Life Sciences Commons^™

Reintroduction Of River Otters Into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mary C. Miller

Masters Theses

Beginning in December 1988, 14 river otters were obtained from South Carolina and Louisiana, implanted with radio transmitters, and released on Little River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). A total of 896 radio locations were obtained. There were four mortalities.

Five otters established home ranges in Little River. Four otters traveled out of Little River. Of those otters, three established home ranges on the North Carolina side of GSMNP. One otter established a home range in the French Broad River outside of GSMNP. The remaining otter has not been located since its release.

After a brief period of …

Comprehension Of Role Reversal In Chimpanzees: Evidence Of Empathy?, Daniel J. Povinelli, Kurt E. Nelson, Sarah T. Boysen

Sentience Collection

Four chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, were individually trained to cooperate with a human partner on a task that allowed both participants to obtain food rewards. In each chimpanzee-human dyad, one of the participants (the informant) could see which pair of food trays on a four-choice apparatus was baited, but had no means of obtaining it. The other participant (the operator) could pull one of four handles to bring a pair of the trays within reach of both participants, but could not see which choice was correct. Two of the chimpanzees were initially trained as informants and adopted spontaneous gestures to indicate …

Ua68/6/1 Broomsedge Chronicles: Farm Living In South Central Kentucky, Wku English, Wku Glasgow

WKU Archives Records

A collection of essays written by English 100 Freshman Composition and English 200 Introduction to Literature students attending WKU Glasgow from 1983 through 1992 taught by Loretta Murrey. Student authors are: Joyce Alford, Joyce Amer, Jeff Ballard, Sandie Barrick, Jerry Bean, Shela Bingham, Brent Bledsoe, Steven Bunch, Billy Carver, Angela Cowan, Karen Decker, Betty Dillahay, Dibbie Dilley, Amy Doyel, Jeff Duncan, Craig Emmitt, Barbara England, Kathy Fancher, Amanda Gillon, Michelle Glover, Jeanelle Gooch, Faye Johnson, Celena Martin, Sonia Martin, Tracy Mathews, Ila Moody, Angela Morris, William Myatt, Judy Parker, Dorothean Powell, Maria Pulanco, Diane Rather, Jennifer Reneau, LaDarra Rich, Pam …

Vocal Recognition In Mexican Free-Tailed Bats: Do Pups Recognize Mothers?, Jonathan Balcombe, Gary F. Mccracken

Sentience Collection

Mother Mexican free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana, produce 'directive' calls while searching for pups inside cave maternity roosts. These calls consist of highly repetitive pulses of sound uttered in rapid sequence. Calls are sufficiently intense that they are perceptible above the substantial background noise within roosts at distances of at least 1m. Calls are stereotyped within individuals, and statistically discriminable between individuals. These characteristics are expected for vocalizations that function for mother-pup reunions, and are shared with directive calls described previously in other bats. Mother T. b. mexicana directive calls are statistically no less discriminable than are the isolation calls …

Nonlethal Repellents: The Development Of Cost-Effective, Practical Solutions To Agricultural And Industrial Problems, Russell Mason, Larry Clark

Larry Clark

Repellents substances and devices cause pest species to avoid otherwise attractive or palatable materials. For birds, repellents can be visual, auditory, pyrotechnic, tactile, chemosensory, physiologic, or physical. Here, we consider chemical agents only. Few substances arc registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and thus legally available for use. This lack of available bird repellent technology reflects the small demonstrable economic impact of many agricultural bird damage problems. Accurate information about damage and market size is virtually nonexistent, and private companies are reluctant to invest resources in the unknown. To successfully commercialize new repellents, clearly lucrative markets must be …

An Ecological Study Of The Cumberland Plateau Salamander, Plethodon Kentucki Mittleman, In West Virginia, Jeffrey E. Bailey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A study was conducted to determine various aspects of the ecology of Plethodon kentucki in West Virginia. Results of studies on range and distribution revealed that P. kentucki is limited to southwestern counties in West Virginia. A population of P. kentucki at Beech Fork State Park was extremely seasonal with regard to activity. Seasonal activity was not significantly correlated with air temperature, soil temperature, air relative humidity, or soil pH. Seasonal activity was significantly correlated with soil moisture. Critical Thermal Maxima and dehydration values were not significantly different between f· kentucki and its congener, P. glutinosus, thus each is equally …

