Life Sciences Commons^™

Ecological Challenges To Controlling Wild Rabbits In Australia Using Virally-Vectored Immunocontraception, C. K. Williams

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The European wild rabbit in Australia threatens the sustainability of agriculture and conservation of native flora and fauna. Improved means of reducing these impacts are sought including effort to develop virally vectored immunocontraception (VVIC). VVIC for the wild rabbit involves complex interactions between the rabbit, myxoma virus and insect vectors of the virus. Development of the method includes not only reproductive molecular biology and genetics and manipulation of virus genetics, but also many problems in reproductive biology, ecology and population dynamics of the rabbit in diverse environments. Furthermore, epidemiology of enzootic myxomatosis, and behavior and population dynamics of several vector …

Vegetative Filter Strip Design For Grassed Areas Treated With Animal Manures, Dwayne R. Edwards, Tommy C. Daniel, Philip A. Moore Jr.

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Vegetative filter strips (VFS) are a low-cost management option that have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing runoff transport of fertilizer constituents applied to grassed areas (pasture or meadow). Runoff quality studies involving fertilizers applied to grassed areas suggest that VFS can be designed by assuming that (1) only infiltration is responsible for pollutant removal, (2) the first post-application runoff event is most important from a water quality perspective (enabling a design event approach), and (3) no pollutant build-up that degrades VFS performance will occur. The purpose of this study was to develop a VFS design algorithm for grassed …

Poultry Litter-Treated Length Effects On Quality Of Runoff From Fescue Plots, Dwayne R. Edwards, Philip A. Moore Jr., Tommy C. Daniel, Puneet Srivastava

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Using experimental data and/or mathematical simulation models to identify practices that reduce pollution from manure-treated areas is sometimes perceived as limited by the unknown validity of extrapolating plot-scale data to larger areas and by uncertainties in modeling transport of various pollutants. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of length of manure treatment on runoff concentrations of poultry litter constituents and to define the modes of transport (particulate versus soluble) for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C), and solids. Poultry litter was applied to three 1.5- x 18.3-m fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plots with runoff collection …

Quality Of Runoff From Four Northwest Arkansas Pasture Fields Treated With Organic And Inorganic Fertilizer, Dwayne R. Edwards, Tommy C. Daniel, John F. Murdoch, Philip A. Moore Jr.

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Long-term land application of animal manures, even at agronomic rates, can promote accumulation of soil phosphorus (P) which can, in turn, contribute to increased P loadings to downstream waters. The objective of this study was to assess the soil and runoff effects of replacing animal manure as a soil amendment with inorganic fertilizer (ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃) on fields that had been treated previously with animal manures. Runoff from two pairs of small fields (0.57 to 1.46 ha) was sampled from September 1991 to April 1994. All fields had been treated previously with animal manures; after runoff …

Performance Of Vegetative Filter Strips With Varying Pollutant Source And Filter Strip Lengths, Puneet Srivastava, Dwayne R. Edwards, Tommy C. Daniel, Philip A. Moore Jr., Thomas A. Costello

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Vegetative filter strips (VFS) can reduce runoff losses of pollutants such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from land areas treated with fertilizers. While VFS effectiveness is considered to depend on lengths of pollutant source and VFS areas, there is little experimental evidence of this dependence, particularly when the pollutant source is manure-treated pasture. This study assessed the effects of pollutant source area (fescue pasture treated with poultry litter) length and VFS (fescue pasture) length on VFS removal of nitrate N (NO₃-N), ammonia N (NH₃-N), total Kjeldahl N (TKN), ortho-P (PO₄-P), total P (TP), …

Simulation Of Runoff Transport Of Animal Manure Constituents, Yang Wang, Dwayne R. Edwards, Tommy C. Daniel, H. Don Scott

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Runoff losses of land-applied animal manure constituents can adversely affect the quality of downstream waters. Reliable mathematical simulation models can help estimate runoff losses of animal manure constituents and identify management measures to reduce these losses. The objective of this study was to develop and calibrate an event-based simulation model to describe the runoff transport of solids (soil and manure particles) and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from areas treated with animal manure. The resulting model, consisting of linked hydrology, soil/manure transport, and nutrient transport components, is process-oriented and uses measurable parameters to the greatest degree possible. The three components of …

A Direct, Approximate Solution To The Modified Green-Ampt Infiltration Equation, Puneet Srivastava, Thomas A. Costello, Dwayne R. Edwards

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Accurately predicting the rainfall-runoff process is of vital importance for water quality models as well as for correct design of various types of hydraulic structures. This article presents a method of describing the cumulative infiltration process as an explicit function of time using an approximation to the modified Green-Ampt equation given by Mein and Larson (1971). The resulting equation is helpful in predicting cumulative infiltration and therefore infiltration capacity for computer simulation models. The proposed method takes about 50% less time than the usual iterative technique for the same degree of accuracy. The maximum error due to approximation was 1% …

