Digital Commons Network^™

Early Weaning Reduces Rangeland Herbage Disappearance, Patricia Johnson, Kenneth C. Olson, Roger N. Gates, Hubert H. Patterson, Mindy Hubert, Douglas Landbloom, Janna J. Kincheloe, Heather A. Richter, Allison V. Grove

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Early weaning of beef calves reduces nutrient and forage demand in a cow–calf enterprise, potentially contributing to reduction in forage utilization on the pasture from which calves are removed by a nonlactating cow vs. a cow–calf pair. Research was conducted to evaluate weaning beef calves 90 days early (EW) vs. normal weaning (NW) on pasture herbage disappearance in mixed-grass prairie pastures in the northern Great Plains. Spring-calving cows (n = 48) were utilized in each study year (2003, 2004, and 2006) from the date of early weaning (August) until the date of normal weaning (November). Cow–calf pairs were randomly …

Food Waste At Retail, Erin G. Killeen Davis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food waste at retail represents forgone sales and embodies store management and disposal costs. Fresh produce is the largest contributing sector to food waste at retail and bulky, seasonal products are an added challenge when stores experience a high waste event. In order to improve, retailers need to better understand the costs of food waste, as well as how management strategies can impact these costs.

Using pumpkins as an example of bulky, seasonal products, a twofold research project was conducted to better understand contributors to, and costs of food waste at the retail level. In part one, using data from …

Managing Rock Squirrels In Utah, Nicki Frey

All Current Publications

Although they do not exist in large colonies like other ground squirrels, rock squirrels can still sometimes generate conflicts with homeowners and farmers alike. Most damage occurs when a few rock squirrels take residence in a homeowner’s back yard, and begin to forage on garden vegetables and fruit trees. There are several direct and indirect ways that private landowners can manage and reduce rock squirrels on their property. This fact sheet give management tips.

On-Ranch Application Of Dna Technology, Kevin Heaton, Katelyn Christensen

All Current Publications

Genetic analysis provides producers with another tool to identify individuals in a herd which have the greatest potential to be most productive or least productive, thus improving ranch sustainability. This project reported in this fact sheet demonstrated that on each ranch there were both genetically inferior and superior livestock for the production traits analyzed. Participating ranchers are using the results to select replacements and are cautioned to avoid single trait selection. This project also created a baseline for genetic quality which individual ranches could compare with future DNA test results.

Bats And Rabies In Utah, Nicki Frey

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the 10 species of bats found in Utah, what to do if you are bitten and how to avoid contracting diseases from them.

Safety Guide For The Adventurous Outdoor Hiker, Lori Bailey, Cindy Nelson

All Current Publications

This tri-fold brochure gives safety tips for hikers, especially 4-H youth.

Characteristic Of Water Holding Capacity And Color Changes Of Tan Sheep At Different Storage Temperatures, Wang Wei, Luo Ruiming, Li Junli, Zhang Ting

Food and Machinery

In this paper, the water holding capacity and color of Tan sheep were investigated under various storage temperatures. The postmortem Tan sheep preservation at 0～4 ℃ and 15 ℃, dynamic of pH, cooking loss, water holding capacity, dropping loss and meat color were measured at 1～7 d during preservation. The research results indicated that Tan sheep muscle which were preserved at 15 ℃ had fast decreasing speed of pH value, rapid speed of water holding capacity rally and worse meat color. Cooking loss of Tan sheep at 0～4 ℃ showed no significant differences from 15 ℃（P>0.05), dripping loss, water …

Process Optimization Of High-Density Candida Utilis Feed Yeasts By Solid State Fermentation, Xu Su, Sun Libin, Yang Haiming, Sun Hui, Jiang Lianzhou

Food and Machinery

Probiotic feed yeasts were made from the raw materials of defatted soy meal, rice hull and corn straw by solid state fermentation. The culture medium ingredients were optimized by the orthogonal experiment. The model of fermentative condition was developed by the simplex-centrioid mixture design and analyzed by the response surface analysis．The results were as follows: defatted soymeal∶rice hull∶corn straw was in the ratio 5∶2∶2. Forty grams of the raw materials were added with 4 grams of glucose，0.2 grams of （NH₄）₂SO₄ and 1× mono-microelement combination. The inoculum volum was 3.5%. The culture thickness was 1.3 cm. …

