1940's
JANUARY 1940
“Experiment Station Works to Improve Woodlands”
There were more then 127 million acres of woodlands across the nation that were in need of assistance. Professor G.B. MacDonald created a plan that was to be put in effect. The plan was dependant upon several agencies working in conjunction to make sure forests across the nation produce enough lumber to pay for themselves.
APRIL 1941
“Handling Hot Soils”
After 15 years of experimentation Iowa State College has found a remedy for high-lime soils. The three pillars of this program include growing sweet clover in a short rotation to open the soil and allow some of the alkali to work out, making sure the land is adequately drained, and applying potash or phosphate-potash fertilizers.
OCTOBER 1942
“Waxy Corn a New Crop”
G.F. Sprague and R.M. Hixon predict that waxy corn could substitute for the loss of tapioca starch after Japan took the Netherlands and wer lost most of our supply of rubber, tin, and tapioca, which is used in adhesives and glues. Sprague and Hixon say, “It’s the probable answer to our loss of tapioca from the Netherland East Indies.”
APRIL 1943
“Planting on the Contour”
One way Iowa farmers with sloping land can increase yields is planting crops with the contour of the land. Studies done by Iowa State College in conjunction with the Soil Conservation Services shows that planting on the contour can increase corn yields by 6 bushels per acre and soybean yields by 3 bushels per acre.
JANUARY 1944
“We Need More Drainage”
In 1942 and 1943 thousands of acres of crops were destroyed due to inadequate drainage. Iowa has some of the world’s most fertile farmland and with proper drainage they could produce record yields. C.H. Van Vlack, extension specialist in agricultural engineering suggests that employing just a few simple drainage practices, like re-designing and properly construction drainage ditches, could increase yields in less than 1 year.
JANUARY 1945
“Iowa Soils Need Nitrogen”
Kirk Lawton, Ph.D. student tested the affects higher nitrogen levels in soil would have on farm production. After 24 experiments in western Iowa Lawton suggests that more nitrogen would increase crop yields and help to get better return from other fertilizers like phosphorous and potassium.
NOVEMBER 1947
“The New Hawkeye Soybean”
Martin G. Weiss, research professor in farm crops; Charles R. Weber, associate agronomist and Robert R. Kalton, assistant agronomist reported on the new soybean variety. The Iowa Agriculture Experiment Station developed the Hawkeye Soybean in 1938 and after years of testing it showed much promise. “It looks like a partial answer to the need of the farmers in northern Iowa for a taller, higher yielding soybean.”
JUNE 1948
“Better Protein More Oil in your corn.”
G.F. Sprague, USDA specialist has done research and revealed that it is possible to increase the protein content of corn. Sprague found that the higher protein content in corn will be useful by making corn more versatile for feeding and growing, but it may not be desirable because as protein content increases, yield declines.
MAY 1949
“What is the APF”
In an attempt to nail down the unknown animal protein factors, researchers at the Iowa Agriculture Experiment Station conducted a series of experiments that involved feeding hogs different supplements thought to contain this animal protein factor. Damon Catron and C.C. Culbertson provided the results that showed that the AFP is not a protein at all, but a combination of vitamins especially B12 which was discovered in 1948.
