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Agricultural Research Division 103rd Annual Report, July 1, 1988, To June 30, 1989

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

It is a pleasure to provide the 103rd Annual Report of the UNL Agricultural Research Division. This report contains lists of current faculty, active projects, refereed journal articles, books and book chapters, germ plasm releases, brief descriptions of research in selected areas, and the financial report for the period of July 1, 1988, through June 30, 1989. This report was compiled in compliance with the intent of the law of the State of Nebraska that established the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station on March 31, 1887.

Foreword ... v

Administrative Personnel ... vii

Administrative Units ... viii

Organizational Chart ... viii …

Pod Network News, May 1, 1989, Emily Wadsworth

Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education: POD Network News

INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

MEMBERSHIP YEAR

HANDBOOK FOR NEW PRACTITIONERS

BIT NET

AAHE

CONFERENCE SITE SURVEY

NEW BROCHURE

BUDGET

1990 CONFERENCE

1989 CONFERENCE

1990 TO IMPROVE THE ACADEMY

JOB OPPORTUNITY

GLCA WORKSHOP ON COURSE DESIGN AND TEACHING

CONFERENCES

Agricultural Experiment Station News May 1989

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
MARION O'LEARY HEADS BIOCHEMISTRY
GLENN HOFFMAN LEADS AG ENGINEERING
ARD DEFINITION OF "INTERDISCIPLINARY" VS "MULTIDISCIPLINARY" RESEARCH
NOTES FROM THE ARD ADVISORY COUNCIL
INDIRECT COSTS-WHERE DO THEY GO?
STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ARDC-MEAD ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION
RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS RECEIVED FEBRUARY & MARCH 1989
NEW AND REVISED PROJECTS

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 21, No.2 June 1989

The Prairie Naturalist

THE MISSISSIPPI KITE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ E. G. Bolen and D. L. Flores

TAPE-RECORDED CHICK CALLS TO LOCATE GRAY PARTRIDGE NESTS ▪ J. P. Carroll

BORROW DISTRIBUTION OF THE THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL IN GRAZED MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE: EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL HABITAT STRUCTURE ▪ D. W. Kaufman and G. A. Kaufman

PIPING PLOVERS NESTING AT NELSON RESERVOIR, MONTANA ▪ D. W. Prellwitz, T. A. Prellwitz, K. L. Stutzman, and J. W. Stutzman

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA - 1988 ▪ R. N. Randall

CHANGING HABITATS IN THE PLATTE RIVER VALLEY OF NEBRASKA ▪ J. …

Arousal And Physiological Toughness: Implications For Mental And Physical Health, Richard A. Dienstbier

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

From W. B. Cannon’s identification of adrenaline with “fight or flight” to modern views of stress, negative views of peripheral physiological arousal predominate. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) arousal is associated with anxiety, neuroticism, the Type A personality, cardiovascular disease, and immune system suppression; illness susceptibility is associated with life events requiring adjustments. “Stress control” has become almost synonymous with arousal reduction. A contrary positive view of peripheral arousal follows from studies of subjects exposed to intermittent stressors. Such exposure leads to low SNS arousal base rates, but to strong and responsive challenge- or stress-induced SNS-adrenal-medullary arousal, with resistance to brain …

Water Current, Volume 21, April 1989

Water Current Newsletter

US Water Institutes/Centers Celebrate 25th Anniversary
United Kingdom Geophysicist Now Head of UNL Geololgy Department
Future Depends on Water Quality and Quantity
NItrate Area Map "May Be Out in June"
Large Savings with Nitrogen Best Management Practices
Sandhills Voices Heard at Conference
Papio-Missouri River NRD Receives Progress Award
Pioneer Irrigation Award Goes to Former NPPD Administrator
Research Hydrologist is Kremer Lecturer
Public-Private Sectors Join in National Celebration
Nebraska Unicameral Considers Water Legislation Bills in First Unicameral Session

