Life Sciences Commons^™

Value And Use Of Artificial Insemination By Beef Producers, S. K. Johnson, Garland R. Dahlke

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Artificial insemination and estrous synchronization remain underutilized by U.S. beef producers. The most recent National Animal Health Monitoring Survey (NAHMS 2007–08) reported that 7.6% of producers used artificial insemination and 7.9% used estrous synchronization. The most common reason cited for not using these reproductive technologies was time and labor, followed by cost and difficulty. Little information is available on actual management practices used by producers who do use these technologies and their value to such operations.

East Central Kansas Experiment Field Introduction, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The research program at the East Central Kansas Experiment Field is designed to keep area crop producers abreast of technological advances in agronomic agriculture. Specific objectives are to (1) identify top-performing varieties and hybrids of wheat, corn, soybean, and grain sorghum; (2) establish the amount of tillage and crop residue cover needed for optimum crop production; (3) evaluate weed and disease control practices using chemical, no chemical, and combination methods; and (4) test fertilizer rates, timing, and application methods for agronomic proficiency and environmental stewardship.

Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2013, late planting resulted in corn yields that were less than 100 bu/a. Nitrogen (N) placement did not affect yields in the higher-yielding conventional tillage system, but knifing tended to result in greater yield in reduced and no-till systems.

Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Overall in 2014, adding nitrogen (N) improved average wheat yields, but different N placement methods resulted in similar yields. Double-crop soybean yields were unaffected by tillage or the residual from N treatments that were applied to the previous wheat crop.

Identification Of Yield-Limiting Factors In Southeast Kansas Cropping Systems, G. F. Sassenrath, X. Lin, D. E. Shoup

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crop performance and yield within production fields varies as a function of growing environment and soil properties within the field. Components contributing to yield in corn, wheat, and soybean production were examined through on-farm measurements of soil properties in southeast Kansas. Additional tests in research plots explored components contributing to yield in greater detail. Environmental variability between the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons contributed to differences in yield. Additional variability in soil parameters influenced crop performance, particularly for soils high in clay content.

Improving Yield Stability And Resiliency Of Agronomic Production Systems In Southeast Kansas, G. F. Sassenrath, J. K. Farney, Deann Presley, C. Davis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil health is a critical determinant of crop performance. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties can be modified through production practices such as tillage. Use of cover crops has been shown to benefit soil health and may improve productive capacity of soils. High rainfall and intense crop production practices limit the ability to implement cover crops in current production systems in southeast Kansas. This study explores potential management of cover crops and their contribution to soil health, crop productivity, and animal grazing.

Weather Information For Tribune, H. D. Bond, R. Mai

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tribune, Kansas: In 2014, annual precipitation of 16.31 in. was recorded, which is 1.59 in. below normal. Seven months had below-normal precipitation. June (3.61 in.) was the wettest month. The largest single amount of precipitation was 1.54 in. on July 30.

Fallow Replacement Crop (Cover Crops, Annual Forages, And Short-Season Grain Crops) Effects On Available Soil Water, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell, I. Kisekka, A. Obour

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing cover crops and reducing fallow. Limited information is available on growing crops in place of fallow in the semiarid Great Plains. Between 2012 and 2015, spring cover, annual forage, and grain crops were grown in place of fallow in a no-till wheat-grain sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation in southwest Kansas. Growing a cover, hay, or grain crop in place of fallow reduced the amount of stored soil moisture at wheat planting. On average, cover crops stored slightly more moisture than hay crops, but this soil moisture difference did not affect wheat yields. Soil moisture after grain crops …

Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing forages, yet the southwest region of Kansas lacks proven recommended crop rotations such as those for grain crops. Forage production is important to the region’s livestock and dairy industries and is becoming increasingly important as irrigation well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. A study was initiated in 2013 comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-till and minimum-till (min-till). Data presented are from 2013 through 2014. Winter triticale yields were not affected by tillage in 2013 but were increased …

