Josh Buettner

Remote/studio Producer/Director/Writer/Reporter/Editor @ Iowa PBS covering sports, music, travel, food, nat. resources, ag, commodities, oddities & innovation

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Why a Texas company pulls drinking water from the air https://t.co/XEn9FZtjVU

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Ok...how many acres is this covering though?

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

Switching to red netting can reduce pesticide use by up to 50%, offering farmers a simple, highly effective, and eco-friendly way to protect crops.

While most farmers use black or white insect nets, new research from Japan shows that changing the color to red dramatically improves pest control. A study by researchers at the University of Tokyo found that red nets are far more effective at deterring onion thrips, a major destructive pest, than traditional black or white nets.

The secret lies in how insects see color. Thrips perceive red as a strong deterrent, which disrupts their visual cues and prevents them from landing on or damaging the plants. Because the protection comes from color rather than fine mesh size, red nets can use larger openings. This allows better airflow, reduces heat buildup, lowers humidity (which helps prevent plant diseases), and makes working conditions more comfortable for farmers.

Field trials showed that crops protected with red netting required 25% to 50% fewer insecticide applications compared to uncovered fields.

This low-tech “optical pest control” method could help reduce chemical use, slow the development of pesticide resistance, and support more sustainable agriculture.

[Tokumaru, S., Tokushima, Y., Ito, S., Yamaguchi, T., & Shimoda, M. (2024). Advanced methods for insect nets: red-colored nets contribute to sustainable agriculture. Scientific Reports, 14, 52108.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52108-1]

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

USMNT sees off Australia to advance to World Cup knockout stage
https://t.co/lIloUuKHA4

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Iowa education board changes school athletics rules https://t.co/CUNpTsxS4m

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

A bonanza for fans of the natural world: the digital library sharing 64m pages of scientific knowledge with everyone | Biodiversity | The Guardian https://t.co/ulsBsHxdMc

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Mexico pulls a “land-based Panama Canal” out of its hat: 303 km across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to connect the Pacific and the Gulf without passing through locks https://t.co/MrPeC2lYdN

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

EPA won't set nationwide standards for data centers - POLITICO https://t.co/WrLOwBLy2t

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

‘We’re practically full’: Data center workers fill Eastern Iowa campgrounds https://t.co/XmkZfyRjwv

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

West Sioux vs. St. Albert 1A soccer semifinal in Des Moines for Iowa PBS sports!

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Nick Saban lends support to college sports bill as SEC, Big Ten push back https://t.co/9yINverTMY

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

SEC, Big Ten release joint statement on Protect College Sports Act, cite 'critical issues' with bill - On3 https://t.co/ecq1P7OnnP

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

West Sioux advances to @IHSAA 1A semifinal game!

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

@IHSAA 1A quarterfinal in DSM. Scouting West Sioux for a feature story we are working on with them to air during fall football championship halftimes. WS leads Pella Christian 3-0 at half. If WS continues on, we will shoot highlights of Thursday's semifinal, then championship.

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

U.S. state becomes first in the nation to ban pesticide linked to Parkinson’s https://t.co/X8PAc0eScF

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

https://t.co/ua9voiltTG

[Bound Iowa @Bound_IA]

THIS WAS A INSANE KICK BY NAUMAN TO WIN THE 1600 🤯

NAUMAN ENDS HIS CAREER ON TOP. THREE-TIME STATE CHAMP IN THE 1600.

4:08.16 💨

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Today’s bans on DIY repairs of everything from cell phones to tractors grew out of Hollywood’s fear of videotaping https://t.co/ZF3J1LIBtf

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Matt Campbell Says Iowa State was a "Little Bit of a Food Desert" and Seems Excited that Happy Valley has a Trader Joe's - Crossing Broad https://t.co/HTCA0ePOYy

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

What Happens to Ted Turner’s Ranchland and $1 Million Nebraska Tax Promise Now? https://t.co/HjghCF0P7U

[Josh Buettner @mtmjosh]

Ted Turner Dies at 87, Leaving Behind 2 Million Acres of Ranchland https://t.co/rn6O5TL1I6