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A Qualitative Research Approach To Understanding Challenges That May Inhibit Optimal Usage Of Automatic Milking Systems In Northern Utah, Jessica Christensen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Dairy robotics, i.e., Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), is a relatively new field, one that has great promise to optimize efficiency, production, and animal welfare of dairy cattle. However, despite quantitative research findings that indicate AMS success, dairy farmers still face challenges integrating AMS into their production systems. During the fall of 2018, interviews were conducted with northern Utah dairy farmers regarding their robotic systems. The respondent data was analyzed to reveal repeated problems with the robots. This analysis was then used to direct research in order to propose solutions to the farmers' AMS challenges. Conclusions were then summarized in an …

Non-Suitable Habitat A Cause For Declining Bobolink Populations In Northern Utah, Bethany Q. Unger

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryxivories, populations are declining in Utah. I characterized the habitat conditions of known bobolink nesting sites in Utah and compared these conditions to those for nest sites in Wisconsin where bobolinks are abundant. My habitat assessment included identifying vegetation species, vegetation cover, pH, temperature, and precipitation at each site location. Vegetation cover different between Utah and Wisconsin nest sites. Precipitation varied for both locations with no correlation between water availability and bobolink presence. One possible driver for the reduction in bobolinks throughout Utah is the drastic increase in temperature. Other possible external factors include livestock grazing, edge distance, …

Factors Influencing Farmers' Utilization Of Auto-Guidance Technology In Northern Utah, Thomas A. Bleazard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Few studies have documented the use of auto-guidance technologies in the western United States. This study sought to discover farmers’ training preferences and what drives adoption of auto-guidance systems in northern Utah. A presentation of auto-guidance systems was made to crop school attendees. Afterwards an auto-guidance simulator was used to demonstrate to participants how these systems worked and let them engage in an experiential learning experience with laptops. A survey was administered to collect information on farmers’ training preferences and use of auto-guidance technologies. Results of the survey showed that farmers have a large interest in learning about auto-guidance technologies, …

Economic Assessment Of Organic, Eco-Friendly, And Conventional Peach Production Methods In Northern Utah, Trevor D. Knudsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fruit producers in Northern Utah face several challenges to their production, urbanization, decreased availability of agricultural land, and competition from domestic producers and imports. As consumers are willing to pay premiums for foods differentiated by production method, such as eco-friendly and organic, conversion to these methods may increase the profitability of fruit growing operations.

This study found that consumers in Northern Utah are willing to pay a premium for peaches grown using organic and eco-friendly production practices over conventionally grown peaches. The study also found that of the three methods of peach production examined (conventional, eco-friendly, and organic), organic had …

Estimates Of The Hydraulic Parameters Of Aquifers In Cache Valley, Utah And Idaho, Paul C. Inkenbrandt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hydraulic parameters of aquifers in Cache Valley were compiled from existing but largely unpublished data, from specific capacity data reported in well drillers' records, and from aquifer tests conducted for this study. A GIS database was also created to organize this information.

A complete and thorough literature review was performed, which included obtaining unpublished aquifer test data from state and federal agencies, as well as reviewing Drinking Water Source Protection plans for each municipality in the valley.

Well drillers' records were obtained from the Utah Division of Water Rights website and examined for pertinent information. Screened unit intervals from 1,314 …

Evaluation Of Translocation Criteria For Trumpeter Swans Reintroduced To Northern Utah: Habitat Quality And Interactions With Tundra Swans, Katharina A. M. Engelhardt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fifty-seven Trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) were translocated to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and the Bear River Club Company in northern Utah. The purpose of this effort was to encourage dispersal of the Rocky Mountain population of Trumpeter swans during the winter, and to reestablish a migratory route to southern wintering grounds. I assessed the success of the translocation by evaluating 13 translocation criteria proposed in the literature. In this study I addressed two of these criteria in detail by evaluating habitat quality at the translocation sites and by analyzing potential competitive interactions with Tundra swans ( …

Guidelines For Roadside Revegetation To Create Wildlife Habitat In Northern Utah, Lars D. Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many species of wildlife use roadside vegetation as habitat. The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) utilizes roadsides for all types of cover. Because pheasants are nonmigratory and generally live their entire lives within a 1- to 2-mile radius, pheasants are excellent indicator species to predict both quantity and quality of roadside wildlife habitat. Pheasants were introduced to Utah in the late 1800's. Populations climbed until pheasant habitat occupied 2-4 percent of the total land area in Utah. Populations began to decrease in the 1950's. Since 1962, pheasant populations in Cache County, Utah have dropped 2.71 percent annually. Experts believe …

Utah Boating And Fishing Survey: Applying Contingent Valuation And Travel Cost Methods To Estimate Recreation Values In Northern Utah For The Bear River Water Development Project, Jeff T. Williams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The intent of this thesis is to compare contingent valuation methods (CVM) and travel cost methods (TCM) to estimate consumer surplus for boaters and anglers in northern Utah. TCM results are about three times that of CVM. Several limitations are noted, specifically that CVM solicits given willingness to pay (WTP for specific reservoir sites. TCM analyzes aggregated trips to reservoirs with a wide array of site characteristics.

