Life Sciences Commons^™

The State Of Outdoor Recreation In Utah 2020, Jordan Smith, Anna B. Miller

All Current Publications

The purpose of this report is to provide a high-level review of the trends that define outdoor recreation within Utah. We do this by distilling data from a variety of sources, focusing on ‘key metrics’ that can be tracked over time, serving as a finger on the pulse on the health of outdoor recreation within Utah. Data on outdoor recreation participation and its benefits and impacts varies considerably across the state depending upon the managing agency collecting the data. This report focuses on statewide data available for outdoor recreation opportunities provided on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, …

Understanding Free-Roaming Horse Conflicts With Wildlife In The Great Basin, S. Nicole Frey, Eric Thacker, Katlyn Uhart

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Horses and burros were introduced to North America in the 1600s with European missionaries and explorers. Over time, abandoned and released horses and burros formed herds and by the time European-American settlers began to explore North America in the 1700s, these free-roaming horses and burros had adapted to their habitat and been incorporated into Native American culture. By the mid-1900s, most Americans considered these horses as wild and symbols of freedom and beauty.

In 1971, Congress passed the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (Public Law 73-482) to provide federal protection for free-roaming horses and burros (also known as …

Watering The Landscape: Make It Easier With Evapotranspiration (Et), Candace Schaible, Kelly Kopp, Helen Muntz

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The American lawn is our nation’s single largest irrigated “crop” (Lindsey, 2005). In Utah, roughly 65% of our drinking water is applied to residential and commercial landscapes (Center for Water Efficient Landscaping, 2020). Landscapes are typically overwatered, which is why residential and commercial landscape watering is estimated to be one of the largest sources of potential water conservation in the urban setting (Endter-Wada et al., 2008). Plant materials also provide many environmental benefits, such as erosion control, water filtration, and temperature reduction. Knowing how much water to apply to the landscape can be a challenge and is one reason many …

Understanding Caffeine Vs. Kids, Cindy Nelson, Rachel Mcmaster

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Children enjoy numerous foods and drinks on a regular basis that contain caffeine: soda, chocolate candy, energy drinks, and so forth. In fact, almost 3 out of 4 children consume caffeine regularly (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2020). This is a concern because studies show caffeine can affect children and adults differently, and too much caffeine can have detrimental health effects on kids. This fact sheet defines caffeine, reviews its effects and risks, identifies popular foods containing caffeine, and how to reduce consumption of caffeine.

Three-Lined Potato Beetle, Nick Volesky

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The three-lined potato beetle (Lema daturaphila) is part of the Chrysomelidae family of beetles. It originates from North and Central America but has since been reported causing economic damage to crops worldwide, such as the cape gooseberry in South Africa and potato in Australia. Though uncommon, the three-lined potato beetle has previously been documented in Utah. In August 2020, it was closely observed causing economic damage in tomatillo production on a commercial vegetable farm in rural Box Elder County, Utah. This fact sheet reviews three-lined potato beetle identification, life cycle, and look-alikes, damage, and management.

Row Covers, Nick Volesky, Katherine Wagner

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In agricultural use, a row cover is a transparent or semitransparent material that is used over crops (typically vegetables) for a variety of purposes. As an integrated pest management tool, row covers act as a physical barrier that prevents the movement of pests such as insects, birds, and mammals, to host plants. This form of management is popular in organic production to avoid chemical application. Row covers are also used to shield crops from environmental factors like cold or hot temperatures, and wind. Commonly used methods of application include floating row covers, hoop-supported row covers (also called low tunnels), and …

Selecting Summer-Bearing Raspberry Cultivars For Northern Utah, Sheriden M. Hansen, Brent Black, Diane G. Alston, Tiffany Maughan, Rick Hefelbower

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Summer-bearing raspberry plants are typically well-suited to Utah as they bloom and bear fruit during mid-summer, allowing plants to reach their full yield potential before the first fall freeze. Important characteristics to consider in selecting summer-bearing cultivars are winter hardiness, yield, and fruit quality, including sunburn resistance and resistance to common insects and diseases. This fact sheet discusses two different research trials that were conducted from 2008 to 2015 in Kaysville, Utah to evaluate the suitability of twenty-one different summer-bearing cultivars to northern Utah.

