Digital Commons Network^™

A Habitat Suitability Index Model For Black Bear Living Within The Kittatinny Mountain Range In New Jersey, Brett Callanan

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Throughout the past decade, an increase in urbanization and the population of black bear (Ursus americanus) in New Jersey have caused an overlap of bear habitat and areas of residential and commercial development (Eriksen 1999). Consequently, the close proximity of humans to black bear has resulted in a variety of conflicts (Carr and Burguess 2003). Strategies traditionally used to regulate the numbers and interactions with bear, such as capture and relocation, euthanization, and the utilization of game hunts can be limited by their efficiency and predictability of results. New tools are needed to address the issues of habitat loss, bear …

Discontinuities In Ecological Data, Craig R. Allen

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

Historically, ecology has focused on continuous distributions and smooth transitions. Only recently have discontinuities and thresholds become an explicit focus in some areas of ecology, especially in the realm of complex systems. The study of animal body mass distributions has been recognized for its potential to provide insight into the underlying processes shaping animal communities. Hutchinson (1) formalized the understanding of species niches and the potential for competition to shape body mass distributions. However, despite a long history of theoretical and empirical pursuit, the mechanisms driving patterns in body mass distributions remain poorly understood. The work of Scheffer and van …

2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference Abstract Book, University Of Missouri--Rolla

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

No abstract provided.

Modeling The Evolution Of Natural Organic Matter In The Environment With An Agent-Based Stochastic Approach, Xiaorong Xiang, Yingping Huang, Gregory Madey, Steve Cabaniss, Leilani Arthurs, Patricia Maurice

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

Natural organic matter (NOM) is ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and it plays a crucial role in the evolution of soils, the transport of pollutants, and the global carbon cycle. NOM is a complex mixture of molecules and is thus heterogeneous in structure and composition. As NOM passes through an ecosystem, it is acted upon by a variety of processes, such as microbial degradation, adsorption to mineral surfaces, and photochemical reactions that can change its properties and reactivity. The evolution of NOM in space and time thus is an important research area in biology, geochemistry, ecology, soil science, and …

Unlv Magazine, Carol C. Harter, Joe Cockrell, Tony Allen, Regina Bacolas, Lori Bachand, Jennifer Lawson, Bret C. Birdsong, Steve Parker, Erin O'Donnell, Jennifer Robison

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Unresolved Problems Involving The Hydrogeology And Sequence Stratigraphy Of The Wasatch Plateau Based On Mapping Of The Wattis 7.5 Minute Quadrangle, Carbon And Emery Counties, Utah: Insights Gained From A New Geologic Map, David O. Alderks

Theses and Dissertations

The Wattis 7.5 Minute Quadrangle is located in central Utah, in the transition zone between the Basin and Range province and the Colorado plateau. Two small grabens, located in the quadrangle, are the easternmost evidence of Basin and Range faulting. Sedimentary units exposed are mainly Cretaceous in age and deposited in the Western Cretaceous Interior Seaway. This area is of economical importance due to its large coal deposits, coal bed methane, and groundwater. The Wattis Quadrangle provided an ideal opportunity to test, at a small scale, the applicability of a new groundwater model for stratified mountainous terranes. Water samples had …

Radiotelemetry And Behavioral Ecology Of Neonate Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes, Alex Figueroa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

By externally glueing radiotransmitters to the dorsoposterior surface of seven neonate Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus helleri, I monitored the behavior and ecology of this understudied age-class and species. As an alternative to surgical implantation, external transmitter attachment was less invasive, permitted frequent transmitter replacement, and did not appear to affect neonate behavior. Five neonates tracked through several transmitter replacements (48-125 d) increased 10-38% in mass, indicating successful foraging. Neonates predominately occupied grasslands and coastal sage scrub habitats. Ambush postures were frequently established near rodent features (burrows and runways). Unlike adults, the neonates frequently used arboreal positions (10% of 144 …

