Life Sciences Commons^™

Precipitation Data, M. Knapp

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Precipitation data for agricultural experiment stations in Kansas, 2014-2015.

Director's Report Of Research In Kansas, 2015, J. E. Minton

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The 2015 Director’s Report of Research in Kansas includes a list of journal articles, station publications, and other published manuscripts from scientists in our departments, research stations, and associated programs.

How Do Alternative Pressures Affect The Accuracy Of The Pressed Juice Percentage (Pjp) At Predicting Consumer Juiciness Rating?, M. M. Kline, A. K. Wilfong, K. V. Mckillip, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Texture is the most important sensory trait when evaluating meat products (Gomes et al., 2014). In beef products, tenderness and juiciness interact to form overall texture and mouthfeel. As a result, beef juiciness is one of the most important factors in creating a satisfactory beef eating experience. A recent study by Woolley (2014) developed an instrumental technique for measuring beef juiciness and predicting consumer beef juiciness satisfaction. The method utilizes a texture analyzer to compress cooked beef samples for a period of 8 seconds at 17.6 lb of force and quantifies the percentage of moisture lost as Pressed Juice ...

Evaluating Zoysiagrass-Tall Fescue Mixtures In Kansas, Mingying Xiang, J. Fry, M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seeding zoysiagrass at 1 lb PLS/1,000 sq ft in June with subsequent seeding of tall fescue into established zoysiagrass in September at 8 lbs PLS/1,000 sq ft resulted in the best mixture of these two species.

Tillage Study For Corn And Soybeans: Comparing Vertical, Deep, And No-Till, Eric Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The need for tillage in corn and soybean production in the Kansas River Valley continues to be debated. The soils of the Kansas River Valley are highly variable, with much of the soil sandy to silty loam in texture. These soils tend to be relatively low in organic matter (< 2%) and susceptible to wind erosion. Although typically well drained, these soils can develop compaction layers under certain conditions. A tillage study was initiated in the fall of 2011 at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field near Topeka to compare deep vs. shallow vs. no-till vs. deep tillage in alternate years. Corn and soybean crops will be rotated annually. This is intended to be a long-term study to determine if soil characteristics and yields change in response to a history of each tillage system.

Fallow Replacement Crop (Cover Crops, Annual Forages, And Short-Season Grain Crops) Effects On Wheat And Grain Sorghum Yields, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing cover crops and reducing fallow. Growing a crop during the fallow period would increase profitability if crop benefits exceeded expenses. Benefits of growing a cover crop were shown in high rainfall areas, but limited informa­tion is available on growing cover crops in place of fallow in the semiarid Great Plains. A study was done from 2007–2016 that evaluated cover crops, annual forages, and short season grain crops grown in place of fallow. In the first experiment (2007-2012) the rotation was no-till wheat-fallow, and in the second experiment (2012-2016) the rotation was no-till wheat-grain ...

Efficacy Of Preemergence Or Early Postemergence Weed Control With Keystone Nxt, Hornet Wdg, Atrazine, Surestart Ii, Lumax Ez, And Resicore, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Control of buffalobur was complete regardless of herbicide used. Velvetleaf and punc­turevine control, although not perfect, was excellent by all herbicides. The premix of SureStart II (acetochlor + flumetsulam + clopyralid) with atrazine and Durango DMA (glyphosate) applied early postemergence and the preemergence herbicides Resicore (acetochlor + mesotrione + clopyralid) with atrazine and Lumax EZ (S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione) provided excellent Palmer amaranth control. The early pos­temergence treatment of SureStart II plus atrazine and Durango DMA was the only treatment to provide excellent control of green foxtail.

Weed Control And Crop Injury With Single Or Sequential Herbicide Applications In Grain Sorghum, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The preemergence application of Dual II Magnum (S-metolachlor) improved the over­all weed control compared to single postemergence treatments. Excessive rainfall after preemergence application compromised all treatments, producing abnormally low weed control.

Freezing Strip Loin And Top Round Steaks Improves Warner-Bratzler Shear Force, R. Mcewan, J. A. Unruh, T. A. Houser, T. G. O'Quinn, N. Bloedow, Christopher Vahl, S. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Postmortem aging of steaks is a common practice used to improve tenderness of beef steaks. The impact of proteolysis and improvement in tenderness due to aging varies among muscles. When designing research protocols, samples for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) are often frozen for later analysis because of convenience and time limitations. Freezing stops postmortem aging and allows for storage until meat can be cooked for WBSF and/or sensory analysis. However freezing meat may cause damage to cell membranes resulting in lower Warner-Bratzler shear force (improved mechanical tenderness), lower water holding capacity, and greater moisture loss during cooking. Several researchers ...