Wheat Stubble Height On Subsequent Corn And Grain Sorghum Crops, A. Schlegel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field study initiated in 2006 was designed to evaluate the effects of three wheat stubble heights on subsequent grain yields of corn and grain sorghum. Corn yields in 2014 were similar to the long-term average, while sorghum yields were greater than the long-term average. Taller cut stubble in 2014 increased biomass production of corn and yield for grain sorghum. When averaged across 2007 through 2014, corn grain yields were 9 bu/a greater when planted into either tall or strip-cut stubble than into low-cut stubble. Average grain sorghum yields were not significantly affected by wheat stubble height. Water use efficiency …

Fallow Weed Control With Preemergence Tank Mixes Of Sharpen, Zidua, Sencor, Banvel, Atrazine, Balance Pro, And Corvus, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

With the exception of the tank mix of Sharpen and Sencor, all other tank mixes that provided 100% kochia control 53 days after treatment (DAT) were three-way tank mixes of atrazine herbicide plus, Banvel, and Balance Pro or Zidua. Only two tank mixes provided 98% kochia control 143 DAT. These were also three-way tank mixes of these chemistries. Combinations of Balance Pro and Sencor were needed to provide greater than 93% control of Russian thistle 143 DAT. No tank mix provided good control of Palmer amaranth 143 DAT. However, tank mixes of Sharpen, Sencor, and Zidua provided 84% control 143 …

Evaluation Of Colorants On ‘Sharpshooter’ And ‘Cody’ Buffalograss, R. Braun, J. Fry, M. Kennelly, D. Bremer, J. Griffin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Turf colorants effectively enhanced green color of dormant buffalograss. Using a higher application rate or adding a midwinter application helped longevity of color. Colorants increased canopy temperatures more consistently than soil temperatures, which may encourage earlier spring greenup.

Dormant Turfgrass Paint And Glyphosate Application Timing Effects On Annual Bluegrass And Tall Fescue Control, J. Hoyle, J. Reeves

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Excellent annual bluegrass control can be achieved with dormant glyphosate and glyphosate + Endurant treatments applied November through February. The addition of Endurant to glyphosate in early applications (November and December) increases tall fescue control.

Swine Day 2015 Supplements, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

It is with great pleasure that we present the 2015 Swine Industry Day Report of Progress. This report contains updates and summaries of applied and basic research conducted at Kansas State University during the past year. We hope that the information will be of benefit as we attempt to meet the needs of the Kansas swine industry.

Guanidinoacetic Acid As A Precursor Of Creatine For Cattle, M. Ardalan, E. Batista, C. Armendariz, E. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Creatine serves as an energy-storing molecule in muscle, and in mammals it can be synthesized in the liver from guanidinoacetic acid (GAA). With this study, we evaluated whether GAA supplementation would lead to creatine production in cattle similarly to other species. Because the synthesis of creatine from GAA requires the use of a methyl group, we also evaluated the effect of supplementing methionine, as a methyl group donor, on the synthesis of creatine.
Supplemental GAA did increase plasma concentrations of creatine. Also, blood concentrations of arginine, a precursor to GAA, were increased by GAA supplementation, suggesting that arginine use for …

Evaluation Of Calcium Hydroxide-Treated Stover (Second Crop) In Receiving And Growing Diets And Effects On Cattle Performance, T. Spore, S. Montgomery, C. Vahl, B. E. Oleen, W. R. Hollenbeck, J. W. Waggoner, J. Hill, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Production of ethanol from corn as an alternative fuel source has significantly affected the pricing landscape for corn as an energy source for livestock. As ethanol usage has become more prevalent, corn prices have become more volatile, especially in critical corn-growing areas that have been affected by drought. Consequently, many beef cattle feeders have become interested in alternative energy sources in an effort to control cost of gain. Second Crop (ADM Corp., Decatur, IL) is a process in which calcium hydroxide is added to fibrous crop residues, such as wheat straw and corn stover. When applied to low-quality roughages, calcium …

Efficacy Of Anthem, Anthem Atz, Solstice, Keystone Nxt, Corvus, And Surestart Ii In Glyphosate-Resistant Irrigated Corn, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The best treatments provided excellent green foxtail, crabgrass, or shattercane control. All treatments dramatically increased corn yield compared to the control.

