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News Update
Aug. 12, 2005


Gas, Diesel Continue Price Hike

CNN reported today that record-breaking prices for gasoline and diesel are continuing to soar.

According to the article, AAA travel club quotes the nationwide average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas at $2.413 — 57¢ higher than prices a year ago. Gas prices for a gallon of regular unleaded are, on average, highest in California (at $2.718) and lowest in South Carolina (at $2.254). Diesel averaged $2.497 per gallon.

For the complete article, visit http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/12/news/economy/gasprices/index.htm?cnn=yes.


Shade Trees Protect Forages

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found that some forages do better under moderate shade than in traditional open pastures.

According to an ARS release, animal scientist Jim Neel found that moderately shaded forages have more protein than forages on open pasture during the heat of July and August. Silvopastures — a management practice combining livestock grazing and treed areas — also seem to buffer drought and other seasonal extremes, and an ARS soil scientist found that buffering helps forage plants warm up approximately two weeks earlier than normal in the spring and stay warm in late fall to delay harmful effects of frost for about two weeks. Therefore, silvopastures could provide another four weeks of forage growth and grazing time.

At the ARS Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center in Beaver, W.Va., scientists have designed silvopastures carefully, monitoring light available through the canopy, soil temperature, wind speed, precipitation and soil moisture.

Researchers in other areas have also found that tall fescue and orchardgrass grown in moderate shade yield better than those grown in heavy shade, the release stated.

To learn more about the research, visit www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/aug05/sylvan0805.htm.


Feedyard Donates $2.5-Million Facility

Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeding LLC has donated a research facility in Lamar, Colo., valued at $2.5 million, to the Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences. The university will use the 15-acre facility, capable of holding about 1,500 head of cattle, to establish the Southeastern Colorado Research Center for research efforts regarding animal food safety, nutrition, environmental effects and management.

The gift also includes five years of funding for a professorship within the department.



— compiled by Crystal Albers, Angus Productions Inc., associate editor

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