Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
9/13/99
Contacts:
Wendy Wintersteen, ISU Extension to Agriculture and Natural
Resources, (515) 294-7801
Treva Blumenshine, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5672
ISU Value-added Agriculture on Display at the 1999 Farm Progress Show
AMES, Iowa -- Come learn about traceability of the food system, source verification, ultrasounds, new standards in the pork industry, grain initiatives and resources, outdoor and indoor gardens, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and soy benefits. A number of value-added agriculture displays will be in the Iowa State University Extension tent at the Farm Progress Show Sept. 28, 29 and 30 at Amana, Iowa.
The value-added agriculture display will teach the importance of traceability of the food system, according to Daniel Curry, Extension Value-added Agriculture industrial specialist. At the display, visitors can visit Cy's Market, a futuristic grocery store, and use the Food Tracer to trace different products back to the producer, processor and retailer. "By taking advantage of food traceability, both the producer and the consumer will gain something. The producer may gain more loyal consumers and carve a marketing niche for the products," he said. "The customer may feel more connected to the food supply system and become a better informed consumer. Information can be a value-added marketing niche."
The Iowa Beef Center's source verification display, located in ISU's main tent, will demonstrate how the latest philosophy of beef production that could benefit producers and consumers alike. "Some of the consumers may gain greater confidence in the final product when they see that the producer is willing to verify all production practices and that beef quality assurance standards were used," Daryl Strohbehn, extension beef specialist at the Iowa Beef Center, said. "The producer receives feedback from the final product that can be used in future decisions and in developing a benchmarking system."
The ultrasound display, located in the ISU's hoop building, will illustrate how ultrasound is being used to collect beef carcass traits and transform that data into genetic evaluations. Daily demonstrations will show how ultrasound is performed on live animals to estimate carcass quality and lean content. "The ultrasound display will explain the consistency and quality control in procuring and processing the data from the cattle," Strohbehn said. "It will also show how ultrasound technology and carcass analysis have advanced."
The Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) display will feature new meat quality standards in the industry. The display will illustrate that actual physical carcass differences in percent lean values are not always easily seen, according to Sherry Hoyer, IPIC communication specialist. The display will present new standards from National Pork Producers Council for determining carcass value/meat quality by showing examples of color, intramuscular fat, ultimate pH and water-holding capacity and explaining their importance. "Use of the new scores will become increasingly important as markets become more tailored to specific consumer needs and wants," said Hoyer. "High quality product consistency is desirable and will be high on the list of consumer, packer and retailer desires."
The display also will give people the opportunity to try to determine the correct color and marbling scores for different pork chop samples, according to Hoyer. "We want those who attend to increase their knowledge of new meat quality factors and their potential importance in future production and marketing decisions," Hoyer said. "We want them to be aware of the current lean carcass market value system, how it's determined and potential changes for the near future."
The CSA display will let people know what it is, how it can benefit both farmers and consumers and what it is accomplishing in Iowa, according to Diane Mayerfeld, ISU Extension agronomy program specialist. ""Interest in CSA has grown rapidly since the first three CSAs were started in Iowa in 1995. This model of value-added agriculture provides an option for Iowa farmers to diversify and to sell their products at a fair price to consumers who appreciate knowing who grows their food," she said. "At the display, farmers can gather ideas and resources to help them decide if they want to start a CSA and to get them going if they decide yes."
The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative display will inform producers and agribusinesses about the initiative and the resources available, according to Darren Jarboe, program coordinator. "The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative is an Iowa State University value-added grains resource that makes information available through your local ISU Extension county office," he said. "At the display, publications will be available that discuss risk management, quality management and production issues related to value-added grain production." For more information on the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative, contact your local ISU Extension county office or visit the Web site at <www.iowagrain.org>.
At the Growing in the Garden display, visitors can experience outdoor and indoor lessons about agriculture, natural resources and people, according to Janet Anderson, program specialist for ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development. The display will create awareness about the new kindergarten through third grade food, fiber and environmental sciences curriculum. "We hope the display will generate enthusiasm for people to contact their local schools and other educational groups to participate in Growing in the Garden," she said. "Tours and short programs are being offered to groups of young students and teachers on Sept. 28 and 30 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m."
Earn a cookie at the Soybeans, Use your Bean display by answering a question about soybeans. The cookie is an example of a value-added product using soy flour and soy nuts both grown in Iowa. Washington County 4-Her Laura Temple developed the recipe for the Soy Good Oatmeal Cookies as part of her 4-H Food and Nutrition Project. She received a blue ribbon at the 1999 Iowa State Fair and one of the ten Special Awards in Food and Nutrition. According to Jan Temple, ISU nutrition and health field specialist. "The goal was to update her grandma's favorite oatmeal cookie recipe to be more healthy."
For more information on ISU Extension at the 1999 Farm Progress show, visit the Web site at <www.extension.iastate.edu/>.
ml: isufarm, state
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