Coping Strategies Of Dairy-Farm Husbands And Wives In Five Northern Utah Counties, Joel Phillip Brandley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of the coping strategies used by dairy-farm couples. The independent variables of size of farm, where the respondents grew up, off-farm employment, age, amount of formal education, and debt-to-asset ratio of the farm are analyzed to determine their impact on the use of coping strategies by the dairy-farm husbands and wives.

A sample of 116 dairy farm-couples was drawn from five counties in Northern Utah. The farm husbands and wives were each interviewed separately using a structured questionnaire.

Due to the racial and religious composition of the sample and …

An Assessment Of Thematic Mapper Satellite Data For Classifying Conifer Types In Northern Utah, Madeline R. Mazurski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Land-cover identification and mapping are an integral part of natural resource planning and management. Satellite imagery provides a way to obtain land cover information, particularly for large tracts of land such as those administered by federal and state agencies.

This study assesses the usefulness of the Brightness/Greenness Transformation of Landsat Thematic Mapper data for differentiating conifer forest types in northern Utah. Satellite data for the Logan Ranger District of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest were classified into 27 vegetation classes. Of these, nine were determined to be conifer classes and were used in subsequent analyses. Ten sites of each conifer class …

Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Postica (Gyllenhal), (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Response To Environmental Factors In Alfalfa Fields In Northern Utah, Larry Edward Jech

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Economic damage to forage alfalfa by the alfalfa weevil occurs frequently enough in northern Utah to warrant applications of an insecticide in some years but not all. Currently a five to ten day period is available to recognize injurious populations then make applications.

Sticky boards, pitfall traps, Berlese funnels sweep samples, stem bouquets, climatic variation and marking techniques were evaluated for alfalfa weevil population predictions. The prevailing climate was the most important factor controlling early adult activities. Early adult feeding and sexual development was the key to forecasting later larval populations. Regional surveys were not adequate for local control recommendations. …

Energetics Of The American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius) During Three Seasons In Northern Utah, Lucinda Haggas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Behavioral activities and predatory behavior of 18 American Kestrels (Falco sparverius, 9 males and 9 females) were observed for 350+ hours during 3 seasons (nonbreeding = Jan-Feb , breeding = mid-Mar-Apr, and postbreeding = late-Aug-Sept) in northern Utah. Daily energy expenditure (DEE) of male and female kestrels was estimated with a model that incorporated flight activity data from free-living birds and laboratory measurements on daytime and nighttime metabolic rates and energy costs of tissue production derived from captive kestrels. Production costs were included in the DEE for breeding and postbreeding kestrels.

The energy cost of gonadal growth for males (0.02 …

Genesis Of A Vertisol And An Associated Palexeroll In Northern Utah, Robert C. Graham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The genetic relationship between a Vertisol and an associated Mollisol with an argillic horizon was studied. These soils are taxadjuncts of the Hawkins and Ostler series, respectively. They occur in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah and have similar parent materials, altitudes, and slope percentages. Ostler soils have a dense cover of Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) and occur preferentially on north aspects. Mule's ear (Wyethia amplexicaulis) is the dominant vegetation on Hawkins soils, which are most frequent on south aspects. Erosion is prevalent on Hawkins soils because the mule's ear does not adequately cover the soil …

Habitat Used By Ruffed Grouse In Northern Utah, Judith L. Landry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Vegetation structure of sites used by ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) hens with brood, solitary grouse, drumming males, and nesting hens in northern Utah was measured in 1979 and 1980. Univariate statistical techniques were used to determine general habitat characteristics of each group and discriminant function analysis was applied to the data to differentiate among groups. Most nests were located in maple stands (Acer grandidentatum and A. negundo) with dense tree canopies, low shrubs, and sparse ground vegetation. Drumming logs were most commonly found in densely stocked stands of aspen (Populus tremuloides) mixed with maple or chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) having a …

Petrology Of The Middle Cambrian Blacksmith Formation, Southeastern Idaho And Northernmost Utah, David Paul Zelazek

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Blacksmith Formation of Middle Cambrian (Albertan) age was studied in southeastern Idaho and northernmost Utah. Lithology and sedimentary structures were compared with modern environments and ancient rocks to determine environments of deposition, paleo-geography, diagenetic alterations and patterns of dolomitization.