2014 Farm Bill Education Program For Nebraska Agricultural Producers, Tim M. Lemmons

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

The 2014 Farm Bill presented agricultural producers with new options in farm risk management that was very different than previous years. This publication documents the evaluation and analysis conducted through a Nebraska Extension and Farm Service Agency educational effort reaching 13,328 producers, in 112 workshop meetings across the State of Nebraska. The evaluative effort included a post-workshop survey instrument and a six-month post event survey tool, showing the demographic breakdown of the workshop clientele, short- and medium-term knowledge/behavioral impacts, and the financial value of the program overall.

An Approach To An Agave Problem: The Bioremediation Of Agricultural Waste By Yeast Fermentations, Joshua Michael Jarodsky

Theses and Dissertations

The agricultural waste products created by industries, such as the Tequila manufacturing industry, create thousands of tons of waste material every year. This agricultural waste often becomes an environmental and ecological problem for fields and surrounding areas. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of using the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus 7-1 and Kluyveromyces marxianus 8-1 to ferment the leaf waste from the harvesting of the Agave tequilana as a form of bioremediation. Fermentations (anaerobic, under constant shaking, and at room temperature) were monitored for colony forming units, pH of fermentation broth, concentration of reducing sugars, and protein …

The Perceptions Of The Unwanted Horse Population In Illinois 2015, Kelsey Annette Schueler

Theses and Dissertations

A survey to measure the perceptions of the unwanted horse population in the state of Illinois was developed. Horse owners, non-horse owners, and equine industry stakeholders in Illinois were the focus of the study. Participants were surveyed on their perceptions, awareness, and knowledge of the unwanted horse population in the state. Each survey included questions of current knowledge of legislation, background with equine, current methods to control the unwanted horse population, and methods they believe would benefit the population. A block style survey was developed, emailed to a statewide equine association listserv, and advertised through articles online. Findings show that …

Orchard Management Practices And Handbook, Brian A. Snyder, Kellie M. Mancino

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project was to develop an SAE start-up handbook for the Hollister FFA program's orchard. The orchard was being underutilized by the chapter and the hopes are that the chapter will supply students with this handbook allowing for a more diverse group of SAE projects within the chapter. Implementing the steps outlined in this handbook would also create a more competitive chapter in the areas of proficiencies and degrees.

A Livestock Employee Manual For Junior Livestock Shows, Kylin Costa

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project was to create a manual for junior livestock show staff to abide by for the duration of a county fair’s show. By implementing the manual, the show process should run smoother, and should alleviate turnover problems with each new barn steward that comes into the fair. The author hopes that this manual will be of use at fairs statewide.

Table Of Contents

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

No abstract provided.

The 24th Annual Research Conference Abstract Booklet, University Of Gondar, Ethiopia

University of Gondar Research Conferences

The 25th Annual Staff-Student Research Conference of the University of Gondar will be held on June 19 and 20, 2015 at the Science Amba Auditorium. This year's conference is special in that the year marks the Silver Jubilee of the Annual Staff and Student Research Conference. Drawing on the experiences we have accumulated for the past 25 years, we vow to strive to realize the development and transformation of the country through research and community services.

Staff, postgraduate and senior undergraduate students of the University, invited guests, and speakers will participate in the conference. The annual conference of the University …

Nebline, June 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: After-Harvest Care Of Asparagus

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Impact Of Using Different Stocking Rates Of Goats Under Pine Plantation On Plant Species Occurrence And Animal Productivity, Anthony S. Kumi, India Howard, Ronald C. Smith, Nar Gurung, Alphonso Elliott

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of using different stocking rates of goats under pine plantation on plant species occurrence and animal productivity. It was conducted on an 11 year-old loblolly pine plantation site in Epes, Alabama from July to October 2011. Thirty-six Kiko crossbred male goat kids of 4 to 5 months of age were assigned to different stocking rates, namely, low (4 goats/acre), medium (8 goats/acre), and high (12 goats/acre) with three replications each. Forage composition, animal daily gain (ADG) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were monitored. Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) was the most dominant grass …

