THE SOILED PROFILE NEWSLETTER DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

THE SOILED PROFILE
NEWSLETTER
DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
“bringing you the latest dirt”
For general inquiries or
if you have material to
include in the newsletter:
Lynda Closson
University of Manitoba
Room 362 Ellis Bldg
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Phone: 204 474-8153, Fax: 204 474-7642
Email: [email protected]
Past issues of the Soiled Profile are now on our
webpage: umanitoba.ca/afs/soil_science/
2 April 2015
Upcoming:
Wednesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m., Room 130 Agriculture Building – Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Seminar - Dr. Mario Tenuta “Nitrous Oxide: Are we reducing emissions from soil?” Refreshments at 3:00
Tuesday, May 5, morning – Department of Soil Science Spring Orientation. All department faculty, staff,
graduate students and summer students should plan to attend. We are being asked to document the steps
that we take to create a safe workplace and this is a key step in that process. Please mark this on your
calendar. More details to follow
Wednesday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. – Carman Safety Orientation Session, University of Manitoba, Ian N. Morrison
Research Farm, Carman Manitoba. Coffee and donuts at 9:45. All academics, technicians and students
conducting field research at the Ian N. Morrison are encouraged to attend. If you are not with the
Department of Plant Science and are planning to attend let Alvin Iverson know so that they have an idea of
attendee numbers. Office: 204-745-3944, Cell: 204-745-8642, Fax: 204-745-6992, email:
[email protected] .
News:
Congratulations to Taiwo Akinseloyin who successfully defended his M.Sc. this week!
New faces: This section is to introduce new people in the department, along with whom they will be working,
where to contact them and the planned length of their stay. Please let Lynda know about visitors so we can
feature them here.
This week we feature Sikiru Adekoya MUDA from the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources
Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He is working with Dr Wole
Akinremi in the department until 30th August 2015.
High quality batteries – first come, first serve!
There are 6 high quality batteries in front of the
fertilizer storage by the main overhead door in
the cold section of the Soil Science equipment
shed. Bo Pan tested them this week and they are
all still good. You are welcome to take one if you
would like. (Warning: they are very heavy!)
Paper of the week:
Ojo, E.R, Bullock, P. R., L’Heureux, J., Powers, J., McNairn, H., and Pacheco, A. (2015). Calibration and
Evaluation of a Frequency Domain Reflectometry Sensor for Real-Time Soil Moisture Monitoring.
Vadose Zone Journal. doi: 10.2136/vzj2014.08.0114
Opportunities:
Terrestrial Effects Scientist, Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Etobicoke
This is a unique opportunity for an innovative environmental professional to provide scientific expertise
and leadership in the design, conduct and interpretation of vegetation and soil surveys, monitoring
programs and special studies that assess the impacts of environmental contamination and/or other
environmental stressors on vegetation health (plants, trees, crops) and soil quality.
This position requires the ability to conduct fieldwork including fieldwork that may involve multiple days
in remote locations and/or involve difficult terrain.
Salary range: $1,338.21 – $ 1,698.50 per week
Apply online only: www.ontario.ca/careers and quote Job ID 76671 by April 15, 2015. Faxes are not being
accepted at this time. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the
recruitment process, please contact us at www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/ContactUs.aspx to provide your contact
information. Recruitment Services staff will contact you within 48 hours.
Summer Position: Agricultural Monitoring and Research Assistant, Weather Innovations, University of
Manitoba
Help gather agronomic information and environmental data from experimental plots located throughout
the prairies. The position involves taking measurements and observations from canola fields and
downloading and compiling data and photos from weather stations and automatic cameras. This position
requires extensive travel (vehicle supplied), including some overnight trips within Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Skills and Qualifications:
 Willingness to perform various tasks, including physical work, driving long distances, and working
in adverse weather conditions
 Background in agriculture and knowledge of farming practices
 Excellent problem solving skills and willingness to learn
 Ability to work independently to coordinate workload
 Proficient use of the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel…)
 Experience with environmental monitoring and data acquisition equipment is an asset
 Good interpersonal and communication skills
 Availability to travel, including some overnight trips
 Valid and clean driving record
Compensation Range: $14 to $16 per hour
Please send cover letter & resume to [email protected] .
