Digital Commons Network^™

The Socioeconomic And Ecological Impact Of Cool Season Forage Production: A Case Of Black Belt Counties, Alabama, Lila B. Karki, Uma Karki

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Raising livestock during the lean season of forage production has become a great challenge for small and limited resource farmers because of a high cost involved in procuring supplementary feed. This study was conducted to assess the impact of cultivating cool-season forages on the feeding costs for meat goats and cattle. Three case studies were conducted in three Black Belt Counties of Alabama, Russell, Dallas, and Bullock. The socioeconomic and ecological impacts of developing cool-season pastures were evaluated using the before versus after assessment approach. The findings revealed that all three cooperator farmers reduced costs of procuring hay and …

Revaluating Whole Measures Of Community Food Security In Unity State, South Sudan, Bijiek G. Jieknyal, Lorien E. Macauley

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Conflict in the newly formed South Sudan has had devastating effects on the nation’s food security. Many food security metrics overlook factors of agriculture, such as seasonality, access to agricultural inputs; or the effects of displacement of small farm holders due to conflict. In light of these complexities, constructs were adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems (WMCFS), and evaluated for their appropriateness in articulating the food situation in Unity State, South Sudan. This study used a pilot study approach, triangulating publicly available, qualitative and quantitative datasets from the Famine Early Warning System Network, United Nations, Government of …

The Small Farmer-Tuskegee University-Walmart Project: Observations Of The Steps Within Commercial Supply, Barrett Vaughan, Miles D. Robinson, Audrey Zeigler, George X. Hunter, Gertrude Wall, John Brown

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Observations of the various efforts necessary in an initiative, the Small Farmer-Tuskegee University-Walmart Project, to assist small farmers to comply with produce industry standards and supply produce to a major retailer over a six-year period were documented through an illustrative case study. The observations were taken from meetings with commercial buyers and farmers, site visits to processing centers and corporate farms, conference calls, and, mainly, from the authors’ “hands-on” participation with the functioning and preservation of this initiative. Consequently, these observations were organized into a framework of criteria that must be successively satisfied to be able to supply produce …

Evaluating The Impact Of Nitrogen Fertilization Treatments And Irrigation On Soil Health Indicators In A Long-Term Crop Rotation Research Plot, Andria Howard, Raymon Shange, Anthony S. Kumi, Leonard Githinji, Yucheng Feng, Ramble Ankumah

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Many agriculturalists have been focusing on the most efficient farming method that would produce the maximum yield while still sustaining the soil ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from the “Old Rotation” area (Auburn University, Auburn, AL), and were assessed for soil biochemical, chemical and biological characteristics related to soil quality. Treatments of the experimental site were a control with no legumes or N fertilizer; cotton every year with winter legumes; a 3-yr cotton-corn-soybean rotation with wheat and winter legumes; and cotton every year with N fertilizer. Impacts of irrigation were also tested between the sites. Assays were performed measuring …

Using Critical Physical Geography To Map The Unintended Consequences Of Conservation Management Programs, Melanie Malone

Dissertations and Theses

A variety of conservation trends have gained and lost favor throughout the years in agriculture, with U.S. Farm Bills often influencing what conservation practices are implemented by farming communities throughout the U.S. This dissertation focuses on the unintended consequences of conservation management practices in the Fifteenmile Watershed of Wasco County, Oregon. Specifically, I seek to address how farmer enrollment in various conservation techniques, loosely defined as no-till agriculture, has affected soil and water quality through the increased use of herbicide, and subsequently rendered ecological and human health vulnerable. Using a critical physical geography framework, I address both the biophysical factors …

Incorporating Instruction Into The Huasna Valley 4-H Beef Group, Carly P. Chandless

