Digital Commons Network^™

Research Review On The Detection Of Bpa By Electrochemical Sensors Modified With Carbon-Based Composites, Ren Huimin, Zhang Bo, Yin Shixian, Rong Zhixing, Wang Jianhui

Food and Machinery

As one of the most widely used plasticizers, BPA is often used in various types of food packaging. However, the leaching of BPA from food and water and the emission of BPA in the manufacturing process can harm human health. In recent years, carbon-based composites have shown excellent performance in the detection of BPA due to their unique physical and chemical properties. The rapid detection of BPA by electrochemical sensors based on carbon-based composites has become a research hotspot. This article provides an overview of BPA and the application of carbon-based materials modified electrochemical sensors in the detection of BPA, …

Characteristics Influencing Enrollment Choices: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Factors That Influence Black Students' Decision To Enroll In College Of Agriculture Programs, Jennifer L. Brown

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study aims to identify the barriers that affect Minority enrollment in agriculture, particularly focusing on increasing the enrollment of Black students. There is a significant concern regarding the gap between Black individuals and agriculture enrollment in post-secondary agriculture programs at land-grant institutions. The purpose of this mixed method phenomenology was to (1) identify factors that influence the decision of Black students to enroll in the College of Agriculture and (2) uncover the societal and economic influences that continue to serve as barriers to Black students’ enrolling in agriculture. The quantitative portion of the investigation utilized a web-based instrument structured …

Effects Of Alternative Hermetic Bag Storage On Fermented And Dried Cocoa Bean (Theobroma Cacao L.), Kenneth Foster, Lina M. Suarez-Guzman, Diana C. Meza-Sepulveda, Dieudonne Baributsa, Carlos A. Zurita

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Cocoa beans, derived from the Cacao Tree (Theobroma cacao L.), are a cash crop among smallholder farmers in tropical regions. After harvest and processing, maintaining cocoa bean quality is critical to access lucrative markets. This paper examines the impact of hermetic storage on insect damage, mold, moisture content, and water activity of fermented and dried cocoa beans under farm conditions in collaboration with a farmer association of Belén de Umbría in Colombia. Three types of hermetic storage systems were assessed for a period of 12 months: Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, including both 2- and 3-layer variants, and Ecotact® …

Assessing The Use Of Regenerative Agriculture In California Almonds As Climate Change Resilience, Skyler M. Seamons

Master's Projects and Capstones

The agriculture sector is responsible for 10% of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions. In turn, anthropogenic climate change threatens crops. With its Mediterranean climate, California is the country’s largest agricultural-producing state. Many California crops are at risk due to increasing temperatures and changed precipitation patterns. This paper investigates regenerative farming techniques as a tool to protect California crops from a changing climate. Almonds are used as a case study to analyze the soil management practices, finances, and policies underlying regenerative agriculture in California. A literature review and comparative analysis are used to compare regenerative and conventional soil management practices …

The Impact Of Index Based Livestock Insurance (Ibli) On Child Nutrition In Marsabit County, Kenya, Jackson Kadyampakeni

Master's Theses

The study uses six rounds of Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) panel surveys (2009 – 2015) for Northern Kenya’s Marsabit county to investigate the impact of IBLI on child nutrition and household food security. We employ Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Instrumental Variable (IV) regressions to account for potential endogeneity in IBLI uptake. The results indicate that while IBLI uptake significantly improves the intake of key nutrients such as Vitamin A, protein, iron, and fruits and vegetables, it does not translate into significant improvements in child nutrition status, as measured by Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) z-scores. Significant negative effects of age …

Land Use Intensification And Bio-Resource Utilisation In The South Pacific Islands, David Lopez Cornelio

