LET'S COMMUNICATE
Agriculture Communication Newsletter
March 2008, No. 147

Contents

E-mail Updates
PowerPoint Design Tip #7: Add G raphics
Billing Details Needed
Write the Right Word
Ag Communication Staff Changes
New Publications in the Distribution Center

E-mail Updates

On April 11 , e-mail lists that have used the @ndsuext.nodak.edu majordomo system will start using the ITS Listserv system. Roger Egeberg has been working with list owners on this conversion. People on the lists will be informed, and the listing of e-mail lists will be updated. This listing is on the password-protected Ag Info Center at http://info.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu to reduce spam. Since converting the Ag Info Center and similar password-protected sites to the NDSU logins is complicated and takes time, you must use the username and password that go with your @ndsuext.nodak.edu. Call the Help Desk at 231-8685 if you don't know yours.

Also, as of May 15, NDSU e-mail addresses ending in  @ndsu.nodak.edu will no longer be valid. To make sure you're prepared for this change:

*   check th at your preferences/settings are using @ndsu.edu as the "from" and " reply to " addresses
*   review incoming e-mails and provide the updated address to individuals and e-mail lists that are still using the old format
*   make sure all e-mail addresses  listed on Web pages and stationery use the new format .

For more information, see www.ndsu.edu/its/ra/retiring_ndsu_nodak_edu or contact the Help Desk at NDSU.HelpDesk@ndsu.edu or 231-8685.

PowerPoint Design Tip #7: Add Graphics

Using graphics makes information more appealing and easier to understand. Graphics include clip art, graphs, pie charts, maps, arrows, photos, video and tables.

*   Add graphics that enhance the understanding of your information.
*   Use graphics that are appropriate for your audience and won't offend or exclude anyone.
*   Try using your graphic very large for more impact.
*   Keep visuals uncluttered. The more clip art, photos and text you have on a visual, the smaller everything needs to be.

Be aware of copyright. There is a lot of information on the Web that presenters can use, and some of it is free. However, just because it's online doesn't mean it's free for the taking. You need to get permission from the copyright holder to use it.

Deb Tanner , (701) 231-7891,  deb.tanner@ndsu.edu,  and John Grindahl ,  (701) 231-7898, john.grindahl@ndsu.edu

Billing Details Needed

Especially with the merger that created Print and Copy Services, fund numbers are needed when projects are first brought to Ag Communication. "A grant" or "third floor" as the response for who's paying isn't enough. Please include complete fund information at the beginning of projects. Also, write if the billing is with Extension rather than other funds. The name of the person responsible for the project also is needed. This often isn't known by students who drop off work.

Joan Opp, (701) 231-9652, joan.opp@ndsu.edu

Write the Right Word

If you want to write more concisely, eliminate unnecessary words. Often, one of those unnecessary words is "currently." You don't need to say "currently" if the sentence clearly indicates something is happening in present time. For example: "Producers are in their fields.""Now" is another word you don´t need if the sentence clearly shows the activity is under way.

Hint: Verbs in the present tense are a clue to the immediacy of the happening. For instance, in the "Producers are in the field" example, "are" is a present- tense verb. Thus, using "currently" when you´ve established that something is occurring as you write is redundant.

In the phrase "whether or not," you can eliminate the "or not" in many instances. For example: "He wouldn´t say whether he would run for re- election." The "whether" indicates you are taking about one of two options -- run or not run. You don´t need to include the "or not" in this instance because the "not run" alternative is implied.

Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu

Ag Communication Staff Changes

With Randy Wald's move to Information Technology Services and Gail Hokenson's retirement, here are some temporary changes for Ag Communication contacts.

To schedule training for using the new Wimba webconferencing system, contact Bruce Sundeen at bruce.sundeen@ndsu.edu or 231-7953. See http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/wimba/ to learn more about how to use this collaborative tool from your own computer. Wimba allows for sharing PowerPoints, Word documents, Web pages and more, including audio via voice over IP, with individuals around the world at their computers. All that's needed is a microphone and speaker. Ag Com recommends a headset that combines these two features.