Genetic Engineering Online Lessons Improve Teaching And Increase Knowledge And Accepting Attitudes Among Students, Grace Troupe

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Genetic engineering has been used in the production of food in the U.S. for nearly three decades, however, science literacy in genetic engineering among consumers is still low. To address this problem, an online resource called The Journey of a Gene (passel.unl.edu/ge) was created to help incorporate genetic engineering education in high school and college curriculums. Here we report two studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of The Journey of a Gene in 1) improving student knowledge and attitudes about genetic engineering and 2) helping teachers increase their knowledge as well as quantity and quality of genetic engineering instruction. In …

The Biological Consequences Of Kaolin Geophagia, Deloris Alexander, Desire Richardson, Lakisha Odom, Kara Cromwell, Dejuana Grant, Micoya Myers, Eddy Cadet, Hamid Mahama, Vijaya Rangari, Ralphenia Pace, Ramble Ankumah, Kokoasse Kpomblekou-A, Curtis Fluker

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Kaolin geophagia is associated with the relief of gastrointestinal distress, but it may also cause adverse health effects on the body. This study was designed to: assess kaolin composition; test if 129SvEv mice would consume kaolin and determine the consequences of consumption; and assess rotational stress modulation of consumption. Thirteen kaolin samples were purchased from Alabama and Georgia stores. Chemical and physical properties were characterized for each sample using a Munsell chart, pH meter, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Visible Near-InfraRed Spectra, and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry. Kaolin was then given to mice as food supplements and …

Assessing Alabama Consumer Attitudes And Beliefs About Locally Or Regionally Produced Livestock And Products, Nii O. Tackie, Jannette R. Bartlett, Akua Adu-Gyamfi

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Local and regional food production has gained increased interest of consumers in recent years. The study, therefore, focused on assessing consumer attitudes and beliefs on local or regional livestock products. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 432 participants from South Central Alabama, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. A majority of respondents thought using chemicals and additives in locally or regionally produced beef or goat meat was a serious hazard. Therefore, many were willing to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Also, most agreed or strongly agreed with statements on …

Comparing The Effects Of Conventional And Pastured Poultry Production Systems On The Stress Levels Of Broilers, Kristina M. Liles, Jannette R. Bartlett, Ronique C. Beckford

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure stress levels in broilers raised on a pasture production system (PPS) and a conventional production system (CPS) by evaluating lymphoid organ weights, white blood cell profiles (WBCP), total white blood cell counts (TWBC), and heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (HLR). Broilers were brooded indoors for 3 weeks then divided into 2 groups; one placed on pasture while the other remained indoors. Blood was collected at weeks 3, 5, and 7 via brachial venipuncture. After 49 days, birds were slaughtered and lymphoid organs harvested. Results showed no differences between treatments for lymphoid organs, …

Biosecurity Council Stakeholder Workshop - Report By The Biosecurity Council Of Western Australia, Biosecurity Council Of Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Biosecurity Council of Western Australia (the Council) held a stakeholder workshop to explore perspectives on risk-based decision making and biosecurity investment across industry, government and community. This report presents a summary and interpretation of the workshop discussion to enable a statement on ‘where we are at’ in terms of biosecurity decision-making and joint effort.

The workshop process identified clear differences in the current biosecurity priorities of industry, government and community:

• Industry priorities were focused on biosecurity activities that would preserve a profitable/sustainable industry.
• Government priorities were targeted toward prevention and early eradication, but also included ongoing actions for biodiversity …

Partially Hydrogenated Oils And Trans Fats Information For Consumers, Karin Allen

All Current Publications

Companies have been given until June 2018 to remove PHOs from the foods they produce, or to petition the FDA to allow specific uses for trans fats. The FDA has not banned trans fats. But what does that mean? And how will it change the foods we eat? To help consumers understand the FDA's actions, this fact sheet looks at three questions: What is trans fat? What are PHOs? What will replace PHOs?