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project was to design a manual to be used by 4-H leaders and members. The author wants to develop an interesting and intriguing manual that will demonstrate how to raise a market steer. This manual will contain step by step instructions on how fit a steer for show and how to halter break. These illustrations will help guide a 4-H member through the process of handling their steer. The Huasna Valley 4-H Steer Manual will provide beneficial information, to the leader and member, from the moment the project is purchased to sale. More importantly, the manual …

Working Bodies: A Photo Essay On Tulare County Citrus Workers, Isamar Hernandez-Ramos

Agricultural Education and Communication

Many a times, when people think about their food, they think about origins. Where did it come from? Was it hygienic? Were the animals treated humanely? They seldom include the workers in their thought process, though the workers of the Ag industry provide what is arguably a vital part of the Ag industry. They do back-breaking labor in often lethal conditions for little pay (NFWM). The families of these workers often suffer economically, physically, and emotionally. In Tulare County, one of the top Agricultural counties in the country, the agricultural worker is often below the poverty line (Taylor, 2015). They …

Consumer Agricultural Education: Starting At The High School Level Health Class, Cecilia Teresa Acosta

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project is to analyze and understand the communication gap between the farmer and consumer in order to create a dialogue about misconceptions in the media. Often rumors in the media worry or mislead the consumer in his or her buying choices. In order for consumers to understand what they are buying, and critically analyze media information, it is necessary to teach agricultural education at the high school level health class. This project will showcase how to start this education in order to bridge the communication gap starting with five crucial and common food-packaging labels. These labels …

Hanford Ffa Ornamental Horticulture Unit Master Plan, Savanah Diane Rhine, Russell Alan Zimmerman

Agricultural Education and Communication

This project is intended to develop a more functional plan for the Ornamental Horticulture (OH) Unit at the Hanford Agriculture Program. The ag program combines all three high schools in Hanford resulting in over 1,000 students; however, a majority of these students are not in the OH Career Pathway due to a lack of a constant, fully functional unit. As a comprehensive agriculture program, it is crucial that it incorporates all aspects of agriculture, not just animal science and agricultural mechanics.

This project will provide the Hanford agriculture program with a plan to be implemented so that they may have …

Rabbit Showmanship Guidebook, Mitchell B. Liwanag

Agricultural Education and Communication

Rabbit Showmanship Guidebook

A Senior Project

Presented to

The Faculty of the Agricultural Education and Communication Department

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science

By

© Mitchell Liwanag

June 2017

Introduction: Every year 4-H, FFA, and Independent exhibitors compete in rabbit showmanship at hundreds of county and state fairs as well as rabbit shows. It is the author’s opinion with the proper guidance, showmanship can be simple and easy to learn. However, without the help of someone knowledgeable, showmanship is complicated. By creating a showmanship guide new leaders …

Cost Of Feed Per Pound Of Gain In Cal Poly's Dairy Calves, Kayle Anna Phelan

Agricultural Education and Communication

California is ranked one of the top five states in the United States for dairy production. It produces approximately 40 billion pounds of milk per year for US production. California’s dairy industry is not only the largest milk producer in the nation, but it is also the most financially prominent in the agricultural industry. This industry lead is purely because of its careful management practices. The way calves are raised depend on the resources used, the natural environment present, and the operation of the dairy farm. Essentially, there are numerous ways to care for a cow and calf. However, the …

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights 2016-2017, Jim Jansen

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Reports

The Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights 2016-2017 report represents the 39th edition to the annual series. These reports provide an important insight on agricultural land market dynamics for stakeholders across Nebraska. In today's market, where market transactions exceeding a million dollars are the norm, objective market information and analysis is more critical than ever. The focus of the report continues to provide unbiased information on agricultural land values and rental rates so industry participants can make educated and informed decisions.

