AMES, Iowa -- Audio of the following Iowa State University Extension interviews is available for download (week of Feb. 18). For more information, contact Doug Cooper, ISU Extension audio producer, levachek@iastate.edu.

Ron Cox on the January PMI — Iowa State University’s director of the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) discusses the January PMI. The numbers reflect the health of manufacturing in the United States.

Roger Elmore on hybrid selection — ISU Extension corn agronomist Roger Elmore says it may seem a long way off, but planning for the growing season of 2008 is under way. He says corn producers need to make the right hybrid selections based on projected insect problems.

Dan Otto on the economic impact of Iowa’s outdoors — ISU Extension economist Dan Otto says outdoor recreation is a growing area of interest. He says a recent study for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources looks at methods to assess the economic impact of outdoor activities in Iowa.

Paul Lasley and J. Arbuckle on the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll — ISU Extension rural sociologist Paul Lasley and J. Arbuckle look at the recently released Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll and explain how they select topics and questions for the annual poll.

For the gardener — Edible landscapes, blueberries, native plants and serviceberry

Chuck Schwab and the SafeFarm report — The ISU Extension farm safety specialist discusses welding safety.

A Conservation Minute with John Lundvall — Conservation farming systems

A Minute in Urban Agriculture with Linda Naeve — Lawn care services

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