IN th is ISSUE

Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research

ConnectionVol. 8, No. 2, Summer 2006

C FAR

This spring, the Governor and Illinois General Assembly approved an FY07 State of Illinois budget that includes a $4.5 million appropriation for food and agricultural research via C-FAR. This represents a $1 million increase from the FY06 appropriation. “Our thanks are duly directed to Governor Blagojevich and to the leaders and all members of the General Assembly,” said Alan Puzey, C-FAR chairman. “We are also extremely appreciative to our members for effectively raising the importance of this appropriation to the attention of our state leaders.” As ongoing research and other program commitments will be supported in FY07, the appropriation increase will allow meaningful new research to be initiated. EXTERNAL COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM

The External Competitive Grants Program is funded at 15% of the overall appropriation (per the legislation). The following research

initiatives were identif ied by the C-FAR working groups as priority projects and are being funded through this f iscal year’s program. High-Quality Protein Diets Decrease Insulin Resistance and Breast Cancer Principal investigator: Donald Layman, UIUC

This project examines the potential for diets with increased high- quality proteins and reduced carbohydrates to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inf lammation, and reduce breast cancer incidence. Researchers will use a new animal model of insulin resistance to evaluate the impact of chronic inf lammation on breast tumor formation in rats.

FY07 C-FAR Appropriation Enables New Research

The C-FAR Appropriation: Its Importance? ....................... 2New Markets Investigated for Ethanol Byproduct ........... 4Alternative Vegetable Crops Research ............................. 5Water Quality SRI Update .................................................. 6Websites to Watch ............................................................. 7

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C-FAR RESEARCh pRogRAMS

C-FAR Connection published by the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR)

Board of Directors & StaffChair: Alan puzey, FairmountVice Chair: david downs, AllertonSecretary-Treasurer: Fred Bradshaw,

griggsvilleMembership Chair: Larry Fischer, QuincyLegislative Chair: Karen Little,

pleasant plainsResearch Chair: Nels Kasey, paris Research Vice Chair: Steve Scates,

Shawneetown

Executive Administrator: Kraig A. WagenechtCommunications director: LeAnn M. ormsby

Legislative Consultant: giffin, Winning, Cohen &

Bodewes, p.C.

Working Group Leadershipexpanding agricultural markets: Chair – Jim Charlesworth Vice Chair – heather hampton+Knodlerural economic development: Chair – Kae hankes Vice Chair – Linda Wikoffagricultural production systems: Chair – Molly Ann godar Vice Chair – Anne Builta Criderhuman nutrition and food safety: Chair – Jeanne harland Vice Chair – Jim Fraleynatural resources and environment: Chair – Byford Wood Vice Chair – Brian Frieden

C-FAR1101 W. peabody dr.Urbana, IL 61801 phone: 217.244.4232 800.232.7991 Fax: 217.244.8594 E-mail: cfar@aces.uiuc.edu URL: www.ilcfar.org

Newsletter Coordinator: LeAnn ormsby, C-FAR Communications director; Editor: Rob Siedenburg, publication Services, Inc.; Designer: Arena Jackson, C-FAR; Photographers: Ron Ackerman, daniels/Ackerman photography; david Riecks, ITCS, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois

Greetings

C-FAR RESEARCh FuNDiNG iS StAtE-APPRoPRiAtED GENERAL REVENuE FuNDS. C-FAR GRAtEFuLLY ACkNoWLEDGES thE StAtE oF iLLiNoiS—RoD R. BLAGojEViCh, GoVERNoR.

Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research

thE C-FAR APPRoPRiAtioNIts Importance?