Soybean: Evaluation Of Inoculation, I. A. Ciampitti, Eric Adee, J. Kimball, G. I. Carmona

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A soybean crop can obtain up to 50 to 75% of its nitrogen (N) requirements from the air when the biological fixation is effectively established (Pedersen, 2007). The overall objective of this project was to quantify the response to inoculation for soybean in a field without previous history of this crop. Following this rationale, a field study was conducted during the 2015 growing season at Ottawa (east central Kansas). The treatments consisted in five different N management approaches: non-inoculated, inoculated × 1, inoculated × 2, inoculated × 3 and non-inoculated but fertilized with 300 lb N per acre as the main N source ...

Forage Sorghum And Corn Silage Response To Full And Deficit Irrigation, I. Kisekka, J. D. Holman, J. W. Waggoner, J. Aguilar, R. Currie

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

There is limited information on forage sorghum and corn silage yield response to full and deficit irrigation in Kansas. The objective of this study was to generate information on forage sorghum (brown mid-rib hybrids (BMR and non-BMR)) and corn silage yield response to different levels of irrigation as influenced by irrigation capacity in southwest Kansas. Preliminary results indicate the effect of irrigation capacity on forage yield was significant (P = 0.0009) in 2014 but not 2015, probably due to high growing season rainfall received in 2015. Corn silage produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher biomass at all irrigation capacities compared to forage sorghum hybrids in 2015. BMR forage sorghum produced significantly lower biomass compared to non-BMR hybrid in both 2014 and 2015 (P < 0.05). The highest amounts of forage produced for corn silage, BMR, and non-BMR forage sorghum were 24.6, 17.4, and 21.1 tons/a adjusted to 65%, moisture respectively. Water productivity ranged from 1.0 to 1.4 dry matter tons/a/in. More research is needed under normal and dry years to quantify forage sorghum and corn silage yield and forage quality response to full and deficit irrigation.

Large-Scale Dryland Cropping Systems, A. Schlegel, L. Haag, D. O'Brien

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2008 to 2015 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, Kansas. The crop rotations evaluated were continuous grain sorghum (SS), wheat-fallow (WF), wheat-corn-fallow (WCF), wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF), wheat-corn-sorghum-fallow (WCSF), and wheat-sorghum-corn-fallow (WSCF). All rotations were grown using no-till practices except for WF, which was grown using reduced-tillage. Precipitation capture efficiency was not greater with more intensive rotations. Wheat yields were not affected by length of rotation. Corn and grain sorghum yields were about 60% greater when following wheat than when following corn or grain sorghum. Grain sorghum yields were almost twice as great ...

Effects Of Increasing Levels Of Copper From Either Cuso4 Or Combinations Of Cuso4 And A Cu-Amino Acid Complex On Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Economics Of Finishing Pigs, C. B. Carpenter, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, Z. J. Rambo

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,089 pigs (PIC 280 ×1050; initially 82.2 lb) were used in a 105-d experiment to determine the effects of increasing added Cu from either CuSO₄ alone or a 50/50 blend of CuSO₄ and Cu-AA (Availa^®-Cu, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics of finishing pigs. All 6 dietary treatments contained 17 ppm Cu from CuSO₄ from the trace mineral premix. Additional treatment diets contained added CuSO₄ to provide 70 and 130 ppm total Cu or a 50/50 blend of added Cu from CuSO ...

Control Of Individual Honey Locust Trees In Grazed Pasture, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a deciduous tree that produces large brown seed pods and thorny appendages, and is present throughout most of the US. The pods are highly nutritious for livestock and wildlife, and are easily spread by animals in dung pats. Honey locust is typically found in greatest concentrations in the central U.S. in the same general range as historical tallgrass prairie. Fire suppression and introduction of honey locust into shelter belts has allowed honey locust to increase into more arid regions associated with mixed grass prairie. When cut, honey locust is capable of producing abundant new ...

Hydrologic And Nutrient Modeling Within An Agricultural Watershed In Southeast Kansas, V. J. Alarcon, Gretchen Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Access to safe, clean water is important to support society. Agricultural watersheds are often contaminated due to agricultural activities. Identification of specific factors contributing to impairment of water bodies is important to target remediation efforts. This research is designed to explore water quality within the Middle Neosho Watershed in southeastern Kansas to make more informed decisions in potential corrective actions.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Fertilization For Newly Established Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

(Abstract only. Link to: http://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol1/iss4/1/) Article is nearly identical to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization for Newly Established Tall Fescue previously published in Southeast Agricultural Research Center 2015, included in this PDF.

