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Density And Diversity Of Overwintering Birds In Managed Field Borders In Mississippi, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Mark D. Smith, Philip J. Barbour, L. Wes Burger Jr. Sep 2005

Density And Diversity Of Overwintering Birds In Managed Field Borders In Mississippi, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Mark D. Smith, Philip J. Barbour, L. Wes Burger Jr.

Stephen J Dinsmore

Grassland bird populations are sharply declining in North America. Changes in agricultural practices during the past 50 years have been suggested as one of the major causes of this decline. Field-border conservation practices encouraged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Conservation Buffer Initiative meet many of the needs of sustainable agriculture and offer excellent opportunities to enhance local grassland bird populations within intensive agricultural production systems. Despite the abundant information on avian use of, and reproductive success in, strip habitats during the breeding season, few studies have examined the potential value of field borders for wintering birds. We planted …


Environmental Prevalence And Persistence Of Salmonella Spp. In Outdoor Swine Wallows, Anna K. Johnson, T. R. Callaway, J. L. Morrow, J. W. Dailey, F. M. Wallace, E. A. Wagstrom, J. J. Mcglone, A. R. Lewis, S. E. Dowd, T. L. Poole, T. S. Edrington, R. C. Anderson, K. J. Genovese, J. A. Byrd, R. . Harvey, D. J. Nisbet Sep 2005

Environmental Prevalence And Persistence Of Salmonella Spp. In Outdoor Swine Wallows, Anna K. Johnson, T. R. Callaway, J. L. Morrow, J. W. Dailey, F. M. Wallace, E. A. Wagstrom, J. J. Mcglone, A. R. Lewis, S. E. Dowd, T. L. Poole, T. S. Edrington, R. C. Anderson, K. J. Genovese, J. A. Byrd, R. . Harvey, D. J. Nisbet

Anna K. Butters-Johnson

Swine can harbor Salmonella in their gastrointestinal tracts. It has been estimated that up to 48% of the U.S. swine herd may carry Salmonella. Housing sows in farrowing stalls has become controversial due to animal welfare-based criticisms. An alternative production system is to keep sows outdoors on pasture with access to individual farrowing huts. This study was designed to determine the effects of two production systems on indicator bacteria and Salmonella of sows housed indoors in farrowing stalls (n = 52) compared to sows housed outdoors (n = 52) in English style huts. Each farrowing radial contained one wallow, from …


The Potential Role Of Sheep In Dryland Grain Production Systems, H. B. Goosey, P. G. Hatfield, Andrew W. Lenssen, Sue L. Blodgett, R. W. Kott Aug 2005

The Potential Role Of Sheep In Dryland Grain Production Systems, H. B. Goosey, P. G. Hatfield, Andrew W. Lenssen, Sue L. Blodgett, R. W. Kott

Andrew W. Lenssen

In dryland farming areas of Montana, annual precipitation is not sufficient for annual planting of cereal grains. Instead, a crop-summer fallow farming system is used to conserve soil moisture and increase available nitrogen for subsequent crop growth. Managing this summer fallow, either by mechanical means or with herbicides, is the highest variable cost associated with dryland grain production in Montana. Wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) is the most damaging insect pest to Montana’s US$ 1 billion per year grain industry. Weed management is the largest variable cost associated with dryland grain production and summer fallow management. Six fields, …


Effect Of Water Sprinkling On Incidence Of Zoonotic Pathogens In Feedlot Cattle, Anna K. Johnson, J. L. Morrow, F. M. Mitloehner, M. L. Galyean, J. W. Dailey, T. S. Edrington, R. C. Anderson, K. J. Genovese, T. L. Poole, S. E. Duke, T. R. Callaway Aug 2005

Effect Of Water Sprinkling On Incidence Of Zoonotic Pathogens In Feedlot Cattle, Anna K. Johnson, J. L. Morrow, F. M. Mitloehner, M. L. Galyean, J. W. Dailey, T. S. Edrington, R. C. Anderson, K. J. Genovese, T. L. Poole, S. E. Duke, T. R. Callaway

Anna K. Butters-Johnson

Heat stress and dusty conditions are common challenges for cattle during the summer, and a typical method of alleviating these problems involves sprinkling cattle and pens with water. The effect of sprinkling water on the incidence of zoonotic pathogens has not been previously studied. Four pens of heifers (n = 41) were cooled using sprinklers, and four pens (n = 43) served as controls. Heifers were crossbred Charolais, with white and red hair coats. Sprinkling was initiated when cattle were on full concentrate feed (July). Fecal samples, hide swipes, and BW were collected on d 0, 28, 63, 95, and …


