Education Commons^™

G85-748 Prevention And Control Of Swine Dysentery, Gerald E. Duhamel, Alex Hogg, Barbara E. Straw

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the causes and symptoms of swine dysentery and offers management recommendations and treatment procedures for its prevention and control.

Swine dysentery is a highly contagious disease of growing and finishing pigs. First described in Indiana in 1921, it has been called black scours, bloody scours, and vibrionic dysentery.

Swine dysentery causes important financial losses because of reduced feed efficiency and lower weight gain, costs of medication and additional animal care, and death. Substantial costs may result from loss of sales of breeding stock, or depopulation when necessary. Serpula (Treponema) hyodysenteriae, a spiral bacterium, is the cause …

Knox-Wise Family Papers - Accession 591, Knox-Wise

Manuscript Collection

The Knox-Wise Family Papers includes a land grant issued to John Knox in 1768; diaries written by Dr. John Knox [1792-1859] covering the 1840s and 1850s; James N. Knox [1806-1880] covering 1859-1880; and William D. Knox [1847-1928] covering 1869-1928; indentures, deeds, receipts, court summonses and other papers of Hugh Knox [1757-1821], sheriff and justice of the peace in Chester County, South Carolina (ca. 1780s and 1790s); correspondence of James N. Knox, correspondence, and other professional papers of Dr. John Knox; correspondence, and other papers of William D. Knox, Superintendent of Education in Chester County from 1896-1928. Papers of various other …

G84-723 Maximizing The Use Of Farm Strip Plots, John Havlin, Roger Wesley Elmore

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Strip plots are an effective means of comparing soil and crop management practices. Guidelines are given for establishing strip plots and evaluating the results. Farmers, extension and industry personnel, and researchers have a common interest in strip plots set out on farm fields to study various soil and crop management practices. Strip plots or tests are usually designed to compare differences between tillage methods, herbicide treatments, varieties, fertilizer sources or rates, methods of chemical application, and many other crop production inputs. Strip tests established in farmer fields could satisfy wider interests, and conceivably yield more useful information, if the planners …

G84-702 Root And Soil Analayses For Nematodes In Corn, David S. Wysong, Eric D. Kerr

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to interpret laboratory results of samples submitted for nematode analysis and discusses ten species that are potentially damaging to corn.

Several kinds of plant parasitic nematodes (small, soil-inhabiting roundworms) are associated with root injury, poor plant color, stunted growth, and reduced grain yields in field corn. Symptoms caused by these pests are often confused with root rot diseases, nutritional deficiencies or climatic stresses. Special laboratory analyses are, therefore, necessary to determine if nematodes are the primary cause of reduced corn performance. Since corn growers may be unfamiliar with nematode diseases, the following discussion of laboratory reports …

G84-711 Managing The Home Goose Breeder Flock, Earl W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides basic information on breed selection, sexing, housing and equipment needed, feeding, breeding, egg care and incubation for the home goose flock.

The goose has been almost completely ignored in the rapid technical developments that have occurred in other parts of the poultry industry in the past 25 years. Experimental work with the domestic goose has been very limited. This means that management recommendations that are pertinent today may not be in the future.

G84-713 Brooding And Rearing The Home Goose Flock, Earl W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses brooding and rearing small geese flocks, including feeding from starter to growing and finishing on pasture, and slaughter, cleaning and processing procedures.

Goose growers in general have not been caught up in the ultra- efficient feed utilization trends that have developed in other parts of the poultry meat industry. This may be due to of the fact that the geese are good foragers. Understandably, growers have concluded that a considerable saving in prepared feeds can be achieved by rearing the birds on pasture. Even without special foods, the goose is more rapid growing than other domestic species …

G84-714 Estimating Ag Lime Quality, Delno Knudson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses how to calculate lime quality based on material purity and fineness and how this relates to application rates and recommendations.

The effectiveness of a liming material for correcting soil acidity depends on two factors — purity and fineness. These two factors, along with water content, must be considered in determining how much lime to apply per acre.

G84-725 Measuring Harvest Loss Of Dry Edible Beans, John A. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to measure losses before, during and after harvest operations, so that problems can be corrected and losses reduced. Harvesting dry edible beans in Nebraska normally includes three separate field operations--cutting, rodding or windrowing, and combining--over a period of three to seven days. The success of these operations is very dependent on equipment selection and adjustment, weather and field conditions, and operator skill.

