Media Tip Sheet: Colorado State University at the 2010 National Western Stock Show
Note to Reporters: Colorado State University is providing the following list of experts and events as a resource for media during 104th National Western Stock Show, Jan. 9-24, at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver. The contact information for experts is intended to provide resources to reporters and editors and is not intended as contact information for the public.
CSU Day at the Stock Show
Colorado State University Day at the Stock Show is Saturday, Jan. 16. The day includes rodeos, a Department of Animal Sciences social, CSU mutton busters and giveaways. Alumni and friends of the university are invited to stop by the CSU booth on the third floor of the Hall of Education for pictures with CAM the Ram, plus educational information from various campus departments and giveaways. CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show is a celebration of Western heritage and Ram pride. For more information, contact Paul Wolansky at (303) 376-2128 or pwolansky@ar.colostate.edu.
CSU Seminar Series
Experts from Colorado State University will offer several free seminars during the National Western Stock Show covering everything from Stock Show weather to water in Colorado to treating equine orthopedic injuries with stem cells. The speakers will deliver a one-hour presentation and be available for questions from audience members. All CSU seminars will be held in the Beef Palace Auction Arena in the lower level of the Hall of Education. For a schedule of speakers and complete listing of topics, contact Jim Beers at (970) 491-6401 or Jim.Beers@colostate.edu.
CSU Booth at the Stock Show
Colorado State University will showcase a variety of programs and projects during the Stock Show at a newly redesigned booth, located on the third floor of the Hall of Education. Among the exhibitors: Admissions, Ag Day, Alumni, Athletics, College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, CSU Global, Extension, 4-H, and Office of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships. For more information, contact Jim Beers at (970) 491-6401 or Jim.Beers@colostate.edu.
Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Colorado State University will host the Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland exhibit. The exhibit, located on the third floor of the Hall of Education next to the CSU booth, will have various features to teach children about animal husbandry and agriculture. Guided tours are planned for children and their parents during weekends and other busy times at the Stock Show. For more information, contact Jim Beers at (970) 491-6401 or Jim.Beers@colostate.edu.
Stock Show Weather
Colorado State University State Climatologist Nolan Doesken is available to discuss snow totals and impacts on drought, weather observation, historical climate data, precipitation and seasonal weather patterns. He also can address agricultural, recreational, hydrologic and industrial applications of climate information. Doesken’s 35 years of professional experience in weather research, climate studies, data acquisition, analysis and archiving provides him the expertise to address a wide variety of climate-related questions. He can also talk about the statewide volunteer network, Community Collaborative Rain, Snow and Hail Network that improves precipitation monitoring and helps provide detailed storm analysis, drought, water supply and other water decision-making information to municipalities, homeowners, industries, utility providers, resource managers and educators. To speak with Doesken, contact Emily Wilmsen at (970) 491-2336 or Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu.
Role of Agriculture and Global Warming
Changes in agricultural practices across the nation could offset up to one-seventh of current greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Those changes have the potential to further reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuels with biofuels made from agricultural crops. The agriculture industry in the United States contributes only about 8 percent to the nation’s emissions, but the influential role agriculture could play in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is its ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. To speak with Keith Paustian, professor of soil ecology and author of the Pew Center report Agriculture and Global Climate Change, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
NWSS, the Flu and You
Colorado State University experts can talk about flu and the National Western Stock Show. Veterinarians at CSU can discuss the risks of transmission of flu from animals to animals, humans to animals or from animals to humans as well as how animal owners can protect their animals at the NWSS. Some examples of flu that can impact animals include H1N1 avian flu, swine flu, equine flu and canine flu. These experts can talk about how animal owners showing animals at the NWSS can take steps to protect their animals from the flu and how people attending the stock show can help protect animals from the flu as well. To speak with an expert, contact Dell Rae Moellenberg at (970) 491-6009 or DellRae.Moellenberg@colostate.edu.