Development Of A Biologically Based Aerobic Composting Simulation Model, Dennis P. Stombaugh, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A relatively simple dynamic model based on microbial process kinetics has been developed for aerobic composting. Differential equations describing microbial, substrate, and oxygen concentrations, as well as moisture and temperature profiles have been derived as a function of vessel size and aeration rate. Microbial biomass growth was described using Monod growth kinetics as a function of degradable substrate concentration, oxygen concentration, moisture content, and compost temperature. Facility and fan operating costs have been included to permit economic optimization of the process. Predicted results demonstrated the ability of the model to quantify and describe the influence of multiple interacting factors (temperature, …

Minimum Ventilation For Modern Broiler Facilities, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Shuhui H. Zhang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

New functions for whole-house broiler heat production as a function of bird age using modern straight run broiler growth rates are presented and compared to values in the literature. The approximations are based on field measurements of environmental conditions in modern broiler housing, using a technique that matches predicted to actual fuel use to estimate partitioning between latent and sensible heat. Development of a program utilizing these approximations to compute ventilation and heating requirements for temperature and humidity control in broiler housing is described. The program utilizes steady-state heat and moisture balances commonly used for design purposes, with hourly or …

Application Of Simplified Phosphorus Transport Models To Pasture Fields In Northwest Arkansas, Dwayne R. Edwards, C. T. Haan, Andrew N. Sharpley, John F. Murdoch, Tommy C. Daniel, Philip A. Moore Jr.

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Runoff transport of phosphorus (P) is often predicted from simple equations with parameters determined from data applicable primarily to row-cropped and fallow cover conditions. The applicability, accuracy, and precision of such P transport prediction equations under pasture situations are less well defined. The objectives of this study were to determine parameters of simplified runoff P transport equations for pasture fields and to assess the accuracy and precision of the equations. Runoff, sediment yield, soluble P transport, and particulate P transport data were collected from four pasture fields in northwestern Arkansas. Runoff event enrichment ratios and extraction coefficients were computed, and …

Evaluation Of The Crop Growth Component Of The Root Zone Water Quality Model For Corn In Ohio, Sue E. Nokes, Feliks M. Landa, Jon D. Hanson

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) is a computer model developed to simulate water, chemical, and biological processes in the root zone of agricultural management systems. As of this writing RZWQM is in the beta-testing phase of development. This article reports on a parameterization and evaluation study performed in Ohio on field corn for the crop growth component of RZWQM. The generic crop growth model in RZWQM had not previously been parameterized or tested on field corn. This article reports the results of such a study. One year of data was used to calibrate RZWQM, and two additional years …

Comparison Of Daily Water Table Depth Prediction By Four Simulation Models, Eric D. Desmond, Andrew D. Ward, Norman R. Fausey, Stephen R. Workman

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The Agricultural Drainage And Pesticide Transport (ADAPT) model was compared to the water management simulation models DRAINMOD, SWATREN, and PREFLO. SWATREN and PREFLO are one-dimensional finite-difference models while ADAPT and DRAINMOD are one-dimensional mass balance models. ADAPT, an extension of the computer model GLEAMS, also provides chemical transport information. All four models were tested against field data from Aurora, North Carolina. Observed water table depth data were collected during 1973 through 1977 from a water table management field experiment with three subsurface drain spacing treatments of 7.5, 15, and 30 m.

Both the standard error of estimate and the average …

Evaluation Of Gps For Applications In Precision Agriculture, Steven C. Borgelt, John D. Harrison, Kenneth A. Sudduth, Stuart J. Birrell

Stuart J. Birrell

Location coordinate information is needed in precision agriculture to map in-field variability, and to serve as a control input for variable rate application. Differential global positioning system (DGPS) measurement techniques were compared with other independent data sources for sample point location and combine yield mapping operations. Sample point location could be determined to within 1 m (3 ft) 2dRMS using C/A code processing techniques and data from a high-performance GPS receiver. Higher accuracies could be obtained with carrier phase kinematic positioning methods, but this required more time and was a less robust technique with a greater potential for data acquisition …

Nutrient Mapping Implications Of Short-Range Variability, Stuart J. Birrell

Stuart J. Birrell

Successful site specific nutrient application depends on accurate soil nutrient maps, which are generally developed from grid samples. The implication of short range variability for soil nutrient mapping is investigated. Interpretation of soil nutrient maps must consider the level of confidence associated with estimated values.

