientistx in Agricturtoal Ft onomicx hax e found that generit atix crtuxcmcntx in imiga/inex tan mcean a profitr for tatfish priiduiters. IThe $6.5 mil- ( >teupill ii EIc. the magazinesx generatetd at Icrr $11.8H million in profits, xx meant a one-halt cent per piluntd proifit foii the ctrfi d piiitdutei (haxetd on a pric (, xex cntx cents per' poind i. hood experiences help c hilIdren he sucexsful xx their pecrs' I loxx can parith ents make sure c hidren aire safe xxhen they xtax home alone after sc hool. ' Adx crtuxung in nc~ xxp. lit on radio ior telex ixiiuil AA\LS rexearc hers in Hu man Ic elopment and F'amily Stitdiex are )e coundulcting a long-teim instudx that prox ides pr aetical anxxx crx to thexe and other (liixtiiinx ahouit ehildr en and f'amilies. 'T'hrough this xtuidx, not xhoxx a strong xi1-nit1 tcanteo hetxxceoI tihe mniit xpent antd the effect oncrxiimerx. Suippoirt for this researcth xx ptox itict hx the ax CaLtf'ish Insxtitute antI the Finding wu for yjoung children to be successful with ays their peer *s can heip parents auoid problems later on. Experiment Station used these funds to send traveling agents from a number of departments to acquaint the farmers with the latest findings of agricultural science and to investigate local farm problems. 1924- l940 Rbroad system of branch experiment stations was established throughout the State. R research program aided the spread of electricity to rural areas, and ambitious projects in forestry and fisheries were begun in a continuing effort to diversify agriculture in Alabama. 1 9 33 The Tennessee Valley Authority was created. Sustained cooperative investigation involving seven states and the federal government began. The land-grant THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 wxorld's ICading mantc tturcr otf construction and mining ccliipment and \ead Coated Boaid. Inc.. a xxiod products manufiacttuirin" compan>. 'Ihe Irest lProduicts 'iraining (crci ~aa~s~U I f xwill proxvide Auburn I nix ersit\ xx classroom ith here students can gain space and an area xx hands-on e\perience opei ating foiesti eq nip- ment, using appox ed forestrN best management practiccs. It xxill gixve (:aterpillar a site to demonstrate their nexx forest mach inerx. \nd it xxill alloxx \ead (oated Board. xxwhich proN iied a site tior the training center, to haxe the area harx e'reii during the ne\t rhree \cmis xx ir In a cooperative effort between education and industry, the Forest Products Training Center prouides hands-on experience for forestry students. Water Watch uolunteers monitor water quality at more than 1)00 sites on 100 %trea colleges of Alabama, Oeorgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, rehabilitate the vast watershed of the Tennessee Valley. 1940s Demonstration farms were developed. These demonstration farms mixed cotton cultivation with dairy, poultry, swine, sheep, and cattle enterprises in different combinations. Uisitors in the area could visualize how the experiments might benefit their own farms. 1945-48 ARES research during the Second World War included studies of and Uirginia were called on to pool their knowledge and facilities to pest control, nitrogen fixing vetches, and nutrition. Nutrition research was funded THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP **** AAES Annuat Report 1997 CIAI-CV ig U greater ha rniony NEILagricltufre and the en L' ron m7e17 t tLABAMA IS sutphI\ of \%atet. Mlos4t ou BLESSED %\\th aplenttttl r ikc it tot Titnted, tbut volio- tecrs in the \Ltxtmi \\iate \litbni Wittch ptogiohm do not. \'Iter \\'Itch helps \ oltittecr earn tot nottttto \iihitvi\ lakes, streams, and \v ethtock. B' carl\ 1997, ti ttotcet \cc mfonlitor ing~ mote thin 00M sites on 100f streams and lakes. W\iter \V itch paiciepants cooperate ~itit \ ite \\ ateher in neit~hboi ni states t) mtmnitoi byj the Tennessee Valleyj AuthorityJ, the Nutrition Foundation of New York, and the General Education Board, established byJ John 0. Rockefeller. 1 950s AHRES scientists developed new varieties of white clover, corn, cotton, and other vegetables. 