First-year production of tall fescue (Site 1 in 2013 and Site 2 in 2014) was affected by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), but not potassium (K) fertilization. Environmental conditions likely influenced the growth of the fescue and the response to fertilizer N and P in the first year of production at the two sites.

Effects Of Dietary Standardized Ileal Digestible Isoleucine:Lysine Ratio On Nursery Pig Performance, A. B. Clark, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, K. Touchette, R. D. Goodband, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 560 nursery pigs were used in 2 experiments to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Isoleucine:Lysine (Ile:Lys) ratio on growth performance. In Exp. 1, 280 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 14.9 lb BW) were fed experimental diets for 12 d with 8 replications and 5 pigs per pen. In Exp. 2, 280 pigs (DNA Genetics Line 600 × Line 241, initially 13.3 lb BW) were fed experimental diets for 18 d with 8 replications and 5 pigs per pen. In both experiments, pens were allotted to 1 of 7 dietary ...

Influence Of Chromium Dose And Feeding Regimen On Growth Performance And Carcass Composition Of Pigs Housed In A Commercial Environment, J. T. Gebhardt, J. C. Woodworth, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband, J. Loughmiller, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing chromium propionate (KemTRACE Cr; Kemin Industries Inc., Des Moines, IA) and feeding regimen on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs housed in a commercial environment. There were a total of 1,206 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; initial BW = 63.2 lb) with 27 pigs/pen and 9 pens/treatment. Pigs were split by gender upon arrival at the facility, with 4 blocks of each gender and a final mixed gender block. Gender blocks were randomly allotted to groups of 5 pen locations within the barn. Diets were corn-soybean ...

Effects Of Increasing Zn From Zinc Sulfate Or Zinc Hydroxychloride On Finishing Pig Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Economic Return, C. Carpenter, K. Coble, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. Usry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,008 pigs [TR4 (Fast × L02 PIC; initially 70.6 lb BW)] were used in a 103-d growth study to determine the effects of Zn source and level on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic return. The 6 dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Zn source (ZnSO_⁴; Agrium Advance Technology, Loveland, CO, or Zn hydroxychloride; Intellibond-Z®; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) and level (50, 100, or 150 ppm added Zn). The trace mineral premix was formulated to contain no added Zn. There were 21 pigs per pen and 8 ...

Effects Of Increasing Copper From Tri-Basic Copper Chloride Or A Copper-Amino Acid Complex On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, C. B. Carpenter, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. Usry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 665 pigs [Group 1; 350 barrows (DNA 200 × 400; initially 14.1 lb)] and [Group 2; 315 barrows and gilts (DNA 241 × 600; initially 11.4 lb)] were used to determine the effects of added Cu source and level on nursery pig performance. There were 5 pigs per pen and 10 replications per treatment in group 1 and 5 pigs per pen and 9 replications per treatment in group 2. Pens of pigs were allotted by BW to 1 of 7 dietary treatments arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial plus a control diet, with main effects of ...

Delayed Insemination Of Non-Estrual Beef Heifers In 7-Day Co-Synch Timed Artificial Insemination, D. C. Shaw, K. E. Fike, David Grieger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Reproductive performance in cattle is considered to be the most economically important trait and is essential for the success of an operation. In the last decade, timed artificial insemination (AI) in the beef cattle industry has increased in popularity due to the decreased amount of labor required for estrous detection. To increase the use of AI; however, cost and time inputs need to be further decreased. The objective of this study was to determine if fertility could be improved in beef heifers that are not expressing estrus before timed AI by delaying insemination.

Premium Choice Steaks Purchased From Grocery Outlets Are Generally More Tender Throughout The Year Than Lower Quality Grade Steaks, A. M. Collins, J. A. Unruh, T. A. Houser, S. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Consumers typically have the opportunity to select steaks from a variety of marketing categories that relate to quality, price, and expected tenderness. Research on quantifying characteristics of strip steaks from different marketing programs available in self-serve retail display cases and establishing benchmark data for strip steak comparisons for future years is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine mechanical tenderness as well as physical and cooking characteristics of strip steaks purchased from self-serve display cases in grocery store outlets throughout the year.

Freezing Improves Instrumental Tenderness Of Strip Steaks Purchased At Retail Grocery Stores, A. M. Collins, J. A. Unruh, T. A. Houser, S. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When meat is frozen cell membranes can be damaged, which may lead to lower water holding capacity and higher cooking losses. Several researchers have indicated that freezing Longissimus muscle (strip loin) steaks may lower Warner-Bratzler shear force, a measurement to objectively measure beef tenderness, compared with steaks not previously frozen. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of freezing on beef tenderness and cooking characteristics of strip steaks purchased from grocery store outlets.

