Digital Commons Network^™

Environmental Implications Of Polymer Coated Urea, Joshua James Lemonte

Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient in the biosphere. Although N is necessary and beneficial for life, it is also a common pollutant in the atmosphere and hydrosphere as it may be lost to the atmosphere as ammonia (NH3) or nitrous oxide (N2O) gases or to groundwater as nitrate (NO3-) following fertilization. Polymer coated urea (PCU) is one type of N fertilizer which uses temperature-controlled diffusion to control N release to better match plant demand and mitigate environmental losses of N. The objectives of this project were to simultaneously compare the effects of PCU on gaseous (as N2O and NH3) …

Wetland Management Guidelines For Nebraska's Wildlife Management Areas, Ted Lagrange, Randy Stutheit

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

Prior to Euro-American settlement, wetlands covered about 6% of the Nebraska landscape. Since settlement, the state’s wetlands have suffered serious decline. For example, approximately 90% of Rainwater Basin playa wetlands and 90% of the eastern saline wetlands have been destroyed or are highly degraded. Remaining wetlands are threatened by conversion to other uses (e.g. agriculture), invasive and aggressive vegetation, siltation, and lack of proper management. Only through sound management can the wetlands on our Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) be preserved for the citizens of Nebraska, as well as the native plants and wildlife dependent on them.

This section is directed …

Estimation Of The Number Of Days Required To Determine Usual Antioxidant Intakes And Assessment Of The Prevalence Of Nutrient Inadequacy Among College Students, Catherine G. Davis

Master's Theses

High intake of antioxidant rich foods has been shown to decrease risk factors of chronic disease.  Young adulthood may be crucial in establishing healthy lifestyles including adequate nutrient consumption.

The present study was designed 1) to estimate usual nutrient intakes, 2) to calculate the number of days required to estimate usual antioxidant intake, and 3) to assess intake adequacy from diet and diet + supplement sources by using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).  The USDA Flavonoid and Proanthocyanidin databases, food consumption data, and dietary supplement use data from 60 students aged 18-25 years at the University of Connecticut were utilized. …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2011), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Classroom to Careers: An Optimistic Outlook Awaits Ag & Biological Sciences Graduates
[Page] 5 New Opportunities: Intro Ag Courses To Be Offered in Rapid City
[Page] 6 Budget Reality: Funding Cuts Prompt Structure and Staff Changes
[Page] 7 Gearing Up for DakotaFest: Replicated SDSU Campus, Educational Forums and Fundraising Auction Planned
[Page] 8 Continuing a Legacy: &1 Million Livestock Judging Endowment Being Established
[Page] 10 4-H Fun: Unique 4-H Activities Spark Student Interest in Science
[Page] 12 Innovative Outreach: BBQ Boot Camp Connect Consumers to Meat Industry
[Page] 13 College News
[Page] 14 Relevant Research: New, More Efficient …

Predators Of Enashiva: A Survey Of Occurrence & Distribution, Adrienne Fisk Bowles

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study was conducted during a period of 16 days (April 10 to April 26, 2011) at the Enashiva Nature Refuge in Northern Tanzania. It was a modified repeat study, using the same methodologies of a mammal survey conducted in November 2009, however this study only focused on occurrence and distribution of predators in the highest trophic level and accounted for reptile and birds, in addition to mammals. Based upon the findings of the November 2009 study, it was hypothesized that the woodland would have the highest predator species richness. This hypothesis was supported by the data; the woodland habitat …

Health And Fertility Implications Related To Seasonal Changes In Kidney Fat Index Of White-Tailed Jackrabbits In South Dakota, Dustin Schaible, Charles D. Dieter

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) populations in the Northern Plains have been in a general decline for the past decade or longer. A suggested reason for this population decline was reduced body condition of individual jackrabbits due to habitat changes. In order to evaluate body condition, we determined the kidney fat index of 314 white-tailed jackrabbits harvested in 44 counties throughout South Dakota. We removed and weighed kidneys and all perirenal fat associated with the kidneys from collected jackrabbits. We measured kidney weight to determine times of high metabolic activity as indicated by an increase in mass. Body condition was …

Nitric Oxide Synthesis By Chicken Macrophages Results In Coordinated Changes Of Multiple Arginine Transporters, Michael Moulds

Master's Theses

Arginine transport is primarily mediated by the cationic amino acid transporters (CATs) in mammalian cells, but in aves the y⁺, b^0,+ and B^0,+ transport systems have also been observed. Arginine is the limiting catabolic substrate required for the production of nitric oxide (NO), a highly reactive compound that acts as a signaling molecule or killing compound. NO is synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by macrophages for pathogen clearance. In mammals, CAT-2B is responsible for ARG import in the macrophage for NO synthesis, but the chicken CAT-2B isoform does not transport ARG. Therefore the objective …