Relocation Of City Raccoons, Richard C. Rosatte, Charles D. Macinnes

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Twenty-four city raccoons were radio-collared and relocated 25-45 km north of the original capture site in Toronto, Ontario. Following release, extensive exploratory movements were noted with distances of 2-7 km being traversed per night. Home ranges for adult males (avg = 39 km²) and females ( avg = 72 km²) far exceeded juvenile ranges and areas utilized by raccoons in an urban setting. None of the raccoons returned to the original point of capture and mortality of the relocated raccoons approached 50% during the first 3 months following release

Edema Disease-Like Brain Lesions In Gnotobiotic Piglets Infected With Escherichia Coli Serotype 0157:H7, David H. Francis, Rodney A. Moxley, Cecile Y. Andraos

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Gnotobiotic piglets inoculated with Escherichia coli serotype 0157:H7 strains that produced Shiga-like toxin II developed brain lesions similar to those observed in edema disease of swine, including arteriolar necrosis and malacia. Loss of ability to produce Shiga-like toxin II resulted in loss of ability to cause brain lesions.

Agricultural Experiment Station News March 1989

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
DR. JULIE ALBRECHT
DR. LAURIE HODGES
DR. NANCY LEWIS
DR. DALE WEBB
DR. JEFFREY S. ROYER
DR. DONALD WEEKS
THE STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION SYSTEM
DR. JOHN E. FOSTER
PREPROPOSALS - LISA 1990 FUNDING
FY 1991 PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST
ARD OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL POLICY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEETINGS
TEKTRAN DATA BASE
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES
THE NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE
1990 ESCOP RESEARCH INITIATIVE PRIORITIES
RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS RECEIVED DECEMBER-JANUARY-FEBRUARY
NEW OR REVISED PROJECTS

Impairment Of Melibiose Utilization In Streptococcus Mutans Serotype C Gtfa Mutants, Raul G. Barletta, Roy Curtiss Iii

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The Streptococcus mutans serotype c gtfA gene encodes a 55-kilodalton sucrose-hydrolyzing enzyme. Analysis of S. mutans gtfA mutants revealed that the mutant strains were specifically impaired in the ability to use melibiose as a sole carbon source. S. mutans gafA mutant strains synthesized less α-galactosidase activity inducible by raffinose than wild-type strains. Melibiose (an inducer in wild-type strains) failed to induce significant levels of a-galactosidase in the mutant strains. We hypothesize that melibiose use by . mutans requires the interaction of the GtfA enzyme, or another gene product under the control of the gtfA promoter, with other gene product(s) involved …

Colorado's Big Game Damage Program: 1979 To Present, Andre C. Duvall

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Colorado's big game damage program, enacted in 1979, provides monetary claims for big game damage, prevention materials, and technical advice. Fences, crops, harvested crops, pasture, livestock, and personal property are protected. The average yearly cost for the program has been approximately one million dollars.

Characteristics Of Deer Damage To Experimental Orchards In Ohio, Kerry J. Mower, Thomas W. Townsend, William J. Tyznik

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We measured several variables of newly established apple trees (1) to compare growth differences between trees damaged by browsing deer and trees protected from deer, (2) to determine if seasonal browsing patterns existed, and (3) to determine if deer browsed selectively among Ohio's 3 most commonly planted apple cultivars. All testing was die at the 0.05 alpha level. Experimental trees were measured repeatedly from June 1986 the May 1988.

Animal Damage Control: The Challenge Of The 90'S, Jack H. Benymanz

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The talk identifies the challenges of the 90's as: to fully professionalize the policies and practice of animal damage control; to provide a responsible and acceptable level of control; to gain executive and legislative support; and to improve public acceptance. It points up a number of obstacles and identifies several steps necessary to meet the challenges.

Aphis Animal Damage Control Livestock Guarding Dog Program, Jeffrey S. Green

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

One hundred traditional breed livestock guarding dog pups were placed with sheep producers in Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington during 1987-88 as part of the APHIS Animal Damage Control program. Producers reared the dogs and integrated them into their operations. Ninety-three dogs were rated as follows: 68% good, 17% fair, and 15$ poor. Success was breed-related. Sixty-one percent of the dogs were used on pasture operations and 39% on range operations. Nineteen percent of the dogs died prior to reaching 18 months-of-age.