Conservation Conversations Webinar Summary - Conservation And Outdoor Recreation: Challenges And Solutions To Keeping Our Parks And Public Lands From Being Loved To Death, Jordan W. Smith

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Americans love their public lands. They have turned to them to connect with their families, to maintain an active lifestyle, and to escape 24-hour news cycles that seem to bring nothing but bad news. The recreational use that our public lands receive is not a new trend however. Over the past 10-years, visitation to all types National Park Service units (e.g., parks, monuments, historic sites, etc.) has increased by 16%, with national parks alone seeing a 28% increase in visitation. Visitation to many national parks reaches record levels every year. At the same time, the ecosystems of our parks and …

Market Steer Projects: Getting Started, Jacob Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Jessie Hadfield

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Raising a market steer as a 4-H project can be a very rewarding experience for youth. However, it is important to note up front that raising a market steer requires higher input costs and larger living spaces than all other 4-H livestock projects. A successful market steer project involves a lot of time and effort to train, feed, and clean your animal. If the necessary time and resources are available, raising market steers can be one of the most enjoyable livestock projects that 4-H has to offer. This fact sheet has some tips to get you started with your market …

North American Forest Grouse Harvest Regulations, Melissa Chelak, Justin Small, David K. Dahlgren

All Current Publications

This bulletin reviews North American forest grouse harvest regulations. Forest grouse are a highly sought-after wildlife resource across North America, both for their intrinsic value and as game species. Their unique breeding displays and the habitat they rely on are part of North America’s incredible natural heritage. Most forested landscapes in the upper latitudes of North America have the potential to provide habitat for one or more forest grouse species. This includes a large variety of vegetation types including the aspen forests of the upper Midwest, the coniferous boreal forest of Canada, the Pacific coastal rain forests that extend from …

Managing Suckers Around Fruit Trees, Samuel Johnson, Teryl Roper, Xin Dai

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Many types of fruit trees produce suckers around the base of the tree. Crown suckers arise in the area immediately surrounding the tree trunk (Photo 1), and root suckers can arise from roots further away from the trunk. Not only are suckers around trees unsightly, but they can also harbor insect pests like wooly apple aphid and provide points of entry for diseases like fire blight. If suckers are profuse, they interfere with in-row weed management and can absorb systemic herbicides such as glyphosate. Some rootstocks used for fruit trees such as M.7 for apples and Mazzard for cherries are …

Snapdragon Cut Flower Production Budget, One Field, Northern Utah, 2020, Maegen Lewis, Melanie Stock, Ruby Ward, Brent Black, Dan Drost

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This enterprise budget contains costs (preplant and site preparation, establishment and maintenance, and harvest and processing) and returns for the production and sale of snapdragon cut flowers that were grown in a field (14 feet by 40 feet, the size of one high tunnel for comparison). The costs are representative, but should be adjusted where necessary for individual situations. The net income resulting from stems sold at a price of $1.20 per high-quality stem (100% sold) and $0.75 per low quality stem (40% sold) is $116.41 ($0.21 per sq. ft) for the first harvest period, $154.32 for the second harvest …

Beginning And Small Acreage Farms: Nonmotorized Tool Selection, Sheriden M. Hansen, Melanie Stock, Dan Drost, Katherine Wagner

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Farming on 2 acres or less can be challenging, especially when considering equipment selection. It is important to carefully consider the equipment options available. Tools should be cost-effective, task and operation appropriate, of high quality and durability, and provide labor savings. Appropriate equipment contributes to farm viability by enhancing labor efficiency and crop quality. This fact sheet briefly describes equipment beginning farmers commonly need or use on small farms.

