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UW Trap crop research is featured in SARE 2000 Highlights
University of Wyoming trap crop research is one of 12 projects
featured in a publication that showcases outstanding research and
promotes the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program. Representing SARE's most innovative projects from across
the country, SARE 2000 Highlights selected the projects from more
than 1,600 SARE-funded research programs.
"Having our research highlighted in this publication is
quite an honor," said Professor Dave Koch, UW Department of
Plant Sciences. "Our publications on the results of this
research are directed at sugar beet growers and the sugar industry,
while this publication is aimed primarily at those who make
decisions on agricultural funding. For example, every member of
Congress received a copy."
Major investigators of UW trap crop research are Koch, Professor
Fred Gray and Professor Jim Krall, UW Department of Plant Sciences,
and Professor Larry Held, UW Department of Agricultural and Applied
Economics. Their research has shown that using trap crops to control
the sugar beet nematode (SBN) reduces the risks to both humans and
the environment and provides a cost-effective alternative to
nematicides. SBN is one of the most destructive sugar beet pests
worldwide and is present in all sugar beet growing areas in Wyoming.
Because commonly used insecticides for SBN control are costly and
pose potential hazards, exploring alternative pest control
strategies is important.
Because the nematode problem is not present at any of the four UW
Research and Extension Centers, all trap crop research has been
conducted on cooperator fields. UW Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
educators Jim Gill, Washakie County, and Jack Cecil and Wayne Tatman,
Goshen County, arranged for and coordinated with cooperating
growers. To date, a total of 18 Wyoming producers have been involved
with the research. Industry cooperators are Holly Sugar Corporation,
Simplot Soilbuilders, Hilleshog Monohy (now Novartis Seeds),
American Crystal Sugar and P.H. Petersen.
Authorized by the 1985 Farm Bill, SARE, a USDA federal
competitive grants program, was first funded in 1988. SARE provides
funds for research, demonstration, education and extension projects
designed to help producers adopt sustainable, profitable and
environmentally sound practices.
SARE 2000 Highlights is on the Web at www.sare.org/htdocs/pubs.
To receive a hard copy of the publication, call Koch at (307)
766-3242. To view other publications concerning Wyoming trap crop
research, visit the UW CES Web site http://www.uwyo.edu/ag/ces/plantsci.htm.
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