Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Plant Derived Tannins On Nitrogen And Carbon Cycling In Pasture Soils, Kathryn A. Slebodnik

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Pasture-finished beef has become increasingly popular, but nitrogen losses from these pastures are of concern. Legumes containing condensed tannins such as birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) may serve as environmentally and economically viable alternative forages in pasture finishing systems while reducing soil nitrogen loss. The goal of this project was to understand how tannin type and concentration affects soil nitrogen cycling both in the lab and the field. This thesis: 1) compared the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soil samples obtained from grazed grass and tannin and non-tannin containing legume pastures, 2) …

Effect Of Tannin-Containing Legume Hays On Enteric Methane Emissions And Nitrogen Partitioning In Beef Cattle, Elizabeth K. Stewart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cattle are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. In particular, the cow-calf phase of production accounts for approximately 80 percent of the total beef production system greenhouse gas emissions. Tannins are chemical compounds found in certain forages and they have the potential to help reduce these negative environmental impacts. Thus, given that the cow-calf phase often relies on feeding hay, feeding tannin-containing hays may represent a significant mitigation practice.

With my MS program, I sought to explore whether tannin-containing hays fed to mother cows and heifers influence methane and nitrogen emissions relative to …

Plant And Animal Performance In Tall Fescue And Tall Fescue/Legume Pastures, Troy J. Bingham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Tall fescue is the one of most common grasses in irrigated pastures throughout the Intermountain West. Two limitations of tall fescue are a decrease in productivity during hot summer months and the need for supplemental nitrogen (N). The objective of this research was to compare tall fescue-alfalfa (TF+ALF), tall fescue-birdsfoot trefoil (TF+BFT), tall fescue-nitrogen fertilizer (TF+N), and tall fescue without nitrogen fertilizer (TF-N) on forage yield, nutritional quality, and livestock performance. Research plots were established at the Utah State University Pasture Research Facility in Lewiston, UT in 2010 and grazed in 2012 and 2013. Treatments were arranged in a randomized …

Goatsrue (Galega Officinalis) Seed Biology, Control, And Toxicity, Michelle Oldham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Goatsrue is an introduced perennial plant that has proven to have great invasive potential, leading to its classification as a noxious weed in many states and at the federal level. This research focused on seed biology, herbicide control, and toxic dynamics of goatsrue. Physical dormancy of mature goatsrue seed was tested through scarification using sulfuric acid with exposures of up to 60 minutes resulting in 100% germination. Comparison of dormancy for 26-year-old and 6-month-old goatsrue seed indicated aged seeds had reduced dormancy levels compared to newly harvested seeds, but had similar viability. Goatsrue seedling emergence was inversely related to burial …

Effect Of Forage Height Upon The Microtemperature Of A Grass-Legume Pasture And A Comparison Of Forage Composition, Robert E. Warnick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of pasture to provide low cost feed for dairy and other farm animals is an important factor in the success of livestock operations.

Some of the factors which influence the income from pasture land are: management, pasture mix, and climate. The management of a pasture can determine to a great extent the value of pasture in a farming enterprise. Irrigating the pasture at the right time, using the right fertilizer, and proper methods of harvesting are examples of some of the management problems facing the grassland farmer.