G84-701 Septoria Leaf Blotch Of Wheat, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the symptoms and disease cycle of this wheat disease, and provides recommendations for its control.

Two species of Septoria fungi infect winter wheat in Nebraska. Septoria tritici and S. avenae f. sp. triticea cause Septoria leaf blotch. This disease is also known as "Septoria tritici blotch," "Septoria leaf spot," "Septoria blotch," "Speckled leaf blotch" or as the "Septoria complex" since both Septoria species may be present in the same fields and on the same plants.

G83-683 Quality Concrete For Swine Facilities, David P. Shelton, Gerald R. Bodman, Thomas A. Silletto

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the major items to consider when using concrete for swine facilities to help assure that quality concrete is obtained.

Concrete is widely used to construct swine production facilities. Versatility, durability, and relatively low cost are characteristics that make it ideally suited for floors, walls, foundations, pen dividers, and manure storage structures. With appropriate design, concrete can even be used for the building roof and feeders. There are, however, certain major items to consider to help assure quality concrete and years of reliable service regardless of the specific use.

G83-674 Hazardous Waste Management Requirements For Pesticide Applicators (Revised November 1987), Edward F. Vitzthum, Roger E. Gold, Emery W. Nelson, Larry D. Schulze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide is to inform Nebraska pesticide applicators about selected provisions of federal and state hazardous waste laws and regulations.

Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) because of widespread indiscriminate disposal of hazardous chemicals. Under provisions of that law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established national standards for proper management of hazardous wastes. "Management," as EPA uses the term, includes generating, transporting, storing, treating and disposing of hazardous waste.

G82-626 Air Properties: Temperature And Relative Humidity, David P. Shelton, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to use a simplified psychrometric chart to better understand the relationships between air temperature and relative humidity.

Air is a vital component of our everyday lives. Air properties are important whether we are ventilating a livestock housing unit, drying grain, or determining relative humidity in the home. In a livestock building, temperature, moisture, odors, and toxic or noxious gases must be controlled. Since the moisture holding capacity of air increases with increasing temperature, heat may be added in grain drying to aid in removing moisture from the grain kernel. In the home, moisture can either be …

G81-541 The Home Laying Flock, Part I Getting Started, Earl W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide tells what is involved in starting a home laying flock.

Home egg operations have maintained popularity in Nebraska. These small flocks provide a means for producing high quality food at home. They also provide the opportunity for young people to learn the responsibility of caring for animals. A well planned, well managed home flock can be a source of personal pleasure and sometimes a source of low-cost eggs.

G81-551 Ecofarming: Spring Row Crop Planting And Weed Control In Winter Wheat Stubble, Gail A. Wicks, Norman L. Klocke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Weed control, stubble management and planters for planting in winter wheat stubble are covered here.

Planting corn, sorghum or soybeans into untilled, weed-free winter wheat stubble that is 10 months old is an accepted practice in the Central Great Plains States. In Nebraska, this system is known as ecofallow. Treating the stubble with herbicides following wheat harvest (ecofallow) offers several advantages:

Weed and volunteer wheat growth can be eliminated. Weed growth robs valuable moisture that could be used by the next year's crop.

Standing stubble provides an excellent snow trap during the winter. Snow melt can provide moisture for the …

G81-546 Ecofarming: Fallow Aids In Winter Wheat-Fallow Rotation, Gail A. Wicks, Charles R. Fenster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the use of ecofarming to control weeds and manage crop residues.

Ecofarming is defined as a system of controlling weeds and managing crop residues throughout a crop rotation with minimum use of tillage so as to reduce soil erosion and production costs while increasing weed control, water infiltration, moisture conservation and crop yields. Energy requirements are much lower with ecofallow than with normal fallow systems. The ecofallow period in the 3-year rotation is the period between wheat or other small grain harvest and the planting of corn or sorghum. The fallow period in the 2-year rotation occurs …

G81-556 Using The California Mastitis Test (Cmt) To Detect Subclinical Mastitis, Duane N. Rice

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Apparently healthy cows can harbor subclinical mastitis, which creates tremendous loss in milk production. This NebGuide offers a method for detecting this disease.