Evaluating The Effect Of Manufacturing Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (Pedv)-Contaminated Feed On Subsequent Feed Mill Environmental Surface Contamination, L. L. Schumacher, R. A. Cochrane, C. E. Evans, J. R. Kalivoda, J. C. Woodworth, C. R. Stark, C. K. Jones, Rodger G. Main, Jianqiang Zhang, S. S. Dritz, Phillip Charles Gauger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study aimed to utilize the only known pilot feed mill facility approved for pathogenic feed agent use in the United States to evaluate the effect of manufacturing Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV)-contaminated feed on subsequent feed mill environmental surface contamination. In this study, PEDV inoculated feed was manufactured and conveyed on equipment along with four subsequent batches of PEDV-free feed. Equipment and environmental surfaces were sampled using swabs and analyzed for the presence of PEDV RNA by PCR. The experiment was replicated three times with decontamination of the feed mill and all equipment between replications. Overall, environmental swabs indicated …

Grain Sorghum Yield Response To Water Availability, J. P. Broeckelman, G. J. Kluitenberg, K. Roozeboom, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Yield effects of irrigation on sorghum and corn were compared, focusing only on the grain sorghum phase. Average water use for irrigation was 22 in., and dryland sorghum used 17 in. Average yields based on 12.5% grain moisture for dryland and irrigated sorghum were similar, with 138 bu/a for the irrigated and 142 bu/a for the dryland environment. Irrigated sorghum yields were similar, but in dryland, the Pioneer 84G62 hybrid yielded 149 bu/a, a 10 bu/a increase over Pioneer 84Y50 and DKS 53-67 hybrids, which yielded 139 bu/a and 138 bu/a, respectively. Although there was a difference in the yield …

Surface Runoff Characteristics From Claypan Soil In Southeastern Kansas Receiving Different Plant Nutrient Sources And Tillage, D. W. Sweeney, Philip Barnes, Gary Pierzynski

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Preliminary results show that two-year average total nitrogen (N) runoff losses and ortho-phosphorus (P) and total P runoff losses in the second year were greater with N-based turkey litter/no-till applications than P-based turkey litter or fertilizer-only applications. Incorporation of turkey litter applied based on N requirements resulted in N and P losses that did not differ from losses from P-based or fertilizer-only treatments. Chemical and statistical analyses of third-year samples will allow for final results and interpretation.

Application Of Alternative Floor Space Prediction Equations Using Microsoft Excel®, J. R. Flohr, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The following information is related to the use of a spreadsheet tool designed to estimate the growth rate of finishing pigs provided varying floor space allowances. The spreadsheet is broken into four sections: 1) the adjustment observation section, 2) the estimate input section, 3) the database range information, and 4) the predicted performance output. Sections 1 and 2 allow users to input information to adjust the prediction equations to specific herd growth rates as well as information needed to calculate the growth rate estimates for different floor space allowances. This tool allows producers to utilize the prediction equations without having …

Soybean Planting Date × Maturity Group: Eastern Kansas Summary, I. A. Ciampitti, D. E. Shoup, G. Sassenrath, J. Kimball, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Optimum planting time for soybean depends on the interaction between genotype and environment (G × E). Four field studies were conducted during the 2014 growing season across eastern Kansas (Manhattan, Topeka, Ottawa, and Parsons). This study explores the impact of planting date (early, mid, and late planting times) on yield for modern soybean cultivars from a range of maturity groups (early, medium, and late groups).

Herbicide Evaluation For Control Of Kochia And Palmer Amaranth In Teff Grass, J. D. Holman, C. Thompson, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eleven postemergence herbicide treatments were applied to teff grown for forage to evaluate Palmer amaranth and kochia control, as well as crop tolerance. Effective Palmer amaranth control was achieved with all herbicide treatments, while less than satisfactory kochia control was obtained with atrazine and Harmony. Clarity, 2,4-D, and Huskie applied alone appeared to control kochia, but kochia density was low in the plots. Had the kochia population been higher, similar efficacy ratings may have been attained. Huskie or atrazine caused the most injury to teff. The first harvest suggests these herbicides reduced forage yield to less than 3,000 lb/a.

