News and Events

News Archives - 2003

December 2003

Mad Cow Yet to Impact Tennessee Beef Prices
Recent concerns about diseased cattle have not yet had a major impact on Tennessee beef prices, University of Tennessee animal science professor Dr. James Neel said Tuesday.

Tennessee to Conduct Master Beef Programs in 2004
The Master Beef Producer Program will get underway across Tennessee during the winter and spring of 2004. Hailed as the most extensive educational project planned for the Tennessee cattle industry, the MBP program is designed to help individual producers improve their profitability and competitiveness.

New Horse Therapy Available at Tennessee
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine is now one of six veterinary facilities in the nation with hyperbaric oxygen therapy capabilities. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is designed to deliver increased concentrations of oxygen directly to diseased or injured tissues in horses.

2004 Field Day Schedule Announced
Production and marketing issues are the central themes for the 2004 field days and special events scheduled by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Christmas Cactus
The easy-to-grow Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera bridgesii, is a wonderful plant to give and to receive. This handsome houseplant sends out sprawling chains of inch-long dark green, elliptical leaves linked together.

November 2003

Faculty Member Receives National Appointments
Dr. Karen Tobias has been elected to a two-year term as president of the Society for Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery. Dr. Tobias has also been appointed to the Board of Regents and Examining Committee for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

New Web Site Compiles Dairy Information
A new source of information is available about Southeastern dairy production. SoutheastDairyExtension.org is a database-driven Web site designed to serve as a portal to the vast amount of web-based dairy industry information.

Second Horse Round Table Scheduled
Horse owners and those interested in horses are invited to attend a Horse Round Table on December 2, 2003, on the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture campus.

Sun Grant Initiative Gathers Energy (includes audio file links)
Legislation supporting the Sun Grant Initiative was included in the federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The Sun Grant Initiative involves creating university-based research, extension and educational programs for biobased energy technologies.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Ornamental Grass
Looking for a plant that will add beauty, movement and sound to your landscape? Ornamental grasses can serve all these functions. This large group of plants includes true grasses and their close relatives, sedges, rushes and bamboos.

October 2003

UT Ag Leaders Tour East Tennessee
Leaders of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture toured upper East Tennessee on their third annual road trip on October 27-29. The UTIA In Touch with Tennessee tour was designed to strengthen existing relationships with the Tennessee agroforestry industry and the state's network of veterinary medicine practitioners.

Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe Featured at National Youth Summit
The Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe will be the featured artist at the Second National Youth Summit in Washington, D.C., November 6-8. The sixteen member troupe will perform three times during the three-day conference, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services.

Halloween and Your Pets
Halloween can be a ghastly experience for pets if precautions aren't taken. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine advises pet owners to be especially vigilant during this time.

Tennessee Invests in Plant Biotechnology Research (includes audio file links)
A new $22 million Plant Biotechnology Building is now at the heart of the University of Tennessee's efforts into this complex realm of scientific research. Dedicated on October 16, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to enhance instruction, research and technology transfer programs.

UT Plateau Station To Hold November Cattle Sale
The University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station will sell some cattle from the station's herd on Friday, November 21. The sale will feature open and bred cows, all of which are registered Angus or Gelbvieh.

National Veterinary Technician Week
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine joins the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Inc. (NAVTA) as proclaiming October 12-18, 2003 National Veterinary Technician Week, celebrated annually to recognize veterinary technicians nationwide for their contributions to the profession.

Studies Show Promise for Biodiesel Processing in Tennessee
Tennessee soybean producers could and would support a 13-million gallon biodiesel plant, according to two studies performed by agricultural economists at the University of Tennessee.

UT Leaders to Touch Base with Community Leaders
Leaders of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will head to upper East Tennessee for their third annual road trip on October 27-29.

UT Gardens' Plants of the Month: Snapdragon
Snapdragons, with their two-lipped flowers, have delighted children for generations. Pinching the blossom makes the dragon's mouth open, or “snap.”

Vet School in SEC Competition
A friendly competition has been launched among five veterinary colleges at Southeastern Conference universities to see which has the most loyal alumni.

September 2003

Five-Year Trend:
UT Agricultural Programs and Services Are Growing
Grant and contract funding at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has increased 175 percent since 1998 said Dr. Jack Britt, UT vice president for agriculture. Britt made the comment during his annual address to faculty, staff, alumni representatives and students.

Horse Ownership Course Offered in Blountville
Horse owners in upper East Tennessee and Southeast Virginia are encouraged to attend a course on the basics of horse care. Offered by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, the course will be taught in Blountville, Tenn., beginning in October.

