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Greetings from C-CIARN Agriculture Welcome to new members—our numbers are now approaching 500. As promised, this update is also attached in PDF file for those who have difficulty with the formatting in the body of this email message. Climate Variability: Planning for Floods, Droughts and Change in Sheraton, Saskatoon October 6, 2004. for more information contact: info@parc.uregina.ca Cooperative Extension Responding to Family Needs in Time of Drought and Water Shortage by Bosch, Kathy R., Journal of Extension (42)4 Article available here This article examines the impact of drought on family relationships and how Extension has responded to the needs of farm, ranch, and rural families. Information was based on a literature review and interviews with farmers, ranchers, and professionals working with rural issues. Rural families who experience economic hardships have been found to suffer stress and relationship tensions. However, more research is needed to understand how families cope in drought conditions. Extension has responded to the drought issue using various delivery methods to gather and disseminate information to provide support to farmers, ranchers, and professionals working with rural families. Enhancing Public Understanding of Water Resources Issues: A Community-Based Short-Course for the Pacific Northwest by Laughlin, Kevin; Szogi, Ariel; Burris, Frank; Mahler, Robert L.; Loeffelman, Karen; Steele, Valdasue; Alderson, Lynn, Journal of Extension (42)4 Article available here A "hands on" 15-hour "community based" water quality and monitoring short-course was delivered to citizen groups at six locations in the Pacific Northwest in 2000. The University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Oregon State University Cooperative Extension Systems, USDA-CSREES, and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) partnered in design, development, and delivery. This short-course increased participant understanding, awareness of water issues, and improved water-monitoring skills. A 17-module guide and an evaluation model were developed. This learning experience dramatically improved learners' understanding of complex water resource issues and prepared them to plan, monitor, and assess local water issues. Adaptation, Spatial Heterogeneity, and the Vulnerability of Agricultural Systems to Climate Change and CO2 Fertilization: An Integrated Assessment Approach by Antle, J.M., S.M. Capalbo, E.T. Elliott, and K.H. Paustian. 2004. Climatic Change 64(3):289-315. Article available here Visit our “What’s in the News” Web pages for the latest news items on climate/weather conditions and agriculture. We have all articles listed in an Excel file and in hard copy. Contact us for more information. Australia leads crop water use research CSIRO Media Release, September 29, 2004 Australia is leading the world in successfully increasing crop yields in water-scarce environments by targeting physiological traits, according to CSIRO Plant Industry researcher Dr Richard Richards. Speaking at the 4th International Crop Science Congress in Brisbane today, Dr Richards said despite substantial physiological research into understanding the response of plants to drought around the world, there are few examples where this research has led to improved varieties. "While selecting directly for physiological traits can present difficulties, there are good reasons why such traits are a good target for breeders - including faster yield gains and greater cost-effectiveness," he said. "Despite few examples of this approach, there have been real long-term gains made in this area, especially in Australia, where water scarcity is a particular challenge." Dr Richards cited seven examples, including five from Australia: extended crop duration in wheat; increased axial resistance in wheat roots; anthesis-silking interval in maize (Mexico, Africa); nitrogen fixation in soybean (USA); transpiration efficiency in wheat; osmotic adjustment in wheat; and, stay-green in sorghum (in collaboration with USA). Other physiological traits in wheat that are in advanced stages of validation or breeding for water-limited environments in Australia are new dwarfing genes that improve crop establishment and early growth, enhanced shoot and root vigour, reduced tillering and greater stem carbohydrate storage. "Australian research, particularly in wheat, is leading the world in taking an innovative approach to increasing crop yield and food production by targeting new physiological traits," Dr Richards said. Rain wipes out $2 billion in value of grain crop The Observer (Sarnia) September 18, 2004 WINNIPEG (CP) -- Cool, wet weather that has hurt both yields and quality is costing Canada's grain industry billions of dollars in lost revenues, says the head of one of the country's largest grain companies. "Over the last month and a half, close to $2 billion in value has been wiped out by rain and frost," said Brian Hayward, chief executive officer of Agricore United. All for now, Ellen Wall Co-ordinator, C-CIARN Agriculture (Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network for Agriculture) Blackwood Hall (Room 202) University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 Phone: 519 824 4120 ext 58480 Fax: 519 763 4686 www.c-ciarn.uoguelph.ca |
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