Design Considerations For The Construction And Operation Of Malting Facilities. Part I: Planning, Structural, And Life Safety Considerations, Gregory D. Williams, Kurt A. Rosentrater Jul 2005

Design Considerations For The Construction And Operation Of Malting Facilities. Part I: Planning, Structural, And Life Safety Considerations, Gregory D. Williams, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Malt production facilities are the producers of ingredients for our baking, beverage, and specialty food industries. To date, information about the unique design requirements of these facilities has been limited. In an effort to summarize state of the art design procedures for malting facilities constructed in North America, an overview of accepted standards and procedures has been assembled. With this paper engineers should become more familiar with specific design considerations for malting plants and develop appropriate references to expand their knowledge base. Educators may find this paper useful too.


Effect Of Moisture Content And Soluble Levels On The Physical And Chemical Properties Of Ddgs, Vykundeshwari Ganesan, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Kurt A. Rosentrater Jul 2005

Effect Of Moisture Content And Soluble Levels On The Physical And Chemical Properties Of Ddgs, Vykundeshwari Ganesan, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Over the past few decades, researches concerning handling and storage characteristics of bulk solids have been conducted to a large extent. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) are a bulk material that has been widely used as a protein source for ruminants and non-ruminants for more than two decades. Distillers’ grains are energy dense as they contain high fat levels. With the exponential growth of the fuel ethanol industry in the past several years, significant quantities of distiller’s grains are now being produced. To effectively utilize these feeds in the domestic market, however, these coproduct streams are increasingly being transported …


Utilization Of Distillers Dried Grains For Fish Feed By Extrusion Technology—A Review, Nehru Chevanan, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan Jul 2005

Utilization Of Distillers Dried Grains For Fish Feed By Extrusion Technology—A Review, Nehru Chevanan, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Protein-rich distillers dried grains (DDG) from ethanol plants has been used as livestock feed for many years. Feed conversion efficiency in fish, however, is typically much higher compared to traditional livestock. But, the cost of fish feed is one of the challenges for profitable fish cultivation. Due to the exponential growth of ethanol plants in recent years, DDG is becoming readily available as a reasonably-priced base material for animal feeds, and because it has a relatively high protein content, it also has much potential for use as a fish feed ingredient. Even though much literature is available on conversion of …


Update On Utilizing Ethanol Processing Residues In Food Products, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Padmanaban Krishnan Jul 2005

Update On Utilizing Ethanol Processing Residues In Food Products, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Padmanaban Krishnan

Kurt A. Rosentrater

The production of corn-based ethanol in the U.S. is dramatically increasing, and consequently so is the quantity of byproduct materials generated from this processing sector. These coproduct streams are currently solely utilized as livestock feed, which is a route that provides ethanol processors with a substantial revenue source and significantly increases the profitability of the production process. With the construction and operation of many new plants in recent years, these residuals do, however, have much potential for value-added processing and utilization in the human food sector as well. This option holds promise of economic benefit for corn processors, especially if …


Update On Ethanol Processing Residue Properties, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, James Julson, Padmanaban Krishnan Jul 2005

Update On Ethanol Processing Residue Properties, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, James Julson, Padmanaban Krishnan

Kurt A. Rosentrater

The production of corn-based ethanol in the U.S. is dramatically increasing, and consequently so is the amount of byproduct materials generated from this processing sector. These coproduct streams are currently solely utilized as livestock feed, which is a route that provides ethanol processors with a substantial revenue source and significantly increases the profitability of the production process. With the construction and operation of many new plants in recent years, these residuals do, however, have much potential for value-added processing and utilization in other sectors as well. This option holds promise of economic benefit for corn processors, especially if the livestock …


Physical Properties Of Extruded Tilapia Feed With Distiller Dried Grains With Solubles, Nehru Chevanan, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan Jul 2005

Physical Properties Of Extruded Tilapia Feed With Distiller Dried Grains With Solubles, Nehru Chevanan, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from ethanol manufacturing plants contain a high percentage of protein, and are primarily used as livestock feed. The conversion efficiency of feed into body tissue is generally much higher in fish than farm animals. Fish can convert up to 36% of feed protein into body protein, whereas beef typically converts only 15%. Extrusion technology is very widely used for the production of floating and non floating aquaculture feeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify physical properties of extrudates containing 20,30 & 40% DDGS and net protein content adjusted to 28%. Three …