To schedule a videoconference, complete the NDSU Ag Consortium Scheduling Form at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/videoconf/videoconferencing.html and send it to Mike Miller at mike.miller@ndsu.edu . Contact Mike by e-mail or at 857- 7677 with questions. Please remember to make sure rooms are available before scheduling your videoconference since most Ag Consortium rooms are used for regular meetings in addition to videoconferences.

Until a new administrative secretary is hired for Ag Communication, the phone will roll over to the Distribution Center. Thank you for your patience during this transition. And thank you to Gail for her years of service to NDSU and especially to Ag Communication.

As we develop an updated position description for Dave Rice's replacement, Dave Haasser is the Ag Communication contact for Agriculture and University Extension Web work. He can be reached at david.haasser@ndsu.edu or 231- 8620. Dave works with Roger Egeberg to answer Web questions and solve problems as quickly as possible.

Contact Roger at roger.egeberg@ndsu.edu or 231-7382 to check out the computer training bank. Ag Communication has 20 notebook computers available for your use, but they must be reserved in advance.

Please contact me if you have any ideas, questions or concerns as we continue to move forward with Ag and University Extension Web work.

Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu

New Publications in the Distribution Center

FE1354 -- ND Families and Households -- January 2008 This trifold publication by Debra Pankow and Marina Serdiouk provides a look at the state's population, including racial distribution, marital status, household size, education, per-capita income and more.

AS1357 -- Management Options for Maximizing Dry-cow Performance -- March 2008 Penny Nester, Nicholas Bork, David Carlson and J.W. Schroeder developed this four-page publication. Advancements in feeding systems, milking frequency and technologies have caused producers to consider a shorter dry- cow period. This publication will help producers determine the type of system that will work best for them.

AS1353 -- Caseous Lymphadenitis: Is It a Problem in Your Flock or Herd? -- February 2008 Caseous Lymphadenitis is a sheep and goat disease that causes decreased meat yield, damage to pelts and possibly animal death. Justin Luther and Charlie Stoltenow wrote this two-page publication to help identify the clinical signs that will help the small producer implement an effective control program.

PP1265 -- 2006 Dry Bean Grower Survey of Pest Problems and Pesticide Use in MN and ND -- February 2008 The 16-page publication features results of the 18th annual survey of varieties grown, pest problems, pesticide use and grower practices of the Northarvest Bean Growers Association. NDSU research and Extension faculty and NBGA directors developed the survey, which was sent to all Northarvest growers.

WQ1341 -- Drinking Water Quality: Testing and Interpreting Your Results -- January 2008 Roxanne Johnson and Tom Scherer developed this eight-page publication that answers questions from "What should water be tested for" to "How do I correct my problem." A list of certified labs in ND is included.

Janet Knodel and graduate research assistant Mangala Ganehiarachchi authored three full-color publications:

E1330 -- Integrated Pest Management of the Wheat Midge in ND -- January

2008 -- Wheat is the most widely cultivated plant in the world, and the wheat midge is one of the most destructive pests of wheat. This publication addresses identification, life cycle, damage, scouting, economic threshold levels and more.

Charge publication: 75 cents wholesale, $1 retail

E1346 -- Diamondback Moth in Canola: Biology and Integrated Pest Management -- January 2008 --Best management practices for profitable yield while preventing losses from diamondback moth on canola include early monitoring of adults and larvae, and limiting use of insecticides to only those fields that reach the economic thresholds. The eight-page color publication deals with those practices .

Charge publication: 75 cents wholesale, $1 retail

E1347 -- Bertha Armyworm in Canola: Biology and Integrated Pest Management -- January 2008 The "Miller Moth" or "climbing cutworm" extends from Mexico to Canada.

This eight-page color publication helps producers identify the pest at different stages and consider environmental, cultural, biological and chemical control options.

Charge publication: 75 cents wholesale, $1 retail

Sharon Lane, (701) 231-7883, sharon.lane@ndsu.edu

Let's Communicate
Past issues and topics from Let's Communicate are at www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/letscomm/letscomm.htm. If you have questions or comments, or would like to submit information or make a suggestion for Let's Communicate, please contact me. Becky Koch, Director, Agriculture Communication Morrill 7, North Dakota State University Fargo, ND 58105-5655, Phone: 701 231-7875, Fax: 701 231-7044. Please note my new e-mail address: becky.koch@ndsu.edu