International Journal of Islands Research

The long and gradual colonisation of the Pacific islands created settlements of cohesive social networks that fused or were displaced by western ways of life, trade and governance through the centuries. In this paper, a historical review of the processes of island discovery, plants domestication, and of land use practices are discussed alongside the main socioeconomic drivers of land cover change. The native trees of the South Pacific constitute an invaluable resource for sustainable development; they were used and domesticated for thousands of years but logging, commercial agriculture, mining, the introduction of exotic species and urban expansion are threatening them …

Antibiogram Profiles Of Pathogenic And Commensal Bacteria In Goat And Sheep Feces On Smallholder Farm, Ashesh Basnet, Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Introduction: The increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic pathogens poses a substantial threat to both animal production and human health. Although large-scale animal farms are acknowledged as major reservoirs for AMR, there is a notable knowledge gap concerning AMR in small-scale farms. This study seeks to address this gap by collecting and analyzing 137 fecal samples from goat and sheep farms in Tennessee and Georgia.

Method: Bacteria were identified using culture-dependent methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method.

Results and discussion: The prevalence of E. coli (94.9%) …

Adopting Yield-Improving Practices To Meet Maize Demand In Sub-Saharan Africa Without Cropland Expansion, Fernando Aramburu-Merlos, Fatima A. M. Tenorio, Nester Mashingaidze, Alex Sananka, Stephen Aston, Jonathan J. Ojeda, Patricio Grassini

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase 2.3 times during the next 30 years driven by demographic and dietary changes. Over the past two decades, the area croppedwithmaize has expanded by 17million hectares in the region, with limited yield increase. Following this trend could potentially result in further maize cropland expansion and the need for imports to satisfy domestic demand. Here, we use data collected from 14,773 smallholder fields in the region to identify agronomic practices that can improve farm yield gains. We find that agronomic practices related to cultivar selection, and nutrient, pest, and crop management can …

Designing Future Agriculture: Design For Complex Systems And Cross-Cultural Interactions, Karina Madzari

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Climate change is now recognized by businesses as a major challenge, prompting the agribusiness sector to transform to meet sustainability goals. However, there are many ways to achieve sustainability. Precision agriculture and agroecology are two concepts that evolved from conventional and regenerative approaches respectively, and offer distinct perspectives on sustainability attainment. Precision agriculture relies on technological solutions like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, gene editing, and carbon dioxide removal technologies (CDR) and aims to revolutionize industry operations through automatization. Agroecology, on the other hand, creates a symbiotic relationship between farming practices and ecosystem services. It aims to replace non-renewable resources with …

Hay Inventory And Purchasing Calculator For Horse Owners, Robyn L. Stewart, Brooklyne M. Wassel

Journal of Extension

The Hay Inventory and Purchasing Calculator for Horse Owners is an Excel-based tool for estimating hay needs and expenses for horse owners. Challenges with hay quality and availability can result in higher than expected costs for horse owners as they attempt to purchase enough horse-quality hay to meet their needs. Estimating intake requirements and creating a budget for hay purchasing is key for the effective management and profitability of equine operations. This tool can be used regardless of geographic location and will benefit a diverse audience including Extension educators, equine business owners, and horse owners.

On-Farm Hog Processing Demonstration For Teenage Exhibitors: Blending Academic, Laboratory, And Farm-Based Learning, Katherine A. Wells, Chris L. Bruynis, Lyda G. Garcia

Journal of Extension

COVID-19 challenges induced a U.S. meatpacking industry bottleneck. [University] Extension identified the need and responded by creating a three-step hands-on training for teenage junior fair exhibitors. [University] Extension Meat Scientist and graduate students assisted in demonstrating an on-farm hog harvest and processing event in collaboration with a local Extension office for 4-H and FFA teenagers. To add a practical perspective, a local hog-producing and harvesting family was asked to assist with the event. An online post-survey reflected 90-100% gains in five educational areas and 100% said they would a similar event in the future and recommend it to a friend.