Effects Of Moose Foraging On Browse Availability In New Hampshire Deer Yards, Michael T. Pruss, Peter J. Pekins

New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station Publications

Food habits of moose (Alces alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) overlap in northern New Hampshire during autumn and winter. High moose and deer densities in deer yards, where deer may be confined for extended periods, could result in competition for limited deciduous forage. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible impacts by moose on browse availability in deer yards, and the potential effects on deer. Fifteen deer yards were studied in northern New Hampshire during spring and fall, 1990-91. Unbrowsed and browsed deciduous twigs, and deer and moose pellet groups were counted on 900 permanent plots to …

Interactive Effects Of Porcine Somatotropin And The Beta-Agonist Salbutamol On Growth And Carcass Criteria Of Three Genotypes Of Swine (1992), J A. Hansen, J T. Yen, J A. Nienaber, T L. Wheeler, J Klindt, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this research was to examine the interactive effects of porcine somatotropin (pST) and the beta-agonist salbutamol on the growth and carcass characteristics of three genotypes of pigs differing in lean and fat deposition potential. Thirty-two pigs each of either 1/4 Duroc-3/4 white composite (Duroc crossbred), purebred Meishan, or 1/4 Meishan-3/4 white composite (Meishan crossbred) breeding were injected daily with 0 or 4 mg pST and fed a diet containing 0 or 2.75 ppm salbutamol for approximately 34 d and subsequently slaughtered. As the percentage Meishan in the genotype increased, loin muscle area, semitendinosus weight, average daily gain …

Sustained Effects Of Porcine Somatotropin Administered During The Growing Period On Growth And Carcass Characteristics Of Finishing Pigs (1992), G E. Fitzner, Donald H. Kropf, Robert H. Hines

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forty six barrows were fed a common diet after completing a 35 d growth trial in which 50% received 5 mg/d of pST and the other 50% a placebo injection. At the conclusion of the growing trial (130 lb), the pST-injected pigs were leaner (22%) and yielded carcasses with larger longissimus muscle area (21 %). However, pigs fed to a slaughter weight of 225 lb yielded carcasses that were not different from control pigs in length, longissimus muscle area, or belly weights. Pigs administered pST during the growing phase continued to have 10% less backfat, which resulted in a 1.6% …

Endotoxin, Ammonia, And Total And Respirable Dust In Swine Confinement Buildings: The Effect Of Recirculated Air And Respiratory Protective Masks (1992), J A. Pickrell, A J. Heber, James P. Murphy, M M. May, D Nolan, F W. Oehme, D Schoneweis, J R. Gillespie, Steven C. Henry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Caretakers and pigs in dusty environments with particles and toxic gases may sustain health consequences. We studied concentrations of ammonia, endotoxin, and total and respirable dust particles in four mechanically ventilated swine nurseries and two grower facilities using an ammonia sampler, filter, and British cyclone. In two of the nursery facilities, we determined the protection offered by respiratory masks that were mounted on glass funnels with filters or British cyclones and sampled for dust. In response to the increasing summer ventilation, large, nonrespirable particle concentrations in swine building atmospheres were reduced more completely by ventilation air movement than smaller respirable …

Effects Of The Interrelationship Of Porcine Somatotropin Administration And Dietary Phosphorus On Bone Properties In Developing Gilts (1992), T L. Weeden, J A. Hansen, K G. Friesen, B T. Richert, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seventy-two gilts (initial weight = 127 lb) were used to determine effects of the interrelationship of porcine somatotropin (pST) administration and dietary phosphorus (P) on bone mechanical properties and mineralization in finishing gilts (127 to 235 lb) and for a 35-d postfinishing phase following withdrawal of pST administration. Gilts were injected daily with placebo (control) or 4 mg pST and fed .4, .6, or .8% P in the finishing phase. When each block weight averaged 235 lb, half of the gilts were slaughtered and the first rib, femur, and third and fourth metacarpals were collected. Stress; modulus of elasticity; and …

