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Show Eaae. 10 - UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. March 3. 1998 ' Vv USDA laboratory speeding up natural selection ' . f hr' t .. '1 Utah honey production up Lilies and other crops might be sides. The scientists are developing othknown for not having to toil much in drought-resistatheir fields, but for grasses in the er turf grass to be used for soil rangelands of the West, survival is conservation along roadsides and a constant battle. It's tought to get a foothold let similar areas. Our job is to be aware ofwhat the public is concerned about alone thrive in the alkaline, conditions for the plants and do what we can to make sure that pmvide feed for livestock and those concerns don't develop into n problems, says Kay keep the regions topsoil from blowAsay, a plant geneticist who has ing nr washing away. But the grasses have science on been at the lab since 1974. We take their side. Their main ally is the that job seriously because nowhere else in the country is this kind of Forage and Range Research Laboratory of the USDA's Agricultural work being done with these forage Research Service (ARS). The unit species. Johnson says rangeland practicwi irks in cooperation with the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station es are coming under a lot of public (PARS) from a laboratory on the scrutiny, and grazing permits are l!t ah State University campus. The being limited. Farmers and ranche scientists along with ers are looking for alternatives. In nine several visiting scientists and a addition, the public is concerned support stafF are do- about reclamation and recreational ing t heir best to green the West and uses and green spaces. Everybody's lands concerned about what the future other arid and near-ari- d holds. around the world. A recent article in Utah SciA lot of people dont realize that ence," a publication of the UAES, after every range or grassland fire, explained that the research unit's thousands of pounds of seeds are mission is to broaden the genetic replanted, says Jerry Chattel ton, base of rangeland and pasture director ofthe ARS lab. Grass variplants, and provide an array of im- eties we develop are used to help proved native and introduced grass.those lands heal. es, legumes and forbs that will upSeveral varieties of grasses are grade private and public lands in being grown by Gunnison grass seed the western United States. farmer Charles Inouye. In uiye, who It is slow, vital harvested several varieties this work that probably wouldnt get year, planted about 15 acres in done if the ARS didnt do it. As a Vavilov, a grass the lab released in rule, private companies can's afford 1995 that is very drought resistant, the financial input it takes to keep particularly on sandy soils. Vavilov seed is new and in short coming up with the world's next best variety of arid grasses. Develsupply, but demand is already quite oping a new strain and bringing it high, Inouye says, noting that the to market or release takes 10 to 12 BLM is an interested buyer. Hill years. Air Force Base is also testing the This obviously isn't work you grass on some of its rangelends in want to get into if youre looking for Utahs west deseret. a quick pay-of- f, says Douglas There's a lot we don't know, but Johnson, a plant physiologist whose there is a lot of promise in this main job is to identify stresses on variety, Inouye says. plants caused by wildfire, livestock, Generally the lab does not reand plant competitors. ceive royalties from the new plant Using the world's largest living materials it develops and releases. museum of grasses gather from Revenues from the small fee charged around the world, the scientists by the Utah Crop Improvement Association to farmers who grow develop varieties that meet specific needs of conservation, restoration foundation seed are used to help and reclamation projects. They fund additional research. search our varieties or breed for Our goal is to speed up natural tolerance to environmental stressselection, says Kevin Jensen, a es such as drought, excess soil salinplant geneticist with ARS. We idenity and cold temperatures. They also tify specific characteristics, in some develop improved grasses and leinstances actual genes, that are gumes that make the wilds more important and increase the gene hospitable for human habitat and frequency to effect better plant immore desirable for animal producprovement When were done we tion. like to think weVe make some plants Since 1970, the lab has released and the world a little better. 5 varieties of wheat grasses, four With the advent of biotechnolonew forms of alfalfa, a clover and gy, we can do our jobs better and wild rye. Tom Jones, a research faster, says Richard Wang, a plant geneticist, heads a research project geneticist with the ARS lab. He and on native plant improvement that Margaret Redinbaugh, a plant pahas resulted in the release ofIndian thologist are identifying genes and and bottlebrush ricegrass molecular markers that can be used squi rreltail germplasms. Researchto speed up the breeding process ers plan to release a wheatgrass in involved in developing improved 1998 for use in revegitating road- forage plants. Utahs honey production in 1997 from producers with five or more colonies was 1.7 million pounds, according to the Utah Agricultural Statistics Service. This was 6 percent above the total production for 1996. The total number of colonies, at 32,000, was down 2,000 from the nt previous year. The average yield per colony was 52 pounds, 6 pounds above the level of 1996. Stocks of honey on hand December 15 totaled 699,000 pounds, 42 percent of production. The average price of 75 cents per pound was down 10 cents from the 1996 price. The 1997 honey crop is valued at )1.2 million, down 6 percent from the previous year. U.S. honey production in 1997 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 192 million