Analysis Of Spatial Factors Influencing Crop Yield, K. A. Sudduth, S. T. Drummond, Stuart J. Birrell, N. R. Kitchen

Stuart J. Birrell

The spatial relationship between crop yields and soil and site parameters was modeled using several methods. Yield maps estimated by projection pursuit regression and neural network analysis agreed well with measured yields. These methods also allowed generation of response curves for estimated yield as a function of each of the input parameters. These response curves were useful for investigating the relationship between yields and individual soil and site parameters.

Missouri Precision Agriculture, N. R. Kitchen, K. A. Sudduth, Stuart J. Birrell, S. C. Borgelt

Stuart J. Birrell

A number of projects related to different facets of precision agriculture are being carried out by an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers with the University of Missouri and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. This paper provides an overview of those projects.

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 38 Number 1, Winter 1996, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

8 - GERALD UELMEN: BACK IN THE CLASSROOM The School of Law professor and co-counsel for the O.J. Simpson defense reflects on the "trial of the century" and assesses its impact on legal education. Interview by Elise Banducci '87

12 - MARRIED WITHOUT CHILDREN Childless couples challenge deeply held beliefs about marriage and family. By Kath1yn Bold '81

16 - PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST Gerald Sullivan, S.J., answers the questions "Why figurative painting?" "Why liberal arts?" and "Why dogs?" By Miriam Schulman

20 - PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE Study abroad programs in Italy and around the world push beyond traditional borders. …

Quality Of Life Of Rural Nebraskans: How Are They Doing And What Is In The Future?, John C. Allen, Sam Cordes, Amy M. Smith, Matt Spilker, Amber Hamilton

Rural Futures Institute: Publications

Includes

Executive Summary

Introduction

Methodology and Respondent Profile

Findings

Global Well-Being

Change in the Modern World

Personal Well-Being

Availability of Services and Amenities

Dissatisfaction with Services and Amenities

Dissatisfaction with Services/Amenities by Region

Dissatisfaction with Services/Amenities by Community Size

Dissatisfaction with Services/Amenities by Income Level

Conclusions

Environmental Issues And Perceptions Of Rural Nebraskans, John C. Allen, Sam Cordes, Amy M. Smith, Mike Spilker, Amber Hamilton

Rural Futures Institute: Publications

Includes

Executive summary

Introduction

Methodology

Respondent profile

Findings

The State's Role in Groundwater Protection

Regulation and Compliance Costs

Agriculture and the Environment

Conjunctive Use

Conclusions

Disaccharide Intolerance Of European Starlings, Leonard R. Askham

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The use of disaccharides to discourage bird depredation to agricultural crops has elicited some interest during the last few years. Data developed in these trials indicate that several avian species are intolerant to sucrose because of the lack of sucrase enzymes in their digestive systems. Based on this research it is hypothesized that progressively increasing rates and volumes of solutions would elicit consistent adverse stress reactions. Furthermore, that if birds were intolerant to sucrose, because of their co-evolutionary development with plants, then they should lack the ability to digest lactose. The data developed in these trials does not support either …

Closing Remarks—Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference, Rex O. Baker

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

As chair-elect of the council, I would like to thank all of those who participated in this 17th Vertebrate Pest Conference.

We had a total attendance of 340 from 27 states in the U.S., including 27 attendees from 8 countries outside the U.S. The contributions and sacrifices made by foreign speakers is genuinely appreciated and has, as always, added greatly to the diversity of the conference.

As most of you know, the council's primary goal is fostering education and advancement in the field of vertebrate pest management. We have always tried to draw noted experts to present a broad range …

Field Efficacy Of Diphacinone Grain Baits Used To Control The California Ground Squirrel, J. A. Baroch

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Diphacinone treated oat groats were effective in reducing populations of California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) by more than 84%. Two concentrations of active ingredient (0.005% and 0.01%) were compared, as well as two application methods: spot baiting and bait stations. Squirrel activity on test plots was assessed before and after bait applications using visual counts and active burrow counts. There was good correspondence between results of the two activity indices. There was no significant improvement in efficacy provided by the higher concentration of diphacinone. Bait consumption was much lower on bait station plots. Squirrel carcasses were found on …

Norway Rat Infestation Of Urban Landscaping And Preventative Design Criteria, Bruce A. Colvin, Ralph Degregorio, Charlotte Fleetwood

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Fifty-four landscaped areas in downtown Boston were surveyed for Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) activity. Each location also was characterized based on size, types of plantings, density of plantings, type of mulch, and sanitary and maintenance conditions. Factors most associated with the presence of rats were dense contiguous stands of shrubbery (e.g., needled evergreens) and refuse/litter availability on the ground. Design criteria should include effective spacing of shrubbery, limiting mass plantings of dense shrubs, selection of plant varieties that grow with openness underneath, strategically-placed and rodent-proof refuse containers, and use of crushed-stone inspection strips. Rodent control should be considered …