Habitat Manipulations To Prevent Elk Damage To Private Rangelands, William M. Long

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Habitat manipulations were initiated on the Wick Brothers big Game Winter range in southern Wyoming to alter traditional movement patterns of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsonii) . Manipulations included spraying with 2-4-D and follow-up fertilization of the same plot in successive years with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 40 lbs. (18 kg.) free nitrogen per acre. Burning hay meadows and upland sagebrush sites and salting were used in combination with the other treatments. Elk distribution shifted to the treated plots in response to the increased quality and quantity of the grass production on these areas. Spring …

Coyote Control In Alberta, John B. Boumez

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A historical review of coyote damage to livestock, early control measures and the development of Alberta's coyote damage control program is provided, including provincial and federal legislation, provincial policy, research and field testing initiatives, extension and control methodology.

Use Of Monofilament Line, Reflective Tape, Beach-Balls, And Pyrotechnics For Controlling Grackle Damage To Citrus, Alan R. Tipton, John H. Rappole, Arlo H. Kane, Rafael H. Flores, Dave Johnson, John Hobbs, Paul Schulz, Sam Beasom, Joe Palacios

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The effectiveness of monofilament line, reflective tape, beach-balls and pyrotechnics (propane cannons and shotgun scare shells) in reducing damage to citrus by great-tailed grackles was tested in the lower Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas. Results indicate that these treatments can produce reduction in damage. Whether the treatments are economically advisable for a grower depends on the history of grackle damage to the grove and grove size. Only large amounts of damage in large groves justify costs associated with implementation of these methods.

Fall Food Habits Of Double-Crested Cormorants In Arkansas, Albert E. Bivings, Michael D. Hoy, Jeffrey W. Jones

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

One hundred forty-eight double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) were collected in October-December 1988. Some were collected while actively feeding, but most were collected at loafing or roosting areas. Of the 135 with fish in them, 79% contained gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and 16% contained centrarchids (mostly Lepomus sp.). The rest contained a variety of aquaculture (commercially raised) fish. Fish prey weights were estimated from total length of prey items and use of published length-weight tables. Total weights of prey ranged from 39 to 4558 with a mean of 185g. This was felt to be a conservative estimate …

Evaluation Of Predator Guards For Black-Bellied Whistling Duck Nest-Boxes, Raymond L. Urabek

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I evaluated the effectiveness, suitability, and expense of 2 styles of predator guards for black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocyqna autumnalis) nest-boxes. Guards evaluated were galvanized bottom attached shrouds and razor-ribbon wire. Both guards were effective against ground dwelling predators. The group not fitted with guards suffered a 55% overall depredation rate.

Field Trials Of Alpha-Chloralose And Drc-1339 For Reducing Numbers Of Herring Gulls, Paul P. Woronecki, Richard A. Dolbeer, Thomas W. Seamans

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We compared the potential of Alpha-chloralose (A-C) and DRC-1339 to reduce a nesting population of herring gulls at an industrial site in Ohio in 1988. Almost all treated baits were consumed by gulls but only about one affected gull was noted for every 10 baits consumed of either chemical. A test indicated our DRC-1339 baits. containing 3.7 - 7.4 times the published LD value, were not lethal to most captive herring gulls living in fresh water. LD values of A-C and DRC-1339 need to be more precisely estimated for gull species in fresh and salt water environments.

Use Of Drc-1339 And Pa-14 To Control Grackle Populations In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Alan R. Tipton, John H. Rappole, Arlo H. Kane, Rafael H. Flores, John Hobbs, Dave Johnson, Sam Beasom

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In an attempt to reduce valley wide populations of grackles in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, PA-14 was sprayed over a staging area where as many as 10,000 birds were located. This attempt was unsuccessful and this method of population reduction was deemed not suitable for south Texas. Dog food bait was treated with DRC-1339 and presented to great-tailed grackles in several different situations in an attempt to control depredations to citrus by this bird. Bait presented in feedlots during winter (Nov-Feb) was readily taken by the birds, resulting in a significant reduction of numbers of birds visiting …

The Current Program And Future Of Adc In The Usda, Bobby R. Acord

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The ADC program was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in December 1985. The ADC mission continues to be the protection of American agriculture and other resources from wildlife damage. Changes have been implemented to enhance the program, and efforts are continuing toward additional improvements.