1 954 The Alabama Seed Stocks farm was established in a cooperative effort between the USDA and the Crop Improvement Association. The farm immediatelyJ started a program to produce cotton, corn, soyJbean, wheat, ryje, clover, and vetch seeds in large enough quantities for distribution to certified planting seed producers. 19 6 0s The AHRES received an increasing THlE POWER OF PARTNFRj111i " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 Alabama \Varcr Wattch interacts and co~llaborates xxth state agencies, inctiding the Alabaima 1)parnment oif F. ironmental N anagement and the nx Alabama CoioperativeC Extensionl Sy stem; loeal and state irepresentaix es; and cnxi ronmcintal, induistrial, cSitc and commodity groups. It is funded, in part, by a grant from the I.S. iinxironmental Protection Agrencx anid the Alabama De)partment of I-nxitirienta Ma l~naigement. qud i (.r AAES scientists From Agronomx anti Soils and Agriciiltural L~ngineering at Auburn U nix ersity and from Plant, Soil, and Animal Science at Alahama A~ NI I. nix ersitx are collaborating to measure the loss of ammonia from land-applied effluent as wxeli as the changing lexeis of nitroigen and phosphorus in the soil. TIhex are also stutl\ing animal wxaste lagoon tenoixaanon anti solid xxaste management. ir rl F irextrx and tiii dogx ant il d life Sciences-xxiii ansxxer this and other questions. M ajot land uses in the Sepuilga rix er hasin, xxhich coixers a large poritioln of sexverai counties in smith ten- tral A\labama, inciude forestrx actix ties. rowxciiips, antd piiiltrx ptlotdictiiln. Named as a natiiinai tdemonstiatioin project h\ the American Forest \ndl Paper Association, the Sepiilga Project is Supported by manx dliffeirent groups: the National Lnx ironmentai Ltiiicattion and "G'ainiing Fouindtlaion, American F orest anti P~aper Assoiciation, Natiolnal Cointcil coperatix e project. AAELS researchers in AXgronoimx iti Soiils, xxork~ing xx ith Y.4~ '--V. cicntists from the I unixversity of G eorngia anti F k the tnix ersits of I ennessee. are dcx eloping Kest management practices of the Paper Induistry for Aii anti Stream S. F'oiest Serx ice, Uno ' Tm proixement, 1I S. F.nxironmecntal Prtection Agencx, t I natioinal Iaper ( Xuipan}, nter ( orpioratilun. ' BMNI Ps) for far mers xxhen they land-appix animal aXste. The B\ IPs xxiii C am~p Cor)poration, anti Temnple-Inlaint inclutde appropriate application rates. timing, anti AFIES scientists are wading into research that will help show how forestry and other land use practices affect drinking water and the health of streams. F nx iriinmcnrai i ualit>, clean xxater and iiiaiitx food pioduction concern cc rx me. \ \lF"S researcheirs at Alabama crop recommendlations. In addtitioin, \AAES sci- A& I nix ersitx are helping cotton farmi eis to retlice erosion. wxater contamination, anti ens ironmenal poliuionn bx nminimiziug excessix e application of fertiiizers. U.sing remote sensing, geographic tdinatetd thiroiigh Fisheries anti Allietd Xiiuacnlruures of Anuurn I nix ersitx. enitists in Agronoimy anti Soils aire rising geoispatial technologies to look at the potenial tot polluition from animal xwaste th roughout Alahama. TIhex ate builtding a tdatab~ase, xx ich xwiii incluide the nuimhers of animals, xx here thex ate concentiated, anti the ax ailahilitx oif land for application of animal wxaste. V \\ hen protiucers lantd appix animal xxaste, they face sexveral prohlems: nitrou gen in the xx aste can pollute giundxatr; phosphoris can pollute surface xxater, information sx stems, andi glohal positioning satelilites, scientists are dcx cioping techniqures ti monitor anti piredlicr exceSsix e phosphorus lex clx andtio manage nitrogen stress in cotton. 