This year, the February 2017 survey of nearly 150 expert-panel members from across the state provided current information and …

Planning For The Proposed Peel Food Zone, Ghd

Natural resources commissioned reports

Transform Peel is a $49m Royalties for Regions funded program. This program is broadly regarded as transformational for the Peel region in terms of job creation, sustainable growth and economic development. The Peel Development Commission and its partners, intend to implement this program over 35 years where projections estimate that 35 000 jobs will be created generating an approximate $16.2b per annum economic output by 2050. Located in the Shires of Murray and Serpentine Jarrahdale, the program comprises three integrated, strategic elements: Peel Food Zone; Peel Business Park; Peel Integrated Water Initiative.

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia …

Nebline, June 2017

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: What's Biting You?

Food & Health

Farm & Acreage

Pests & Wildlife

Horticulture

Early Childhood

4-H & Youth

and other extension news and events

Biosecurity And Market Access: An Assessment Of The Capacity Of The Department Of Agriculture And Food Western Australia To Address Plant Industry Market Access Issues During A Biosecurity Response - Summary Report By The Biosecurity Council Of Western Australia, Biosecurity Council Of Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

In late April 2017, the Minister for Agriculture and Food (the Minister) requested advice from the Biosecurity Council of Western Australia (the Council) on the capability and capacity of the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) for securing market access in a horticultural biosecurity incident. DAFWA’s response to the recent tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) incursion was to be the starting point for advising how agency capability can be improved for future biosecurity incidents.

An ‘Issues Statement’ was developed to provide a summary of the potential underpinning factors that may have contributed to the major loss of market access and …

Noxious Weed Field Guide For Utah, Brenda Jarvis Lowry, Corey Ransom, Ralph Whitesides, Heather Olsen

All Current Publications

Invasive noxious weeds have been described as a raging biological wildfire – out of control, spreading rapidly, and causing enormous economic losses. Millions of acres in North America have been invaded or are at risk of being invaded by weeds, including cropland, pastures, rangelands, forests, wilderness areas, national parks, recreation sites, wildlife management areas, transportation corridors, waterways, wetlands, parks, golf courses, even yards and gardens. Noxious weeds are capable of spreading at rates of up to 60% annually (Smith et al. 1999).

Devastation caused by noxious weeds is enormous. Economic losses from weeds exceed $30 billion (Pimentel et al. 2005) …

Community Supported Agriculture: Legal Concerns, Kenna Mcmurray, Kelsey Hall, Roslynn Brain

All Current Publications

As with all businesses, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) growers may experience legal concerns. This fact sheet will walk growers through certain steps that may be taken to minimize the liability of your CSA operation and manage possible risks.

Wetland Plants Of Great Salt Lake, A Guide To Identification, Communities, & Bird Habitat, Rebekah Downard, Maureen Frank, Jennifer Perkins, Karin Kettenring, Mark Larese-Casanova

All Current Publications

Wetland Plants of Great Salt Lake: a guide to identification, communities, & bird habitat is a wetland plant identification guide, resulting from collaborative research efforts about Great Salt Lake (GSL) wetland conditions and bird habitat. Dr. Rebekah Downard collected dissertation field data from GSL wetlands during 2012–2015, the majority of which informed this work. Dr. Maureen Frank contributed her guide to GSL wetland vegetation and how to manage native plants as high-quality habitat for birds. The intended purpose in producing this guide was to create an informative source that could assist researchers, land managers, birders, and wetland enthusiasts in identifying, …

Utah Master Naturalist, Mountain Adventures Manual, Mark Larese-Casanova

All Current Publications

The Utah Master Naturalist Mountain Adventures Manual provides a comprehensive view of mountain ecosystems in Utah, from the geology and climate that influence mountain ecosystems, to the plant and animal communities and their unique adaptations for survival. The Manual explores the human perspective from historic peoples to current management.

