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The Prairie Naturalist. Volume 40, No. 112 March/June 2008, The Great Plains Natural Science Society

The Prairie Naturalist

LOW REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF MALLARDS IN A GRASSLAND-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE IN THE SANDHILLS OF NEBRASKA. J. A. Walker, Z. J. Cunningham, M. P. Vrtiska, S. E. Stephens, and L. A. Powell

USE OF PASSIVE INTEGRATED TRANSPONDERS IN HATCHLING TEXAS HORNED LIZARDS. S. E. Henke

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND DISCHARGE ON REPRODUCTIVE TIMING OF COMMON CARP IN A NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS RIVER. T. Resseguie and S. Kelsch

RAPTOR USE OF ARTIFICIAL PERCHES AT NATURAL AREAS, CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO. G. Witmer, M. Pipas, P. Burke, D. Rouse, D. Dees, and K. Manci

WEST NILE VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN BREEDING NORTH DAKOTA ICTERIDS. …

Breeding By The Snowy Plover In North Dakota And South Dakota, Carol Aron, Paul Van Ningten, Michael Rabenberg, Cheryl Jacobs, Greg Pavelka, Ricky D. Olson

The Prairie Naturalist

The snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) is a small shorebird that breeds on unvegetated beaches along coastlines, rivers, and alkaline lakes. In North America, its breeding distribution extends along the coasts of California, Oregon, and southern Washington, where the population is listed as federally threatened (USFWS 1993), and an interior population occurs on wetlands in western and central states and central Mexico (Page et al. 1995). There have been rare breeding reports in Montana, Wyoming, and Saskatchewan (Page et al. 1995), but no documented breeding records in North Dakota or South Dakota. However, the United States Army Corps of Engineers reported …

Low Reproductive Success Of Mallards In A Grassland-Dominated Landscape In The Sandhills Of Nebraska, Johann A. Walker, Zach J. Cunningham, Mark P. Vrtiska, Scott E. Stephens, Larkin Powell

The Prairie Naturalist

The Sandhills of Nebraska comprise approximately 5,000,000 ha of native grassland interspersed with numerous groundwater-fed wetlands. A substantial population of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) nests in this region. Previous investigations of nest survival probability of ducks in the Sandhills have estimated surprisingly low rates of nest survival for a grassland-dominated landscape. These investigations were conducted on public lands and most nest searching took place near wetlands where activity of nest predators might be highest. We predicted that mallards would nest at varying distances from wetlands and that survival probability of a representative sample of duck nests would increase …

Variation In Molybdenum Content Across Broadly Distributed Populations Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Is Controlled By A Mitochondrial Molybdenum Transporter (Mot1), Ivan Baxter, Balasubramaniam Muthukumar, Hyeong Cheol Park, Peter Buchner, Brett Lahner, John Danku, Keyan Zhao, Joohyun Lee, Malcolm J. Hawkesford, Mary Lou Guerinot, David E. Salt

Dartmouth Scholarship

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for plants, serving as a cofactor for enzymes involved in nitrate assimilation, sulfite detoxification, abscisic acid biosynthesis, and purine degradation. Here we show that natural variation in shoot Mo content across 92 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions is controlled by variation in a mitochondrially localized transporter (Molybdenum Transporter 1 - MOT1) that belongs to the sulfate transporter superfamily. A deletion in the MOT1 promoter is strongly associated with low shoot Mo, occurring in seven of the accessions with the lowest shoot content of Mo. Consistent with the low Mo phenotype, MOT1 expression in low Mo accessions …

Alfalfa Hay And Balage: Testing For Quality, Kimberly Field

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Why Test Your Hay?

• By knowing the percentages and protein levels you can increase/decrease the amount of supplements needed from your analysis report and will help the producer set feeding rations
• If you do not know what you have in your forage you are over or under feeding your livestock – therefore affecting the health of your animal and your pocket book

Alfalfa: Forage Crop Of The Future, Neal P. Martin, David Mertens, Ronald Hatfield, Hans Jung

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In 2007, U.S. farmers harvested 23.6 million acres of alfalfa. Alfalfa harvested as hay and haylage produced 82.8 million tons valued at approximately $9.4 billion, ranking behind only corn and soybeans. Alfalfa hay supports dairy, beef, sheep, and horse production in the U.S. as well as a growing export market.