Improved Sealants For M-44 Cyanide Capsules, Guy Connolly

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The M-44 sodium cyanide ejector is one of the most important tools used by the Animal Damage Control (ADC) program to protect livestock from coyotes. Unacceptable performance of M-44 cyanide capsules due to inadequate seals stimulated research to develop a better capsule sealant. Comparative tests of crude beeswax, Scheel SC-100 wax, and other materials revealed that capsules sealed with SC-100 were most resistant to deterioration in adverse environments. Based on these results, SC-100 wax was selected as the sealant of choice. Beginning in April 1989, all M-44 capsules made for ADC program use have been sealed with SC-100 wax. Since …

The Future Of Wildlife Damage Management—And Why I Want To Be A Part Of It, Scott R. Craven

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Welcome to the 17th Vertebrate Pest Conference; THE conference for those of us who work in the field of vertebrate pest management. Actually, I prefer the term wildlife damage management to either animal damage control or vertebrate pest control, but as long as one takes a broad perspective on the definition of wildlife, there is really no difference except perhaps in perception. I do not mean to suggest that the name of the Vertebrate Pest Conference should be changed. It should not be changed. However, I do suggest that no matter what umbrella term you operate under, we are all …

Introducing The National Wildlife Research Center, Richard D. Curnow

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The paper summarizes the background and historical events leading to the creation of the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) and describes the status of its research program and facilities development in Fort Collins, Colorado. Also, the relationship of the NWRC to the Denver Wildlife Research Center is presented.

How To Control A Pest's Pest—Flea And Rodent Efficacy, Becky Doane, Dave Blodget, Bonnie Bonnivier

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Fleas have caused health and sanitation problems for centuries. Most rodents are hosts to fleas. Baker Crop Protection Chemicals (BCPC) recently entered the rodenticide market (via SLN) with an efficacious fumigant for single burrow rodents, MAGNACIDE^® H Herbicide/Rodenticide (a.i. acrolein). Noting that most burrowing rodents are flea infested, BCPC undertook an experiment to determine if fleas also succumb to acrolein under simulated field treatment scenarios. Results of the study under laboratory conditions demonstrated that fleas do succumb to acrolein treatments as well as the specific rodents targeted for treatment. This study also established rodent death rates from exposure to …

The Persistence And Secondary Poisoning Risks Of Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080), Brodifacoum, And Cholecalciferol In Possums, C. T. Eason, G. R. Wright, L. Meikle, P. Elder

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

To determine the risk of secondary poisoning for animals preying on sub-lethally poisoned brushtail possums, captive possums were treated with near-lethal doses of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) or brodifacoum, and toxicant concentrations in blood and tissue were monitored over time. Sodium monofluoroacetate was rapidly eliminated from the blood (within three days). Brodifacoum was retained in the liver and, to a lesser extent, the muscle of possums for eight months after dosing. To determine the potential risk for animals scavenging on the carcasses of possums poisoned with cholecalciferol, cats were fed poisoned carcasses for six days. No changes in behavior, appetite, or …

A Profile Of Depredating Mountain Lions, Steven D. Fairaizl, San Juan Stiver

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Information regarding the demographics and physical condition of mountain lions (Felis concolof) killed during damage control efforts in Nevada was gathered and compared to sport harvested mountain lions. The average age of depredating male lions was 4.92 years of age compared to 4.95 years for sport harvested males. Depredating female lions were older than sport harvested females averaging 5.09 years compared to 4.44 years. Older age class mountain lions of both sexes were more likely to commit depredations than expected. Male lions were involved in depredations 45 % more often than females. Domestic sheep comprise more than 90% …

Frontmatter- Proceedings Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference, Robert M. Timm, A. Charles Crabb

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Contents

OPENING REMARKS - SEVENTEENTH VERTEBRATE PEST CONFERENCE
Robert M. Timm ...................1

THE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT-AND WHY I WANT TO BE A PART OF IT
Scott R. Craven................... 2

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER
Richard D. Curnow................... 6

THE STATUS OF NUISANCE WILDLIFE DAMAGE CONTROL IN THE STATES
Kristen P. LaVine, Mark J. Reeff, Jodi A. DiCamillo, and Gary S. Kania ...................8

ANALYSIS OF VERTEBRATE PEST RESEARCH
Jim Hone................... 13

TOWARDS "BEST PRACTICE" VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRALIA USING VIRALLY-VECTORED IMMUNOCONTRACEPTION
Mike Braysher, Peter O'Brien, and Mary Bomford................... 18

ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES TO CONTROLLING WILD RABBITS IN AUSTRALIA …