Effects Of Organic Selenium And Linseed Oil Supplementation On Myofibrillar Protein And Quality Of Frankfurters, Tang Xinyue, Zhang Wenbin, Jiang Jiang, Yang Ruijin, Hua Xiao, Zhao Wei

Food and Machinery

Crossed pigs were fed a control diet (with 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite+1.5% soybean oil) or organic selenium diets (0.3 mg/kg Se-Yeast +1.5% soybean oil or linseed oil, 0.5 mg/kg Se-Yeast+1.5% soybean diet) to investigate the effects on selenium deposition in loin muscle, fatty acid profile, properties of myofibrillar and processed meat products. The organic diets increased muscular selenium content up to 54% (P<0.05) compared to the control diet. Linseed oil supplemented in the pig diet improved n-6/n-3 ratio, the solubility and gelatin strength of myofribrillar (P<0.05), without affecting the microstructure and sensory characters of Frankfurters. The high level of organic selenium supplementation inhibited the lipid oxidation of Frankfurters from d 7 to d 12. Hence, dietary organic selenium and linseed oil supplementation have some enhancement in Se-enriched meat production and processing.

A Method For Dark Dna Components Detection In Meat And Productions By Multiplex-Real-Time Fluorescence Pcr, Lin Lin, Chen Guopei, He Yongsheng, Yang Guowu, Lai Xintian

Food and Machinery

The Cairina moschata DNA component can not be detected by the current duck DNA component detection methods. By downloading Cairina moschata,and Anas platyrhynchos domestica and similar species 12S rDNA sequences and compareing them by using Clustal X2 software to find a specific sequence, a pair of universal primers and two individual specific probes were designed based on the sequence, which construct specific detect Cairina moschata and Anas platyrhynchos domestica DNA components real-time PCR system. This detection system can detect as low as 0.1% adulteration. Results: Using this detection system can detect Cairina moschata and Anas platyrhynchos domestica DNA components from …

Determination Of Pindone In Meat Product By Gc-Ms, He Yan, Xu Wenyang, Sun Guifang, Zhou Xingwang, Tang Wanli

Food and Machinery

To establish a GC-MS method for determination of pindone in meat products. The effects of ways of extraction and purification on the recovery have been studied. The samples were extracted by acetone and (hexane 11) with dSPE purified column. GC-MS was used for determination by EI. The average recoveries were in the range of 81%～89% at spiked levels of 0.5～5.0 mg/kg. The relative standard deviation of the methods were 3.0%～8.4%, and the limit of quantification reached 0.005 mg/kg which meet the requirement of technical parameters for analysis with fast and simple determination and high sensitivity.

The Degradation And Transfer Law Of Glucosinolates In Rapeseeds During Aqueous Medium Extraction Processing Of Oil, Ren Yanqin, Yang Ruijin, Zhang Wenbin, Zhao Wei, Hua Xiao

Food and Machinery

The effect of different pretreatments on degradation of glucosinolates in rapeseed and its transferring law in oil, emulsion, water and sediment phase during aqueous medium extraction processing was investigated. The glucosinolates content was determined by palladium chloride spectrophotometry method, and the conditions of roasting and boiling were optimized by single-factor experiments. The results showed that under the optimized conditions of roasting at 120 ℃ for 0.5 h, the degradation rate of glucosinolate was 7.32%. While under the optimized conditions of boiling at 115 ℃ for 10 min, the degradation rate of glucosinolate was 21.04%. The glucosinolates were kept substantially constant …

The Mechanism For Anti-Drunk And Anti-Inebriation Of Konjac Glucomannan, Zheng Lianji, Deng Liling, Luo Jiani, Zhang Shuai, Deng Li, Zhong Geng

Food and Machinery

In this study, different doses of konjac gum powder (KGM) were administered to Kunming mice to study their the anti-drunk hangover effects and its mechanism, and the model was made by intragastric administration of 56 %vol liquor of Red Star Erguotou, China. The results showed that the middle dose (240 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) of KGM could effectively prolong the climb time and Latency time of drunkenness, and could significantly shorten the drunken mice sleeping time and sobering time. The ethanol concentration of serum in the high and middle dose groups was significantly lower than that in the …