The Blacksmith Formation can be divided into five basic rock types. Rock type A has cryptalgalaminae, mudcracks, and lacks bioturbation. Rock type A is inferred to have been deposited in the upper intertidal to supratidal environment. Rock type B is extremely dolomitized and brecciated. It is inferred that rock type B was deposited in the upper intertidal to supratidal environment. …

Comparison Of The Mineralogy And Morphology Of Some Cambic And Argillic Horizons In Soils Of Northern Utah, Randal Jay Southard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The mineralogy and morphology of a soil with a cambic horizon (Stingal) and a soil with an argillic horizon (Hansel), occurring in northern Utah, were studied. Pedons representing the central concept of each of the soils were sampled by genetic horizon for laboratory analyses. Particle- size distribution, calcium carbonate equivalent, cation-exchange capacity, organic carbon , and the mineralogy of the silt, coarse clay, and fine clay fractions were determined. Thin sections of the soils were examined with a petrographic microscope. Selected peds were observed using a scanning electron microscope, and elemental analyses were made with an x-ray analyzer.

The two …

An Investigation Of The Environmental Relationships Of Selected Forest Habitat Types In Northern Utah, Penelope Morgan Lawton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It was the purpose of this study to examine an assumption basic to the forest habitat type classification system. Included in each habitat type is all land capable of supporting a single climax plant community type. In practice, land is grouped based on species camposition, relative abundance, and successional trends of the vegetation supported by the land. Land units of the same habitat type are assumed to represent similar environments. No previous critical evaluation of this assumption has been done.

Land in the study area had been previously classified under the habitat type system. Relationships between vegetation and environment were …

The Wood And Bark Biomass And Production Of Populus Tremuloides, Abies Lasiocarpa And Picea Engelmannii In Northern Utah, George L. Zimmerman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-two engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) ranging in d.b.h. from 9.4 to 84.6 cm, twenty subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) with d.b.h.'s from 8.1 to 58.8 cm, and twenty aspen (Populus tremuloides) ranging in d.b.h. from 4.5 to 48.2 cm. were destructively sampled in Northern Utah to construct wood and bark biomass and production prediction equations for above and below ground parts. These prediction equations were then applied to stand table data from 20 x 25 meter plots representing a sere that changes from subalpine meadow to aspen to fir to a 'climax' stand of spruce. …

Increased Calf Production And Returns From Improved Range And Livestock Management On A Northern Utah Ranch, Michael H. Ralphs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The operating costs for farms and ranches in the United States have increased 81 percent between 1970 and 1976. Calf prices over this same period have fluctuated dramatically and have fallen from a high of $58/cwt in 1973 to a low of $26/cwt in 1975. Since 1973, the increasing operating costs have exceeded the returns gene rated by the low calf prices and have left operators in a negative financial position. This case study has shown that the operator has increased both the scale and efficiency of his operation through improved lives tock husbandry and range improvements, yet has been …

An Overview Of The Potential Of Solar Radiation As An Energy Source For Residential Heating In Northern Utah, Peter A. Koenig

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Americans across the nation are showing an increased awareness of the problems caused by the rapid and uncontrolled growth our country has undergone over the last fifty years. It is apparent to most that we can no longer abuse our natural resources as if they were inexhaustable. In the last few years, there has been a specific concern for prices, consumption, and energy conservation. These real concerns are moving us towards a reconsideration of our living habits that will certainly affect the future of residential planning and site design.

Nitrogen Fertilization Studies In Dryland Winter Wheat And Potential Nitrogen Losses From The Soil At The Blue Creek Experimental Station In Northern Utah, Subhawat Intalop

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study compared the effects of nitrogen sources on the available inorganic soil nitrogen, nitrogen movement, nitrogen losses, and wheat yields when nitrogen fertilizers were applied to soil planted to dryland winter wheat at the Blue Creek Experimental Station in northern Utah.

In the fall 1973 soil samplings, the fertilizers producing the largest mineral nitrogen contents in the 0-30 cm soil depths were ammonium nitrate > ammonium sulfate > S-coated urea, when they were broadcast at the practical rate of 56 kg N/ha. There was no increase in the mineral nitrogen at the deeper depths in the fall or at any depth …

Ecology Of The Common Snipe In Northern Utah, Samuel C. Winegardner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study addresses five areas relating to the biology and management of common snipe (Capella gallinago), including habitat requirements, food habits, breeding biology, sexing and aging and census techniques.

The primary habitat requirement of snipe was determined to be areas that were saturated or covered with shallow water. Secondary requirements were vegetation of less than 3 decimeters in height and between 30 and 50 percent density.

Food habit studies determined that snipe selected animal material with larger and more abundant organisms being preferred without regard to species . Plant material appeared to be ingested only incidentally.