'These techniquies \xxiii cause algal hhlooms, anti kill fish; antd ammonia in the xwastc simply smells had. V I luox forestrx anti other lanti use dio piractices affect drinking xxater anti the health oif strcams? TIhe Sepiulga lProjecta joint effoirt of X XLS researchers in AAFLS help cotton hirmcrs Sax e scientists are mx uulx cc in sex eral monex hx increasing crop) protduction anti tdecreasing thc atix erse effects of excessixve fertilization. couopcratix e research projects to address these problems. amount of grant monies from a variety of public and private sources: TIUA, National Aeronautic and Space Administration, Rlabama Highway Department, Ford and Rockefeller foundations, and some 50 private industrial '. firms and trade associations. 19 6 0s The poultry industry in Alabama grew rapidly after the Second World War. When federal inspectors had no reliable process to d distinguish between diseased and normal fatty tissue in broilers, they began to condemn large numbers of birds. The Poultry Science Department quickly discovered such a procedure and saved the industry millions of dollars annually. THE POWER OF PARTN1ERSI Ill " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 strengthening international r ~ parner ips and achieving a competitive ' agricultural production system, SEARCH CONDUCTED IN r RAL IA and N es\ leilidnd has helped \-. s~cntists in Enitomlvog .. deX elop contr ol eSc cre irate; ies for the \\ hitetringed hectlc. infestations of the vv hitefringed heetic often ,rLitin A\labamna sxs eetpotatoes and can result in loss ofi an entire field. Tlh is hectic also damCooperatiwe research efforts, such as this project with scientists in Australia, are literally bridging oceans with knowledge. ages pasture grasses and other v egetahle crops and plants. 196 7 A rootobservation facility, the Rhizotron, was constructed to measure the effect of various fertilization and cultivation practices on the root systems of annual plants. Cooperating with AHRES personnel was the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division of the USDA. station to receive grants from United States Agency for International Development for its " x international fisheries 1969 The AIRES was the program. Between first experiment 1967 and 1975, 250 _ } short-term (30-day) visits were made to 49 nations, while at least 5 nations received long-term (up to 2 years) advisory missions from AIRES scientists. l11 THE POWER OF PARTNERS! ll 1 "" AAES Annual Report 1997 A U SD)A grant alloxwed cntomologists from Aubuirn U.nixversity to traxvci to Australia, wxhere the wxhitefringed hectic causes serious economic damage in Irish potato prod uction, and N cx Zealand, wxhere the wxhitefringed heetie is a pest ofi pastures. Coopeiratixve research focused on the ti an pling methods uscd b\ Australian and Nexxlea land' scientists. After understanding the life cx cic of this pest, A AES scientists xw re abie to recoin mend control methods mx (lix ing the use of foiiar sprax s rather than soil insecticides. xx hich arc toxic and expensix e. Bringing together the resources of dcx cioping countries and institutions in the I'nitedl States, the Coliaboraitix Research Support Progranm (C RSP~) is aii internationai, mutidisciplinaix effoirt tom improx e understand the effect on the enxviroininu xxhen the effluent is released. 'The management techniques dcxvcioped for the effluent from shrimp xx ill he appiicabie to the eftflucnt from catfish production in Aiabama. Research underxax at Auburn I nix ersirN 's ( Xiilegc of Veterinary NMedicine is helping the tiirr of the heef cattle indiistr bx expanding giobai markers for cattie embrxyos produiced in the I'nited States. ( iirrentix the export of emhrvo 1 limited hx' the (is a ssibie transmission of ,authogcns that might he nod in cattie. A.\LS cscarchers and xeterinary it uix members are xxorking -r to dcx ciop methods to precnt the transmission of ° e ahige Os. 'ihle expoirt of embryo(s ill ibencfit emibro suippliers Sitling them xxith an expandedt market. 