Haymaking: A Trip Down Memory Lane, Garry D. Lacefield, John E. Baylor

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

On a hot day in August, I climbed into the dust-free air-conditioned cab of a new tractor to assist in a hay baling demonstration during a field day. Hay yield was low as a result of the drought, so it was important that I get everything from the small windrow. I adjusted the volume on the surround sound stereo where I had just inserted a CD of the Eagles Greatest Hits. Now we’re ready to bale – first let me check the GPS and get a check on the moisture of the hay coming into the bale chamber – moisture …

Geochemistry In The Modern Soil Survey Program, M. A. Wilson, R. Burt, J. M. Scheyer, A. B. Jenkins, J. V. Chiaretti, M. G. Ulmer

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Elemental analysis has played an important role in the characterization of soils since inception of the soil survey in the US. Recent efforts in analysis of trace and major elements (geochemistry) have provided necessary data to soil survey users in a variety of areas. The first part of this paper provides a brief overview of elemental sources, forms, mobility, and bioavailability; critical aspects important to users of soil survey geochemical data for appropriate use and interpretations. Examples are provided based on data gathered as part of the US soil survey program. The second part addresses the organization of sample collection …

Crop Updates 2008 - Farming Systems, John De Majnik, Paul Meibusch, Vince Logan, Louise Barton, Wahid Biswas, Daniel Carter, Nicolyn Short, Jodie Bowling, Glen Riethmuller, James Fisher, Moin Salam, Stephen Davies, Jim Dixon, Dennis Van Gool, Alison Slade, Bob Gilkes, Megan Abrahams, Caroline Peek, Daniel Gardiner, Kari-Lee Falconer, David Hall, Jeromy Lemon, Harvey Jones, Yvette Oliver, Tania Butler, Michael Robertson, Stephen Carr, Chris Gazey, David York, Joel Andrews, Michael Simeoni, G. Peter Mangano, Svetlana Micic, Dave Gartner, Adam Clune, Matthew Morell, Adam Umbers, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt, Clinton Revell, Geoff Kew, Vivien Vanstone, Ali Bhatti, Ming Pei You, Imma Farre, Bill Bowden, Henry Smolinski, Jane Speijers, John Bruce, David Mccarthy, Gary Lang, David Rees, Rob Grima, John Young, Ross Kingwell, Chris Oldham, Derk Bakker, Ian Foster, David Beard, Wen Chen, Richard Bell, Ross Brennan, Art Diggle, Reg Lunt, Qifu Ma, Zed Rengel, Tim Hilder, Dusty Severtson, Shahajahan Miyan, Sam Clune, Barb Sage, Tenielle Martin, Chris Newman, Neal Dalgliesh, Caroline Peak, Andrew Blake, Megan Ryan, Richard Bennett, Tim Colmer, D. Real, Jiyan Pang, Lori Kroiss, Dion Nicol, Tammy Edmonds-Tibbett, Ron Mctaggart, Sean Kelly, Helen Hunter

Crop Updates

This session covers thirty nine papers from different authors:

PLENARY

1. Developments in grain end use, Dr John de Majnik, New Grain Products, GRDC, Mr Paul Meibusch, New Farm Products and Services, GRDC, Mr Vince Logan, New Products Executive Manager, GRDC

PRESENTATIONS

2. Global warming potential of wheat production in Western Australia: A life cycle assessment, Louise Barton1, Wahid Biswas2 and Daniel Carter3, 1School of Earth & Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 2Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production, Division of Science and Engineering, Curtin University of Technology, 3Department of Agriculture and …

Nebline, February 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Take Steps to Help Protect Your Property from Theft
Census of Agriculture FAQ’s
Forage Calendar
Computerized Farm Financial Recordkeeping Workshop, Feb. 16
Private Pesticide Applicator Trainings
Environmental Reasons Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear
Establishing a Vineyard
Renovate Windbreaks to Improve Effectiveness
$tretch Your Food Dollar with Soup
Quick Chili Recipe
Almost Homemade Chicken Rice Soup Recipe
Find It Fast: Filing Food Appliance and Other Kitchen Gear Instruction Manuals
See “Red” on Valentine’s Day
Presidents’ Notes—Bonnie’s Bits
Household Hints: Keeping Comforters Clean and Cozy
FCE News & Events
Elderly Can Reap Computer Benefits
America Saves Week
Elderly Can Reap Computer …

Forage News [2008-02], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Kentucky Alfalfa Conference: 28 Years and Going Strong
• Forages at KCA
• AFGC/SRM Conference a Huge Success
• KY Producer and Students Win National Forage Awards
• Heart of America Grazing Conference
• Roundup Ready Alfalfa Update
• Can You Establish Clover and Suppress Winter Annual Weeds
• AVAIL Polymer Applied to Phosphorous Fertilizer
• Restricting Intake of Forages: An Alternative Feeding Strategy for Wintering Beef Cows
• Restricting Time of Access to Large Round Bales of Hay Affects Hay Waste and Cow Performance
• Upcoming Events

Expression And Evolutionary Relationships Of The Chenopodium Quinoa 11s Seed Storage Protein Gene, Mikel Stevens, Peter J. Maughan, Daniel J. Fairbanks, Marie R. B. Balzotti, Jennifer N. Thornton, David A. Mcclellan, Eric N. Jellen, Craig E. Coleman