Draft Western Rock Lobster Fishery Environmental Management Strategy November 2010 – October 2015, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Preference Of White-Tailed Deer For Corn Hybrids And Agricultural Husbandry Practices During The Growing Season, Joshua A. Delger, Kevin L. Monteith, Lowell E. Schmitz, Jonathan A. Jenks

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Damage to field corn (Zea mays) by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be substantial, resulting in millions of dollars lost annually. Numerous methods exist to minimize deer depredation, but all have met with varying degrees of success. Currently, little information is available on preference of white-tailed deer for corn hybrids during the growing season and how that preference might affect depredation patterns. We used adult female white-tailed deer in captivity to study the effect of herbicide treatments on deer-use (treatment versus no treatment) of corn in 2005 and to document preference among specific corn hybrids in …

Beef Cattle Vaccination Principles And Recommendations, Kerry A. Rood, Rusty Stott

All Current Publications

This publication provides details and recommendations on vaccinations for beef cattle.

Evolution Of A Major Drug Metabolizing Enzyme Defect In The Domestic Cat And Other Felidae: Phylogenetic Timing And The Role Of Hypercarnivory, Binu Shrestha, J. Michael Reed, Philip T. Starks, Gretchen E. Kaufman, Jared V. Goldstone, Melody E. Roelke, Stephen J. O'Brien, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Laurence Frank, Michael H. Court

Biology Faculty Articles

The domestic cat (Felis catus) shows remarkable sensitivity to the adverse effects of phenolic drugs, including acetaminophen and aspirin, as well as structurally-related toxicants found in the diet and environment. This idiosyncrasy results from pseudogenization of the gene encoding UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A6, the major species-conserved phenol detoxification enzyme. Here, we established the phylogenetic timing of disruptive UGT1A6 mutations and explored the hypothesis that gene inactivation in cats was enabled by minimal exposure to plant-derived toxicants. Fixation of the UGT1A6 pseudogene was estimated to have occurred between 35 and 11 million years ago with all extant Felidae having dysfunctional …

Native Grassland Management Guidelines For Nebraska's Wildlife Management Areas, Gerry Steinauer, Kent Pfeiffer, Jarren Kuipers

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

This document is one of a four part series produced by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to provide direction to managers of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Nebraska. Other documents in the series cover management of woodlands, wetlands, and converted habitats.

Prior to EuroAmerican settlement grasslands covered 98% of the Nebraska landscape and supported the majority of the state’s biodiversity. Since settlement, Nebraska’s native grasslands have suffered serious decline. For example, approximately 98% of eastern Nebraska’s tallgrass prairie has been lost to development. In central and western Nebraska grassland losses have been less dramatic though still substantial. Remnant grasslands …

Organic Replacement Heifer Enterprise Budget For Walker Dairy, Colton Brodt

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine if Walker Dairy could raise replacement heifers cheaper than the current market price.

The main objective of this report was to calculate how much it costs Walker Dairy to raise a heifer per head. Data collected went into the development of a heifer enterprise budget and determining an average market price. Transfer value in (drop calf price), feed, labor, operating and fixed costs were all factored into the total cost per animal. Also, the data was broken into four different sections of a heifers’ life to aid management in evaluating the cost of raising …

The Development Of A Novel Technique To Evaluate Binding Between Probiotic Bacteria And Phospholipids, And The Creation Of A Dairy-Based Food Product Rich In Milk Bioactives, Megan Ann Cleveland

Master's Theses

Probiotic bacteria are increasingly prevalent in food and nutritional products today.  These remarkable microorganisms are capable of imparting exceptional health benefits on their host, including prevention of infection by pathogens and stimulation of immune system function.  Their most common mode of delivery is through dairy products (e.g. yogurt), which are also one of their preferred habitats.  The interactions between probiotic bacteria and dairy systems have been studied, but are still not well discerned.  There is a need for better understanding of these associations, as well as those surrounding the mode of bacterial transfer from the food product to the human …

Intake, Apparent Digestibility, And Digesta Passage In Leopard Tortoises (Geochelone Pardalis) Fed A Complete, Extruded Feed, Laura Evelyn Lickel

