Project Highlights

An interdisciplinary team of undergraduate and graduate student researchers are collaborating to better understand the economic value of guayule resin.

SBAR researchers, engineers and students met in early March at one of the University of Arizona’s Chemical Engineering labs in Tucson, Arizona to finalize new research plans. 

SBAR researchers, plant breeders, and scientists met at the Bridgestone Research Facility in Eloy, Arizona, in mid-February to finalize research plans for harvesting plants. The 2-year old plants were part of the USDA variety trial that was planted in 2018 at multiple locations in Arizona. These plants will be harvested for the final time in 2020 and it was important for the plant breeders to discuss procedures and parameters for harvest to ensure that each trial location is consistently handled. Results of the final harvest are expected to be compiled and analyzed over the coming months.

Under the tutelage of SBAR Agricultural Economists (part of the System Performance & Sustainability Component), a new Whole Farm Economic Model is under development and being refined. When complete, the model will show the economic viability at different acreages of guayule grown on Arizona farms, and guar grown on New Mexico farms. 

The SBAR Center has recently been awarded a grant from the Agnese Nelms Haury Program (Environmental and Social Justice) to build on the existing Extension & Outreach Component’s work in 4-H Youth Development through the fall of 2021.

The Southwest Indian Agricultural Association (SWIAA) hosted its 32nd annual conference in Laughlin, Nevada in late January 2020. SWIAA formed in 1987 to promote the future of agriculture on reservations. The founders included tribes and individual Indian and non-Indian farmers, ranchers, and businessmen. Their stated mission is to maintain “harmony of man, soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife – the agricultural community – because they influence emotional and spiritual well-being.”

The inaugural edition of the quarterly SBAR Grower Extension Newsletter is now available. This is a great way to stay updated on the progress being made for guar and guayule research in both New Mexico and Arizona. It is also a great way to stay in touch with our team. Check it out! Let us know what else you’d like to learn more about, or get in touch with us with your questions.

SBAR Teacher Wins Honorable Mention for Middle School Science Teacher of the Year.

The Science Teacher Association has named Melissa Wilburn at Quail Run Elementary School one of two honorable mentions for Middle School Science Teacher of the Year in Arizona. This is Melissa’s second year as an SBAR teacher and she is paired with SBAR Fellow, Arisbeth Ibarra Nieblas. Dr. Corey Knox and Torran Anderson of the SBAR Education team visited Melissa at her school and asked about her SBAR experience.

SBAR Research continues with a new round of experiments at the Maricopa Agricultural Center in Arizona. Guayule transplants were planted in November 2019 (while a hot air balloon was carried on the wind) in a prepared field. Ongoing experiments are looking at crop production and feasibility under various irrigation deficits. Researchers with the SBAR Project at Maricopa Agricultural Center are also maintaining a number of guayule germplasm lines to ensure long term crop possibilities in multiple regions across the country.

SBAR Researchers, Hussein Abdel-Haleem and Dennis T. Ray, have collaborated on a book chapter that summarizes the most recent breeding progress, biotechnological advancements, and agronomic practices to increase guayule rubber and other industrial byproducts from guayule crops. This highlights and incorporates some of the work supported through SBAR research.