As the C-FAR appropriation was being considered by state officials during the development of Illinois’ FY07 state budget, C-FAR members, university researchers, and others across Illinois hailed the appropriation as being highly significant and important. This spring, when the FY07 appropriation was approved at a $1 million increase, these same individuals expressed their gratitude to state officials who consciously weighed its importance. Let me share three reasons the C-FAR appropriation is recognized as important to Illinois. 1. It is the only state appropriation dedicated to provide a sustainable and comprehensive food and agricultural research program for Illinois. While there are pockets of additional research funding for very specific needs, be assured there is no other state funding to support the breadth of research priorities like those that anchor C-FAR investments. Stakeholders have clearly deemed these priorities critical to the vitality of these important state sectors. We are indeed, a state rich in its food and agricultural diversity. 2. The C-FAR membership is an unbelievably effective watchdog of these research investments. Pardon my boldness as I suggest it is likely that the C-FAR investments undergo a higher level of scrutiny than the vast majority of other state-supported programs. I see it firsthand every day; the C-FAR membership is committed to making the best possible research allocations. Every Illinois taxpayer can take comfort, knowing this type of commitment is being provided by their fellow citizens. 3. The state’s appropriation via C-FAR is a high-return investment. Allocations to C-FAR research initiatives typically result in enabling significant leveraged funds, funds often from federal sources. C-FAR investments are not generally intended to be the full funding necessary for an initiative to reach its maximum outcome. They are, however, often intended to be the “seed funding” to initiate and develop the work. At that point, our state’s researchers have been highly successful in attracting substantial federal, corporate, and related funding. The result is greater research outcomes and additional funding being fed into Illinois to further spur our economy. I’ve detailed three reasons the C-FAR appropriation is significant to Illinois, understanding that the most obvious and important results of the appropriation are the outcomes from research. Respected national studies have shown that the economic rate of return on public investment in food and agricultural research is 35 to 60% per year. We extend our appreciation to State of Illinois officials for recognizing and understanding the C-FAR appropriation’s importance and to C-FAR members for their effective engagement in the entire process. We fully recognize that this “importance” is earned, and we will continue to conduct our programs in a highly effective manner and employ sound and transparent accountability measures to underpin the importance of this state-supported program.

KRAIg A. WAgENEChTExECUTIVE AdMINISTRAToR

Kraig A. WagenechtExecutive Administrator

C-FAR Connection . Summer 2006

Characterizing Virus-Nematode Complexes that Limit Vineyard Sustainability Principal investigator: Bradley Taylor, SIUC The supply and quality of Illinois-produced grapes drive winery production and marketing opportunities. Emergence of chronic debilitating diseases threatens these opportunities. This project will define incidence of virus-nematode complexes in Illinois vineyards, relate it to associated management practices, and develop strategies to preserve the $34 million overall potential impact to our rural economies.

Enhanced DDGS from the Elusieve Process: Foodstuff for Nonruminants Principal investigator: Vijay Singh, UIUC In a previous C-FAR project, a process was developed to separate fiber from distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in conventional dry grind corn plants. The elusieve process enhances DDGS by removing fiber and increasing protein and fat contents. In this project, enhanced DDGS will be evaluated as foodstuff for poultry and swine industries.

On-Farm Evaluation of Alternatives to Antibiotics in Pig Production Principal investigator: James Pettigrew, UIUC Researchers will evaluate various cereal grains and egg products as alternatives to antibiotics in the diets of young pigs on a commercial farm by assessing their effects on growth

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performance in a series of five experiments.

Thermochemical Conversion Process to Produce Oil from Various Types of Livestock Manure Principal investigator: Yuanhui Zhang, UIUC The research group has developed a thermochemical conversion (TCC) process and successfully converted up to 70% fresh swine manure into oil. Researchers will now investigate the feasibility of converting other sources of swine manure and other types of livestock manure into oil using this TCC process.

Engineering-Economic System Models for Rural Ethanol Production Facilities Principal investigator: Luis Rodríguez, UIUC The emergence of the ethanol industry has boosted the rural economy, although small plants are under competitive pressure. Researchers will build an integrated systems model of the industry to evaluate the sustainability of cooperative dry-grind facilities.

“As the C-FAR working groups prioritize projects for funding, their primary consideration is the importance of the research to Illinois. Such a process continues to yield a diverse and important set of initiatives funded, as is certainly the case with the FY07 projects,” said Steve Scates, research vice chair.

UNIVERSITY INTERNAL PROGRAMS

Funds allocated to the partner universities are allocated on a percentage basis as set by the legislation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

- 82%; Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) - 11%, Illinois State University (ISU) - 4%, Western Illinois University (WIU) - 3%. In addition to meeting their ongoing commitments, the universities expect to fund new projects in FY07. UIUC anticipates having approximately $1.2 million available to fund new initiatives through its Sentinel Program. SIUC expects to have about $100,000 available to support five new projects. ISU will direct approximately $120,000 toward its competitive grants program. At WIU, funds will be used to support its alternative crops program, and $30,000 will be available for a competitive grant program. All new research will be based on the new research focus areas (RFAs) developed by the C-FAR working groups this past winter.

STRATEGIC RESEARCH INITIATIVES

Two ongoing Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) projects will continue in FY07. They are the Illinois Livestock Integrated Focus Teams (IL LIFT) and Biomass Energy Crops for Power and Heat Generation in Illinois SRIs. The Water Quality SRI, established to improve the scien-tific base to aid the development of nutrient standards in Illinois, officially matured this June. A wide range of research and outreach activities will continue over the next year, however, to bring the initiative to its full conclusion. See page 6 for an update on this SRI.