Horse Ownership Courses Offered
Area horse owners and those considering owning a horse have the opportunity to attend a course on the basics of horse care. Offered by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, the course will be taught in two locations in the Knoxville metropolitan area beginning in October.

Prawn Production Conference Scheduled for October
The 4th Annual Tennessee Prawn Conference will convene in Knoxville on October 16, 2003. The two-day event will begin with registration at 9:00 a.m. on October 16 and conclude at noon on October 17. The conference will take place in the new Biotechnology Building on the agricultural campus of the University of Tennessee.

UT Beef Expo Focuses on Increasing Profits
Increasing profits for beef producers will be the focus of the 2003 Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo. Scheduled for October 9, the free event will be held at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville. The event is co-sponsored and coordinated by the UT Agricultural Extension Service and the Agricultural Experiment Station.

Final 2003 Garden Tour Planned
Tuesday, September 16, is the date for this year's last guided twilight tour of the University of Tennessee Gardens. The tour is free and open to the public. Dr. Susan Hamilton, an associate professor in plant sciences and the gardens director, and James Newburn, gardens curator, will lead walks and discuss the many exciting plants and plant trials.

UT Gardens' Plants of the Month: Pansy and Viola
Pansies and violas are the perfect flower to enliven a winter landscape. In the South, both bloom non-stop from fall to spring providing cheerful color in a time of the year when it's least expected.

Ag Day Offers Fun for Everyone
Tricks of the trade, expert advice, and information highlighting the expanding role of the University of Tennessee's agricultural programs will be available at UT's 23rd annual Ag Day. The event is open to alumni, students, and friends of the UT Institute of Agriculture and to the general public.

Veterinary Faculty Receives Award
Dr. D. J. Krahwinkel, a professor of small animal surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award from Pfizer Health Corporation.

Changes to U.S. Ag Policy Could Help Farmers Worldwide
A report by agricultural economists with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Policy Analysis Center suggests that U.S. government farm policy is contributing to the growing crisis in the worldwide agricultural sector.

Funding for UT Nutrition Education Program Extended
The University of Tennessee has signed a $20 million agreement with the Tennessee Department of Human Services to continue a vital program that helps low-income families help themselves.

August 2003

UT Events To Celebrate Regional History
The University of Tennessee invites the public to celebrate West Tennessee’s history at two cultural events during October. The Ames Plantation Heritage Festival is scheduled for October 11 at the Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, and on October 18, the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Milan will host a Fall Folklore Jamboree.

Field Day To Highlight Waste and Nutrient Management Techniques
Practical solutions to complying with state and federal regulations about managing dairy waste and animal nutrients will be discussed Thursday, October 23, at the University of Tennessee Dairy Experiment Station Field Day.

Joe Johnson Drive dedicated on UT ag campus
In a sunny afternoon ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the main thoroughfare on the Agricultural Campus in Knoxville, Center Drive, was officially renamed Joe Johnson Drive in honor of UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson.

UT Fisheries Scientist Receives National Award
The National Association of County Agricultural Agents recently recognized Tom Hill, a fisheries specialist with the department of forestry, wildlife and fisheries, with its Distinguished Service Award. This award is among the highest honors bestowed by the NACAA. It is reserved for past recipients of the state association distinguished service awards.

UT Veterinary College Hosts World Congress
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine hosts the 8th World Congress of Veterinary Anesthesia (WCVA) September 16-20, 2003. This is only the second time since its inception in 1982 that the Congress has been held in the United States.

UT Ag Extension Worker Receives International Award
The American Society of Agricultural Engineers has named Robert T. Burns, P.E., winner of one of its most prestigious honors, the Nolan Mitchell Young Extension Worker Award. Burns is an associate professor in the biosystems engineering and environmental science department at the University of Tennessee.

Tasting Tennessee's State Fruit
Long before the 11 a.m. start of the annual Tomato Tasting event on July 11, guests waited patiently outside the First Baptist Church in Lauderdale County. The Tomato Tasting is part of the Tomato Festival.

West Nile Virus Strikes Tennessee Horses
The first cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses in Tennessee in 2003 have been reported in Blount and Hamilton counties.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Fan Flower
Very few plants introduced from Australia have been able to make it in Tennessee’s moist and humid climate, but Fan Flower is one of the exceptions.

July 2003

Lawrence County Extension Hosts UT President
On July 30, after a busy morning participating as a member of Governor Phil Bredesen's Jobs Cabinet, University of Tennessee President John Shumaker showed his interest and support for agriculture and the UT Agricultural Extension Service by visiting the Lawrence County Extension Office and touring an area farm.

