Other Animal 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 …

Counting As The Chimpanzee Views It, Sarah T. Boysen

Numeracy Collection

No abstract provided.

Red Kangaroos Can Set Back Range Regeneration, Andrew Mclaughlin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

After years of severe drought, stocking rates in Western Australia s arid rangelands have been kept low since the 1970s to allow native pastures to regenerate. As well, extensive re-seeding programs have started and sheep and cattle grazing on these areas has been restricted or eliminated. However, pasture regeneration in the rangelands can only succeed when grazing by all animals - sheep, cattle, kangaroos, goo.ts, camels, brumbies and donkeys - is controlled Many more red kangaroos roam throughout Western Australia's pastoral areas today than 20 years ago. The installation of windmills and troughs to water domestic livestock has allowed kangaroo …

Effect Of Castration Method On Stocker Health And Gain, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two field trials were conducted to compare two different band-castration techniques with surgical castration of calves and yearlings. In Trial I, the bull calves were surgically castrated or banded with Elastrator® rubber rings and compared with calves purchased as steers. Purchased steers gained faster (P<.05) during the 33-day receiving trial than bulls castrated by either method, but no difference was observed in percentage of sick calves. In Trial II, yearling bulls were surgically castrated or banded with the EZE® Bloodless Castrator device. Yearlings purchased as steers gained faster (P<.05) than EZE-castrated bulls during the 110-day trial. Bulls castrated by either method required more medications (P<.07) than steers. In both trials, there was no advantage to banding compared with surgical castration of bulls in terms of gain or health.

Production And Marketing Factors Influencing Fed Cattle Prices, J. Mintert, R. Jones, F. Brazle, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

An analysis of more than 1400 pens of cattle marketed during 1990 examined the influence of several cattle traits and marketing factors on fed cattle prices. Cattle quality grade had an important impact on packer bids and feedyard asking prices. However, both feedyard asking and packer purchase prices reflected less than 25%, on average, of estimated wholesale value differentials. Other factors, including estimated dressing percentage, finish uniformity, cattle weight, number of head purchased, presence of heiferettes, and cattle type had significant price impacts. Feedyards generally received what they asked for cattle; 65% of the pens sold for their asking prices. …

Record-Keeping Systems For Beef Safety And Feedlot Health, 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 …

Effect Of Presponse® On The Gain And Health Of Long-Hauled, Newly Arrived Calves, 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.

Variation In The Quality Of Forage Grazed By Pregnant/Lactating Beef Cows At Key Periods In The Year, 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 …

Factors Affecting Variability In Feedlot Steer Profits, Michael R. Langemeier, J. Mintert, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study examined the relative importance of price and animal performance factors on cattle finishing profitability. Using data from a single feedlot, sale prices, feeder prices, and corn prices explained 90 to 95% of the variation in steer profits. About 50% of the variability was explained by fed cattle prices alone. Because sale, feeder, and corn prices have a large impact on profits per head, cattle feeders should attempt to manage the risks associated with these three factors.

Influence Of Level Of Supplemental Alfalfa Hay On The Performance Of Beef Cows Grazing Winter Bluestem Range, E.S. Vanzant, R.C. Cochran

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred thirteen pregnant Hereford x Angus cows were used to study the effect of increasing levels of supplemental alfalfa hay on performance when grazing winter bluestem range. Although no differences were observed in reproductive performance, increasing the amount supplemental alfalfa from approximately .5% up to 1.0% of body weight resulted in increased weight gain and reduced condition loss in cows and increased weaning weight in calves. However, time spent grazing was significantly decreased in those groups receiving larger amounts of supplemental alfalfa.

Beef Empire Carcass Merit Days Index System, T.H. Powell, S.D. Laudert, R.W. Lee, G. Seibert, John A. Unruh, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas State University, in cooperation with the Beef Empire Days committee, developed a new beef carcass index system for 1991, incorporating yield and quality traits as indicators of carcass merit. Development of the system considered current industry and consumer demands in a critical evaluation of final carcass ranking. The index starts from 100 points and applies positive and negative adjustments for hot carcass weight; ribeye area; adjusted 12th rib fat thickness; percent kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and quality grade. The index was first used in 1991.