'The expoirt of embhryo(s xxiii also henefit international tcistomers from lie improx ed production afrer gencticaills superiiir cat- human nutrition All In an effort to improve human nutrition through pond aqua culture resear ;h, nnES scientists are cooperating in seuieral intern~itional ciiimbryous are introtiucedi intii their hertis. Research conduicted in through pond aiitacutiiire research. TPhrough CRSR, A\uburn L nix ersirx 's F'isheries and project S. Auhurn Cinix ersitx personnei and researchers in IKeny a are iiiiking at iither strains of 'I'iiapia anti diex ioping tcchniqiucs fur controiiing reprotduction. i lapia priitdicers in siiitheastern Aiabamna xxiii henefit by appi\ ing the informatioin froim the research in Kenv a. [.tinhurgh. Stotlani, has the potential ti pay iiff hig for cartie priitucers in Aiiied \iiuacultures and research institutes in I lond uras and Keny a are coli iaborating on sexverai research projects. Researchers in I Iondiuras xxant to find better xxaxs of managing the effluent from shrimp production andi to Ailiaami. An \.\IS.scientist friim Animai and Dair Stciences at Aiohirn I nix ersit\- is xxorking xxith other scientists at the Metiical Research ( Thincii (MIRC) Reproductixve Biology I.nit in 1 976 An Agricultural Advisory Council was created to encourage better cooperation between AAES administrators and the commodity groups their research programs served. The council included farmers and representatives from the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, Alabama Forestry Commission, the Alabama Farm Bureau Federation, Alabama's Poultry and Egg Association, the American Dairy Association of Alabama, director of the Cooperative Extension Service, and director and emeritus directors of the Experiment Station. 1 973~- 1 977 Several cooperative research centers were 12 TilE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP ... AAES Annual Report 1997 '9t-~ Ailmii prlodlceirs to b~reetd cattle mo(re andl increase producition. 4 elf iiitktni Thle te\tile lahd appairel inditsti x. \hich is lriicl l iportanit to is fai iitg n. \Lh li'i's Iit clilollix. I easi ngjx ti ipetitix e glohal rmarket- NO pL ire.:A N NI. Nilaits is hlini' stuidx hx (C:insumer Alal)Jma tcstiC anti ldeiltif\ iapaiel prloduiels iioinels' their ens- needis arouindl the xx ord. Suippi iitedi bi the v itimiml "Ie\tle finds from Russell (;enter anti indtlir of Shop~ping2 Centers, andi iriingrn Indu lsties thiis stuid\ has tieselopledi a T he s~tuditlo oketd at the hoss the phyxsic~al appearance, the price, and tHnfHlLS study is helping Hiatiaina texltile and apparel produczers know how consumers in other countries make decisions about purchasingj products. Seotlantd. lhe NI RC RepniuijtixC eW\ith the briaiid name of pmrout influenced coilsllmler purchiases if tihe piriouct ini M\le(. Koiea, anti Cina. If researchm the assistanee of the \MIR(: seielntists, the NNES scientist hopes to ties ith te Ifioiogx l nit is ioperatetd ointlx xx ean determnine colnsunmer attitudes and purchelase ihixa markets, then I iors ill internia~tionail Oh nvi Department of the I nix crsitx elop a cell line xxhich xx iii enable of Ed inhbirgh M edical Sehool, xxihieh is xxoriti-renoxx n for its aeeomplishments ini them to chai acterize rihe meehanismns of reproduiitix e horinone secretioni in eat- '.S. produceers eari bhiidt on their strengths and improx e sales oft theii producets in other countries. reproduetixe hiologx. tIe. Ix entualix this diseox erx wouiti Auburn. The Forest Products LaboratoryJ was built for gov ern ment forest specialists and FARES personnel to ~L~i conduct research about timber harvesting, reforestation, and wood waste use. The Environmental Studies Service Center, staffed byJ joint employees of the National Weather Service and the FARES, provided Alabama, Georgia, and Florida farmers with weather information related to farming practices. Another cooperatively developed research and service facility was the Seed Technology Center, which processed, tested, and certified superior plant seed for distribution by the Crop Improvement Rssociation. 13 TilE POWER OF PATNFRSI lIpI * " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 u-u 1Kith OLf1" St-7rt7Crs to ,*, e. I mt e ( e \\ " l'eIhllog :AI~that Pl gihow xrel in c the \lainma. 