Ames, IA -- One of the newest agricultural and biosystems engineering faculty members at Iowa State University (ISU) said his experience and Iowa's agricultural prominence are a great fit. Associate professor Robert Burns said his research interests lie in the area of helping develop livestock and poultry manure management systems that are sustainable from economic, social, and environmental standpoints.
By bringing together the practical and theoretical aspects of appropriate environmental practices, this associate professor wants people to know he understands the importance of livestock and poultry production to Iowa's economy and the nation's well being.
"Clean water and air are also vital to the well being and happiness of everyone and must be protected and improved when impaired," Burns said. "Since both animal production and environmental quality are vital to our country, the task of finding solutions that allow for a strong animal production sector in the United States that is both economically and environmentally sustainable is an equally important task."
Burns' appointment is split between extension and research, and said he believes a strong synergy can be built between these two program emphases.
"My goal is to develop my waste management extension and research programs at ISU such that they support each other and provide meaningful assistance to the producers and citizens of Iowa, as well as having national and international impact," he said.
Burns looks forward to meeting producers and others in the agriculture industry, and welcomes invitations to speak at conferences, meetings, and seminars around Iowa. People can contact Burns by phone at (515) 294-9806 through the Iowa Pork Industry Center's PORKLine at (800) 808-7675 or by e-mail at rburns@iastate.edu.
He knows that progress in environmental issues doesn't always come easily or with complete agreement among all parties, but said he's confident producers will learn to do the right things.
"Just as in the last decade, I believe producers will continue to face many changes and challenges, but I also believe that we can work together to find the needed solutions to ensure that the best and safest food supply in the world continues to be produced in the United States," Burns said. "It's exciting to be working on these issues at a great university in the leading animal production state in the country."
Burns was raised on a cow-calf beef cattle and burly tobacco operation in East Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and has earned degrees in agricultural, environmental, and civil engineering. He came to ISU from the University of Tennessee where he designed more than 250 animal waste management, land application, irrigation and water supply systems across that state. In addition to his research program at ISU, he currently leads a national Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning certification program for USDA Technical Service Providers.
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