Effects Of Estradiol Or An Estradiol-Trenbolone Acetate Reimplant Scheme And Time On Feed On Performance And Carcass Traits Of Finishing Steers, Robert T. Brandt Jr., Michael E. Dikeman, Sally L. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two hundred eighty-eight predominantly British and British crossbred steers (702 lb) were used in a 2x3 factorially arranged experiment. Main effect factors were reimplant scheme [estradiol (E2) vs estradiol plus trenbolone acetate (E2 + TBA)] and time on feed (111, 125 or 139 days). The initial slaughter occurred when 65 to 70% of all steers were estimated to grade low Choice. No interactions occurred for any variable measured. Reimplanting 57 days after the initial implant with E2 + TBA increased overall daily gain 6.9% (P<.003) and feed efficiency 4.9% (P<.005). Feeding steers for an additional 14 or 28 days resulted in linear decreases in overall daily gain (P<.005) and feed efficiency (P<.0004). Reimplanting with E2 + TBA increased (P<.001) carcass weight but did not reduce marbling score or percent Choice carcasses. Feeding steers for an additional 14 or 28 days resulted in linear increases (P<.0001) in hot carcass weight, ribeye area, adjusted backfat (P<.004), and skeletal maturity (P<.0005). Additional days on feed increased dressing percentage (P<.002) and marbling score (P<.05) curvilinearly and tended (P=.25) to increase the percentage of carcasses grading Choice and Prime. Incidence of dark cutters was higher (P<.05) for E2 + TBA carcasses, and was very high at the first slaughter date (54 days after reimplantation). Although feeding for an additional 14 or 28 days can result in heavier live and carcass weights, higher dressing percentage, and increased marbling, poor efficiency of gain may create negative feeding margins.

Short-Run Impact Of Captive Supplies On Fed Cattle Prices, 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 …

Influence Of Limited Creep Feeding On Pre- And Post-Weaning Performance Of Spring Born Calves, F.K. Brazle, Gerry L. Kuhl, C.E. Binns, K.O. Zoellner, L.R. Corah, R.R. Schalles

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring-born suckling beef calves were offered salt-limited creep feeds containing either high protein, high energy, or energy plus Bovatec® from August 15 to October 15 in a 3- year study. Creep feeding improved (P<.01) daily gain over controls, but no differences were attributable to creep composition. Daily creep feed consumption was somewhat less for the protein fed group, resulting in improved feed conversion compared to the energy-based supplement, with the energy plus Bovatec creep feed intermediate in efficiency. Creep feeding improved 53-day postweaning gains (P<.01). Overall, limited creep feeding boosted both pre- and postweaning performance, with no difference in gain among the three types of creep rations studied.

Effect Of Feed Additives On Shipping Shrinkage Of Yearling Heifers, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of feed additives on the transit shrink of yearling cattle. In Trial I, 146 mixed-breed heifers were offered a mineral mixture containing either Terramycin® or Bovatec®, or without additive while grazing native grass pastures. Shrinkage after 300 miles in transit was lower (P<.09) for Bovatec-fed heifers than the other groups. In Trial II, 60 mixed-breed heifers were offered free choice prairie hay, plus soybean hulls without additive or containing either Aureomycin ®, Rumensin, or Bovatec®. Both ionophores tended to reduce live weight shrink following a 10-hour withholding of feed and water, but treatment differences were not significant (P>.05). The small shrinkage differences observed in these two trials would not justify changes in the weighing practices of feeder cattle.

Effect Of Long-Acting Penicillin And Levamisole® On Gain And Health Of Stressed Calves, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of long-acting penicillin and/or levamisole injected at arrival or levamisole injected on day 1 and/or day 7 on the health and gain of newly received, highly stressed, light weight calves. Levamisole injected at arrival reduced (P<.05) sickness of newly arrived calves during the first 5 days. However, it did not reduce overall sickness during the receiving period. Long-acting penicillin injected at arrival did not reduce sickness, but did improve (P<.05) gain of calves during the growing period. The combination of levamisole and long-acting penicillin or the combination of levamisole on day 1 and day 7 did not reduce morbidity in these highly stressed calves.

Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Cull Beef Cows Implanted With Growth Promotants And Fed A High Concentrate Ration, C.D. Cranwell, D.D. Simms, J.R. Brethour, John A. Unruh

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Open, cull beef cows fed a high concentrate ration for 28 or 56 days and implanted with Finaplix-H®, Synovex-H®, or both had improved gain and feed efficiency compared to controls (nonimplanted cows). Changes in ultrasound-measured backfat (12th rib) of implanted cows and controls were similar in both feeding periods. Marbling, fat color, and tenderness, as measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force, were not improved by feeding cows for 56 days compared to 28 days. However, lean color, dressing percent, and ribeye area were improved by feeding for 56 days. Numerical yield grade was lower (P<.05) in 28-day fed cows. Implanting with Synovex-H or Finaplix-H resulted in leaner carcasses with lower yield grades compared to controls. Ribeye area was increased by using Synovex-H compared to controls and Finaplix- H. These data indicate that the benefits in gain, feed efficiency, and carcass traits from implanting cull cows can be obtained by using either Synovex-H or Finaplix-H alone.

Evaluation Of Inoculant-Treated Corn Silages, K.K. Bolsen, D.G. Tiemann, R.N. Sonon, R.A. Hart, B. Dalke, J.T. Dickerson, C. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Whole-plant corn silages treated with either Pioneer 1174® or Biotal® inoculants were preserved more efficiently than control silages. They had slightly higher dry matter (DM) recoveries; more lactic acid; higher lactic to acetic acid ratios; and less acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen. Laboratory silo results showed that both inoculated silages produced lactic acid faster than control silages during the first 7 days and had more desirable fermentation profiles at the end of 90 days. Applying 5 or 10 times the recommended rate of Biotal inoculant had only a small and nonsignificant effect on rate and efficiency of fermentation. Yearling steers …

Evaluation Of 20 Corn Hybrids For Silage Agronomic Characteristics, R.N. Sonon, B.S. Dalke, R. Suazo, L. Pfaff, K.K. Bolsen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Twenty corn hybrids were grown under irrigation and harvested at 90 % of the kernel milk line. Hybrid had a significant effect on plant height, whole-plant dry matter (DM) and DM yield, grain yield, stover yield, and plant part proportions. The highest whole-plant DM (45.9%) was for Cargill 7997, whereas the lowest was for Cargill 4327 (30.1%). Cargill 8427 and Pioneer 3245 had the highest wholeplant DM and grain yields, whereas Cargill 4327 was lowest. Grain yield and the percentage of grain in the whole-plant DM increased as the plant height increased.

Effects Of Biomate® Inoculant And Dextrose On The Fermentation Of Alfalfa Silages, C. Lin, K.K. Bolsen, J.E. Bradford, B.E. Brent, A.M. Feyerherm, W.R. Aimutis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study documented once again that ensiling alfalfa is difficult and unpredictable. Adding 2% dextrose or Biomate® inoculant alone or in combination had little influence on the ensiling process but did improve fermentation efficiency somewhat. The pre-ensiling characteristics (i.e., dry matter (DM) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) values, buffering capacity, and epiphytic microflora) at the different cuttings and stages of maturity undoubtedly influenced the effectiveness of the two additives. Apparently, alfalfa often has too little WSC and too much buffering capacity to produce adequately preserved silage, especially when ensiled at a low DM content (less than 30 to 34%).

Interrelationship Between Copper And Bovine Health, Robert L. Larson, J.D. Arthington, L.R. Corah

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Trace mineral nutrition is important to production efficiency and animal health. Trace mineral imbalances may be the roots of many diagnosed or undiagnosed problems in a herd. The low cost of a complete mineral analysis when compared to production losses encourages its use in the evaluation of any bovine herd in which trace mineral imbalances are suspected. A systematic gathering of information on mineral intake, antagonist intake, and serum and tissue values is necessary in order to make a diagnosis and a rational treatment decision. It is important to understand the complex interactions between minerals so that supplementation with one …

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 Growth Performance 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 growth performance of 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 fmishing phase. Administration of pST increased average daily gain (ADG), improved feed efficiency (FIG), and decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the finishing phase. Increasing dietary P resulted in increased ADG from d …

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 …