Master's Theses

The influence of feeding juvenile female leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis, n=18) a commercially available, complete, extruded feed three (3) or seven days (7) per week on dry matter and digestible energy intake, apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy and fiber fractions, animal body weight and measurements, digesta transit time, rate of passage, and indigestible fill was evaluated.  Both feeding frequencies are commonly practiced with captive tortoises. When fed 7 compared to 3 days per week, dry matter and digestible energy intake was greater.  Tortoises gained more g BW, but not when adjusted per kg initial …

Neuroprotective Effects Of The Lipidic Extract From Integument Of Squid Dosidicus Gigas, Pai-An Hwang, Yi-Gung Tsai, Shu-Yun Gau, Yu-Lan Hung, Chi-Chung Fan

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The integument of the squid Dosidicus gigas is an industrial waste and trouble the industrial processing. In this study, we examined the lipid composition and neuroprotective effects of D. gigas integument lipidic extract (DGI) in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells which have been exposed to H2O2. The results showed that phospholipids, triacylglycerol and cholesterol accounted for 70.90 ± 4.96 (mean ± S.D.), 20.70 ± 3.54 and 8.40 ± 0.28% of DGI, respectively. And the main fatty acids were docosahexaenoic acid (30.53% of total fatty acid), palmitic acid (20.36% of total fatty acid) and eicosapentaenoic acid (11.84% of total fatty acid). DGI at …

The Case For Simplifying Ingredient Statements, Phillip S. Tong

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Brown Midrib Corn Silage And Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Lactational Performance And Nitrogen Utilization By Dairy Cows, Hugo A. Ramirez

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Thirty six Holstein cows, four ruminally cannulated, (mean ± SD, 111 ± 35 DIM; 664 ± 76.5 kg BW) were used in replicated 4×4 Latin squares to investigate the effects of brown midrib (bm3) and conventional (DP) corn silages, and the inclusion of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on milk production and N utilization. In each 28 d period cows were assigned to one of four treatments: DP plus 0% DDGS (CON); bm3 plus 0% DDGS (BMR); DP corn silage plus 30% DDGS (DP+DG); and bm3 plus 30% DDGS (BMR+DG). Dry matter intake was greater (P < 0.01) for cows consuming bm3 (25.8 VS 24.4 ± 0.47 kg), likewise for DDGS (24.3 and 25.9 ± 0.47 kg/d for 0 and 30%). Compared to DP hybrid, NDFD was higher (P < 0.01) for bm3 (32.5 VS 38.1 ± 1.79%). There was a hybrid × DDGS interaction (P < 0.01) for total concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and rumen pH as the highly digestible treatment BMR+DG resulted in the highest VFA and the lowest pH. Milk yield was not affected by treatment and averaged 30.6 ± 1.09 kg/d. Milk protein yield (MPY) was greater (P < 0.01) for bm3 and DDGS treatments. There was a hybrid by DDGS interaction (P = 0.02) for milk fat yield (MFY) resulting in 1.03, 1.08, 0.84 and 0.78 ± 0.045 kg/d for DP, BMR, DP+DG and BMR+DG. Fat corrected milk (FCM) was affected by DDGS (P < 0.01) and averaged 30.0 and 26.4 ± 1.0kg/d (0% and 30% inclusions). Urinary N excretion was similar among treatments; however fecal N was lower (P = 0.03) for diets containing bm3 corn silage which caused lower (P = 0.02) manure N. These results indicate that bm3 corn silage and DDGS increase DMI, NDFD and MPY; however high inclusion of corn silage with 30% DDGS reduces FCM. Nitrogen excretion was reduced when cows consumed bm3.

Greener Pastures 1 - The Greener Pasture Project: Managing Nutrients In Dairy Pastures, John Lucey, Mike Bolland, Don Bennett, Richard Morris, Bill Russell, Martin Staines

Bulletins 4000 -

As dairy farmers have strived to maintain profitability, many have farmed more intensively. More cows are milked and increasing inputs of fertiliser and purchased feed are used per hectare. However, these increased nutrient inputs have far exceeded the increase in nutrient output in milk production. The increasing nutrient surplus (inputs minus outputs) from intensification on dairy farms has met with increasing community concern about the environmental footprint of the dairy industry. In some other countries, dairy farmers who have intensified by increasing nitrogen inputs are now faced with legislation controlling the amount of fertiliser nitrogen that they can use.