4$ ( ii denci Can \ kit the test "Itc .O\ tuie or will help keep Hlabawa beautiful all season luny. attend I hield tiy uiuallx held in Jil\. 1980s Closer cooperation was sought between RAES researchers who looked for answers to farmers' problems and Extension specialists who both saw the problems and delicered the scientists' answers. Efforts began 1 The Alabama Director of the Experiment Station. Other changes included the strengthening of the AAES's partnerships with Alabama AtIM Uniuersity and with Agricultural Experiment to integrate Extension specialists into the teaching and research !r Station experienced changes, which included the combining of the positions of the Dean of the College Agriculture and the programs. . :of S14 Ti 1F POWFR OF PARTNERSHIPP " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 D uing the field day thex can tour the annual bediding plant garden trials and bear firsthand research information on each x ariety from A AES scientists. IN laster Gardeners are xolonteers trained to bring research-based hoiticultoral information and practices to their eommiunities' landscapes and gardens. 'l'heit training includes 4(1 hours of instruction from horticultuirists, entomologists, agronomists, Extension specialists. anti eountx l,'Atension agents. '[heir training also includes field and laboratorx xxork. Alabama currentlx ranks second beh in MlNIississi ppi in catfish prodcitction, and the l 'SIA estimates that catfish ciunsuimption xxill tiiple in the I nitecl Stares bx the xcii 2(1(01. D emand for other tx pes oif commerciallx groxxn freshwxater fish and shellfish is also gixx ing at a record rate. Through the Southeastern C ooperatix e Fish D isease Project, AAES researchers in Fisheries and Allied \ciuacultores prop ide the latest researchprox en technology in wxorkshops and short courses for people interested in fish health and maintenance. Attend ing t\ pical xxorkshops are consultants. prixate farmers, xet Students, andI personnel from oither unix ersities in the Southeast. In addition, the I 'SI) F 'ish W\ith leadership from .AAES scientists. Ex. tension specialists, antI countx Extension agents, Alabama is leading the (Cotton Belt in the monitoring of insect iesistance to lit cotton. Although the geneticall\ engineered lBt cotton carries insecticidal properties that make it almost entirelx immune to the tobacco buiclxoim, Scientists antI groxxers are concerined that the tobacco hi cxxorm and the cotton bollwsorm xxill dlexelop resistance toilBt cotton. Alabama a (Co(ttoni ( Commission,. Co:tton Incorporated. Mlonsanto, and I( SI)A hax e joined forc es xxith Auburn I[ ersitx nix researchers antI Extension Sx stem personnel to determine if and xxhen lBt resistance wxill occuir in Alabama. Scientists antI Extension specialists are prox idling groxxers xxith a Resistance M onitoring Kit, xxh ich has all the materials necessarx for collecting, storing, and shipping samples of tobacco budxxorms or cotton bollxxorms gathered in the field. '['he I SI). lab in Stonex lle, Mississippi. is testing the samples for lit resistance. Although other cotton-groxxi ng states are ailso counduicting similar programs, Alabama has taken the lead because Alabama coitton growxxers are planting a larger percentage of cotton acreage in lBt co~tto~n than groxxers in any other state. lhe Alabama lomato IPM5Program helps fresharket tomato producers compete in tis $18 ilion industry, and helps Alabama consumers mi h ive the pick of the crop. .\labama produrces more thain 770,0001 pundts of fresh market toma- toes ann uially xxith an estimated x alue oft $18 million. In 1997 xxith the support oft a grant fr om the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management 1IPM) IProgram, the Alabama 'I'omaro IP NI Program xxas implemented through large scale on-farm demonstrations in both the northern and southern tomato procduction regions of the state. 