Perceived Benefits And Barriers To Livestock Mortality Composting, Rachel Wieme, Lynne Carpenter-Boggs

Journal of Extension

We conducted webinars in 2020 about livestock mortality composting (LMC). Forty-five attendees completed a survey to evaluate the webinar and help define future educational needs. Major barriers to LMC were lack of experience, public and neighbor perceptions, and environmental management. Most respondents indicated convenience, cost, biosafety, use of product, and environmental management as benefits. An unexpected emotional theme indicated that LMC also supports the “circle of life” and “respect for the animal.” We propose that this theme may be a uniting message to improve public and producer perception of LMC, increase use of LMC, and improve public-producer relationships overall.

And Food Justice For All: Advancing Access To Just And Sustainable Food Systems, Makenna Grace Landry

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A collection of work exploring food justice and food access programming in Western Montana, as well as a critique of the Bayer-Monsanto merger.

Offering Collegiate Livestock Judging As A Student Organization, Maryfrances Miller, Don W. Edgar, Lyle Logemann

Journal of Extension

Resource constraints have lowered the number of collegiate livestock judging teams, dropping the number of opportunities for collegiate judging, even though interest among students remains high. These opportunities can be provided for less expense through student-led extracurricular organizations. This approach increases the student initiative required, but also provides an increased opportunity for developing and demonstrating leadership skills.

Using Multimedia To Help Agricultural Producers Communicate With Consumers About Gmos, Stacey F. Stearns, Jennifer E. Cushman, Joseph A. Bonelli, Bonnie E. Burr

Journal of Extension

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their uses are often misunderstood. Consumers are regularly unsure what GMOs are, or if they are safe for consumption and the environment. Contradictory and sometimes inaccurate information is available from numerous sources, and challenges consumers and others to separate the facts from sensationalized stories. Agricultural producers often communicate with consumers, neighbors, and members of the general public; however, they do not have information to share about GMOs. Multimedia resources can provide agricultural producers with science-based information to share with consumers. Agricultural communicators and Extension educators can create science-based multimedia resources to bridge the communication gap.

Consumer-Focused Meat Science Extension Program Increase Consumer Confidence And Knowledge Of Meat Selection And Preparation, Stacy Zuelly, Yufei Guo, Melinda Dennis, Emily Ford, Melissa Davis

Journal of Extension

Science-based, meat science education is often limited outside of universities, creating possibilities to develop Extension activities to educate and impower consumers in principles of meat science. The Indiana BBQ Bootcamp was developed to provide consumers information on meat selection, proper cooking techniques, food safety, and meat seasoning (spice rubs and marinades) through demonstrations and product sampling. Attendees were surveyed before and after the program to report their confidence in their ability to perform basic meat science techniques. Responses to all survey questions showed significant increase in the attendees’ confidence demonstrating improvement in their meat science knowledge.

With Love, ; An Interdisciplinary And Intersectional Look At Why Creativity Is Essential, Theo Starr Gardner

Whittier Scholars Program

My Whittier Scholars Program self-designed major, Teaching Creativity, is a mixture of Art, Literature, and Education classes. My research and praxis classes have been focused on the ‘how?’s and 'why?’s of creativity, so it felt only right that my project should be a constructivist, generative project. The project I have been working on throughout my time at Whittier, and that has just fully come to fruition on April 11th, 2024, was a solo art gallery/open mic event entitled ‘With Love,’. With Love, was conceptually inspired by the research I’ve conducted on creativity and creative arts education over the past few …

Greening The Edge: Investigating Riparian Buffer Restorations In A Pastoral Setting And Their Effects On Soil Carbon And Microbial Community Composition., Seth Mccullough

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Riparian buffer restoration represents a critical strategy for enhancing ecosystem health and resilience in agricultural landscapes. This study investigates the effects of riparian buffer restoration on soil properties, microbial communities, and carbon dynamics in Rockingham County, VA. Through a comprehensive field study, we assessed the physicochemical properties of soil, microbial biomass, community composition, and soil carbon storage in restored and unrestored riparian buffers. Our findings reveal significant improvements in soil physical properties in restored buffers, including increased soil moisture (p < 0.05) and decreased bulk density (p < 0.01), indicating enhanced soil structure and water retention capacity. While no significant differences were detected in soil pH or cation exchange capacity, restored buffers exhibited higher soil carbon stocks (p < 0.05) and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, suggesting potential differences in nutrient cycling processes and organic matter decomposition rates. Moreover, restored buffers showed increased microbial biomass (p < 0.01), potentially driven by improved habitat conditions and shifts towards a fungal-dominated microbial community.