Late-Season Nitrogen Fertilizer Application In Soybean, G. R. Balboa, D. R. Hodgins, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Field experiments were conducted at the North Central Kansas Experiment Field near Scandia, KS, in the summer of 2014 to evaluate effect of late-season nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on modern soybean genotypes under dryland and irrigated environments. The main objective was to determine if the N application late in the season has an agronomical benefit to soybean producers. A unique fertilizer N source (urea) was applied at five N rates (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 lb N/a) to soybean at the R3 growth stage. Overall soybean yields under dryland conditions ranged from 73 to 89 bu/a, whereas yield variation …

Corn Yield Response To Plant Populations, D. E. Shoup, E. A. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn hybrid development with a focus on drought tolerance has emerged in recent years, and producers have questions about their yield performance across a range of plant populations. A two-year study was conducted to determine the yield of corn hybrids across several plant populations. Corn hybrids responded differently in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, a lower yield environment occurred. The hybrid with drought tolerance had the greatest yield of 95 bu/a at a plant population of 21,500 plants/a, whereas the non-drought-tolerant hybrid’s greatest yield was 90 bu/a at a plant population of 13,500 plants/a. In 2014, the yield environment was …

Seeding Rates And Fertilizer Placement To Improve Strip-Till And No-Till Corn, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2013, late planting resulted in corn yields that were less than 110 bu/a. Yields were not increased with seeding rates above 26,000/a, but a small increase in yield was obtained with knife applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N) compared with dribble.

Genetic Variance And Covariance Components For Feed Intake, Average Daily Gain, And Postweaning Gain In Growing Beef Cattle, K. J. Retallick, J. M. Bormann, R. L. Weaber, M. D. Macneil, H. L. Bradford, Harvey C. Freetly, W. M. Snelling, Mark Thallman, D. Moser, Larry Kuehn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feed is the greatest cost for a beef cattle production enterprise. Data collection to determine feed efficiency of animals is also costly, because both gain and intake records are needed to calculate feed efficiency. Electronic intake monitoring systems such as GrowSafe or Insentec to collect feed intake data are expensive and thus limit the number of animals that can be tested. Scientists have worked to pinpoint optimal test durations for collecting both weight gain and feed intake records to lessen costs.

A 70-day performance test is currently recommended for accurate calculation of efficiency, with growth data as the limiting factor. …

Comparing Standing Heat And Estrotect Heat Detection Patches, S. K. Johnson, J. R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A recent survey showed that 66% of producers surveyed used some amount of heat detection in their artificial insemination program, and 74% of producers that used heat detection aids had tried Estrotect (Rockway, Inc.; Spring Valley, WS) heat detection patches. The peel-and-stick application made Estrotect more popular than types that required adhesive application. The patches are designed so that when the animal is mounted the top surface layer is removed, much like scratching a lottery ticket. After several mounts the entire layer is removed, leaving a bright-colored surface behind. A new type of patch, Standing Heat (Standing Heat, LLC; Dannebrog, …

Effects Of An Experimental Seed Treatment From Dupont On Sudden Death Syndrome Symptoms And Soybean Yield, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a soybean disease that perennially limits yields in the Kansas River Valley. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and saturated soils contribute to the severity of the disease. Selecting varieties with some degree of tolerance to SDS is the only cultural practice that can reduce the severity of SDS and improve yields. Variety selection alone, however, doesn’t necessarily make soybean production profitable; an added complication is managing irrigation scheduling to avoid saturated soils. A study with seed treatments applied to soybean was conducted at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field in 2014, with treatments applied to two …

Corn Yield Response To Water Availability, T. Newell, K. Roozeboom, G. J. Kluitenberg, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Drought-tolerant technologies have become popular in hybrids for low-yielding corn environments across central and western Kansas and are marketed for their ability to produce higher grain yields with less water. The objective of this study was to compare water use, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of two types of drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids and a high-yielding non-DT hybrid. Water use and yield of two DT and one non-DT, high-yielding hybrid were compared in both dryland and irrigated situations. The average yield for the irrigated corn was 217 bu/a, and the average was 127 bu/a in dryland, representing a yield …