AMES, Iowa -- Audio of the following Iowa State University Extension interviews is available for download (week of July 21). For more information, contact Doug Cooper, ISU Extension audio producer, levachek@iastate.edu.

Cox on PMI --- The director of ISU Extension’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) Ron Cox looks at the latest Institute for Supply Management PMI index. Cox says the June numbers show a modest improvement from May.

Elmore on corn conditions -- ISU Extension corn agronomist Roger Elmore says corn conditions in Iowa are starting to improve, but there is a lot of variability of the corn crop within fields. Planting date will determine how much the crop can recover from the late start; an early frost could cause a lot of problems for much of the late planted corn.

Smith on demand for Iowa grown products -- ISU Extension program specialist in value added agriculture Margaret Smith says a new group is working with fruit and vegetable growers. It is an effort to meet increased demand for Iowa grown products.

Chaikin on youth and space science -- One of the goals of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium is getting young people involved in space science. To do that, the consortium brings teachers to the Kennedy Space Center to give them training in teaching young people. Andrew Chaikin, an author and space consultant, says he likes to use common analogies to describe complex science topics.

Eathington on population change -- A recent study conducted by the Regional Capacity Analysis Program at Iowa State University (ReCAP) examines 2000-2007 population changes in Iowa. Liesl Eathington says urban communities grew at the expense of smaller rural communities.

For the gardener -- The Master Gardener program

SafeFarm report with Chuck Schwab -- Hay baling safety

It’s time to … with Rich Pope -- Soybean leaf diseases

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