Rangeland Restoration
Mark Paschke, an associate professor of restoration ecology in the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU, is available to discuss issues related to the ecological restoration of degraded rangelands. Paschke teaches classes on ecological restoration and the ecology of disturbed lands and his research focuses on the mechanisms that control changes between vegetation types. To speak with Paschke, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Ecological Conservation
Renee Rondeau, ecologist with CSU’s Colorado Natural Heritage Program, can discuss how the economic value of native range is critical to a productive ranch and native range is critical to species biodiversity. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program is conducting a biological inventory in southeastern Colorado and has visited more than 30 ranches and is working with landowners to conserve the state’s unique biodiversity. Additionally, Rondeau has worked with the Colorado Beef Council and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and can talk about the values of producers to Colorado’s economy, biodiversity and production. To speak with Rondeau, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Animal Health
Colorado State University’s world-class veterinarians can discuss a variety of topics related to animal health. These experts can talk about steps exhibitors take to protect the health of their animals while showing at the Stock Show, the importance of animal health and disease control to keep human populations healthy and cutting-edge research such as using a horse’s own stem cells derived from its bone marrow to treat orthopedic injuries. For more information, contact Dell Rae Mollenberg at (970) 491-6009 or DellRae.Mollenberg@colostate.edu.
Early Exploration of the West
Jared Orsi teaches courses on Colorado history, environmental history and U.S.-Mexico borderlands at CSU. His particular areas of interest and expertise are environmental history and early exploration of the West. To speak with Orsi, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Conservation Planting and Colorado State Forest Service Seedling Tree Program
The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) seedling tree program encourages landowners to plant new forests; establish effective windbreaks that reduce erosion; protect homes, cropland, livestock and highways; and enhance wildlife habitat. Trees and shrubs are grown at the CSFS Nursery for conservation benefits only. The CSFS Nursery has 18,000 square feet of greenhouse space, where many evergreens are produced; deciduous stock is produced on a 130-acre farm. History has shown that container-grown evergreens offer improved survival over bare-root evergreen seedlings. To purchase seedling trees from the CSFS Nursery, landowners must own two acres or more of land; use the seedlings for conservation practices only; purchase seedlings in minimums of 30 to 50 (depending on species and size); and agree not to use seedlings for landscaping or resell them as living plants. For more information about the CSFS seedling tree program, contact Randy Moench, CSFS Nursery manager, at (970) 491-8429, or treeseedlings@hotmail.com and on the web at http://csfs.colostate.edu.
Colorado and Politics in the West
Bill Chaloupka, professor of political science, has also taught and studied in Montana, New Mexico and Arizona, and has been observing the politics of Colorado and the rural West for more than 30 years. Chaloupka can speak about electoral politics and political histories. He also studies environmental politics in the West and in the United States. To speak with Chaloupka, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
John Straayer, professor of political science, has more than 40 years experience researching and teaching Colorado politics. Straayer can speak on a range of political topics in Colorado including the state’s political history. To speak with Straayer, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Robert J. Duffy is a professor of political science. Duffy’s research and interests include American politics, with particular emphasis on elections, interest groups and energy policy. He is also interested in environmental politics and policy issues. To speak with Duffy, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
4-H to Celebrate 100 Years
4-H began a century ago as an educational program for the nation’s rural youth. Today, 4-H meets the needs of and engages young people in positive youth development experiences. 4-H youth-development – based in Colorado counties and on the Fort Collins campus – is part of Colorado State Extension’s effort to offer sound and effective solutions, based on research-based information from Colorado State University and national resources. Each year, nearly 100,000 Colorado youth benefit from Extension’s 4-H programs by participating in hands-on projects including: environmental science, rocketry, foods and nutrition, animal science, photography and more. As a result, they learn valuable life skills such as leadership, ethics, decision making, record keeping, responsibility and community service. For more information, contact Jim Beers at (970) 491-6401 or Jim.Beers@colostate.edu.