Instructor / Researcher - Horticulture Production/ Sustainable Food Production, School of Business,
Agriculture & Environment, Assiniboine Community College, Brandon, MB
The School of Business, Agriculture & Environment is looking for a skilled, experienced and passionate
individual to teach and conduct applied research within our Horticulture Production and Sustainable Food
Production programs. Instructors provide exceptional learning experiences for our students through
hands-on activities in our Sustainable Greenhouse, grow plots and classrooms through our “learn by doing”
philosophy. You will instruct courses related to horticultural field techniques, horticultural production
related to food, irrigation systems, IPM, media usage and science related to horticulture, as well as food
safety and security. You will engage students in a variety of related activities and applied research projects.
Your academic training will be in the area of Agriculture, Horticulture (Olericulture/Pomology) or a related
field, preferably at the PhD level; minimum five years of related industry experience after graduation;
eligibility for P.Ag. in Manitoba; experience with teaching in a college setting; and a track record of research
in an applied setting.
Competition #40-1415, Full-Time, Regular
Salary: $29.34 - $43.58 per hour, (Educational Supplement: Masters $1.45/hour, PhD $2.89/hour)
Forward resume and cover letter to: Assiniboine Community College, c/o Human Resources, 1430 Victoria
Ave E, Brandon, MB R7A 2A9, fax: 204 725-8736, email: [email protected] .
Graduate Enhancement of Tri-council Stipends (GETS)
It is approaching that time of year when faculty members who have applied for Tri-council funding will be
notified of the competition results. This is a reminder about GETS (Graduate Enhancement of Tri-council
Stipends) program.
Cost sharing of graduate student support will at least double the number of students that can be supported
by a grant, increasing the number of HQP trained, which is a benefit for future grant applications. The
applications are processed on an ongoing basis (i.e., there is no application deadline). The process is simple
and doe via an online form (https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=HY7mJFENgPOKgrDJB-6mNA) . Multi-year
stipend cost sharing is available with just one application (yearly renewal is not necessary). There is no
limit on the number of students that can be cost shared with GETS.
GETS guidelines: http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/media/GETSguidelines_2015_16.pdf
Fouestions regarding GETS contact Rosemary Visevic ([email protected], 474-6827).
2015-16 OMAFRA Food Safety Research Program Call for Letters of Intent
Submission deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. EST.
More information: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/foodsafety/fsresearchprogram.html
A pre-submission consultation is scheduled for Thursday, April 16th, 2015 at 1 Stone Road West, Guelph,
Conference Room 1. Interested applicants may attend in-person or via Webex. To register for the
information session, please contact Andrew Watt, Research Analyst at [email protected] or (519)
826-3976.
Events:
Botany 2015, Science and Plants for People, July 25-29, Edmonton, AB
Abstract submission deadline has been extended to April 10.
More information: http://eepurl.com/biqSO1 .
2015 MIA Professional Development, Members’ Lunch and Annual General Meeting, April 16, 8:30 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m., William Glesby Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB
The event features presentations from three players directly involved in feeding a growing population.
Presenters will share information and perspective that will inform your professional practice by
demonstrating the importance of learning and adaptation skills. These feature presentations will also
reflect the valuable contribution of Agrology Professionals to the production of safe food and a healthy
environment for Manitobans.
Speakers:
Mitch Rezansoff, P.Ag., Integrated Solutions Manager, Enns Brothers Ltd
Brent VanKoughnet M.Sc. P.Ag., Executive Director, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers
Myron and Jill Krahn, Canada’s 2014 Outstanding Young Farmers
Contact:
Estel Facundo, Manitoba Institute of Agrologists, 204-275-3721, [email protected]
Manitoba Community for Women in Engineering, Science, Technology, and Trades (MCWESTT)
Conference, Friday, May 8, 2015, Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg
The conference aims to attract over 300 people from a diverse range of professional fields and
organizations and will feature inspiring women whose stories will describe the journey they have taken to
become successful. Throughout the conference, participants will be Empowered to find ways to reach their
highest potential in the workplace, Engage in new networking opportunities, and Recognize their current
and future contributions in building the Manitoba Community of Women in Engineering, Science,
Technology and Trades (MCWESTT).
For more information or to register, visit www.mcwestt.com.
A limited number of Agricultural and Food Sciences SUPPORT STAFF registrations are being sponsored by
the Faculty. Those interested should contact Crystal Jorgenson at crystal.jorgenson@umanitoba as soon as
possible.
Departmental Staff Away:
Annemieke Farenhorst
Paul Bullock
Mario Tenuta
Don Flaten
Wole Akinremi
Terri Ramm
on sabbatical to July 1.
Apr 9-24 (vacation)
Apr 17-May 1 (China), May 3-6 (AGU Montreal)
Apr 20-30 (vacation)
Apr 20 – May 8 (Nigeria)
May 11-13 (vacation)