Evaluation Of Expelled Soybean Meal In Swine Finishing Diets (1992), J L. Lauren, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Thirty crossbred fmishing gilts (initial weight = 150 lb) were used to evaluate the effects of feeding expelled soybean meal (41% analyzed CP) or conventionally extracted soybean meal (46.5% analyzed CP) on growth performance. Gilts were fed a control diet containing conventionally processed soybean meal or diets containing expelled soybean meal formulated to replace conventionally extracted soybean meal on either a guaranteed protein basis or an analyzed protein basis. Thus, the effects of possible variation in the protein content and quality of expelled soybean meal as a result of expeller processing could be established. Gilts fed either diet containing expelled …

Blood Meal Source Influences Starter Pig Performance (1992), L J. Kats, T L. Weeden, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 144 weanling pigs (initially 14.1 lb and 24 d of age) was used to compare three different blood meal sources in starter diets. The three sources included spray-dried porcine, spray-dried bovine, and flash-dried bovine blood meal. Each diet contained 10% dried whey and 2.5% of one of the three blood meal sources. Diets were formulated to contain 1.25%lysine and .31% methionine. Pigs receiving diets containing either source of spray-dried blood meal had improved average daily gain and feed efficiency during the first 2 weeks of the experiment and the overall trial compared to pigs receiving diets containing …

Use Of Whey Protein Concentrate, Dried Buttermilk, And Porcine Plasma Protein To Replace Dried Skim Milk In Diets For Weanling Pigs (1992), B T. Richert, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred thirty-two weanling pigs, with an average age of 19 d and average weight of 8.4Ib, were used in a 28-d growth assay to determine the effects of replacing dried skim milk (DSM) with dried whey protein concentrate (WPC), dried buttermilk (DBM), and spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP). Treatments were 1) 20% DSM20% dried whey-based control, 2) WPC used to replace the DSM of Diet 1, 3) DBM used to replace the DSM of Diet 1, and 4) SDPP and lactose used to replace the DSM of Diet 1. All diets were formulated to 1.4% lysine, 25% lactose, 5% fat, …

Effects Of The Interrelationship Between Dietary Lysine And Litter Size On Sow And Litter Performance (1992), J L. Laurin, R D. Anderson, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred and forty-three lactating primiparous sows were used in a study to determine the influence of four different litter sizes on the dietary lysine requirement as measured by sow and litter performance. At farrowing, sows were randomly assigned to one of three corn soybean meal diets (.67, .94, or 1.22 % lysine) and one of four litter sizes (8, 9, 10, or 11 pigs). Sows were fed 7.7, 9.9, and 12.1 IbId of their respective diet for the first, second, and third week of lactation. This provided an average daily lysine intake of 30.1, 42.2, or 54.8 gld throughout …

Computerization Of Sow Feeding And Estrous Detection - Tests Under Low-Investment Housing Conditions In Kansas (1992), R M. Blair, David A. Nichols, Duane L. Davis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In Exp. 1, weight change, backfat thickness, and litter size were compared for gilts fed individually or with a computer-controlled electronic sow feeder provided by Osborne Ind., Inc. and NEDAP-Poiesz, B.V. Twenty gilts were fed by each method, and no treatment effects were observed. In Exp. 2, electronic monitoring of visits to a boar were studied to evaluate the potential of the data to predict time of estrus. A very good correlation between boar visitation and estrous behavior was obtained. The data indicate that gilts can be fed with computercontrolled equipment under outside housing conditions in Kansas. Further, there is …

Effects Of Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma In The High Nutrient Density Diet (1992), L J. Kats, K G. Friesen, J A. Hansen, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 740 weanling pigs was used in three separate experiments to evaluate the effects of additions of spray-dried porcine plasma in the HNDD starter diet. In Trial 1, 534 weanling pigs (initially 14.1 lb and 21 d of age) were used to evaluate various levels of spray-dried porcine plasma. Pigs were assigned to one of six experimental diets with either 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10% spray-dried porcine plasma replacing dried skim milk. Pigs were fed this diet for the first 14 days postweaning, when they were switched to a common phase II diet (d 14 to …

The Influence Of Genotype, Sex, And Dietary Lysine On Subprimal Cut Distribution Of 230 And 280 Lb. Finishing Pigs (1992), B L. Dunn, K G. Friesen, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, John A. Unruh

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred sixteen pigs were used to determine effects of the interrelationship among genotype, sex, and dietary lysine on subprimal cut distribution of pigs fed to 230 and 280 lb. In a 2 X 2 X 2 factorial arrangement, barrows and gilts, previously characterized as having either high or medium lean-gain potential, were fed one of two dietary lysine regimens. One pig per pen was slaughtered when the mean weight of pigs in a pen reached 230 lb and the remaining two pigs were fed until the mean weight reached 280 lb. When fed to either 230 or 280 lb, …