“The increase in the C-FAR appropriation has enhanced the vibrancy of each of these three research programs,” said David Downs, C-FAR vice chairman. “We look forward to building on this progress in the future.”

New Markets investigated for Ethanol Byproduct

MASSoUd RoSTAM-ABAdI (RIghT), pRINCIpAL ChEMICAL ENgINEER AT ILLINoIS STATE gEoLogICAL SURVEy, ANd yoNgQI LU, VISITINg RESEARCh SChoLAR IN ThE UIUC dEpARTMENT oF CIVIL ANd ENVIRoNMENTAL ENgINEERINg, ShoW SAMpLES oF CoRN FIBER ANd ACTIVATEd CARBoN MAdE FRoM CoRN FIBER.

Illinois produces about 900 million gallons of ethanol annually. Corn fiber, a byproduct of wet-mill ethanol production, is typically sold as part of corn gluten feed, which is used for animal feed. Researchers based at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are excited about potential new markets for the byproduct as a biobased feedstock for producing activated carbon. U.S. demand for virgin activated carbon is forecast to expand 4.3 percent annually to 475 million pounds in 2008, valued at $315 million (The Freedonia Group, Inc.). “Activated carbon is produced industrially from several precursors, including wood, peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and coconut shells. It is commonly used in water treatment and air purification processes,” said Massoud Rostam-Abadi, ISGS principal chemical engineer and lead investigator. “If the process for producing activated carbon from corn fiber is commercialized, corn producers will have a larger market for their crop, and ethanol producers will have an additional revenue stream from the byproduct.” In an earlier study funded by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB), researchers developed a process for producing an activated carbon with optimized properties for removal of mercury emissions from coal combustion flue gases. The process was scaled up to produce over 1500 pounds of the activated carbon from 10,000 pounds of dry corn fiber. A full-scale mercury control test at the University of Illinois Abbott power plant showed that the performance of the corn-derived activated carbon compared favorably with that of one of the best commercial activated carbons used for mercury removal. The current study, funded by C-FAR, focuses on developing

an expanded market for activated carbon made from corn fiber for various pollution-control systems, particularly for removal of volatile organic compounds from air streams and organic compounds from water streams. Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and trichloroethylene (TCE) were selected as representatives of organic pollutants in air and water streams, respectively. Corn-derived activated carbon was compared with two commercial activated carbons for the removal of MEK. On a surface-area basis, the three activated carbons were equivalent. When compared with Micro and F400, two commercial activated carbons for TCE, the corn-derived activated carbon was more effective than Micro and comparable to F400. The average selling price of activated carbon ranges from $500 to $2,000 per ton. Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc., an ethanol plant located in Pekin, processes over 1 million tons of corn per year, producing about 200,000 tons of dry corn fiber. At a 15–20% yield of activated carbon and

an estimated price of $500 per ton, the total projected sale from activated carbon would be $15 to $20 million per year. Calgon Carbon Corporation, the world’s largest granular-activated carbon producer, has expressed interest in exploring the use of corn fiber for producing activated carbon. In May, representatives of the company met with ISGS researchers, ICMB, and Aventine Renewable Energy associates and indicated they would like to prepare and test various samples of corn-derived activated carbons at their research center in Pittsburgh, PA. “C-FAR funding was instrumental in obtaining additional data related to the environmental applications of the corn-derived activated carbon,” said Rostam-Abadi. “ICMB’s keen interest in this project originates from our desire to reduce the amount of ethanol feed by-products competing with corn. This represents a meaningful way to add value to corn through the development of a new corn product,” said Bryan Fogerson, ICMB chairman.

C-FAR Connection . Summer 2006

ALAN WALTERS, SIUC ASSoCIATE pRoFESSoR oF pLANT, SoIL, ANd AgRICULTURAL SCIENCES, INVESTIgATES gLoBE ARTIChoKES AS A poSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE CRop FoR ILLINoIS VEgETABLE pRodUCERS.

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45Alternative Vegetable Crops to Boost Grower income

Illinois is the largest producer of pumpkins and horseradish in the nation and ranks among the top ten states in the production of other specialty crops such as asparagus, cauliflower, fresh-cut herbs, green peas, lima beans, mustard greens, snap peas, and sweetcorn. C-FAR-funded research underway at Southern Illinois University Carbondale may help farmers expand their operations and diversify their businesses by growing additional vegetable crops. Alan Walters, an associate professor of plant, soil, and agricultural sciences, and his research team are working to identify new or alternative vegetable crops that can be grown and successfully marketed locally in Illinois. “Underdeveloped alternative vegetable crops will provide Illinois vegetable producers with tremendous opportunities for increasing grower income,” said Walters. “Consumers would also benefit from the increased freshness, nutritional value, and access to these crops.” Researchers have identified important cultural practices as well as cultivar information for a variety of alternative vegetable crops. Important marketing information for these crops has also been assembled. Primary crops being investigated include sweet potato, globe artichoke, cilantro, garlic, and specialty potatoes.