pounds, down 3 percent from 1996. There were 2.58 million colonies producing honey in 1997, compared with 2.56 million in 1996. near-dcserc- -t full-blow- full-tim- REMODELLING WORK-T- he old building east of town, which has housed several grocery stores and a gun is remodelled for a landscaping, sprinkler business. being factory mne-memb- detail-oriente- d, 1 by Representative Alarik Myrin We are now in the last full week of the 1998 legislative session. There are three days left next week. By the end of this week all ofthe budget work needs to be completed. Currently the House and Senate are at odds as to the increase in salaries and the size ofbonding for state and university infrastructure needs. Through intense negotiations this will come together on Friday, hopefully. There has been a lot of discusa program to respond to the federal endangered species act. Representative Tom Hatch has been at the head of this effort. The case they make is that the state needs to provide work to help the endangered species to become unlisted and keep sensitive species from becoming endangered. Since the endangered species act is stopping development, or even traditional uses of land in some areas and is a major stumbling block to water projects the proponents ofthis funding think that it would be wise to target help with problem species. The federal endangered species act is in need of revision. It stops efforts to keep species from becoming endangered. Examples of this are sensitive fish or animals which could be helped by transplanting them to other areas thus broadening their range. If people allow this transplant and the species is then listed as an endangered species all the fun parts of the endangered species act kick in wherever the animal is. Who in their right mind is going to allow the original transplant? If the federal endangered species act included incentives instead of clubs it would be much more effective in my opinion. The toll free number for messagThe Sen- es to me is sion about funding ate number is can also write to me You 5. at the capitol, Utah Senate, Utah State Capitol, SLC.UT 84114. Seniors now that were getting settled into our new facility, the Gateway and Crossroads Senior Centers wanted to take a moment of your time to make sure you know what is available for your use and enjoyment. March of Dimes announces WalkAmerica chairperson The March of Dimes Greater said Bird. When people contribute Utah Chapter has announced that to WalkAmerica, they play an imDennis Bird of Roosevelt will serve portant role in changing that number. They know their dollars will as the 1998 WalkAmerica Chairman for the Duchesne County area. fuel research, educational programs, Bird brings a solid background of community services and advocacy efforts that give babies the best poscommunity volunteer leadership exsible chance for a healthy start in perience to the March of Dimes anlife. nual event. In his role as chair, Bird will be WalkAmerica 1998 holds great responsible for recruiting business promise for future generations by leaders to serve on the WalkAmerica raising funds to help children, mobile clinics that bring prenatal care Committee, directing efforts to recruit companies and organizations to women who normally v'ould not throughout Duchesne County to have access, worksite health proform WalkAmerica teams of emgrams, and public health education ployees and their families, and helpcampaigns. The March of Dimes is a nation al ing to secure sponsorship dollars. WalkAmerica 1998 will take voluntary health organization place on Saturday, April 25 in whose mission is to improve the Roosevelt. More than 6,500 are exhealth ofbabies by preventing birth pected to walk statewide at twelve defects and infant mortality. The walk sites, raising money to Help March of Dimes funds programs of Fund Breakthroughs for Babies. research, community services, eduEach year in America, 150,000 cation and advocacy. babies are born with a birth defect. The Crossroads Center is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Our meals are served Monday thr u F riday at noon, a reservation needs to be made 24 hours in advance, if you would like to have lunch with us. Both centers have an exercise room with treadmills, for those who would like to keep in shape. There is a pool table, chess, darts, and checkers for those who prefer less stressful exercise and entertainment. The Crossroads Center has three computers for your use for Letter writing and of course now you can learn about the Internet, we are on line and ready to show you how to surf the net For crafts you can bring quilts to be tied or quilted. Quilts will also be made for fund raisers for the center to help pay for decorations of needed items for crafts. Both centers are offering oil painting classes, these classes will be available to you at little or no cost These classes are limited to 10 people and will be taught by James and Sharon Morrison. The Crossroads class will be on Mondays at 9 a.m. Oil painting classes at The Gateway Center will be Wednesday at 9 a.m. Other draft classes will be offered as well so come make something for our bazaar or something to take home. If you have any interest in the equipment that is available talk to Roberta at the Crossroads Center 722-42or Tami at the Gateway Remember this is Center your building, if you have any questions or suggestions on what you would like to do, we are here to help. 738-117- 0. 4. 4NAPA March Filters 9-1- 4 r- . Justin Time for Planting! Head in for special savings on our most popular farm filters. Includes many oil, air and hid fibers far these and other farm equipment makes: ;V Lowest Prices on Filters This Year!!! John Deere Ford Massey Ferguson htematkmal Harvester Chalmers Allis . CaseLH. Byira ,J PAINT & GLASS 140 E. 100 N. ROOSEVELT, UTAH 722-392- 6 BUY NAPA QUALITY SmileysNAPA Inc. 157 N. 300 E. Roosevelt 722-519- FOR SAFETY AND RELIABILITY , M-- F 6 7:30-- 6 Sat 8-- 4 POOR |