CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., April 15, 2016 Students and faculty in Southeast Missouri State Universitys Department of Agriculture will present nine research projects at the 52^nd Annual Missouri Academy of Science (MAS) Meeting April 22-23 at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Southeast faculty, undergraduate and graduate students collaborated on research projects examining issues in horticulture, animal science, plant and soil science and agricultural education. They will submit poster and 15-minute oral presentations during the two-day event.

Conducting research is an important aspect of our agriculture program, and presenting is a piece of that education, said Dr. Michael Aide, chair of Southeasts Department of Agriculture. I am thrilled so many of our faculty and students will be presenting their research this year.

The Missouri Academy of Science Meeting is an annual opportunity to share scientific dialogue with colleagues from around the state. Meetings for the presentation of scientific papers embodying the results of original research, teaching experience or other scientific interest are meant to promote cooperation between the scientific interests of Missouri.

Research projects give students the opportunity to work on something they are passionate about in their field of study but are also relevant to the field of agriculture as a whole, said Dr. Julie Weathers, Southeast associate professor of agriculture.

Minimizing the spread of preventable diseases among livestock between farms recently became a primary concern for Weathers and her students after a recent outbreak of porcine endemic diarrhea virus in the hog industry.

While Southeasts David M. Barton Agriculture Research Center only has cattle, the threat of diseases transmitted by humans and vehicles remains a concern, said Weathers.

If we can control what diseases humans inadvertently bring on the farm then we can limit the exposure of our cattle, said Weathers.

When an outbreak occurs, many farmers simply block access to their farms, but for many, like Southeast, that option is difficult because their farms provide learning or tourist facilities.

Restricting access also opens farmers to scrutiny about their practices, said Weathers.

Footbaths for boots and sprayers for vehicles and tires are the most common methods of biosecurity and are used at Southeast. These are effective but can be expensive and time consuming.

Weathers student contributed to data collection and analysis, and design ideas for automated biosecurity prototypes. Theyll present their findings, diagrams and future research goals in an oral presentation.

Its a great learning opportunity, said Weathers, who is very impressed with all the students work for this years submitted projects. Students are learning the entire process of researching from start to finish.

For Katie Baldwin, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Natural Sciences in biology from Fredericktown, Missouri, the conference is an opportunity to hone her presentation skills.

Baldwin will give a 15-minute oral presentation on her research comparing the agricultural knowledge and understanding of Southeast students before and after a recent study abroad trip to Ireland over the winter break.

Its good for me to have as much presenting experience to prepare me for defending my thesis paper in the future, she said.

Shes also looking forward to seeing other presenters and learning about other research in her field, said Baldwin.

Southeasts Department of Agriculture will present nine research projects at the 52^nd Annual Missouri Academy of Science (MAS) Meeting:

Agriculture in the EU
Katie Baldwin of Fredericktown, Missouri
Samantha Lowman, instructor of agriculture
Dr. William Mauk, assistant professor of agriculture
Dr. Julie Weathers, associate professor of agriculture

Learning Through Application: Spatial Analysis
Dr. Indi Braden, associate professor of agriculture
Daniel Bollinger of Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Christopher Craft of St. Peters, Missouri
Mary Klueppel of Sikeston, Missouri
Jeremy Vonder Haar of Greenville, Illinois
Mathew Galeski of Perryville, Missouri

Conception Rates: Artificial Insemination Barn vs. Cattle Chute
Lindsey Seabaugh, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Samantha Lowman
Collin Schabbing, farm manager of Southeasts David M. Burton Agriculture Research Center
Dr. Julie Weathers

Affordable Biosecurity Measures in Small Farms
Rylie Angeles-Gines of Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Samantha Lowman
Collin Schabbing
Dr. Julie Weathers

Native Perennials for Butterfly and Pollinator Gardens: First Year Performance in Southeast Missouri
Dr. Sven Svenson, associate professor of agriculture

Fence Line Weaning vs. Nose Ring Weaning in 6-Month-Old Sim-Angus Calves
Samantha Lowman
Collin Schabbing
Dr. Julie Weathers
Kallie Turner of Whitewater, Missouri

Effectiveness of Biological Agent on Corn Residue Decomposition
Dr. Indie Braden
Kenneth Ross of Marble Hill, Missouri
Ben Westrich of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Response of Dentrification Bioreactors to Tile Drainage Effluent
Dr. Michael Aide, chair of Southeasts Department of Agriculture

Arsenic Uptake in Rice
Dr. Michael Aide
Dr. Donn Beighley, instructor of agriculture

For more information about Southeasts Department of Agriculture, visit http://www.semo.edu/agriculture/.

For more information about the Missouri Academy of Science, visit http://www.missouriacadsci.org.