Why Dairy Farmers Need And Want High Quality Alfalfa Hay: Quality Of Hay = Performance And Profitability, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Why do dairy farmers want high quality forages, including alfalfa hay, to feed to their milking herds? Feeding high-quality forages results in greater feed intake and as a result, dairy cows produce more milk, and they often times can produce this milk more economically. With advancing stage of plant maturity, fiber digestibility and protein content of the alfalfa plant decreases while the amount of fiber increases. Consequently, less energy is available to the cow when it consumes more mature alfalfa. Energy is the nutrient that most often limits performance in dairy or beef cattle - not protein. The take home …

Alfalfa Hay For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

When horse owners consider hay for their animals a number of criteria are generally considered. Of major importance is the hay must be free of mold and dust, it needs to contain nutrients needed by the horse and it must be palatable. If these criteria are met, the type of hay should not matter. However, that is not the case with many horse owners. When discussing hay, many owners first consider the type of hay. Can it be alfalfa or should it be a grass or how about a mix of grass and a legume. If a group of horse …

Interpreting Forage Quality Test Reports, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Forages are the foundation for building diets for beef and dairy cattle, horses, sheep and goats. The quality of these forages directly impacts forage intake, animal performance, and, ultimately, the profitability to their owners. As the quality of forages decline, consumption of that forage decreases and the amount of grain or byproducts which must be fed increases. The cost for a unit of performance increases and/or the animal can not perform (i.e. milk or gain) to the optimum level thus lowering profitability to the animal owner. These relationships are especially true with young and high performance ruminants, such as high …

Alfalfa As A Grazing Crop, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Over the past decade we have had several people address “Alfalfa as a Grazing Crop” including Warren Thompson, Jim Moutray, Gary Bates, Ken Johnson, Jason Sandefur, Byron Sleugh, and myself. Each has done an excellent job discussing the merits of this remarkable crop and the opportunities it offers for grazing. At the end of the Conference last year, I (as I always do) asked for your suggestions concerning topics for this years’ conference. As it has been for the past decade, “Grazing” was the most requested topic. In today’s presentation, let’s go back and revisit the question, “Is Grazing Alfalfa …

Principles And Practices Of Successful Alfalfa Establishment, Gary Bates

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is the most widely known forage crop, due to its high quality and the versatility of use. There are few forages that are as widely distributed as alfalfa, and none that can produce the high yields and high quality. Even with all of the positives of alfalfa, growing this crop profitably is often difficult. An evaluation of alfalfa budgets shows that a key factor in the success with alfalfa is the stand life. Because of the establishment expense, an extra year or two of production can increase the lucrativeness of the stand. The start of having a long life …

Crop Updates 2006 - Farming Systems, Wayne Pluske, Bill Bowden, Craig Scanlan, Stephen Davies, Chris Gazey, Peter Tozer, Derk Bakker, Louise Barton, David Gatter, Renee Buck, Daniel Murphy, Christoph Hinz, Bill Porter, Meredith Fairbanks, Nicolyn Short, Ian Foster, James Fisher, Doug Abrecht, Mario D'Antuono, Tracey M. Gianatti, Paul Carmody, Frank D'Amden, Rick Llewellyn, Michael Burton, Caroline Peek, Nadine Eva, Chris Carter, Megan Abrahams, Andrew Blake, Paul Blackwell, Sylvian Pottier, Michael Robertson, Greg Lyle, Lisa Brennan, Tony J. Vyn, Simon Teakle, Peter Norris, Jeff Russell, James Fisher, Roy Murray-Prior, Deb Pritchard, Mike Collins, Greg Hamilton, Rob Hetherington, Andrew Van Burgel, Cliff Spann

Crop Updates

This session covers nineteen papers from different authors:

SOIL AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

1. Inve$tigating fertili$er inve$tment, Wayne Pluske, Nutrient Management Systems

2. KASM, the potassium in Agricultural System Model,Bill Bowden and Craig Scanlan, DAWA Northam and UWA, School of Earth and Geographical Sciences

3. Long term productivity and economic benefits of subsurface acidity management from surface and subsurface liming, Stephen Davies, Chris Gazey and Peter Tozer, Department of Agriculture