Sweet Potato Researchers have identified ‘Beauregard’ as a great sweet potatoe cultivar to grow in southern Illinois. Plantings should be made before late June to achieve the best yields. The sweet potato is a great crop for organic or low-input farming because it is a good nitrogen scavenger and has few pest problems in Illinois.

Globe ArtichokeGlobe artichokes can be successfully grown in a perennial system using protection and cultivars that have cold-weather adaptation. Researchers cut the plants to the ground in early December and covered them with wheat straw, a heavy cloth rowcover, or the combination of the two. Artichokes were then harvested in early May. During the winter of 2004, the artichokes demonstrated a 26%, 60%, and 36% survival rate with the straw, heavy cloth rowcover, and the combination of the two coverings, respectively. The following year, all treatments demonstrated a 95% survival rate due to the mild winter. No insecticides or fungicides were used in the study, suggesting that the vegetable can be grown with minimal inputs. Artichokes require weed control, which can be effectively accomplished with straw, and they also need fertilizer applications early and late in the growing season.

Cilantro Cilantro (or Chinese parsley) is a widely used vegetable in Asian and Hispanic cuisine, and it is grown by many local market growers in Illinois; however, little is known about its culture in Illinois. Four cultivars were evaluated at three planting dates: August 1, September 1, and October 1. The cultivars generally produced similar foliar yields. Planting on August 1 produced the greatest yields for fall foliage harvest. However, the October 1 planting produced the greatest yields for spring foliage harvest. Straw mulch around plants during the winter improved their ability to over-winter. Growing cilantro may allow growers to have a crop to sell at local markets fairly early in the spring before many other vegetables are available.

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JAMES SLoWIKoWSKI, ILLINoIS STATE WATER SURVEy SCIENTIST, SAMpLES BENThIC ALgAE AT CoURT CREEK NEAR gALESBURg.

Alternative Vegetable Crops to Boost Grower income

GarlicGarlic is another vegetable crop that can easily be grown as a low-input crop. A study was designed to evaluate eight garlic cultivars in either plasticulture (black plastic) or bare soil with wheat straw for weed control. Garlic cultivars were planted in the fall and harvested the first week of July. Foliar diseases were worse in the black plastic system, however, this did not affect yielding ability (greater yields were produced in this system). Over-wintering survival of plants was also greater in the black plastic system. Bulb quality varied widely among cultivars.

Specialty Potato Various types of specialty potatoes are being investigated for yield and quality, including purple skin and flesh types, red skin types, yellow flesh types, and fingerlings. A consumer survey revealed preferences for certain specialty vegetable products including red heirloom tomatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, specialty lettuces, personal-sized watermelons, specialty winter acorn squash, and colored bell peppers. Most surveyed indicated they would increase their purchases of specialty vegetables if recipes were provided with the product.

Lowell Lenschow, Illinois Specialty Growers Association manager, commenting on the value of this research said, “Producers who can identify a niche market for their alternative vegetable crops will benefit from increased sales while consumers will benefit by finding new sources of fresh Illinois-grown produce.”

Water Quality SRi Sheds Light on Complexities

In 2003, C-FAR established its current water quality strategic research initiative (SRI), which focuses on improving the research base to aid in the State of Illinois’ development of nutrient standards for the surface waters of Illinois. Collaborative efforts among the state universities and other research entities throughout Illinois have brought together the state’s top scientists to address this important initiative. “One of the greatest strengths of the water quality SRI is the cooperative effort of state agencies, researchers from three universities and two scientific surveys working together on a common problem,” said George Czapar, University of Illinois Extension educator and SRI coordinator.

As part of the SRI, an advisory team from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture identified information gaps and prioritized the most important research needs. “Throughout the project, we have maintained close contact with the Illinois EPA, which will ultimately use the results to develop standards,” said Czapar. Researchers also are collaborating with municipalities, including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District. The SRI has focused on five primary areas: (1) a detailed analysis of existing Illinois EPA data, (2) intensive sampling at many fixed locations in the state by each of the teams (including limited state-wide sampling at 140 sites), (3) investigating the effects of sediment on phosphorus dynamics in streams, (4) exploring the relationship between nutrients and algal growth, and (5) improving the methodology for collecting and analyzing algal samples. Results to date have demonstrated the complexity of understanding the role of nutrients in affecting algal growth, dissolved oxygen, and impacts on stream biology. “Illinois is a large state with nutrients from either agriculture or sewage effluent (or often both) in most streams,” said Mark David, UIUC professor of biogeochemistry. “Sorting out the direct impacts of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, has been challenging.”

