Farmers who only see $$$ when they look at a dense, green soybean stand in July may not know that white mold can ruin such a field in August. The healthiest looking fields are often at greatest risk.

Shock waves from the Asian economic crisis will ripple through Wisconsin’s farm economy, with corn and soybean producers feeling the worst effects during 1998 and 1999, according to a University of Wisconsin-Madison economist. Wisconsin’s dairy industry won’t be hit nearly as hard as grain and livestock producers, according to William Dobson, an agricultural economist at UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Elton D. Aberle, head of the animal sciences department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was named Feb. 20, 1998, as dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences by Chancellor David Ward.

The Fourth Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium will be held at the Badgerland Area Civic Center in Spooner, Wis., June 26-27, 1998.

Critics charge that the New Zealand Dairy Board distorts trade, hurts U.S. milk producers, and uses its monopoly exporting status to disadvantage its competitors. However, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor says that many of these complaints are based on questionable assertions regarding the board and its practices.

The Land Information & Computer Graphics Facility at UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is helping to map the future of Dane County – literally. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is hosting a series of public workshops designed “to listen to citizens throughout Dane County as they discuss their concerns about our growth.” LICGF staff are providing technical assistance, presenting various maps, and are conducting land use mapping exercises throughout the workshop series. The next workshop will be at the Dane County Forum, Feb. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Randall C. “Swanny” Swanson, emeritus professor of agricultural engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, died Jan. 13 at his home in Madison, Wis. He was 94 years old.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor David Ward will consider four finalists for dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences recommended Tuesday by a college search committee.

Wilfrid Turba, Dave Dickson and the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation will be honored for their contributions to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course at its annual alumni reunion Jan. 24 in Madison.

Professor Arthur J. Maurer died Saturday, Jan. 10, 1998 at his home in Verona, Wis., of cardiac arrhythmia due to coronary artery disease. He was 55 years old.