'liomato groxxers in the txxo tairgeted areas are D~isease and Parasites Research L aborator, located in Aiiburn. wxorks wxith scientists in V eterinary Miedicine and F'isheries and A\lliecd *tl toi eliminate diseases of fish. responsible for more than 90% oft the tomato Produlctioni in Alabama. TIhe I1\NI program coonsisted of a bixweeklx insect/disease scouiti ng program combinedl xxith a xxeather-based acultures the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 199 7 An FARES FacultyIndustry Council composed of industry representatives and AIRES faculty representatives met to discuss research directions for the Experiment Station. M1embers included faculty from Alabama ARDM University and Auburn University and industry representatives from Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, the Department of Agriculture and Industries, Russell Corporation, Alabama Farmer's Federation, Alabama Forestry Association, and Alabama Cattlemen's Association. Information from AHistoru Of The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station: 18831983, by Norwood Rllen Kerr, which is auailable on request from the Office of Research Information, 2 Coiner Hali, Auburn University, AL 36849. Ij15 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP .... AAES Annual Report 1997 Ii ogic ide spray program, providdc b\ toain of eggs "in the test tiuhe,' has be en offeredl atr\ibiiin I n ci it\ k(,i the Agriciiltuiral Weather Inftormation Serx ice ( A\\ IS). l'ettilty recommendations XX crc ah)'out three Wean . made periodically based on Iese effoit reprrl cr n patcri c results of soil and tissue analy sis that determined the nutritional reqluiremernts of the crop. In addition, research on Nveedc control wXas conducted at tXX 0 AAELS suibstatioins. (Couoperating in the IPI~N pro~grain are scientists from Entomolog,A sh ip hetX cenl the AA\LS and the I~a A mina]Ileaching H ospital at the (: diecge of Veerinmary \ lclic inc. (:attlc OX ynets come from seX eral statc , in eluding some from outside the S iiitheast, to take adIXantage of the \IiS's expertise in I\ I technolo ,s X ea an d m ark p ed e i t e eted ,oh utt n l r n not Ac nlo l AgronomX, Plant P~athology, and I hrtic ultore. CXunt} Fxtenlsion agents and groXX ers are iny oIX d as XXell. T1he AAES emhr\ 0 produtction research laboratorX located at theo1 College of Veterinar MIedcliine is one of a dozen sites in the I. niteci States Xhere clients can bring their cattle fir in Xvitro fertiliztion de th ose Xvarieties are suitable for pi oduotioin in Alabama. Narrow ing cloXXn the itions and learning more about the PCe rformance of each Xariers in each soil ancdclimate region ot Alabama canl help iser decisions about pr oducers make XX th c crops the\ plant. (lI). In Xitro ferciti li/a- tilization setXvices, XXhic h alo f I Each scar, AAES scientists test iiysriad Xvarieties of snmall grains, corn, rsegrass, forages, peanuts, cotton, soy beans, fruits, Xegetables, and j47$/ Ornamentals at sites throughout the >rate. V ariets reports arc av ailable innualls, as soon as the clata from the presviouis year haX e been coillectcI and analszicc and in time for ptoi du ccir to use rhem in their selcioun r, cess for the coming~ season. T[he cpuirts are av ailable from the AAES )i from couintX Extension oiffices and include Xi eld and performance data from each Xvariety tested in a mixen sear. 'These repoirts siupply inX aliiable informiation foir co(mmer- cial rowXcriop and liXvestock produicci s, seed conmpanies, and cx en home 1-dcciuc- M1any of the teaching sill emtra source of information for their student! The College of Iieterinary M-edicine is one of a dozen sites in the United States where clients can bring their cattle for in uitro fertilization. ' ,16 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPP *."" AAES Annual, Report 1997 'ION forging pa rtnecrships agricutural a IS x HE ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL STATION has \ EXPERIMENT b xxxremof aric[ulttral research that is the enx of the wxorld. M 4\nd, through the C ollege of agricultiire, a nexx goner anon of the most technically adx anced igriciilttraixits in the \\ oild is heing trained. 