The Influence Of Genotype, Sex, And Dietary Lysine On Carcass Quality Characteristics Of 230 And 280 Lb Finishing Pigs (1992), S R. Stuewe, K G. Friesen, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, John A. Unruh

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When pigs were fed to 230 Ib, high-lean genotype loin eyes had less visual marbling and a higher saturation index (more vivid or intense color) than medium-lean genotype loin eyes. Loin eye chops from high-lean gilts had greater cooking losses and WarnerBratzler shear values (mechanically tougher) than those from high-lean barrows and medium-lean barrows and gilts. When pigs were fed to 280 Ib, medium-lean genotype loin eyes had a lighter color visually and indicated by Hunter L* values, more marbling, less firmness, more moisture exudate, and a higher chop thaw loss than high-lean loin eyes. Barrow loin eyes had more …

Comparison Of Oral Iron And Injectable Iron For The Prevention Of Iron Deficiency Anemia In Baby Pigs (1992), K B. Beeman, D A. Schoneweis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One of two oral iron compounds or an injectable iron (100 mg iron per treatment) were administered to pigs on d 1 and 15 postfarrowing, and they were compared with untreated littermates. There was no significant difference between the pigs receiving the oral iron and the negative controls in serum iron or total iron binding capacity. Pigs that received iron by injection had higher serum iron and packed cell volume and a lower total iron binding capacity compared with pigs given oral iron or untreated controls.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 19, 1992

Extruded Sorghum And Soybeans For Nursery Pigs (1992), B T. Richert, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of extruding sorghum and soybeans for weanling pigs. The first experiment involved 66 piglets with an average age of 19 d and average weight of 10.8 lb. Two diets were fed in meal form. Treatment 1 was ground sorghum mixed with extruded soybeans, and Treatment 2 was prepared by extruding the mixture of ground sorghum and extruded soybeans. Extrusion of the sorghum-soybeans mixture increased average daily gain (ADG) and improved feed/gain (F/G) for d 0 to 14 and overall (d o to 28) compared to the ground sorghum treatment. In Exp. 2, …

Record-Keeping Systems For Beef Safety And Feedlot Health (1992), C.D. Cranwell, D.D. Simms

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Three hundred nine feedlots were mailed questionnaires to ascertain the types of recordkeeping systems currently being used to monitor health programs and FDA-specified treatment withdrawal times. Microcomputer systems were of special interest. Approximately one third of the feedlots responded. A majority with a one-time feeding capacity of more than 10,000 head were using a microcomputer record-keeping system, whereas most of those with fewer than 10,000 head used a manual, paper-based system. Those feedlots using computerized record-keeping systems had purchased their software package from one of five companies. Managers felt these software packages were adequate for billing customers, monitoring pharmaceutical inventory …

Influence Of Fat And Monensin Levels On Performance Of Finishing Steers (1992), Robert T. Brandt Jr., Ronald V. Pope

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

To evaluate effects and potential interaction of supplemental fat (0 to 4% tallow) and monensin (0, 20, 40 g/ton) in a corn-based finishing diet, 96 Continental crossbred steers (860 lb) were used in a 2x3 factorially arranged randomized complete block design. Consumption by steers fed the 0% fat diet decreased linearly (P<.0001) with increased monensin level, whereas consumption by steers fed 4% fat diets decreased curvilinearly (P<.08), indicating that monensin depressed intake much less when the diet contained fat. Daily gain decreased linearly (P<.02) with increased monensin level for steers fed no supplemental fat, but remained constant in steers fed 4% fat. Feed efficiency was improved (P<.025) by 4% fat across levels of monensin. This study provides further evidence of interactions between monensin and supplemental fat in effects on animal performance.

Effect Of Presponse® On The Gain And Health Of Long-Hauled, Newly Arrived Calves (1992), F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Five hundred mixed-breed steer and bull calves (246 lbs) were divided into two treatment groups, with one group receiving a new Pasteurella haemolytica vaccine (Presponse®) at arrival. There was no difference between groups in terms of gain, mortality, or morbidity during the 32-day receiving study. The Presponse group required fewer (P<.09) medication days per animal purchased, resulting in $1.68 less drug cost per head than the control group.

