Digital Commons Network^™

Why Involve Students In Research?, Rodney A. Erickson

Innovations in Undergraduate Research and Honors Education: Proceedings of the Second Schreyer National Conference 2001

This article addresses the benefits of undergraduate research to students, to faculty, and to universities. Research experiences are credited with increasing motivation for learning, helping undergraduate students decide on a career path, forming mentoring relationships between students and faculty, and improving student performance in writing, speaking, and working in teams. For many students, research experiences are their most memorable experiences as undergraduates. From the perspective of universities, students bring enthusiasm to research teams and often ask insightful questions-sometimes quite by accident-that can change the ways faculty approach research inquiries. Student researchers contribute to the world of knowledge. Research universities have …

Separating The Impacts Of Crop Diversification And Rotations On Risk, Glenn A. Helmers, Charles F. Yamoah, Gary E. Varvel

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

It has been commonly accepted that crop rotations reduce risk compared with monoculture systems. Quantifying this phenomenon requires that effects of yield stability on risk (positive or negative) arising from rotating crops be separated from other risk elements. Using an ARS–University of Nebraska series of yields for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grown over a 14-yr period, both in rotation and in monoculture, the impact of crop rotation on risk was isolated and estimated. Risk was defined as the failure to meet an annual per-hectare net return target. A corn–soybean rotation had significantly …

Department Of Veterinary And Biomedical Sciences: 2001 Annual Report, John A. Schmitz

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Information and History

Twenty Departmental students completed their Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science degrees in 2001, nineteen in the Veterinary Science Major and one in the Veterinary Technologist Major. Twenty-five Nebraska residents were admitted into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, twelve of them having completed all or part of their pre-veterinary studies at UNL. Seven students completed their Master of Science degree in Veterinary Science. Enrollment in the Distance Education MS in Veterinary Science Master of Science, Distance Education Program increased to seven students, with several applications still being processed or expected. Three new Distance Education courses were …

Host Nutritional Selenium Status As A Driving Force For Influenza Virus Mutations, Heather K. Nelson, Qing Shi, Peter Van Dael, Eduardo J. Schiffrin, Stephanie Blum, Denis Barclay, Orville A. Levander, Melinda A. Beck

United States Public Health Resources

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that infection with influenza A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2), a relatively mild strain of the virus, caused much more severe pneumonitis in selenium (Se)-deficient mice than in Se-adequate mice. Here we report that the increased virulence observed in the Se-deficient mice is due to mutations in the influenza virus genome, resulting in a more virulent genotype. Most of the mutations occurred in the gene for the M1 matrix protein, an internal protein that is thought to be relatively stable. A total of 29 nucleotide changes were observed in this gene, and all 29 changes were identical …

The National Honors Report, Volume Xxii, Number 1, Spring 2001

The National Honors Report

Cover Story

"NCHC Stepping Stones: Imagination, Ideas, Discovery" by Joan Digby …1 In her presidential address, Joan Digby, whose conference was titled "The World of Imagination," has always been interested in the creative process. For Digby, honors education is life-long learning, a honing of skills made possible by honors that allow us to march through those open fields of discovery.

Teaching

1. "Design Your Own Space Mission" by Carol Browning …4 Browning, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, describes an honors section of a science research for non-majors. A good example of using faculty resources to share …

Crop Watch No. 2001-9, May 11, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Field Updates..........78

Irrigated Pastures..........78

Nitrogen Calculator Revised..........79

Postemergence Nitrogen..........79

Scouting for Cutworms..........80

Corn Leaf Beetles..........82

Irrigation System Costs..........83

Alfalfa Weevil Damage..........84

Critical Weed Control..........85

Crop Watch No. 2001-12, June 8, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Weed Tour..........108

Moths..........109

Caterpillar Web Site..........109

Wheat Condition Update..........110

Purple Loosestrife..........110

Wheat Disease Update..........111

Weed Control in Soybeans..........112

Problem Weeds..........112

Callisto Labeled..........112

Treat Soybean Seed..........113

Saturated Soils..........114

Research: Shapiro..........114

Crop Watch No. 2001-14, June 22, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Field Updates..........126