7 T he College of Agric ulture pridles itself on haxving >ome of the brightest students at Aubhurn and in the t nited States. The national test scites of incoming freshmen are vv ell ahox e the ax erage. Snnidenrx in agricunlnnire learn hx doing, wxorkinog side-hb -side wxith theit professors. I his, combined wxith the excellent opportunoies, has advisor sy stem and eoutrric nolii THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP " " " AAES Annual Report 1997 dcx chipcd Iadcrs ax ,tudents ma].l lax c. As cx dcntcd xcar V Welli oxe 30i Aiuburin I lnix ersitx pat- Mho noxw hold Han w00 farmir xith after year bx tile dceits inumber (if formei stu- College oif Agriculturc stuldeints hlax superxvised internlship proiticipateti ill gramsl iinx l ho rIettirn to Aublurn to x isit thleli mlemblers inexver atixisors, tihese tatcultx ilx iig nlationlallx kiiuixx gi ixciiiiicit agenies c. oprtos all lex cix of and at become "e atlx isors." In] addition tile agrihnilesses andt ( ollege oIf Agriculture offer s a free oiie- T hese internlshlips has e plroiixded an impol~rtant oi~ppoitiilitx for practical expce rieilees hlefote gratduation, p11(s degree oilliiic ttorinlg scrx ice fior aim studeints ill agriculture. V Each of thlc deplatments iin tile cretdit 11id excelleint salaries. Co;l lege of Agictuire hlas a spletializedl teachling staff xxith more than 95% hlolt- MIorc thlan 95% ot the Co;illegc oif \grit'olture's domlestie studenlts xxhl respiondtetd to a xurx cx report that thiex state and more thai] 70 foireign countries. Auburn I nix erxitx has an internationally renowxn foreign program in treshwxater fisheries and aquac ultore. in 1997, more than 840) xtodcntx wxrc enrolled in the C ollege of \gricoltire'x undergradluate program~s xx ile 220) graduate studen~ts piirxsied degrees in] ine different dep~artmn~c]ts. ing a Phl. D). tdegircc, andt ma~iny ate consiti- eredi national and( interinationlal experts in rcccix eti gioiit joib utters eitheri hI e c shotix after graduatin. Th le Ii ortic ulture I )epatn mlay hldt r thleir discipline. Molst teachlers also haxve research retsplonsiblilities, stipporitcd bx the Alabiama Agrictii riai a l ii lerict nlationlal record bix placingu ex erx gratduate for rile last 13 xcars. Station as xx ll as outside contracts anld graints. Some also xxo(rk tdiiectly xxith agriculture aint agiibusinless x a jinit apiniiltmen~ts in tile Alabama Coopileratixve V Ill 1997, tihe CoThlcgc ot Agicuturtc tciitinuietd to cosponsor ailt pairtitipatc ill a farmer exchlange prougrail xxith oithert coluntries. ['acultx imembl~ers frim tilhie Colhlege (if Agriulturc anld lcatdcis froml tile \Alanama State I )cparrmeilt iif Agriculture anld Inidiistties andt thec Alabamla h arm~ers [edetation ixsited German, V Mlore thlan $242,000 in] scholarships Extenlsioin Sx steml. "These tdtal roles keep an~d axx ardx xwrc gixven to 177 Auburnl I nix crxitx C ollege oif Agricoltore ondcrgraduate stuldents in 1997. TIhese xcholarxhips and axxards are an inldicatin of the srong supp]ort by agriblusinless, friends, and alumli for th~e acadlem]ically talented stuldeints iin tlhe College Of Agricultire. teachers in the C ollege of Agricuiturc uil- to-date oiltile latest researtih fininiigs froml tihe scienltific coil]iluiitx, andt prtxvie all extra soiurtte oif inlfo rmlationl hit tiheir studenlts. V Stare-oif-tihe-art teacihing facilities in IIiilgatx. anti Ausria. A tiele- C:oimer Hall1 Audhitorium pltt it at rile forefronit (if axvailable techloi~gies. Comiler gatioin of Gertmlanl farimecs fromitile I lh schlolarship program~ in the I ax cilailt F'armercs Association- a group of agricuultuitists froml easternl Germanx 5 isitetd College (if Agriculture is the largest, hotlh in numbler of axxardx anld monetarx x aloe. of an on calm]pus. Schola rsh]ipx ran' C il troll Al abamila to lear ilmll(re fill tuition selholarxlhlps to just a, $100 to $1 ,000 Inlitm atitrit ai nmeaningful organizations an~d mndix V Another atdxanltage cli continuinlg Acatdemic Interchange