April 2011

Interrupting a Disease Process

Interrupting a Disease Process

A plant oil reduces the harmful early effects of obesity

Obesity changes a person's glucose and fat metabolism, leading to insulin resistance that triggers chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular illness. James Perfield, assistant professor at the University of Missouri specializing in nutrition and the physiology of metabolic diseases, has identified a plant oil that seems to interrupt the development of obesity-triggered insulin resistance.

Executive in Residence: Christine Cochran

Executive in Residence: Christine Cochran

The intricate commodity market became a little less confusing to students when Christine Cochran, president of Commodity Markets Council, came to CAFNR as the 38th Reich Executive-in-Residence April 12-13.

Healthier and More Efficient Cows

Healthier and More Efficient Cows

MU team studies feed efficiency and participates in respiratory disease study

With the help of two grants totaling more than $14 million from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, research teams led by the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University will focus on developing methodologies to breed cattle that more efficiently utilize feed and that are more resistant to Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD).

A Better Bean

A Better Bean

CAFNR investigates how to market new seed technologies to farmers

The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will investigate the economic impacts and best marketing strategies of new soybean seed technologies designed to improve US production.