Faculty Publications

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a food crop cultivated by subsistence farmers and commercial growers on the high Andean plateau, primarily in Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. Present interest in quinoa is due to its tolerance of harsh environments and its nutritional value. It is thought that the seed storage proteins of quinoa, particularly the 11S globulins and 2S albumins, are responsible for the relatively high protein content and ideal amino acid balance of the quinoa seed. Here we report the genomic and cDNA sequences for two 11S genes representing two orthologous loci from the quinoa genome. Important features of the …

Uses Of The Pseudomonas Syringae Effector Protein Hopu1 Related To Itsability To Adp-Rbosylate Eukaryotc Rna Binding Protens, James R. Alfano, Zheng Qing Fu, Thomas E. Elthon

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas Syringae injects effector proteins into host cells via a type III protein secre tion system to cause disease. The invention relates to the discovery that the type III effector HopU1 is a mono-ADP ribosyltransferase (ADP-RT) and suppresses plant innate immunity. The HopU1 substrates in Arabidopsis thaliana extracts were RNA-binding proteins that possess RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). A. thaliana knock-out lines defective in the glycine-rich RNA-binding protein AtGRP7, a HopU1 substrate, were more susceptible than wild type plants to P syringae. The ADP-ribosylation of AtGRP7 by HopU1 required two arginines within the RRM. The inven tion …

Decomposition Of Bt And Non-Bt Corn Hybrid Residues In The Field, David D. Tarkalson, Stephen D. Kachman, Johannes M. H. Knops, Janice E. Thies, Charles S. Wortmann

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Results of a previous laboratory study indicated that six transgenic crops expressing the Cry1Ab insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) decomposed at a slower rate than their respective non-Bt isolines. Consequently, litter decomposition rates, nitrogen cycling, and carbon pools may change in agricultural systems as the result of the widespread use of Bt crops. In this study, we assessed the decomposition rates and chemical composition of commonly grown hybrids of Bt and non-Bt isolines of corn (Zea mays L.) in the field. Leaves, stalks, and cobs from two Bt corn hybrids (Pioneer 34N44 Bt and NC+ 4990 Bt) and their …

The Expression Of Microrna Mir-107 Decreases Early In Alzheimer's Disease And May Accelerate Disease Progression Through Regulation Of Β-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein-Cleaving Enzyme 1, Wang-Xia Wang, Bernard W. Rajeev, Arnold J. Stromberg, Na Ren, Guiliang Tang, Qingwei Huang, Isidore Rigoutsos, Peter T. Nelson

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that participate in posttranscriptional gene regulation in a sequence-specific manner. However, little is understood about the role(s) of miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used miRNA expression microarrays on RNA extracted from human brain tissue from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Center Brain Bank with near-optimal clinicopathological correlation. Cases were separated into four groups: elderly nondemented with negligible AD-type pathology, nondemented with incipient AD pathology, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with moderate AD pathology, and AD. Among the AD-related miRNA expression changes, miR-107 was exceptional because miR-107 levels decreased significantly even in patients with …

Opportunities And Roadblocks In Utilizing Forages And Small Grains For Liquid Fuels, Gautam Sarath, Robert B. Mitchell, S. E. Sattler, Deanna L. Funnell, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Robert A. Graybosch, Kenneth P. Vogel

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This review focuses on the potential advantages and disadvantages of forages such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and two small grains: sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and wheat (Triticum aesitvum), as feedstocks for biofuels. It highlights the synergy provided by applying what is known from forage digestibility and wheat and sorghum starch properties studies to the biofuels sector. Opportunities therefore, exist to improve biofuel qualities in these crops via genetics and agronomics. In contrast to cereal crops, switchgrass still retains tremendous exploitable genetic diversity, and can be specifically improved to Wt a particular agronomic, management, and conversion …

Making Forages Work Down On The Farm, Todd Clark

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Making Forages Work Down On The Farm, Russell C. Hackley

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Making Forages Work Down On The Farm, Jason Sandefur

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Making Forages Work Down On The Farm, Lowell J. Clifford

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Kentucky's Forage Resources, Garry D. Lacefield

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Kentucky is a FORAGE state with approximately one-half of the total farmland occupied by forage grasses and legumes. We are very fortunate that we can grow many different species successfully. We have the natural resources and climate to grow most cool-season and warm-season species. We are fortunate that we usually have a relatively long growing season. We are usually blessed with rain, especially in spring (2007 was a major exception) with our annual rainfall approximately fifty inches. We are also fortunate that we have some of the absolute best forage-livestock producers in the World.