Agreemnlit xitil Pnnonll students ix thle advxisor xx steml used byx the CThllege Of A\grictllttlre. Studentx are assigned an adx isor xx irhin a fexwxwecks iif I inix rxitx, Autditori tin has bleen tranlsformiedt into a mlultiimlctia plreseintationi s\ steml xxithl full thc iiltdest Agritcultural I irix rsitx ill registering for their first qliarter at I Itiigar\, Aubhurn faculitx anti Alabamla farmlers ho~stetd six iif Pannionl Atlhurn I nix ersit. Students becorne xweli acquainted wxithl their adx isor soon after tihe beginning (if their first qlatter (if Internet capacities andt VCR, slitde projector, laser disc, and cale telexisill bivxersitx 's honori~ studenlts. Thlese stutdents lixetd oil fatrms for tix e-mon(1th internlsips to leatrn firsthlandt aiout hoxx toi mainage a buisinless access. [.acll seplaratc clemlenlt is ciintruolled byN touch screen and coiordinated hx tile mainf computer. in] enlroilnment. Adxvisors heilp xx class schledtling and xwith any special prolemus anti oplerate in ai mlarket-dtiixn econlomll. ~18 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP .... AAES Annual Report 1997 HE.4 FUTU E developing new technologies wit ouiir o rtners IRECISION FARMING can help farmers make \s ise choices about where to apple nutrients and how much of a nutrient is needed. 'I'hese choices are possible because of new technologies that let scientists pinpoint exact locations w ithin fields and determine certain characteristics abotut these locations. TIhese new technologies include glohal positioning satellites, farm equipment outfitted w ith nutrients "A=rnr and harvesting appli~jng R computerized controls and y icld monitors, crops. nsabout and geographic information software. 1 19 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP .... AAES Annual Report 1997 Research thius far has focused on nhutrients and x ields. By looking at wxh ichb areas of a hield haxve loxxer x ields, scientists can make recoiimmendations ab)(ut preciselx xxhere nutrients are Ini aniuthier prjet, xl 1 upprted by IThis ireceiit techical ac hiex emenclt one Gold Kist and Alahamia C atfisxh Prioducers, AA\lS researchers in putx Alabama on the map as of ahout a cdozen sites xxorldxxide that can priodclice tranxgenic xxx me. 'Ihi ongh th is technologx the potential exists to piroclice animials that aie iesistaiit to dlisease oi that couilcd priiduce xubxtances F~ixheries and Al lied Ac naeul toirex are xxoiking toi create at generic map of the catfish. 'Ihey arc locating the genes that ciinrol economicallx impotn needed. lB applx ing onlx the nutrients needed and unix xxhere thex are needed, farmers can saxve money and protect the enx ironment. Remote sensing of plant conditioins may he the next xtep. 'Ic'aring up xxith N AS A, researchers w xant to look at s-atellite photographx of plant color and temperature-txxo indicatiii of(istress. And plant stress is a good measure of potential xyield. AAELS researchers, Extension spec ialists, couinty E'xtension agents, groxxers, industrx representatix es, and I 'I ) personnel are collabo- traits like disease rexixtanCe, grixx thi rare. feed onx etxion effic ienc, toleiance (if lox oxx gen, and carcass and filIlet x eld. I lInmatelx. thiex hiope to pro dcI catfish stocksx that groxx fastei, e of xiltie to bioth huiman and x eterinaix m~edicine. V \ IS xc ientixtx in L'ntomolo0gx xc ientixtx at the I SI) \ gric iltiial Research Serx ice ( entei for \ edical, A\giic nltuiial, and ci tci iaix hix C hetter feeid Cons Crxion efftcieni s and higher proc-essing xyielcds, and are more resistant toi F ntoroologx; and xc ientixtx at'I exax A & \I t nix erxit\ ate dex eloping the techinology tol eaxexdriip on siiil inxect pextx. Currieiitlx, if xc ientixtx xxant to determine hiixx man'. inxectx aire in the xoil, the'. hax e to take a siiil sample and counit i- mieasure the niimbei of pextx. diseases. V 'Ihis x eat marked the birth of the first transgenid pigx prouucuced in Alabama. 'I'ransuenic mneans that these animals c-arrx genes from other species. I lix '