Wastewater Facility Debut Draws a Crowd
A crowd of concerned citizens from across the state participated in the recent opening of the Tennessee Onsite Wastewater Training Facility. On July 24 more than 75 engineers, wastewater managers, community planners, environmentalists and regulators toured the new site and examined the state-of-the-art displays of wastewater renovation technologies.

Horse Owners Alerted to EEE Case in Tennessee
Horse owners are being alerted about a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Anderson County. Dr. Frederick Harper says the case is a reason for concern.

Southeastern Expo to Offer Something for Everyone
Expected to draw thousands of visitors, the Southeastern Expo 2004 is to be a premier educational event and trade show focused on agricultural marketing techniques. Scheduled for Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19, 2004, the Expo will be hosted by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service and Experiment Station and the Greene County Partnership Agribusiness Committee.

Carol White Appointed to UT Board of Trustees
Carol White, University of Tennessee student in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, was appointed to the UT Board of Trustees on July 11. The 24-member Board governs the five-campus system and has one student representative. Governor Phil Bredesen made the appointment.

UT and Agricenter International Announce Partnership
The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service and the Agricenter International have formed a new partnership that promises to benefit West Tennessee and the Mid-South region.

UT Summit on Agroterrorism and Bioterrorism
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the UT Health Science Center are hosting a summit on agroterrorism and bioterrorism on July 17 and 18. The summit is designed to foster collaboration between state officials and the university and to encourage the exchange of information among the departments within the university system.

Project Linus for 4-H'ers
The Tennessee 4-H Council has selected Project Linus as the major service learning project for the 2003 4-H Roundup and All Star Conference. To kick off the 80th annual 4-H Roundup, all delegates and leaders are encouraged to participate in Project Linus by bringing new, handmade, washable blankets.

State's Agri-Tourism Being Inventoried
Do you offer wagon tours of your farm? Sell cut-your-own Christmas trees? If so, you are engaged in agri-tourism, and the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture wants to help your enterprise be more successful.

Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station To Sell Cattle, Move Poultry
Tennessee's budget reductions are affecting personnel, services, and now livestock. More than 350 beef cattle owned by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station will be sold at auction on August 30. The sale represents the dispersal of the herd at the Knoxville Experiment Station's Alcoa Unit, which is one of eight units operated by the Knoxville Experiment Station.

June 2003

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Petunias
No summer annual can be more popular than the new, spreading "Wave" petunias. They have practically become a household name.

Veterinary Faculty Receives National Award
A University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member has received the USDA's highest honor, the Secretary's Honor Award. Dr. Sarel Van Amstel was honored for his collaboration with the University of Florida and the Master Hoof Care Technician Program Team.

Blooms Days
Two days of fun and learning for the entire family are slated for June 28 and 29 in the UT Gardens. Find out more about the upcoming Garden Festival and Marketplace at http://www.bloomsdays.org .

Evening Tours of UT Gardens Planned
The University of Tennessee Gardens on Neyland Drive is offering free, twilight garden tours this summer and fall. Everyone is invited to come and learn about the gardens.

Horse Owners Beware, West Nile Virus Is Back
West Nile Virus is back in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed on June 9 that a crow from Hamilton County tested positive for WNV.

Plateau Station to Host Beef and Veggie Field Day
Some familiar American food staples will be the focus of an event for agricultural producers on August 5 at the University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station in Crossville.

Biotechnology Symposium To Open World-Class Research Facility
An October dedication of the University of Tennessee’s state-of-the-art plant biotechnology research building will feature a symposium related to tree biotechnology and genomics.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Daylily
Almost everyone loves daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.). They are showy, dependable, easy-care perennials that can fill a variety of garden niches.

May 2003

Summer Lawn and Garden Event Planned
From kitchen gardens to purple martins, the topics at the annual Summer Celebration should interest lawn and gardening enthusiasts of all ages. Sponsored by the University of Tennessee West Tennessee Experiment Station in Jackson, this year’s Summer Celebration is planned for Thursday, July 10, 2003.

Forage Field Day To Benefit Producers and Consumers
What do Bermuda grass, steak dinners, and fishing have in common? Each topic will be featured at the University of Tennessee Field Day on July 24.

Tobacco and Specialty Crops Field Days Announced
Tobacco and specialty crop producers and professionals who work with them should plan to attend two University of Tennessee tobacco production-related field days. The two events will be held in July on different dates at separate locations.

Need Help with Storm-Damaged Trees?
The state's recent stormy weather has prompted many calls to local county Agricultural Extension offices about storm-damaged trees.

Large-Scale Beef Cattle Demonstration Launched
Cattle and calves are produced in each of the state’s 95 counties and remain the state’s largest agricultural commodity. More than 2.1 million head are spread across Tennessee.The comprehensive two-year demonstration is expected to show how genetic improvements can be made quickly through the use of superior bulls.