Foreword [2008], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Differential Role Of Nadp+ And Nadph In The Activity And Structure Of Gdp-D-Mannose 4,6-Dehydratase From Two Chlorella Viruses, Floriana Fruscione, Laura Sturla, Garry Duncan, James L. Van Etten, Paola Valbuzzi, Antonio De Flora, Eleonopra Di Zanni, Michela Tonetti

James Van Etten Publications

GDP-D-mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD) is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of 6-deoxyhexoses in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus-1 (PBCV-1) encodes a functional GMD, which is unique among characterized GMDs because it also has a strong stereospecific NADPH-dependent reductase activity leading to GDP-D-rhamnose formation (Tonetti, M., Zanardi, D., Gurnon, J., Fruscione, F., Armirotti, A., Damonte, G., Sturla, L., De Flora, A., and Van Etten, J.L. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 21559–21565). In the present study we characterized a recombinant GMD encoded by another chlorella virus, Acanthocystis turfacea chlorella virus 1 (ATCV-1), demonstrating that it has the expected dehydratase …

Plant Succession On Gopher Mounds In Western Cascade Meadows: Consequences For Species Diversity And Heterogeneity, Chad C. Jones, Charles B. Halpern, Jessica Niederer

Botany Faculty Publications

Pocket gophers have the potential to alter the dynamics of grasslands by creating mounds that bury existing vegetation and locally reset succession. Gopher mounds may provide safe sites for less competitive species, potentially increasing both species diversity and vegetation heterogeneity (spatial variation in species composition). We compared species composition, diversity and heterogeneity among gopher mounds of different ages in three montane meadows in the Cascade Range of Oregon. Cover of graminoids and forbs increased with mound age, as did species richness. Contrary to many studies, we found no evidence that mounds provided safe sites for early successional species, despite their …

A Watershed Analysis Of Pattee Pond: Implications For Water Quality And Land Use Management, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Pattee Pond (2008, 1992)

The Colby Environmental Assessment Team (CEAT) investigated the impact of land use patterns on the water quality of Pattee Pond in Winslow, Maine, during the summer and fall of 2008. Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water quality were analyzed to evaluate the current health of the lake. Data collected were compared with previous studies conducted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and CEAT to examine changes in water quality and land use over time. Trends in Pattee Pond water quality suggest an improvement since the 1970s. However, the lake is still experiencing algal blooms resulting from phosphorus …

A Taxonomic Study Of The Genus Acris And The Status Of Acris Crepitans Blanchardi (Harper), Blanchard's Cricket Frog, In Southern Ohio And Western West Virginia, Amy M. Hamilton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Distributions of Acris crepitans and Acris gryllus cover most of the eastern United States with some overlap, and the subspecies Acris crepitans blanchardi and Acris crepitans crepitans also occur sympathric in parts of their ranges. My study analyzed 15 morphological characteristics of A. c. blanchardi, A. c. crepitans, and A. g. gryllus using Canonical Discriminate Analysis. Results support current taxonomy, showing the most separation between A. crepitans and A. gryllus and some overlap between A. c. blanchardi and A. c. crepitans. Sexual dimorphism was seen only in A. c. blanchardi and A. c. crepitans with females being larger …

Considerations For Starting A Winery, Justin R. Morris

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

This publication is for anyone who has ever considered entering the wine industry. The goal of this publication is to provide information about requirements and procedures for starting a winery. It is not a “how-to” manual but rather is designed to serve as a starting point to investigate the many aspects of owning and operating a winery. Although the manuscript frequently refers to procedures for starting a winery in Arkansas, the concepts presented are applicable throughout the U.S. Detailed economic information on starting a winery is covered in a companion publication. Both publications are part of a project supported by …

Producing Lupins, Peter White, Bob French, Amelia Mclarty, Grains Research And Development Corporation

Bulletins 4000 -

The book contains detailed information on lupin establishment, weed control, disease management and harvesting. It also provides an excellent background to the history of lupins in Western Australia, the development of the plant and its adaptation to the Western Australian environment

Plant Terpenoids: Applications And Future Potentials, Sam Zwenger, Chhandak Basu

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The importance of terpenes in both nature and human application is difficult to overstate. Basic knowledge of terpene and isoprene biosynthesis and chemistry has accelerated the pace at which scientists have come to understand many plant biochemical and metabolic processes. The abundance and diversity of terpene compounds in nature can have ecosystem-wide influences. Although terpenes have permeated human civilization since the Egyptians, terpene synthesis pathways are only now being understood in great detail. The use of bioinformatics and molecular databases has largely contributed to analyzing exactly how and when terpenes are synthesized. Additionally, terpene synthesis is beginning to be understood …

Sustainability In A Time Of Climate Change: Developing An Intensive Research Framework For The Platte River Basin And The High Plains Proceedings From The 2008 Climate Change Workshop, Monica Norby, Ashley Washburn

Office of Research and Economic Development: Publications

Proceedings from the 2008 Climate change Workshop, Nebraska Sandhills, May 19-22, 2008. Hosted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the U.S. Geological Survey