Palatability Of Ground Beef Increases When Brand Is Disclosed In Consumer Testing, A. K. Wilfong, K. V. Mckillip, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Of the beef products on the market, ground beef is one of the least expensive and most universal. Ground beef represents the largest volume of protein served in the foodservice industry, at 64%, and is the most popular beef item for consumers when preparing meals in their home (NCBA, 2012). To date, little research has evaluated ground beef palatability despite representing a large sector of the beef market. All ground beef is not the same to consumers. Ground beef from branded beef programs, higher lean points, and primal-specific blends are traditionally sold at retail for higher prices. Branding is used ...

Does Knowing Brand Or Usda Grade Of Beef Strip Steaks Affect Palatability For Consumers?, A. K. Wilfong, K. V. Mckillip, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In consumers’ eyes, not all beef is considered equal. In addition to USDA quality grades, close to 150 branded beef programs are approved for the segregation and marketing of beef products (USDA, 2015). This large number of product categories allows consumers to have a choice in the products they purchase. Blind sensory panel testing of beef, where consumers are not shown the brand or information about a product, has been used for many years. While important to determine palatability characteristics of beef when evaluated blind, consumers do not select, purchase, and consume beef without additional product information. Evidence suggests that ...

Enhancement Increases Consumer Acceptability Of Beef Strip Loin Steaks, K. R. Vierck, K. V. Mckillip, A. K. Wilfong, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, J. A. Unruh, E. A. Boyle, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Juiciness, tenderness, and flavor have been well documented as the primary drivers for beef eating satisfaction and are large contributors to consumer purchasing decisions. Increased marbling, and therefore increased quality grade, in beef products has been the industry tool for predicting eating experience. In order to increase consumer eating satisfaction, the pork industry has implemented widespread use of enhancement technology in fresh pork products to allow products to remain juicy and tender, despite potential overcooking. Using this enhancement technology in the beef industry could allow lower quality beef (USDA Select and lower) to provide better eating experiences for consumers. A ...

The Effect Of Enhancement On Trained Panel Beef Palatability Scores Is Dependent Upon Usda Quality Grade, K. V. Mckillip, A. K. Wilfong, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Quality grades are used to determine beef value. The U.S. Department of Agriculture grading system categorizes beef into levels of eating satisfaction with the highest being Prime and decreases until reaching the Canner quality grade. Currently the premium of Prime graded carcasses over Select is $16.73 (USDA, 2015). Traditionally, USDA Select cuts are known to have lower palatability ratings for juiciness, tenderness, and overall liking. Select steaks also fail to meet consumer eating expectations more than 33% of the time (Corbin, 2015). This failure rate represents a large cost for the industry. Product enhancement utilizing a water, salt ...

Pressed Juice Percentage Can Accurately Sort Beef Into Categories Of Predicted Juiciness, K. V. Mckillip, A. K. Wilfong, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

There are three main factors that contribute to meat palatability: tenderness, juiciness, and flavor (Bratzler, 1971). These three individual factors all play a role in the overall palatability perceived by a consumer. If a product fails for juiciness, there is a greater chance that it will fail in overall acceptability (Emerson et. al, 2013). In the past, research has established a method of segregating steaks based on tenderness acceptability. Researchers have been able to institute thresholds to be able to accurately explain at what shear force a steak will be rated tender by consumers. Similar methods have not been evaluated ...

Breeding Objectives Indicate Value Of Genomics For Beef Cattle, M. D. Macneil

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Genomics may have much to offer in the implementation of breeding objectives. Advantages of genomic prediction include increased accuracy of expected progeny differences (EPDs) for traits that have been components of routine genetic evaluations. Perhaps more importantly, genomic prediction makes it possible to include traits that are too costly or too difficult to measure, and traits that are measured too late in life or are sex-limited such that candidates for selection cannot have EBV with high accuracy at the time when selection decisions are made. Genomically enhanced EPDs may also allow for a marked reduction in generation interval, thus accelerating ...

Breed And Gender Interact To Affect The Sale Price Of Beef Calves Sold Through Video Auctions From 2010 Through 2014, E. D. Mccabe, M. E. King, K. E. Fike, K. L. Hill, G. M. Rogers, K. G. Odde

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In recent years, the sale prices of beef calves have increased on average, in part due to tighter supply of beef calves and generally strong demand for beef products by consumers. Historically, research has demonstrated beef calf sale price to be influenced by a variety of calf management factors and characteristics. The opportunity to comprehensively evaluate some of these factors amidst recent dynamic changes in the beef industry has been available through analysis of sale prices of beef calves sold as lots via a livestock video auction service. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of breed ...