The dairyman is generally aware of clinical mastitis because it can be seen as changes in the milk, swollen udder and other signs exhibited by the cow. Compared with subclinical mastitis, clinical mastitis is much less costly, is of short duration, tends to be an individual cow problem, and is detected without special tests.

Unfortunately, the apparently healthy cow can harbor subclinical mastitis, which creates tremendous loss in milk production. A cow with subclinical mastitis does not …

G80-489 Feeding The Beef Cow Herd--Part I Factors Affecting The Cow Nutrition Program, Richard J. Rasby, Ivan G. Rush

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Considerations for getting the most from your beef cow herd are covered in this NebGuide, including calving season, factors affecting nutrient requirements, cow rations and more.

Feed costs are the greatest expense in keeping a cow herd, and the nutrition program dictates reproductive performance. The ultimate goal for a cow/calf manager is to keep feed costs low, but still meet the nutrient requirements of the cow herd so reproductive performance is not impaired. Once these two factors are balanced, producers, through new genetics of added growth or milk production, can match increased weaning weight with the most economical feed resources …

G80-526 The Effect Of Weather On Corn: Preseason Precipitation And Yield Of Unirrigationed Corn, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide examines the results of studies done on the effects of weather on unirrigationd corn.

Studies of the effects of weather on unirrigationd corn in Nebraska between 1950 and 1974 show the following four factors to be closely related to yield:

Technology--the availability of better hybrids, nitrogen fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides and other improvements have resulted in a yield increase averaging 1.3 bushel per acre per year since 1950.

Preseason precipitation--that which occurred between September 1 and May 15 had a beneficial effect. Yield increased on the average of 1.1 bushel per acre for each inch that preseason precipitation was …

G80-509 Canada Thistle, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The growth and control of Canada thistle is covered here.

Canada thistle plant

Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L) Scop.] is a native of Eurasia and was probably introduced to America around 1750. Since that time it has spread throughout the northern part of the United States. Canada thistle is estimated to infest 800,000 acres in northern and western Nebraska.

A perennial that reproduces from seed and by an extensive root system, Canada thistle is dioecious, with the male and female flowers on separate plants. For viable seed to be produced, both male and female plants need to be present.

G80-500 Ecofarming: Selection Of Tractor Mounted Or Pull-Type Sprayers, Norman L. Klocke, G. A. Wicks, R. Fenster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Uniform application of dependable herbicides in the ecofarming program is a key to its success. A good sprayer is needed to accomplish this, and not every new sprayer available will do the job. The following sprayer components should be checked carefully: pump, tank, tank agitation, flow-control assembly, strainers and screens, distribution system (including boom), and nozzles. Each of the components is important if the sprayer is to do an accurate and uniform job of application.

G80-488 Spring And Summer Black Stem Diseases Of Alfalfa (Revised June 1992), John E. Watkins, Fred A. Gray

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Spring and summer black stem of alfalfa, their causes, symptoms, and control are discussed.

Of the two black stem diseases found in the central and northern Great Plains, spring black stem predominates summer black stem. Both are damaging when weather conditions favor their development. Although their symptoms differ, each causes spotting and darkening of stems and spotting of leaves.

G79-445 Soybean Variety Selection, Leroy V. Svec

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide has information on soybean characteristics that should be considered before selecting a variety to plant.

Soybean characteristics that need to be considered in making the selection of a variety to plant include maturity, yield potential, plant type, height, seed size, emergence score, lodging, shattering, and disease and insect resistance. Many years are required to develop a new variety from the time an initial cross of soybeans is made until the time seed is available on a widespread basis. The advance of a potential variety through the early generations may be accomplished with only a few seeds of the …

G79-430 Oat Production In Nebraska (Revised March 1992), Russell Moomaw, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Information is provided for various oat production practices including seed selection, fertilizing, planting, weed control and harvest. Oats were among the first crops grown by pioneers who settled eastern Nebraska. As recently as 1950, Nebraska produced 2.7 million acres of oats. Acreage has declined steadily, however, and in 1990 there were just 300,000 acres. Oats are grown throughout the state, with the majority being in eastern Nebraska where the cool, moist climate provides for the best growth. The feed value of oats also favors its production in northeast Nebraska where swine, dairy cattle, and beef cattle production are heavy. An …

G79-429 Tan Spot Disease Of Wheat (Revised June 1993), John E. Watkins, Robert N. Klein, Eric D. Kerr

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the development of tan spot disease in wheat and gives recommendations for controlling it by means of crop rotation, fungicides and good crop residue management.