4. Furrow and ridges to prevent waterlogging, Dr Derk Bakker, Department of Agriculture

5. Nitrous oxide emissions from a cropped soil in Western Australia, Louise Barton^{1 …}

Crop Updates 2006 - Oilseeds, Graham Walton, Fiona Martin, Anne Wilkins, Nathan Hancock, Matthew Nelson, Marieclaire Castello, Linda Thompson, Anouska Cousin, Guijun Yan, Wallace Cowling, Moin Salam, Bill Mcloud, Ravjit Khangura, Jean Galloway, Art Diggle, R. F. Brennan, M. D. A. Bolland, P. M. Damon, Z. Rengel, Terry Rose, Qifu Ma, Dave Eksteen

Crop Updates

This session covers thirteen papers from different authors:

1. INTRODUCTION, Graham Walton, CONVENOR, Department of Agriculture

2. The performance of new TT canola varieties in National Variety Testing (NVT) WA, Fiona Martin, Research Agronomist, Agritech Crop Research

3. Comparison of TT Canola Varieties in Oilseeds WA Trials – 2005, Collated by G.H. Walton, Department of Agriculture, WA, from a collaboration between Oilseeds WA, Seed Companies, Agronomists and Growers

4. An overview of the potential for a Biofuels Industry in Western Australia, Anne Wilkins and Nathan Hancock, Department of Agriculture

5. Retrieval of fertile progeny from interspecific …

Perennial Warm Season Grasses In Grazing Programs, Mark Kennedy

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Many warm season perennial grasses were once an important part of the plant community in much of the Midwest. Conversion to cropping systems, overgrazing, lack of regular fire and increased competition from cool-season grasses and legumes have caused many of these grasses to disappear from much of the region. However, warm season grasses can compliment cool-season pastures if managed properly. Midwest stockmen are rediscovering the usefulness of warm season grasses in their overall forage program. Adding these grasses to forage systems has resulted in increased gains and improved livestock performance during the summer months when cool-season grasses are at their …

Non-Traditional Forages For Grazing: Turnips And Other Brassicas, Dave Robison

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Over the past few years there have been a number of production livestock producers that have realized the benefits of grazing turnips and other brassicas. Turnips and other brassicas have traditionally been utilized for late season grazing to help extend the grazing season. But other ways are being found to utilize these highly productive, high quality forage crops. My purpose in this presentation is to introduce the different types of turnips and brassicas and explain how they can be utilized for various systems and different uses.

Corn And Other Annuals, Jeff Mccutcheon

Kentucky Grazing Conference

There are many factors to consider when planting alternative crops. One of the most important factors is deciding if you need additional forage. In our area the basis of any grazing system should be perennial cool-season grasses and legumes. Have you done all that you can to improve that forage production through managed grazing and fertility management? If you have, then you may be ready to consider annual forages in your grazing system.

How I Use My Pastures, Doug Gehner, Russell C. Hackley, Gil Myers

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.

Tall Fescue From 1931-2006, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Tall fescue is the most important coolseason grass grown in the “Heart of America”. It is a versatile plant used for animal feed, lawns and turf, and conservation purposes.

Mineral Supplements And Feed Additives--Can They Eliminate Fescue Toxicity?, John Thomas Johns

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Fescue is the predominate cool season grass in much of the United States due to its wide adaptation and hardiness. Many of these acres however, contain an endophytic fungus resulting in production of toxins with negative effects on grazing cattle. The two primary responses in beef cattle are an increase in core body temperature and a decrease in dry matter intake. As a result, decreases in reproductive rates, milk production, weaning weights and ADG are seen (Tables 1 and 2). Many approaches to pasture management have been advocated to overcome or minimize the problem such as incorporation of legumes, rotational …

Developing Watering Systems For Efficient Grazing, Kevin Laurent

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Whether you call it rotational grazing, intensive grazing or management intensive grazing, the economic benefits of controlling how and where your cattle graze are well documented. Increased forage utilization, greater stocking rates, greater legume persistence, reduced hay feeding and more uniform nutrient recycling are just some of the many benefits producers can take advantage of when practicing some form of controlled grazing. However, one of the greatest challenges to implementing a controlled grazing system is the delivery of stock water to the grazing animal.