Flowability And Handling Characteristics Of Bulk Solids And Powders—A Review, Vykundeshwari Ganesan, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Kurt A. Rosentrater Jun 2005

Flowability And Handling Characteristics Of Bulk Solids And Powders—A Review, Vykundeshwari Ganesan, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Much research regarding handling and storage characteristics of bulk solids has been conducted over the years. Physical properties of granular solids play a significant role in their resulting flow and storage behavior, and are therefore essential to design appropriate, efficient, and economic bulk solids handling and storage equipment and structures. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) are a bulk material that has been widely used as a protein source for ruminants and non-ruminants for more than two decades. Distillers' grains are energy dense as they contain high fat levels. With the exponential growth of the fuel ethanol industry in the …


Evaluation Of Controller Area Network Data Collection System In Confined Animal Feeding Operations, Matthew J. Darr, Lingying Zhao, M. R. Ehsani, J. K. Ward, T. S. Stombaugh May 2005

Evaluation Of Controller Area Network Data Collection System In Confined Animal Feeding Operations, Matthew J. Darr, Lingying Zhao, M. R. Ehsani, J. K. Ward, T. S. Stombaugh

Matthew J. Darr

Livestock and poultry industries play an important role in the food supply and economy of US agriculturalists. Current and historical trends show that the number of animals housed in individual facilities continues to grow on a yearly basis. While design improvements have enabled structures to physically house the growing number of livestock, a new problem exists in maintaining a safe indoor environment due to the increases in animal waste production. The Environmental Protection Agency is also beginning to enforce regulations to limit the daily emission rate of specific gases and odors associated with animal production. Research is needed to identify …


Ammonia And Hydrogen Sulfide Flux From Beef Cattle Pens: Implications For Air Quality Measurement Methodologies And Evaluation Of Emission Controls, Jacek A. Koziel, David B. Parker, Bok-Haeng Baek, Kevin J. Bush, Marty Rhoades, Zena Perschbacher-Buser May 2005

Ammonia And Hydrogen Sulfide Flux From Beef Cattle Pens: Implications For Air Quality Measurement Methodologies And Evaluation Of Emission Controls, Jacek A. Koziel, David B. Parker, Bok-Haeng Baek, Kevin J. Bush, Marty Rhoades, Zena Perschbacher-Buser

Jacek A. Koziel

Ammonia (NH 3 ) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) are emitted from beef cattle feedlots with NH 3 being greater by nearly three orders of magnitude. Nearly 30% of the U.S. beef cattle are fed in the High Plains of Texas. Earlier research indicates that abatement technologies may be needed to significantly reduce NH 3 emissions. To date, little is known about the appropriate measurement methods to evaluate the effectiveness of NH 3 emission controls. In this research, we determined the (a) variability of NH 3 and H 2 S fluxes within a single pen and (b) the relationships …


Seasonal Abundance Of Ground Beetles In Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium Corymbosum) Fields And Response To A Reduced-Risk Insecticide Program, Matthew E. O'Neal, K. S. Mason, R. Isaacs Apr 2005

Seasonal Abundance Of Ground Beetles In Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium Corymbosum) Fields And Response To A Reduced-Risk Insecticide Program, Matthew E. O'Neal, K. S. Mason, R. Isaacs

Matthew E. O'Neal

Seasonal patterns of ground beetle activity were examined at six highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) farms in southwestern Michigan. On each farm, pitfall traps were used to monitor ground beetle activity in two adjacent fields: one managed under a conventional insecticide program (grower standard) and the other with reduced-risk insecticides. Overall, more active ingredient was applied in grower standard than reduced-risk fields, with the greatest amount used in June and July. During the 6-mo sampling period, we collected 11,322 ground beetles comprised of 34 species, with Harpalus pensylvanicus DeGeer representing 70.7% of the total beetles collected. The greatest amount of …


Essential Considerations For Manufacturing Products Containing Biological Materials, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Andrew W. Otieno Apr 2005

Essential Considerations For Manufacturing Products Containing Biological Materials, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Andrew W. Otieno