Although no significant differences were found in overall microbial community composition between restored and unrestored sites, specific shifts in bacterial …

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Prosperity: Harnessing Traditional Ecological Knowledge To Revitalize Australia's Economy, Environment, And Human Wellbeing, Annabelle L. Baulch

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper explores the traditional knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous people and how it can improve Australia's environment, health, and economic prosperity to shape a more sustainable future. Indigenous Australians managed the land for thousands of years; however, being forced off the land following European colonization resulted in terrible cultural, social, and environmental disruption for Aboriginal Australians and made conservation efforts difficult. Wildfires, imported species, mining, and agriculture is steadily destroying the Australian ecosystem, contributing to climate change, species extinction, and gaps in our cultural and ancestral knowledge. Chapter One overviews Australia's environmental issues; it uses quantitative data to explore the …

Heavy Steers And Heifers Run At Low Stocking Rates Enhance Drought Resilience In A Pastoral Region Of Australia, Christophe D'Abbadie, Ross Kingwell, Philip E. Vercoe, Bradley Plunkett, Alan Peggs

Animal production and livestock research articles

CONTEXT

The semi-arid mulga lands of the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia experience frequent droughts. Maintaining a profitable animal grazing enterprise whilst preserving rangeland condition requires selecting an appropriate stocking rate and herd structure.

OBJECTIVE

We construct and apply bioeconomic models of beef enterprises for the semi-arid Southern Rangelands of Western Australia, to assess the profitability and relative riskiness of three different livestock production systems and three different stocking rates when exposed to different frequencies of drought.

METHODS

We construct bio-economic models of herd structures that separately focus on producing either: (i) 200 kg heifers and 210 kg steers (ii) …

Identifying High-Value Tactical Livestock Decisions On A Mixed Enterprise Farm In A Variable Environment, Michael Young, John Young, Ross S. Kingwell, Philip E. Vercoe

Animal production and livestock research articles

Context

Australia is renowned for its climate variation, featuring years with drought and years with floods, which result in significant production and profit variability. Accordingly, to maximise profitability, dryland farming systems need to be dynamically managed in response to unfolding weather conditions.

Aims

The aim of this study is to identify and quantify optimal tactical livestock management for different weather-years.

Methods

This study employed a whole-farm optimisation model to analyse a representative mixed enterprise farm located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Using this model, we investigated the economic significance of five key livestock management tactics. These included …

Economic Contribution Of Agriculture And Food To Arkansas' Gross Domestic Product 2017-2022, Leah English, Jennie S. Popp

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

In this report, Arkansas agriculture is presented in a historical context. These data are available for 2017 through 2022. Throughout the report, agriculture is defined in terms of agricultural sectors, North American Industry Classification Scheme (NAICS) sectors, industries, and general descriptive terms that can be applied to agriculture.

Economic Contribution Of The Agricultural Sector To The Arkansas Economy In 2022, Leah English, Jennie S. Popp

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

This report is the seventeenth in a series that examines agriculture’s economic contribution to the Arkansas economy. The total economic contribution of agriculture (direct, indirect, and induced effects) on value added, employment, and labor income was estimated with the Impact Analysis for Planning System (IMPLAN) for the most recent year available, 2022.

International Rice Outlook: International Rice Baseline Projections 2023-2033, A. Durand-Morat, W. Mulimbi

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

No abstract provided.

