One Week at Waterman: Fall 2025

Tiny bug, big problem. Ever heard of the ambrosia beetle? Like many other non-native species in Ohio, these almost microscopic hitchhikers likely arrived in the U.S. through shipping pallets—and now they’re boring into trees and causing stress. Entomology graduate student Tom Paul is trapping beetles at Waterman Lab to test whether current heat treatment standards for processed wood actually kill them. With its mix of young and mature trees, plus a variety of habitats, Waterman provides the perfect field lab. Ultimately, Paul’s findings could help improve wood treatment processes and storage recommendations for pallets to stop the spread of this destructive pest.

Combining tech and tradition. Assistant Director Matt Sullivan fires up the John Deere S7 800 combine to harvest corn at Waterman, hands-free. With guidance technology, once harvest settings are entered, the combine drives itself down the row, adjusting automatically for performance and alerting the operator to any issues. The result is faster, safer, and more efficient harvests. This season, Sullivan and the ag operations crew brought in about 45 acres of soybeans and nine acres of corn, yielding roughly 250 bushels per acre of corn thanks to their hard work and management strategies. The crops are sold at market, and fund equipment leases, research, teaching and Extension programs across Waterman.   

Lens on the Dairy. Madeline Walther, a fifth year in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership, takes photos during installation of the new Lely robotics equipment in the Dairy Building at Waterman Lab. in AGRCOMM 4130, she’s learning how to design and produce an issue of the AgriNaturalist, the oldest student run magazine in the nation. As part of her class, she’s interviewing subject matter experts at Waterman, writing articles, and taking photos. This year’s magazine will feature the big changes at Waterman with the opening of the Multispecies Animal Learning Center and the Dairy later this year.  

Mo' mowin’, less problems? Horticulture and crop science master’s student, Brian Miller (left in red), wants to know if robotic mowing beats your weekly routine at keeping weeds in check. His Husqvarna Automower 550H EPOS trims test turf every other day at Waterman, part of a two-year study on how autonomous mowing affects grassy and broadleaf weeds. The secret? Frequent cuts helps turf outcompete weeds, making your lawn thicker and healthier. While research on this is just emerging, early findings could change how homeowners care for their lawns — reducing herbicide use and keeping yards weed-free.

Sweater Weather. Jonah So (left) and Leon Norman (right) sketch out their pumpkin designs at the annual Fall Flannel Fest, hosted by the CFAES Student Council. More than 300 students stopped by the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex for laughter, caramel apples, and the scent of fall. On the Patricia Kunz-Brundige Outdoor Gathering Space, friends scored with cornhole, painted pumpkins, and played yard games in their favorite flannels. The event wrapped with a good-will gesture — over 200 canned goods collected for the Buckeye Food Alliance.

Barn-tastic cow-ntdown In early November, drone footage captured the new Multispecies Animal Learning Complex (right) and the high-tech Dairy Building (left) gleaming in the afternoon sun. The event lawn in front of the MALC is taking shape, and parking for both buildings — along with the main road through the lab — is almost complete. Inside, barns for poultry, swine, equine, and ruminants are wrapping up, and robotics will be fully installed in the dairy later this month. Soon, both buildings will be ready for faculty, students and visitors to explore. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for late January 2026, marking the start of a new era of hands-on learning at Waterman.