Kurt A. Rosentrater

An engine that drives the United States’ economic growth is an ever-increasing demand for manufactured products, both at home and abroad. As environmental concerns grow, however, renewable resources are gaining increasing attention, especially as industrial ecology and product biodegradability gain in prevalence. Added to this, biological materials are increasingly being utilized to replace traditional materials in manufacturing. To aid both educators as well as researchers, this paper examines several considerations that are essential for manufacturing products that contain biomaterials. These include the selection of materials, the selection of manufacturing processes, manufacturing costs, and the quality of final products. Additionally, several …


Renewable Energy Alternatives: Current Status And Capacities, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Youakim Al-Kalaani Apr 2005

Renewable Energy Alternatives: Current Status And Capacities, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Youakim Al-Kalaani

Kurt A. Rosentrater

A key to the United States’ economic growth is an ever-increasing demand for energy, which has traditionally been met primarily by combusting the hydrocarbons found in fossil fuels. As environmental concerns grow, renewable energy resources are gaining increasing attention. To aid both researchers as well as educators, this paper examines historical energy data for both traditional as well as alternative energy sources. Even with the progressive developments of non-traditional energy sources over the years, the U.S. still receives more than 90% of its energy from fossil and nuclear fuels. Explicit examination of the alternative energy sector has revealed that hydroelectric …


Severe Wind And Fire Regimes In Northern Forests: Historic Variability At The Regional Scale, Lisa A. Schulte-Moore, David J. Mladenoff Jan 2005

Severe Wind And Fire Regimes In Northern Forests: Historic Variability At The Regional Scale, Lisa A. Schulte-Moore, David J. Mladenoff

Lisa A. Schulte Moore

Within the northern Great Lakes region, mesoscale (10s to 100s of km2) forest patterning is driven by disturbance dynamics. Using original Public Land Survey (PLS) records in northern Wisconsin, USA, we study spatial patterns of wind and fire disturbances during the pre-Euroamerican settlement period (ca. 1850). Our goals were: (1) to determine how effectively wind and fire disturbance can be econstructed from the PLS, (2) to assess the roles of wind and fire in shaping vegetation patterns, (3) to evaluate landscape to regional controls of wind and fire regimes, and (4) to assess the potential for interactions between these disturbances. …


The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker In Mississippi?, Stephen J. Dinsmore Jan 2005

The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker In Mississippi?, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Stephen J Dinsmore

In April the environmental community received a real surprise--the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, long thought to be extinct, had apparently been rediscovered in Arkansas! As the news unfolded, the world learned that a team of researchers had been tracking at least one woodpecker, a lone male, for more than a year in the Cache River region of east-central Arkansas. The rediscovery of a bird presumed extinct for more than 60 years subsequently galvanized the environmental community and garnered much-needed support for the preservation of the Southeast's remaining old growth bottomland forests and endangered species recovery.


Waterfowl Abundance And Distribution In The Mississippi Delta, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Aaron T. Pearse, Richard M. Kaminski, Kenneth J. Reinecke Jan 2005

Waterfowl Abundance And Distribution In The Mississippi Delta, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Aaron T. Pearse, Richard M. Kaminski, Kenneth J. Reinecke

Stephen J Dinsmore

During mornings of empty skies, a duck hunter has plenty of time to ponder the question, "Where are all the ducks?" Invariable, the distraught hunter arrives at an unhappy conclusion: the ducks are not going to show up, so they must be elsewhere. The typical progression of an unsuccessful morning of hunting leads to multiple explanations as to why there weren't any ducks, such as mild winter temperatures in and north of Mississippi, not enough rain to attract ducks, too much rain and the ducks are scattered, the region doesn't have enough food to attract and hold ducks, the ducks …


Hamiota, A New Genus Of Freshwater Mussel (Bivalvia: Unionidae) From The Gulf Of Mexico Drainages Of The Southeastern United States, Kevin J. Roe, Paul D. Hartfield Jan 2005

Hamiota, A New Genus Of Freshwater Mussel (Bivalvia: Unionidae) From The Gulf Of Mexico Drainages Of The Southeastern United States, Kevin J. Roe, Paul D. Hartfield

Kevin J. Roe

Hamiota, a new genus of freshwater mussel containing four species formerly assigned to the genus Lampsilis Rafinesque, 1820, is described. In addition to the genus Lampsilis, members of Hamiota had previously been placed in the genera Villosa Frierson, 1927, and Ligumia Swainson, 1840. Several characters including the packaging of their larvae in a superconglutinate lure to attract host fishes, placement and shape of the marsupia, and release of glochidia through the excurrent siphon, support the recognition of these species as a distinct genus.