Common snipe …

Nitrogen Fertilization Studies In Dryland Winter Wheat And Potential Nitrogen Losses From The Soil At The Blue Creek Experimental Station In Northern Utah, Subhawat Intalap

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study compared the effects of nitrogen sources on the available inorganic soil nitrogen, nitrogen movement, nitrogen losses, and wheat yields when nitrogen fertilizers were applied to soil planted to dryland winter wheat at the Blue Creek Experimental Station in northern Utah.

In the fall 1973 soil samplings, the fertilizers producing the largest mineral nitrogen contents in the 0-30 cm soil depths were ammonium nitrate >ammonium sulfate > S-coated urea, when they were broadcast at the practical rate of 56 kg N/ha. There was no increase in the mineral nitrogen at the dee per depths in the fall or at any …

Aerial Photography In Estimating Waterfowl Populations In Northern Utah, Timothy H. Provan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this project was to evaluate effectiveness of aerial photography as a waterfowl census technique. An aerial photographic pattern was formulated and tested during the spring and fall months of 1971 and 1972 at Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Weber County, Utah. The reliability and feasibility of the technique for censusing waterfowl proved effective and practical.

Eight flights per season, 4 routes per flight, and 30 photos per route taken over unit 1 of the Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area was the experimental design or pattern for the study. The level of accuracy and the cost involved with …

Breeding Ecology Of The Ferruginous Hawk In Northern Utah And Southern Idaho, Richard P. Howard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forty-three and 54 Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) pairs were found occupying territories in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho during 1972 and 1973, respectively. Of these 38 and 27 nesting pairs laid eggs. Nesting success was 77.1 percent in 1972 and 74.6 percent in 1973. for successful nests, an average of 2.9 and 2.6 young hatched and 2.7 and 2.3 young fledged during the respective years. This population is reproductively comparable to others in Utah and Colorado. Analysis of prey items collected from the nests indicated that black-tailed jack-rabbits (Lepus californicus) constitute 86 percent of the biomass …

Population Biology Of The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus Californicus) In Northern Utah, L. Charles Stoddart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Population biology of the black-tailed jackrabbit population on a 250-square-mile area in Curlew Valley, northern Utah, was studied from 1962-70. During this period the fall population density index increased from 40.0 in 1962, to 60.6 in 1963, decreased progressively to a low of 21.2 in 1967, then increased the following 3 years to a high of 185.0 in 1970.

Breeding was synchronous with four conception periods each year; in some years a fifth conception period was evident. The first conception period occurred about the last half of January; other periods followed at 40-day intervals indicating a 40-day gestation period and …

Stratigraphy And Environmental Analysis Of The Swan Peak Formation And Eureka Quartzite, Northern Utah, George Gregory Francis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Swan Peak Formation in north-central Utah thickens westward, from zero feet near Logan to 687 feet in the Promontory Range. The unit is subdivided into three distinct members: 1) A lower member of interbedded shales, limestones, and quartzites; 2) A middle member of interbedded shales and brown quartzites; and 3) An upper member of white quartzites. The Swan Peak thins southward toward the east-west-trending Tooele Arch in the area of study; this thinning probably reflects both lesser deposition and greater subsequent erosion there than elsewhere. The lower member in northern Utah probably was deposited in shallow-shelf and/or traditional shoreface-shelf …

An Acculturation Study Of Japanese-American Buddhists In Northern Utah, Priscilla Tomich Timper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The primary purpose of this study was to present a sociological analysis of American Buddhism in northern Utah. Specifically, the analysis covered the acculturation changes of American Buddhism in X __ , Utah, the functions of the acculturation changes, and the effects of secularization on the Buddhists.

The findings were as follows:

1. Buddhism in X___ is becoming "American Buddhism" just as Buddhism in Japan became Japanese Buddhism.
2. Buddhism in X___ reinforces the norms and values of the X___ society but also puts a strain on social relationship by contributing to ethnocentrism and racial segregation.
3. The Buddhist Society in X___ has …

Ideal Size Of Family Among Unmarried Females In Northern Utah, Ronald B. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Preferences of the size of family and the relationship between the size of family and a number of socio-economic and demographic variables were studied among high school senior girls in three northern Utah counties by a special survey.

The questionnaire specifically designed for the study was administered between November 1967 and February 1968 in all high schools in Cache, Box Elder and Rich counties with the exception of Logan High School in Logan and Box Elder High School in Brigham City.

Two questions were used to elicit the answers on the preference of family size; one was designed to elicit …

Peddling In Northern Utah As Compared To The Continental United States, Paul J. Nye

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Oral interviews were conducted in Cache Valley pertaining to the goods and services performed by the itinerant peddler as compared with peddling in the continental United States.

Having a large inland lake such as Bear Lake brought about the peddling of fish, similar to that done on the seaboard.

The availability of goods and services rendered by the itinerant in Utah was similar to the goods and services obtainable from earlier United States peddlers.