Snapdragon Cut Flower Production Budget, One High Tunnel, Northern Utah, 2020, Maegen Lewis, Melanie Stock, Ruby Ward, Brent Black, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

This enterprise budget contains costs (preplant and site preparation, establishment and maintenance, and harvest and processing) and returns for the production and sale of snapdragon cut flowers that were grown in a high tunnel (14 feet by 40 feet). The costs are representative, but should be adjusted where necessary for individual situations. Tunnel use, site selection, variety, pest management, and other practices will affect costs of the cut-flower operation. The net income resulting from stems harvested from a 14’ x 40’ high tunnel and sold at a price of $1.20 per high-quality stem (100% sold) and $0.75 per low quality …

Preventing Allergies In Infants: What Foods To Introduce And When, Annika Israelsen, Stacy Bevan, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

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Food allergies have become increasingly common over the past several years among children in the United States (Comberiati et al., 2019; Sicherer et al., 2017). Food allergies are a negative immune response occurring in the body after eating a specific food (Sicherer et al., 2017). Unlike food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance which causes uncomfortable symptoms in the stomach and intestines, allergic reactions to food can cause a wide range of serious and sometimes fatal symptoms (Konek & Becker, 2020). Food allergies can affect a child’s health and quality of life, while also impacting their caregivers’ lives (Sicherer et al., …

Fostering Community Supported Agriculture In Utah, Kelsey Hall, Roslynn Brain

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This curriculum contains seven modules that describe the fundamentals of CSA, CSA marketing and outreach, CSA management, CSA pricing, CSA crop planning, legal concerns for CSA operations, and additional resources.

Can Trees Get Cancer?, Michael Kuhns

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This factsheet describes various cancer-like growths that are commonly found on trees.

Long-Distance Cycling Routes: Economic Impacts, Best Practices, And Marketing Strategies, Elizabeth Depew, Jordan Smith

All Current Publications

Strategic efforts from state tourism offices and local governments amplify the economic benefits of bicycle tourism and help to define the character and identity of rural communities. We synthesize research on this topic as a guide to the economic benefits that come from bicycle tourism, and offer best practices for developing long distance cycling routes that support bicycle tourism.

Size And Scope Of Grand County Agriculture 2019, Ryan Feuz, Ryan Larsen, Michael Johnson

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Grand County is located in the center of the state along the eastern border with Colorado. As of 2017, the population was estimated at 9,674. Other surrounding Utah counties include Uintah, Carbon, Emery, Wayne, and San Juan. This fact sheet reviews information about land ownership, growing season, crop and livestock production, irrigation, farm income, and the average age of operator of Grand County agriculture in Utah.

Size And Scope Of Washington County Agriculture 2019, Ryan Feuz, Ryan Larsen, Ben Scow

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Washington County, named for the first president of the United States, George Washington, is located in the southwest corner of Utah. It is bordered by Nevada on the west and Arizona on the south. Other surrounding Utah counties include Iron and Kane. In 2017, the population was estimated at 165,662. Much of the terrain is rough and arid with little area conducive to agriculture. This fact sheet reviews the land ownership, growing season, crop, fruit and livestock production, irrigation, and farm income and age of operator information for Washington County, Utah agriculture.

Tree Seedling Planting Guide, Gabrielle Harden, Michael R. Kuhns

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A seedling is a tree less than three feet in height. This fact sheet covers obtaining, planting, and caring for small seedling trees and other woody plants. These trees can be sold and planted as bare-root or containerized stock.

Size And Scope Of Tooele County Agriculture 2019, Ryan Feuz, Ryan Larsen, Linden Greenhalgh

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Tooele County is in northwestern Utah. It borders Nevada. Other surrounding Utah counties include Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Juab. As of 2017, the population of Tooele County was estimated at 67,456. The Great Salt Lake Desert covers much of the western portion of the county while the eastern portion contains many small towns outside of Salt Lake City. Tooele County is the second-largest county in Utah. This fact sheet reviews the land ownership, growing season, crop and livestock production, and farm income and age of farm operators in Tooele County.