Growing His Legacy
A tree was planted in the University of Tennessee Gardens on April 30 in memory of the man who was called “a sculptor of word, stone, landscapes, and lives.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Dianthus
The sweet, spicy scent of Dianthus, combined with their lovely blossoms, has made these plants favorites among gardeners for many centuries.

April 2003

Food Science Professor Honored
Dr. Mike Davidson, professor of food microbiology at the University of Tennessee, has been elected a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). IFT is the 28,000-member professional society for food science and technology.

Hay Day to Focus on Water Quality and Production Practices
Livestock producers will not want to miss the 7th annual Hay Day, to be held Thursday, May 29, in Somerville, Tenn. The free public event, presented by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, will focus on improving water quality and increasing quality hay production for horses and livestock.

University's CNMP Certification Program Goes National
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a cooperative partnership with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service will offer producers options in developing their comprehensive nutrient management plans.

UT Wildlife and Fisheries Team Wins Consecutive Championships
The University of Tennessee Student Chapter of the Wildlife and Fisheries Society proved that they have both brains and brawn with their recent victory over 22 other schools in the Southeastern Wildlife Conclave.

Trust Supports UT Forestry Research at Ames Plantation
A unique forestry research program is taking a holistic approach toward improving the forests of Tennessee.

UT Beef Workshop to Cover Biosecurity, Other Topics
The University of Tennessee is sponsoring a Beef Workshop and Trade Show on Tuesday, May 6, from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. C.D.T, at the Highland Rim Experiment Station.

UT to Host Beef and Forage Field Day
Beef producers and cattle specialists should plan to attend the 2003 UT Beef and Forage Field Day to be held Friday, June 13, at the Blount Unit of the University of Tennessee Knoxville Experiment Station.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Baptisia
Looking for a fantastic, old-fashioned perennial that is beautiful and tough? Baptisia,or False Indigo, may be the plant for you.

March 2003

Mathew to lead UT's Department of Animal Science
Alan Mathew is the new head of the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

University of Tennessee Medical Entomologists Aid Troops in Iraq
As the war in Iraq deepens, there is trouble brewing in Middle Eastern deserts and river basins. Insect trouble. It’s the job of two University of Tennessee alumni to combat those problems, along with the insects that cause them.

UT Veterinary and Agricultural Colleges to Host Open House April 11-12
The University of Tennessee Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will host a joint Open House on
Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Daffodil
Daffodil, narcissus or jonquil? Much confusion has existed over the proper name for these plants.

February 2003

Statewide Sustainable Ag Tour
Some 65 agriculture leaders and educators in Tennessee are expected to gather Feb. 25-27 for a statewide journey of sustainable agriculture. The group will make on-farm visits to a variety of value-added and sustainable agriculture ventures in Tennessee.

USA Today All America Honors for CASNR Student
Pedigo’s hard work has led to many honors, among them selection as a National Merit Scholar. This week USA Today named her to the All-USA Academic second team, selecting her as one of the top 40 students in the nation as judged by the publication's criteria.

Soybean Producers Offered Chance to Rate Biodiesel
Soybean producers across the state should check their mailboxes in the upcoming weeks for a survey designed by University of Tennessee researchers. Responses to the survey will help evaluate the feasibility of locating a soybean crush/biodiesel facility in Tennessee.

UT Veterinary Alumni Receive Awards
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine has conferred distinguished service awards on three of its alumni.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Rosemary
Rosemary means "dew of the sea." It's an appropriate name for this traditional garden herb.

January 2003

Institute Publishes New Magazine
Tennessee Land, Life and Science magazine highlights the advances in research, teaching, and service programs being conducted by Institute faculty and staff.

Hayes Leads West Tennessee Ag Research Program
UT’s renowned weed scientist Robert M. Hayes was named as superintendent of the West Tennessee Experiment Station in Jackson.

Grain, Soybean Producers Set Conference
Grain and soybean producers will gather on Thursday, Feb. 6, for this year's Tennessee Grain and Soybean Producers Conference at the Dyer County Fairgrounds.

New Superintendent Named for Ames Plantation
Dr. Rick Carlisle has been named as the new superintendent of the Ames Plantation, a 18,600-acre agricultural and natural resources research facility.

UT Gardens’ Plant of the Month: the Lenten Rose
Known commonly as Hellebore or by its botanical name, Helleborus orientalis, the whole gardening world seems enchanted with these mostly evergreen, woodland winter-flowering perennials.

2003 Field Day Schedule Announced
Production and marketing issues are the central themes for the 2003 field days and special events scheduled by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

|| Current Releases ||