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C-FAR Connection . Summer 2006

67

Researchers working at the Spoon River watershed have noted the significant impacts of severe drought conditions on water quality. “Drought conditions, such as those that occurred over most of Northern Illinois last summer, severely stress all terrestrial ecosystem components including streams,” said Michael Machesky, Illinois State Water Survey scientist. “We now have a better understanding of how important water quality variables such as dissolved oxygen, nutrient, and chlorophyll concentrations respond and contribute to drought-induced stress.” Walter Hill, Illinois Natural History Survey scientist, is especially interested in quantifying the responses of stream algae to nutrients. “We are looking for thresholds between algal growth and phosphorus that can be used to understand stream functions,” said Hill. As the SRI nears completion, important relationships associated with water quality are becoming clearer. By using small-scale experiments, controlled simulation studies, and state-wide sampling projects, the four research teams have contributed to the understanding of how nutrient levels and other factors affect Illinois water quality and aquatic life. Relationships between the concentration of nutrients, degree of sunlight, stream bottom substrates, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, algal growth, and stream macroinvertebrates have been examined. “We are continuing to study as many surface waters as possible throughout the state to better understand these complex

relationships. Our results suggest that many factors are important to what is going on in Illinois waters, not just the nutrient concentrations,” said David. “This C-FAR research initiative has provided valuable insight on the development of nutrient standards. It has also raised additional questions and identified other factors that may have greater impacts on biotic integrity than nutrient concentration alone,” said Czapar. “The challenge remains for regulators to use this information to develop standards that are protective of water quality without being overly restrictive or unachievable.” C-FAR funding of the SRI officially ended on June 30, however, a wide range of research and outreach activities will continue over the next year to bring the initiative to its full conclusion. In support of the research, the Illinois EPA provided supplemental funding to enhance the SRI. Over the next year, the water quality SRI team will be meeting with Illinois EPA officials to share results and provide scientific input for standard development. A water quality forum is being planned for fall of 2007 to present the results and foster a dialogue between the research teams and the public. “At the 2002 C-FAR member retreat, our membership stressed the importance of funding this water quality research,” said Alan Puzey, C-FAR chairman. “They were exactly on target. This initiative may well be the most strategic we have employed. Its direct linkages with the State of Illinois in addressing a very critical matter for our state are significant.”

C-FAR Day at SIUCMark your calendars! C-FAR Day will be held this year on Tuesday, November 14 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Enjoy this special opportunity

to visit with researchers and hear firsthand about C-FAR-funded research taking place at the university. Details and RSVP forms will be mailed to

members prior to the event.

Websites to Watch

C-FARwww.ilcfar.orgYour headquarters for C-FAR news and information on funded and completed research.

NAt tooLS FoR GooD hEALth nat.crgq.com A source for analyzing diet and food choices.

iLLiNoiS CENtER FoR SoY FooDS www.soyfoodsillinois.uiuc.eduA resource for consumers on soy foods and nutrition.

FARM.DoCwww.farmdoc.uiuc.eduProvides producers and other agricultural professionals with decision-making information and analysis tools.

MARkEtMAkERwww.marketmaker.uiuc.eduAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Illinois, which provides an important link between producers and consumers.

ALtERNAtiVE CRoPS FoR iLLiNoiSwww.sws.uiuc.edu/data/altcropsHelps producers identify and find information on potential alternative crops.

iLLiNoiS iPM oNLiNEwww.ipm.uiuc.eduAn environment for learning about integrated pest management.

iLLiNoiS WAtERShED MANAGEMENt CLEARiNGhouSEwww.watershed.uiuc.eduHelps groups create and implement a plan to address local watershed issues.

iLLiNoiS tRAiLLwww.traill.uiuc.eduOrganizes livestock research, information, and expert services.

NoN-pRoFIT oRg.

U.S. poSTAgE

pAId

pERMIT #75

ChAMpAIgN, IL

calendar

Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research1101 W. peabody dr.Urbana, IL 61801

2006–2007

please call the C-FAR office or check the calendar on the C-FAR website at www.ilcfar.org for further details.

Address Service Requested

September 13 Board of Directors Meeting (urbana) November 8 Board of Directors Meeting (urbana) November 14 C-FAR Day (Southern illinois university Carbondale) February 20 Annual Meeting (Springfield) March 5-7 Working Group Meetings (Champaign-urbana)