The Female Athlete Triad In Adolescent Athletes, Elise Withers, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Stacy Bevan, Katie N. Brown

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The number of teenage girls participating in sports has dramatically increased in the last few decades (Brown et al., 2017). With increased sports participation, the positive effects of physical activity have become obvious (Thein-Nissenbaum & Hammer, 2017). However, a set of health-related problems specific to female athletes, known as the female athlete triad (triad), has emerged. This fact sheet will cover what the triad is, why the triad occurs, and triad prevention and treatment.

Nutrition Guide For Rabbits, Amanda Pratt, Melanie Stock, Jessie Hadfield

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Feeding rabbits a healthy diet is important for their long term health. This fact sheet provides lists of appropriate food for pet rabbits, healthy portions, and foods that should be avoided. A family-friendly, visual list format is used to make this guide a straightforward reference that can be posted in the home.

Encouraging Snap Shopper Participation At Utah Farmers Markets, A Best Practices Guide, Kelsey Hall, Alicia Meiners

All Current Publications

This guide’s steps were compiled during background research for advertising acceptance of SNAP benefits using Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and the Double Up Food Bucks (Double Up) program offered at farmers markets throughout Utah. Information in this guide will expand marketing campaigns across Utah to promote farmers markets already accepting SNAP benefits, especially to minority and low-income populations. The information, however, may be generalized to other health/food programs and to populations with low incomes in other states.

Training And Pruning Tart Cherries, Sheriden M. Hansen, Tiffany Maughan, Brent Black

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Training and pruning tart cherry trees is critical to the production of quality fruit. The benefits of proper pruning and training are abundant yields of high-quality fruit. Pruning and training early in the life of the tree is critical to establish the desired tree form, and to make future pruning and maintenance less complicated. It is important to note that not every tree will be picture-perfect, as trees are unique in their shape and form, however, following proper pruning principles will give imperfect trees the best opportunity to produce fruit. The main objectives of pruning are to 1) develop good …

Selecting Rootstocks For Utah Peach Orchards, Brent Black, Tiffany Maughan, Taun Beddes, Gregory Reighard

All Current Publications

Peaches are the second most important fruit crop in Utah by acreage. Peach fruit that ripen under our high desert conditions (warm sunny days and cool nights) are valued in the market for their flavor and sugar content. However, peaches are more sensitive than most other fruit crops to our alkaline soil conditions, and often suffer from iron chlorosis.

Commercial peach trees consist of two cultivars or varieties that are grafted together: the scion produces the above ground portion of the tree, and the rootstock forms the roots and the base of the trunk (below ground). The scion variety determines …

Nutrient Management Strategies For Organic Vegetable Production, Emma Jones, Daniela Barrera, Jennifer R. Reeve, Dan Drost

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Organic vegetable production can be profitable for growers in Utah looking to supply local markets. Much of Utah has short growing seasons (<150 days frost-free) with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Organic growers must work within these constraints to generate sufficient soil fertility using cover crops, composts, and targeted use of commercial organic fertilizers. This fact sheet explores nutrient management techniques used at the Utah State University (USU) Student Organic Farm (Student Farm) located in Cache County. In operation since 2008, the Student Farm was certified organic in 2011.

Identifying Fox Squirrels And Their Damage In Your Yard, S. Nicole Frey, Jessica Tegt

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Native to the eastern United States, fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) were first documented in Utah in 2011. It is unknown how fox squirrels made their way into Utah; however, it is possible they followed riparian corridors (areas along rivers, where trees often grow) through Colorado into Utah and were only detected once their populations grew in number. Since the Utah Natural Heritage Program began tracking them, there have been over 500 observations of this species, predominantly around Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. Fox squirrels are the largest tree squirrel in the U.S. (17–28 inches, and 17.5–37.5 ounces). This …

Wireworms, Ryan Davis, Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe

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Wireworms are the larvae (immatures) of click beetles. Adults are elongate, slender, hardshelled beetles that take their name from their habit of flipping into the air (sometimes with an audible clicking sound) when they are placed on their backs. This fact sheet reviews the management of wireworms.