Grazing Programs: Environmentally Friendly, Economically Sound And Agronomically Feasible, Sid Brantly

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The environmental soundness of our farms is the greatest, long term asset that farmers have. The topsoil, the trees, the cattle, the grass and crops on your farm are like unto a great financial account...and you are the banker. You make the decisions to: A) Use it all up now, B) Lock it away for someone in the future to make the decisions, or C) Utilize wisely in such a way that it is managed for financial success today, and still builds momentum for your future as well as your descendents.

Animal Behavior: Impacts On Grazing, Mark Kennedy

Kentucky Grazing Conference

I am not an expert on this subject and give all credit for my limited understanding of this subject to Dr. Fred Provenza, Utah State University; Katy Voth, Livestock for Landscapes, LLC; Jim Gerrish and others. I have tried to put into practice, both personally and with other producers, many of these principles to aid in improved grazing management. This presentation will address only 2 aspects of animal behavior; 1) How animal behavior impacts grazing distribution and forage utilization over the landscape, and 2) How animal behavior affects diet selection.

Growing Forage Crops For Wildlife, Don Ball

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Numerous forage crops adapted in the Southeast offer benefits in production of various domestic animals including beef and dairy cattle, horses, and sheep (Ball, et al., 2002). Many of the same attributes these plants offer when grown in connection with livestock enterprises are also valuable in wildlife settings. Furthermore, the attitudes of many wildlife managers are changing, and their desire for knowledge of forage crops is on the rise. Consequently, forage crops are becoming more important and more greatly appreciated by wildlife enthusiasts within our region.

Maximizing Production Of Beef Cattle On Pastures, Justin Sexten

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Standardized performance analysis (SPA) of beef cattle operations continues to demonstrate the importance of reducing feed related costs. As producers look for alternative methods to reduce feed costs the benefits of improved forage management become increasingly important due to the opportunity to reduce feed costs while improving animal performance. One note of caution related to maximizing beef production from pasture, maximizing anything must be done carefully, the difference between maximum success and a total disaster is a fine line.

Grazing Program For Goats, Greg Brann

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Goats are often referred to as four legged bush hogs and actually they perform best when consuming browse. Goats eat from the top down so fields have a mown appearance even when forage is three feet tall. The typical browse height for goats is up to four foot however, they will rise up on their hind legs and sometimes prop on others backs to reach higher. Goats have an affinity for high quality forage. Much of the vegetation we have considered weeds as beef producers is excellent forage for goats. Goats select the high quality leaves and tender growing tips …

From Traditional Confinement Dairying To Grazing Replacement Heifers, Bill Payne

Kentucky Grazing Conference

I would like to share an account of a transition from a conventional dairy operation to our current Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) enterprise. In 1974, I joined my father who at that time had been dairying on a 265 acre farm in Lincoln County, Kentucky for twenty five years. We fed our registered Holsteins corn silage and alfalfa haylage and purchased a manufactured feed. Our herd of 70 Holsteins spent most of their time on concrete. We did make an effort to allow access to an exercise lot when weather permitted. However, during the greater part of the 1990’s we …

Pastures For Horses: Challenges And Opportunities, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Horses were born to eat grass and how they evolved has allowed them to be efficient users of a high forage diet. In fact, for many of today’s horses, they will survive and thrive on an all forage diet.

Can We Graze Year-Around In The Heart Of America, Edward N. Ballard

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Feed costs represent the major cost in most livestock production systems. A recently completed analysis of 225 Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) Beef Cow Records on herds in Illinois and Iowa showed that feed cost was the overriding factor determining profitability, explaining over 57 percent of the herd-to-herd variation. Typically the cost of supplying nutrients to ruminant livestock is much greater using harvested feedstuffs as opposed to grazing pastures or crop residues. The primary function of a grassland farm is to convert solar energy to marketable livestock products in the most efficient manner. The fewer steps between the animal product and …

Foreword And Conference Information [2006], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.