Tan spot, caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a major leafspot disease of winter wheat in the Great Plains of North America. It has become an increasing problem in wheat cropping systems using conservation tillage. Although tan spot can be a serious threat by itself, it more often occurs as a part of a foliar disease complex involving tan spot, leaf rust and Septoria leaf blotch. Usually tan spot symptoms …

G77-357 Selecting Alfalfa Varieties For Nebraska (Revised December 1997), Bruce Anderson, Michael Trammell, Patrick E. Reece

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Yield potential, pest resistance and seed price all should be considered in selecting alfalfa varieties in Nebraska. This NebGuide discusses them.

The most important variety decision made on many farms and ranches is the selection of alfalfa. The choice of alfalfa variety affects production for three to 10 or more years, whereas varieties of annual crops can be changed every year.

Many alfalfa varieties are available from private and public plant breeders. Over the years, yield trials conducted at widely distributed Nebraska locations have tested most varieties sold in the state.

G77-382 Right Crop Stage For Herbicide Use Corn, Sorghum, Small Grains (Revised May 1992), Drew J. Lyon, Robert G. Wilson Jr., Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Herbicides recommended for postemergence application in corn, sorghum, and small grains are discussed in this NebGuide. Proper timing of postemergence herbicides is essential to achieve maximum weed control and minimum crop injury. As field crops grow and mature, their tolerance to herbicides changes. As a general rule, annual and biennial weeds are more susceptible to postemergence herbicides when they are in the seedling stage. As they mature they become increasingly difficult to control, facing the grower with the problem of when to apply the herbicide to achieve the least crop injury and the most satisfactory weed control. Field crops differ …

G76-284 Hand Signals For Agriculture, Rollin D. Schnieder

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide contains hand signals useful for communicating around noisy equipment and from a distance.

Throughout history, man has devised methods of contacting others who were out of voice range or who could not be heard because of excess noise. The Indians were skilled at using smoke signals or by imitating some form of wildlife such as the owl or coyote.

The early explorers used other signs to guide them. The slashing of bark on trees or sticks pointed in a certain direction were keys for keeping the persons from getting lost or for others to follow.

The railroad used …

Ec76-1741 Christmas Trees: A Management Guide, Donald E. Janssen, Neal E. Jennings

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

In America the decorated Christmas tree has become an accepted tradition. Christmas would seem barren to most people without it. Raising Christmas trees is a growing industry and has proven to be a profitable use of land if high-quality, salable trees are produced.

Planting, managing, and harvesting Christmas trees is a high labor, high risk endeavor. Here is a list of questions. If you can answer "yes" to every one, you will be a successful Christmas tree grower.

Are you willing to plant trees every April?

Are you willing to shear or prune every tree, every year (mid-June to mid-July) …

G74-142 Harvesting And Preserving Hay Crop Silage, Rick Grant, Rick Stock

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes principles of successful hay crop harvest, silage preservation, management techniques to obtain high quality hay crop silage, and proper use of silage storage facilities.

Most hay (legume and grass) crops can be ensiled, or made into silage, successfully. For best feeding value and preservation, consider the special requirements for ensiling each crop.

Hays to be ensiled should be selected on the basis of economics. Which are the most profitable for supplying nutrients? For example, legumes have a relatively higher value for dairy herds than for beef finishing operations because of dairy cows' higher requirement for protein.

G74-165 Understand Your Soil Test: Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Copper, Chlorine, Molybdenum, Delno Knudsen, K.D. Frank

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

It is possible to analyze soil samples for any of the 13 essential elements which plants obtain from the soil. This does not mean that the results obtained can be used to predict adequacy or deficiency for plant growth.

The value obtained from any chemical procedure used to determine each element must be shown to be related to (1) crop response from application of that element (correlation) and (2) the soil test level at which response occurs (calibration). Crop response is usually measured as yield, but may also be a quality factor. Field plot and greenhouse research are used to …