Gardening In Clay Soils, Katie Wagner, Michael R. Kuhns, Grant Cardon

All Current Publications

This fact sheet covers the basics of clay, silt and sand soils with an emphasis on gardening in soils with a high clay content. It includes information on the composition of clay soils, gardening tips for managing clay soils, and the types of plants that grow best in clay soils.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Farmer's Bane Or Boon?, Jeeva Mary Jacob

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is one of the solutions that simultaneously address the issues of food security, climate change and agricultural productivity. It has been gaining momentum in the last five years among policy circles and development organizations have prioritized CSA interventions in developing countries around the world. In this paper, CSA interventions are examined from the small farmer's perspective and the purpose of this paper is to find out whether Climate-Smart Agriculture truly empowers the farmer in the face of climate change. Such a study emerged from the fact that in the past, agricultural interventions like the Green Revolution promised …

Phylogeography Of Southeast Asian Flying Foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae: Pteropus), Susan Man Shu Tsang

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Flying foxes (Pteropus) are a genus of Old World fruit bats that are important seed dispersers and pollinators for plants native to the 200,000+ islands in Southeast Asia, yet they are some of the most poorly known bats in the world. They comprise some of the largest known bat species, and are morphologically relatively conserved on the genus level. Pteropus is the most species-rich genus within Pteropodidae, though the origin for this diversity remains incompletely understood. In Chapter 1, I discuss the importance of Pteropus to the ecosystem and as reservoir hosts. In Chapter 2, a molecular phylogeny is presented …

Assessing The Educational Program Needs Of Small And Limited Resource Meat Goat Producers, Francisca Quarcoo

College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

ASSESSING THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM NEEDS OF

SMALL AND LIMITED RESOURCE MEAT GOAT PRODUCERS

by

Francisca A. Quarcoo

The purpose of this study was to assess the preferred educational program needs of small meat goat producers. The specific objectives were to (1) determine if current educational programs by the Caprine Research and Education Unit and/or the Cooperative Extension Program, Tuskegee University, reflect the actual needs of meat goat producers, (2) measure adoption and impact of past educational efforts by the Caprine Research and Education Unit and/or the Cooperative Extension Program, (3) determine the desired presentation or delivery format for future …

The Effects Of Phytochemical Tannin-Containing Diets On Animal Performance And Internal Parasite Control In Meat Goats, Chassity Wright

College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The Effects of Phytochemical Tannin-Containing Diets on Animal Performance and Internal Parasite Control in Meat Goats

By

Chassity Wright

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) resistance has been reported against almost all chemical anthelmintics available for its control. H. contortus has a remarkable ability to develop resistance and threatens the viability of the goat industry in many regions of the world. Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying anthelmintic resistance and to discover new alternative methods of chemical and non-chemical control. With chemical anthemintics failing, this has led to the evaluation of plants as a natural …

Genetic Diversity Of Miscanthus In The Us Naturalized Populations Based On Molecular Marker, Suma Basak

College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Miscanthus is a fast growing bioenergy grass, tolerant of adverse conditions and has high biomass production, and is increasingly attractive as a potential source of cellulosic ethanol. An understanding of genetic variation in naturalized populations of Miscanthus in the US may help in selecting appropriate parents for breeding superior cultivars that are adapted in the wide-ranging and changing environments. The molecular marker analysis of Miscanthus is an important tool towards the genetic improvement program of this bioenergy grass. As sugarcane is closely related to Miscanthus, we employed its DNA markers as probes to explore genetic diversity within and among …

Insomniac Of The Soil: A Collection Of Poetry And Essays, Sarah E. Golibart

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

“Insomniac of the Soil” is a homage to a landscape that has deeply informed Sarah Golibart's life and her artistic voice – the tidewater flatlands of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay peninsula where her family lives and where Golibart has worked on farms since high school. Both her poems and essays are earthy, imagistic, and grounded – quite literally – in the soil as well as in a sensibility of ecological ethics and sustainability. “Insomniac of the Soil” is also a love song to the fervent and fallow cycles of the soil.