MLK Rodeo
Gillian Bowser, assistant dean in the Warner College of Natural Resources, can speak on the multicultural dimensions of the West including the presence of African Americans as mountaineers, buffalo soldiers and pioneers. She can discuss how the MLK rodeo highlights Colorado’s land legacy which includes Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans. Bowser can also speak on several new programs at CSU that work on encouraging minority students to enroll in the sciences and explore natural resources as related to sustainability, climate change and equity. To speak with Bowser, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Rangeland Resource Management
Roy Roath, Extension range specialist in the Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship, can discuss various aspects of rangeland resource management. He can talk specifically on grazing management and design to meet the needs of livestock and wildlife habitat and rangeland ecology. To speak with Roath, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Paul Meiman, assistant professor of rangeland ecology and management in the Warner College of Natural Resources, is available to talk about rangelands and rangeland management in general. He is particularly interested in the management and ecology of riparian systems, invasive plants, animal/habitat interactions and livestock grazing management. One focus area for his research is invasive plants and how/why they invade rangelands and what can be done to minimize the chances of invasion or decrease their abundance after they have invaded. To speak with Meiman, contact Kimberly Sorensen at (970) 491-0757 or Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu.
Water in the West
Neil Grigg, civil engineering professor and renowned water resources engineering consultant, can discuss Colorado’s water history, drought management, government water resources planning, Western water management issues, water system infrastructure engineering, flood control and urban water systems management. Grigg recently published the book, "Colorado’s Water: Science and Management, History and Politics," which presents long-range views about Colorado’s water issues, including drought. He has authored or co-authored about 200 publications and several books about water resources engineering and infrastructure. To speak with Grigg, contact Emily Wilmsen at (970) 491-2336 or Emily.Wilmsen@ColoState.edu.
Reagan Waskom, professor in civil engineering and soil and crop sciences and director of the Colorado Water Institute, can talk about the institute’s ability to develop partnerships between university water expertise and Colorado water managers to develop, implement and coordinate water-related research programs. His broad research interests have included irrigation water optimization in water limited environments, evaluation of municipal water conservation programs, development of best management practices for crop production and evaluation of groundwater vulnerability and sensitivity to contamination. In fall 2009, Waskom received a $667,000 grant to develop stronger partnerships on water and water quality with five other land-grant universities – Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming- that make up the Northern Plains and Mountains Regions. To speak with Waskom, contact Emily Wilmsen at (970) 491-2336 or Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu.
Stem Cells Used to Treat Equine Injuries
Equine athletes, like those horses that perform in rodeos and other competitions at the National Western Stock Show, can become injured just like any other athlete. CSU equine orthopedic experts are using stem cells derived from the injured horse to treat common joint, tendon, ligament and cartilage injuries with a great deal of success. Early clinical data suggests the use of stem cells more quickly and efficiently heals equine orthopedic injuries and reduces the incidents of future arthritis in the healed joints. Stem cells from the bone marrow of the patient are harvested and expanded and then injected directly into the area of tendon or ligament damage. In some cases, the veterinarians also make a glue from the blood of the patient horse, called fibrin glue – that holds the stem cells at the site of the injury. To speak with a veterinarian about stem cell therapies and horses, contact Dell Rae Moellenberg at 970-491-6009 or DellRae.Moellenberg@colostate.edu.
Livestock Leader Award
Dallas Horton of Fort Collins is the recipient of the Colorado State University Department of Animal Sciences annual Livestock Leader Award. Horton is president of Horton Feedlots Inc., a custom cattle feeding operation he started in 1977. Horton and his partners operate three feed yards in the Wellington and Greeley, Colo., areas. He is a 1974 graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in animal sciences. Horton has been active in the College of Agricultural Sciences and CSU athletics. Horton will receive the Livestock Leader Award during a presentation on Jan. 16. For more information, contact Jim Beers at (970) 491-6401 or Jim.Beers@colostate.edu.
National Western Stock Show Scholarship Program
The National Western Stock Show is the largest individual annual scholarship donor to the College of Agricultural Sciences, providing significant financial assistance to 26 students each year. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the Stock Show provided nearly $109,000 in scholarships to CSU students. The scholarship recipients will volunteer at a number of events during the Stock Show, including: the Citizen of the West Award Dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 13, and an auction of Junior Livestock Champions on Friday, Jan. 22. For more information, contact Kris McKay, assistant director of Development in the College of Agricultural Sciences, at (970) 491-0909 or Kris.McKay@ColoState.edu.
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