The Use Of Dma To Reduce Robin Depredation On Cherries, Leonard R. Askham, John K. Fellman

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The use of a biorational pesticide, Dimethyl Anthrantlate (DMA), was investigated for possible use as a robin repellant in an Eastern Washington Research orchard. Applied in low concentrations (2, 4, and 8% with surfactant), robin depredation was reduced an average of 75%. A double-blind taste test showed no consumer aversion for fresh fruit sprayed with DMA two weeks before harvest.

Kansas Attitudes On Prairie Dog Control, Charles D. Lees, F. Robert Henderson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In Kansas prairie dog management is primarily determined by private individuals and local government agencies. We conducted a mail survey of 350 affected landowners as a means to evaluate the effectiveness of current prairie dog control. The same survey was also sent to 350 randomly selected state residents within the general prairie dog range. We evaluated people's perceptions of prairie dogs, the effectiveness of control methods, costs of control, and reasons for poor response to control techniques. Results indicate people that have previously been involved in prairie dog control on lands they manage have different opinions about prairie dogs than …

Black-Footed Ferret Recovery, Dean E. Biggins, Ronald A. Crew

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The captive population of black-footed ferrets increased from 24 to 58 animals in 1988, and was split to provide the species added protection against extinction. Experimental reintroductions may begin in 1991. In some areas, "experimental population" designations as authorized under Section 10 (j) of the Endangered Species Act may be used to provide wider management latitude. The Black-footed Ferret Interstate Coordinating Committee oversees much of the work related to reintroduction. Expanded effort to locate wild ferrets now includes a $10,000 reward offer. Research focuses on captive breeding, reintroduction techniques, disease, and habitat. A new Recovery Plan was approved in 1988.

Experimental Applications Of High-Tensile Wire And Other Fencing To Control Big Game Damage In Northwest Colorado, A. Eugene Byrne

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Conventional fencing methods V-mesh wire, square mesh wire and wood panels are compared to experimental methods - 15 wire hightensile wire fences; electric high-tensile wire fences of three designs; baited electric fences; hog panel fences; plastic mesh fences and visqueen wrapped haystacks. Total cost of materials, cost per ft./yr. and comments concerning estimates of efficacy are discussed. The V-mesh wire, hog panel and plastic mesh fences all have a very high cost per ft. and cost per ft./yr. rating and should probably not be used. High-tensile and square mesh wire fences are effective and cheaper alternatives. Modern high-tensile wire electric …

Trophy Game Animal Damage In Wyoming, Ron Iversons

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wyoming is perhaps one of the most liberal and unique states of the fifty states on compensation for game and trophy game animal damage. Trophy game animals as defined by statute in Wyoming includes the Cougar (Mt. Lion), Black Bear, and the Grizzly Bear. According to statute Wyoming is responsible for damages incurred by these species to livestock, land, crops, improvements, and extraordinary grasses. Since the statutes were enacted Wyoming has been faced with a variety of complaints and damage claims caused by these species. Damage complaints received by the Department have covered a broad spectrum, ranging from the stockman …

The Landowner's View And Recommendations On Wildlife Damage, Michael G. Leroux

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Conflict between landowners and state and federal agencies is prevalent in today's society. This report attempts to provide understanding of the landowners views on wildlife damage and offer some solutions to be considered.

Estimating Domestic Sheep Losses To Mountain Lions, Frederick G. Lindzey, Connie Wilbur

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Large, native-range pastures were searched for dead domestic sheep in the Southern Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. The proportion of dead sheep that had been killed by mountain lions was 23%. Search methods, however, resulted in unequal probabilities of finding sheep that were killed by mountain lions and sheep that died of other causes.

Status Of Strychnine, Compound 1080, And Registered Alternatives, Steve D. Palmateer

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This paper reveals the current regulatory status of 1080 and strychnine relevant to data call-in actions, administrative hearings, and litigation outside of FIFRA. All strychnine prairie dog claims are cancelled as well as all label claims requiring a tolerance. The 1080 technical is cancelled and all rodenticide uses have been issued a notice of intent to deny.