The Donation-Based Approach To Solving Critical Social Issues: An Examination Of The Food Waste Recovery Approach To Solving Hunger In The United States, Desa Radic

Capstone Collection

As the issue of hunger continues to plague the lives of nearly 1 billion people around the world, we need to find real, lasting and empowering solutions. This is an interdisciplinary research study into the donation-based approach to solving critical social issues in the United States by examining the food waste recovery and hunger debate. Social, public and private sectors advocate that hunger can be solved through food waste recovery and redistribution methods. From a systems perspective, such thinking is not only problematic for the people facing hunger, but raises concern of achieving overall social justice and change. Using qualitative …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Alternative Splicing In Paleopolyploid Maize, Wenbin Mei, Sanzhen Liu, James C. Schnable, Cheng-Ting Yeh, Nathan M. Springer, Patrick S. Schnable, William Brad Barbazuk

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Identifying and characterizing alternative splicing (AS) enables our understanding of the biological role of transcript isoform diversity. This study describes the use of publicly available RNA-Seq data to identify and characterize the global diversity of AS isoforms in maize using the inbred lines B73 and Mo17, and a related species, sorghum. Identification and characterization of AS within maize tissues revealed that genes expressed in seed exhibit the largest differential AS relative to other tissues examined. Additionally, differences in AS between the two genotypes B73 and Mo17 are greatest within genes expressed in seed. We demonstrate that changes in the level …

Effects Of Integrating Mathematical Concepts Into A Nutrition Unit In The Animal Science Curriculum, Andrea R. Gardner, Brian K. Warnick, Rebecca G. Lawver

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Achievement test scores in mathematics have been a concern among educators for many years. Teaching contextualized mathematics has been found to be effective and includes providing a direct application to real-life scenarios rather than teaching linear equations and algebraic principles in isolation. This study measured the effects of integrating mathematical skills in one instructional unit in an animal science curriculum. Students from eight schools participated in the research study. Students completed a pretest measuring their existing mathematical skills and self-efficacy in math. All students were taught a unit of instruction about animal nutrition and feeding. The control group received a …

Using Ancient Practices To Fix Modern Problems: The Effect Of Biochar On Einkorn Wheat And Soil Quality, Sarah L. Miller

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

As farmland soils become more and more depleted, the importance of effective soil amendments grows. Biochar is a potential soil and carbon amendment that could improve water and nutrient holding capacity and foster growth of beneficial microbes and fungi. Biochar does not contain nutrients but acts like a sponge, absorbing nutrients around it. It is so effective at holding nutrients that in the first year, if applied alone, it can make the nutrients unavailable to plants and lowers crop yields. To get the best results biochar must be saturated, also referred to as inoculated or charged, with nutrients. Once the …

Epigenetic Regulation Of Salicylic Acid-Mediated Plant Defense, Phillip Key

Senior Theses

Plant pathogens remain a significant threat to the stability of modern agricultural systems, and the investigation of mechanisms to improve the security of food resources has led to the partial characterization of plant immune response. With this progress, there is a newfound ability to analyze the relative pathogen resistance capability of specifically modified organisms, and in doing so, it is possible to identify individual alterations that might play a role in creating a more robust immune response. In this study, ten Arabidopsis thaliana mutants were infiltrated with Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum alongside positive and negative control Col-0 Wild-Type and npr1-2. …

The Effect Of Cattle Management On Soil Carbon: Implications For Climate Change, Kelly M. Livernoche

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

In naturally occurring ecosystems, forests function as substantial carbon sinks, storing carbon in soil and in biomass that would otherwise exist in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The conversion of forested land to cattle pastures and their associated operational processes are noteworthy contributors to recent increases in global carbon emissions and subsequent climate change. However, appropriately managed cattle pastures have potential to be reservoirs for carbon. Rotational cattle pastures, where cattle are moved between enclosed sections of pasture, may improve soil carbon content compared to conventional practices. In rotational cattle pastures, a more even distribution of manure increases plant biomass, …