Comparison Of Feeding Calves Vs. Yearlings (1992), D.T. Hickok, R.R. Schalles, D.E. Franke, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Data from the 207 crossbred steers used in this study indicate that when calves are placed in the feedlot on a finishing ration at weaning, they will have better feed efficiencies, greater lifetime ADGs, lighter carcass weights, and equal carcass qualities compared to those placed as yearlings. In recent times, heavy carcass weights have been rather common in the industry. Every over-weight steer had a desirable weight at one time, and this study shows that they would have produced a desirable carcass if managed correctly.

Losses From Top Spoilage In Corn And Forage Sorghum Silages In Horizontal Silos (1992), J.T. Dickerson, K.K. Bolsen, B.E. Brent, C. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn and forage sorghum silages were stored in small (simulated), farm-scale, bunker silos for 180 days, and dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) losses; fermentation characteristics; and temperatures were measured at 10, 20, and 30 inches from the original silage surface. Sealing the exposed surface significantly increased DM and OM recoveries in both crops, regardless of depth. Immediate sealing preserved more DM and OM than delayed sealing, particularly at the 10-in. depth. The unsealed silages from both crops maintained dramatically higher temperatures within the top 3 ft. than sealed silages. As expected, the unsealed silages deteriorated completely at 10- …

Variation In The Quality Of Forage Grazed By Pregnant/Lactating Beef Cows At Key Periods In The Year (1992), E.S. Vanzant, R.C. Cochran, T.A. Stanley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seven ruminal and esophageally fistulated crossbred beef cows were used to monitor changes in chemical composition of tallgrass-prairie forage selected during November of 1989 and January, March, June, and August of 1990. Quality of forage selected by beef cows was lowest during the period just before calving (cows calved in early February) but had begun to improve by the March sampling (postpartum period) and reached its peak during June sampling period (breeding season). Observed variability in the fiber and protein components of grazed forage highlights the dynamic nature of forage quality and emphasizes the importance of using such information when …

Short-Run Impact Of Captive Supplies On Fed Cattle Prices (1992), J. Mintert, R. Jones, F. Brazle, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Factors affecting western Kansas fed cattle prices during May through November 1990 were investigated. In particular, the impact of changes in captive cattle supplies on cash prices was examined. The term captive cattle supplies refers to cattle procured by a packer well in advance of slaughter. Captive supplies take one of three forms: 1) packer-owned cattle, 2) cattle procured on forward contracts, and 3) cattle procured under formula price (or marketing) agreements. Captive supplies were defined as cattle procured under forward contracts or formula price agreements, because data on packer-owned cattle were unavailable. Over the May through November 1990 period …

Comparison Of Feedlot And Carcass Characteristics Of Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Charolais, And Gelbvieh Crossbred Steers (1992), D.T. Hickok, R.R. Schalles, D.E. Franke, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feedlot performance of 207 steers with various percentages of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Brahman, and Gelbvieh breeding were compared at a constant 1) days fed, 2) adjusted carcass backfat, and 3) slaughter weight. As the percentage of Angus, Hereford, or Brahman increased, growth rate decreased, whereas increasing the percentage of Charolais increased growth rate. Increasing the percentage of Gelbvieh increased weaning weight but had little effect on post-weaning gains. Increasing percentage of Charolais increased feed conversion efficiency, whereas the other breeds were similar, except that at a constant slaughter weight, greater percentage of Hereford improved feed conversion efficiency. Increasing the percentage …

Evaluation Of Inoculant And Npn Silage Additives: A Summary Of 26 Trials And 65 Farm-Scale Silages (1992), K.K. Bolsen, R.N. Sonon, B. Dalke, Ronald V. Pope, Jack G. Riley, A. Laytimi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Results from 26 trials comparing fermentation, dry matter (DM) recovery, and effects on cattle performance of inoculated or nonprotein nitrogen (NPN)-treated silages vs. controls were summarized using paired t-test analysis. Inoculants consistently improved fermentation efficiency, DM recovery, feed conversion, and gain per ton of crop ensiled in both corn and forage sorghum silages. The use of NPN, particularly urea or anhydrous ammonia, adversely affected fermentation efficiency, DM recovery, avg daily gain, and gain per ton of crop ensiled, particularly for the higher moisture forage sorghums.