Pre-Euroamerican Distribution Of Pine Warblers (Dendroica Pinus) In Wisconsin: A Tool For Setting Regional Conservation Priorities, Lisa A. Schulte, Anna M. Pidgeon, David J. Mladenoff Jan 2005

Pre-Euroamerican Distribution Of Pine Warblers (Dendroica Pinus) In Wisconsin: A Tool For Setting Regional Conservation Priorities, Lisa A. Schulte, Anna M. Pidgeon, David J. Mladenoff

Lisa A. Schulte Moore

A common goal of conservation and management plans is to maintain populations of species of conservation concern at some historic level that was a product of environmental conditions at a time when they were less influenced by humans than at present. Conservation planning also includes consideration of the distribution, abundance, and reproductive success of a species, all of which are affected by both the amount and spatial pattern of habitat. In this work, we have fused the fields of spatial and historical ecology to provide a perspective that includes an estimate of a bird species’ distribution just prior to Euroamerican …


Strategic Methodology For Advancing Food Manufacturing Waste Management Paradigms, Kurt A. Rosentrater Jan 2005

Strategic Methodology For Advancing Food Manufacturing Waste Management Paradigms, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

As manufacturing industries become more cognizant of the ecological effects that their firms have on the surrounding environment, their waste streams are increasingly becoming viewed not as materials in need of disposal, but rather as resources that can be reused, recycled, or reprocessed into valuable products. Within the food processing sector there are many examples of value-added use of processing residues, although many of these focus solely on utilization as livestock feed ingredients. In addition to livestock feed, though, many other potential avenues exist for food processing waste streams, including food grade as well as industrial products. Unfortunately, the challenge …


Rate Response Assessment From Various Granular Vrt Applicators, John P. Fulton, Scott A. Sherer, Stephen F. Higgins, Matthew J. Darr, Timothy S. Stombaugh Jan 2005

Rate Response Assessment From Various Granular Vrt Applicators, John P. Fulton, Scott A. Sherer, Stephen F. Higgins, Matthew J. Darr, Timothy S. Stombaugh

Matthew J. Darr

Variable-rate technology (VRT) adds complexity to application equipment, thereby confounding the assessment of applicator performance. The intent of this investigation was to assess the rate response of various VRT granular applicators: two spinner spreaders (A and B), and two pneumatic applicators (C and D). Variable-rate (VR) tests were conducted to quantify the rate response characteristics (delay and transition times) for the applicators. A sigmoidal function was used to model the rate response for five of the six tests. Applicator A exhibited a linear response during decreasing rate changes. Results indicated that only applicator B demonstrated consistent delay and transition times, …


Controller Area Network Based Distributed Control For Autonomous Vehicles, Matthew J. Darr, Timotthy S. Stombaugh, Scott A. Shearer Jan 2005

Controller Area Network Based Distributed Control For Autonomous Vehicles, Matthew J. Darr, Timotthy S. Stombaugh, Scott A. Shearer

Matthew J. Darr

The goal of this project was to evaluate the potential of a controller area network (CAN bus) to be used as the communication network for a distributed control system on an autonomous agricultural vehicle. The prototype system utilized microcontroller-driven nodes to act as control points along a CAN bus. Messages were transferred to the steering, transmission, and hitch control nodes via a task computer. The task computer utilized global positioning system data to generate appropriate control commands. Laboratory and field testing demonstrated that each of the control nodes could function simultaneously over the CAN bus. Results showed that the task …


A One-Year Study Of A Supplemental Air Distribution System For Greenhouses, Samuel Jason Ray, James Baxter Wills Jr., Gary Stephen Honea, Michael Jerome Buschermoble, Richard Allen Straw, D. Raj Raman Jan 2005

A One-Year Study Of A Supplemental Air Distribution System For Greenhouses, Samuel Jason Ray, James Baxter Wills Jr., Gary Stephen Honea, Michael Jerome Buschermoble, Richard Allen Straw, D. Raj Raman

D. Raj Raman

The effect of a supplemental air distribution system was evaluated in a greenhouse producing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Trust). The system used centrifugal fans to force warmer air from above the canopy through a perforated duct extending longitudinally through each double-canopy row, with the goal of improving yield and decreasing energy use. The experiment employed two commercial-size greenhouses, one as the treatment greenhouse with the air distribution system and one as the control using conventional air handling. The experiment duration was two growing seasons (spring and fall crop). The system significantly reduced vertical temperature and relative humidity gradients while …