The …

A Report Of The Effects Of Fishing Advisory Group (Efag) Meeting (2 – 3 November 2010) And The Western Rock Lobster Ecological Effects Of Fishing Research Plan Revised And Updated By The Effects Of Fishing Advisory Group (2 – 3 November 2010), Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Endophyte In Tall Fescue: Impact On Horses And Cattle, S. Ray Smith, Krista Cotton

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] is an introduced cool-season perennial grass from Europe. Originally imported for regularly flooded pastures, tall fescue is now widespread across the United States due to its adaptability of a wide range of soils and climate. Kentucky 31 tall fescue is the ecotype discovered in 1931 by E.N. Fergus, which launched its popularity as a dependable, adaptable, and palatable pasture crop. In the mid-1970s, the negative effects caused by consuming tall fescue were termed fescue toxicosis. The source of fescue toxicosis was not identified until Charles Bacon first reported evidence of an endophytic fungus …

Hay For Horses: Needs And Wants, Laurie Lawrence

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Hay producers have to satisfy two types of clients, horses and humans. Horses need clean hay that has a nutritional value that is appropriate for the requirements of the horse. Clients want hay that IS consistent, convenient and cost effective. So, in many cases the “needs” of the horse and “wants” of the human are not exactly the same.

Forages: Back To Basics, Garry D. Lacefield

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Over the past fifteen years, we have covered many forage-related topics ranging from the species we grow through marketing our final products. Through all of these themes, we have attempted to address the “basics” in a practical way. We will continue that theme today as we deal with some very important-practical topics.

Assessment Of Pubertal Development Of Boars Derived From Ultrasonographic Determination Of Testicular Diameter, J.J. Ford, T.H. Wise

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

At the onset of puberty, seminiferous tubules rapidly increase in diameter, thereby occupying a greater proportion of the testis, resulting in a rapid increase in testicular size. The objective of the current studies was to evaluate ultrasonography for assessing testicular diameter, as a basis for ranking boars relative to their extent of pubertal development. In the initial study, prior to castration at 4, 5, 6, or 7 mo of age, testicular length and diameter were assessed by ultrasonography in 160 anesthetized boars. After castration, testes were weighed. Mean diameter of seminiferous tubules and percentage of the testis occupied by tubules …

2011 Interior Least Tern And Piping Plover Monitoring, Research, Management, And Outreach Report For The Lower Platte River, Nebraska, Mary Bomberger Brown, Joel G. Jorgensen, Lauren R. Dinan

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

This document reports on our monitoring, research, management, and outreach activities during the past 12 months (2011). We prepared it to inform our partners, cooperating agencies, funding sources, and other interested parties of our activities and to provide a preliminary summary of our results.

The Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership (TPCP), based at the University of Nebraska School of Natural Resources, and the Nongame Bird Program (NBP), based at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), work cooperatively on Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover monitoring, research, management, and outreach in Nebraska. While the focus of our work is the …

Caring For Compromised Cattle: Assessing Animals At Risk

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen have long recognized the need to properly care for their livestock. Sound animal husbandry practices – based on research and decades of practical experience – are known to impact the well-being of cattle, individual animal health and herd productivity. There is no doubt that producers work hard to ensure that their cattle are properly cared for throughout all stages of production. Unfortunately, it’s a fact of raising cattle that some animals will become injured to the extent that they are unable to stand or walk without assistance.

Assessor’S Guide To A Beef Quality Assurance Cow-Calf Assessment

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

The BQA Cow-Calf Assessment is an on-site educational tool that allows for assessing and benchmarking key indicators of animal care and well-being as well as operational conditions. The Cow-Calf Assessment focuses on three main areas – Animals, Records and Best Management Practices (BMP), and Facilities and Equipment.

The Jackrabbit Dairy Review, Vikram Mistry

The Jackrabbit Dairy & Food Review

No abstract provided.

The Reproductive Performance Of Wild And Hatchery-Reared Flounder, Platichthys Flesus Luscus, In The Southern Black Sea Coast, İlhan Aydin, Temel Şahi̇n, Hamza Polat, Erdi̇nç Güneş

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The spawning period, total fecundity, egg size, and fertilization and hatching rates of wild and hatchery-reared flounder, Platichthys flesus luscus, are investigated in this report. Wild and hatchery-reared broodstock consisted of 18 females (452.8 ± 193.2 g) and 17 females (138.9 ± 47.4 g), respectively. The spawning period lasted 79 days, from 22 January to 10 April. Mean total fecundity was 285 ± 157.9 × 10^3 per female for wild broodstock while it was 115.6 ± 53.6 × 10^3 eggs for hatchery-reared broodstock. The fertilization and hatching rates were 38.2 ± 17.0% and 62.3 ± 24.1% for wild and 45.3 …

Temperature Increase Effects On Sagebrush Ecosystem Forbs: Exprimental Evidence And Range Manager Perspectives, Hilary Louise Whitcomb

Green Canyon Environmental Research Area, Logan Utah

No abstract provided.