Decoding Generation Z: A Perceptions Content Analysis, Olivia Larson

Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores the multifaceted nature of Generation Z through a content analysis, aiming to identify the range of characteristics and preferences within this cohort. By delving beyond prevalent stereotypes, this study addresses the gap in understanding regarding Generation Z's learning styles, communication preferences, work ethics, and personal values. Through examination, this research provides insights crucial for marketers and educators seeking to engage and educate Generation Z effectively.

Annual Pasture Quantity And Quality In South West Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The productivity of sheep is largely governed by the amount of pasture they eat and this is influenced by the quantity of the pasture on offer and its quality. Assessing pasture quantity and quality throughout the growing season gives managers the information they need to manage animal performance and pasture condition.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides this information for farmers to help improve the productivity and profitability of the livestock industry in Western Australia.

Nebline, May 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields by John Nelson

Navigating Nutrition Information: Separating Fact from Fiction by Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the Month: Pepper Steak Sandwich by Alyssa Havlovic

Care for New Bedding Plants by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Cash Rent Survey

No Matter Where You Live, Submit a Request Before You Dig! by Becky Schuerman

4-H Achievement Celebration

8 Lancaster County 4-H’ers Modeled Their Sewn Garments at Omaha Fashion Week

4-H Events Open to All Youth

Support 4-H by Eating Out, May 1 & 2

Support 4-H During “Give to Lincoln Day,” May 30 …

Yield And Nutritive Quality Of Fresh And Ensiled Reduced Lignin Alfalfa In Monoculture And Diculture With Novel Tall Fescue, Morgan Boss

All Theses

The objectives of this research were to: (1) evaluate the yield, nutritional value, and digestibility of fresh and ensiled reduced lignin alfalfa (RLA; Medicago sativa L.) in monoculture and when mixed with novel endophyte-infected tall fescue (F; Festuca arundinacea) in comparison to a conventional alfalfa (CA) cultivar; and (2) evaluate ensiled samples under varying DM concentrations; with or without inoculant. A trial was prepared as a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates per treatment. Treatments included reduced lignin alfalfa (RLA), conventional alfalfa (CA) and tall fescue (F) plots as well as RLA/F and CA/F plots. Plots were harvested on …

Deoxynivalenol And Fumonisin Predispose Broilers To Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness, Khawla Alharbi, Nnamdi Ekesi, Amer Hasan, Andi Asnayanti, Jundi Liu, Raj Murugesan, Shelby Ramirez, Samuel Rochell, Michael T. Kidd, Adnan Alrubaye

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is the most critical animal health and welfare issue facing the broiler industry worldwide. It is estimated that 1 to 2% of bird condemnation at marketing age is caused by BCO lameness, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in annual losses. Fast-growing broilers are prone to mechanical stress that triggers bacterial translocation across epithelial barriers into the bloodstream, followed by bacterial colonization in the growth plate of long bones, and eventually, bone necrosis and lameness. Mycotoxins (MTX) are secondary metabolites produced naturally by microfungi, of which deoxynivalenol (DON …

Assessing The Impact Of Spraying An Enterococcus Faecium-Based Probiotic On Day-Old Broiler Chicks At Hatch On The Incidence Of Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness Using A Staphylococcus Challenge Model, Anh Dang Trieu Do, Amanda Anthney, Khawla Alharbi, Andi Asnayanti, Antoine Meuter, Adnan Ali Khalaf Alrubaye

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is a bone disease characterized by the translocation of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, which colonize microfractures in broiler leg bones caused by rapid animal growth rate and weight gain, resulting in lameness. As such, BCO lameness represents a significant challenge for the poultry industry. This study aims to evaluate the effect of spraying broiler chicks on d0 at hatch with an Enterococcus faecium probiotic on the incidence of BCO-induced lameness, utilizing a Staphylococcus aureus challenge model. There were four treatments: (1) negative control (no probiotic + no challenge, NC); (2) positive control (no …