UNH Cooperative Extension’s Brian Krug made the “40 under 40” list posted by the Greenhouse Product News online magazine.

This inaugural list of 25 men and 15 women “are some of the brightest minds in horticulture,” according to the magazine article. They were nominated by their peers for their accomplishments in and out of the greenhouse.

In the selection process, Brian was noted for being the recipient of the Alex Laurie Award for most significant applied floriculture research paper published in refereed American Society for Horticultural Science.

He’s been instrumental in creating new and innovative electronic delivery methods for presenting research and educational materials. One of these new methods is the “PGR Mix Master,” now available to growers.

Brian explained that the new app is an add-on that enhances the growers’ ability to use PGRCALC, a web-based calculator growers use from their desktops. Krug worked with Extension’s information technology staff, Steve Judd and Mike Toepfer, to create it as a website-based calculator. Over the past year, he’s worked with them to convert it into an iPhone, Android and Blackberry app so it would be available for mobile devices.

Brian joined UNH Extension in 2008, and has a split appointment between Extensionand Research. Prior to pursuing an academic career, he gained extensive experience as a grower in the floriculture industry. Brian's diverse background includes bedding plant and potted flower production in the Mid-West, propagation and liner production in Florida, and plug production in Holland.

What the article also points out is that Brian loves to surf, when he finds the time!

Learn more about the “40 under 40” list.

It was standing room only Monday at the Concord Holiday Inn as Dr. Temple Grandin talked about improving animal welfare.

Dr. Grandin was the featured speaker at the Livestock Risk Management seminar and trade show sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension, N.H. Young Farmers and the USDA Risk Management Agency.

“Calm animals are the easiest to handle,” Dr. Grandin told the crowd. “They know when people yell at them. Most agitation is caused by fear,” she noted. “When you introduce something new, make sure it’s a good experience for the animal.” New things are attractive when an animal is allowed to voluntarily approach, and scary when they are suddenly introduced.

Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. In North America, almost half of all beef cattle are handled in a center track restrainer system designed for meat plants by Dr. Grandin.  Her curved chute and race systems cattle are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many people to reduce animal stress during handling.

She has also developed an objective scoring system for assessing handling of cattle and pigs at meat plants. This scoring system is being used by many large corporations and chain restaurants to improve animal welfare. Other areas of research are cattle temperament, environmental enrichment for pigs, bull fertility, and training procedures. Some of the recommendations she made during her presentation included a change to non-skid flooring for cows and pigs, allowing the “leader” of the animals time to investigate the surroundings, tying up loose chain ends so animals won’t become afraid, adding light to a building because cattle may refuse to enter a dark building.

She explained there were three types of variables for auditing animal welfare: animal-based outcome measures, prohibited practices and input-based engineering variables. Animal-based outcome measures should receive the most emphasis, with an eye towards body and coat conditions. “It’s important to teach a cow manners,” she instructed.

Other speakers at the day-long event included UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist Mike Sciabarrasi, who talked about risk management on New Hampshire farms. Extension specialist Peter Erickson provided a UNH Dairy Research update, and Extension specialist Michal Lunak talked about general biosecurity for livestock producers.

Dr. Steve Crawford, state veterinarian, N.H. Dept. of Agriculture, Markets and Foods, talked about the regulations for slaughtering in New Hampshire, while UNH Professor Andrew Conroy discussed preparing farm workers for working with animals.

The photo of Dr. Grandin was taken by Maureen Duffy, N.H. Farm Bureau Federation.

UNH Cooperative Extension has undergone a critical review and reorganization of programming and funding models over the past year. In addition, the Strafford County Commissioners and delegation members reconsidered and approved the request to fund UNH Extension in the county for the coming year.

We appreciate the commissioners and county delegation's dedication in helping youth, families and communities through educational outreach programs in Strafford County.

Click on this calendar of Extension events relevant to Strafford County residents.

One exciting program already underway is Strafford County Extension's "Kids Can Grow 2012" summer gardening program. We invite youth 8-12 to join us.

Strafford County Extension educators are shown in front of the county Extension office, from left to right, Sue Cagle, Extension field specialist, youth and family; Kelly McAdam, Extension field specialist, food and agriculture; Jim Grady, assistant to the dean and director of Extension; David Leonard, Extension program coordinator, food and nutrition, and Andy Fast, Extension field specialist, natural resources. Not shown is Lynn Garland, who has been helping with Strafford County Extension's 4-H efforts.

What does it mean to New Hampshire?

The USDA Forest Service reports emerald ash borer (EAB)—a non-native and destructive insect—recently crossed the Hudson River in New York—its last major natural eastward obstacle. The good news is that forestry officials believe the infestation is less than a year old and it is isolated.

 “It is very manageable at that age,” said Forest Service entomologist, Nate Siegert. “It’s rare that infestations are detected this early. Management can have a much greater impact on the EAB population at this stage of infestation.” The borer was found in trap trees—girdled ash that act like magnets for the EAB.

The emerald ash borer, a native to China, has already killed tens of millions of ash trees across much of the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Northeast in the decade since it was first detected near Detroit in 2002. This new New York infestation appears to have originated by some other means than the natural spread of the insect, said Siegert. The USDA Forest Service press release has more detail on the find and what is being done.

New England foresters are bracing for the arrival of EAB. The easternmost EAB population is within 25 miles of the Connecticut and Massachusetts state lines. The Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation just published Ash Management Guidelines for Forest Managers , full of practical information that landowners and foresters can adapt to New Hampshire.

Here in New Hampshire, Kyle Lombard, Forest Health Program Coordinator with the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands looks for EAB using visual techniques, purple traps and trap trees. The N.H. Division of Forests and Lands is seeking volunteers to girdle trap trees. Read about New Hampshire’s trap tree project or contact Kyle at kyle.lombard@dred.state.nh.us or 464-3016 if you are interested in participating. The trap trees need to be located and girdled by June 1.

The emerald ash borer is added to our list of non-native, destructive insects we are asking the public to be on the lookout for. Others include Asian longhorned beetle and hemlock woolly adelgid. Learn more about emerald ash borer. The more people looking for it, the greater the likelihood if it arrives in New Hampshire, we can take prompt steps to control it.

Looking for a fun activitiy this summer? How about a Tower Quest? The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands operates 15 fire lookout towers from early spring to late fall.

The purpose of the Fire Lookout Tower Quest program is to increase the public’s recognition of the critical roles that fire towers play in the protection, stewardship and sustainable use of New Hampshire’s forests. Visit five different fire towers and get a Tower Quest patch to show your accomplishment.

Download this brochure to select a fire tower location from the list and plan your hike. Make sure that you are properly equipped and prepared physically before attempting the hike. Document the date of your visit on the visitor register provided in the brochure. Once you have visited five different fire towers, fill out the request form and mail it to “Tower Quest Program” to the address provided and receive a complimentary Tower Quest patch, certificate, and a letter in recognition of the accomplishment.

The fire towers provide early detection and reporting of fires in order to protect our communities and forest resources from the catastrophic effects of wildfire. The Tower Quest is a great way to get outside, enjoy the woods and appreciate the importance of fire towers in keeping our woods and communities safe.

Visit the Fire Tower page on The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands website for more information on the Tower Quest.