Assessing Hail Damage..........128

Greenbugs in Sorghum..........129

Slow Alfalfa Regrowth..........129

Nitrogen Leaching..........130

Soybean Nitrogen Deficiency..........130

Handling Wet Hay..........131

Spotted Alfalfa Aphid..........132

Change in Agriculture..........132

Integrated Weed Research..........133

Market Journal: Biosecurity..........134

Crop Watch No. 2001-25, October 26, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

To the Readers..........214

Winter Wheat "Good"..........214

Fall Fertilizer Apps..........215

Winterizing Equipment..........216

BT Reregistered..........216

Selecting Seed..........217

Agronomy Highlights..........217

Soybean Trial Yields..........218

Dairy Alfalfa..........219

Tillage Trials..........219

Distance Ed..........220

Extension Meetings..........221

Undegradable Intake Protein Supplementation Of Compensating, Grazing Steers, Kelly Creighton, Mark Ullerich, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of previous winter gain on response to undegradable intake protein (UIP) supplementation during the summer grazing period. Steers wintered at the FAST rate of gain had a greater response to UIP supplementation than steers with SLOW rate of gain. Maximum response for FAST cattle occurred at 150 g/d of supplemental UIP, while SLOW cattle showed no response through 150 g/d. Forage DM intake was similar for FAST and SLOW cattle, therefore SLOW cattle consumed more as a percentage of body weight. Increased gains from UIP supplementation were not maintained during the finishing …

High Moisture And Dry-Rolled High-Oil Corn For Finishing Feedlot Steers, Wanda Cerkoney, Terry L. Mader, Fred Owens

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Finishing steers fed diets containing dry-rolled high-oil corn had a 2.5% reduction in dry matter intake and 4.2% better feed efficiency than steers fed diets containing dry-rolled normal corn. Hot carcass weight, dressing percent, liver abscess score, rib fat thickness, marbling score and yield grade did not differ among treatments. Steers fed high-moisture high-oil corn had larger ribeye area and greater percent kidney, pelvic and heart fat than steers fed high moisture normal corn. No differences in performance or efficiency were detected from substituting high-oil high moisture corn for normal high moisture corn.

Effects Of Feeding Regimen On Performance, Behavior And Body Temperature Of Feedlot Steers, Shane Davis, Terry L. Mader, Wanda Cerkoney

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

One hundred forty-four predominantly Angus x Charolais steers were used to determine effects of different feeding regimens on performance, behavior and tympanic temperatures of steers under environmental heat stress. Steers were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) ad libitum fed at 0800 hr (ADLIB); 2) fed at 1600 hr with bunks slick by 0800 hr (BKMGT); and 3) fed 85% of predicted DMI at 1600 hr (LIMFD). Treatments were imposed for 23 days after which all steers were allowed ad libitum access to feed at 0800 hr. Overall performance was not affected by treatment. Altering feed time and amount …

Compensatory Growth And Slaughter Breakevens Of Yearling Cattle, D. J. Jordon, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Todd Milton, Rob Cooper

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year summary of growing/ finishing systems indicates that steer calves wintered at 1.5 lb/day had lower slaughter breakeven (P < .05) costs compared to animals wintered at 0.5 lb/day. Additionally, feeding wet corn gluten feed as an energy source to increase winter gains tended (P < .15) to produce slaughter breakevens which were lower than the same winter gains produced by feeding corn. Restricting animal gain over the winter (0.5-1.0 lb/day) resulted in 25-32% compensation on grass compared to controls (1.5 lb/day). Comparison of calf finishing vs. yearling growing/finishing systems showed that steers wintered with a “fast” rate of gain (1.5 lb/day) profited $28.85/head compared to losses by steers wintered with a “slow” rate of gain (0.5 lb/day; $-30.24/head) or calf finishing ($-20.87/head).

Forage Intake And Nutrient Balance Of Heifers Grazing Sandhills Winter Range, Trey Patterson, Don C. Adams, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments with pregnant heifers grazing winter range investigated effects of supplementation to meet metabolizable protein versus CP requirements. Supplements were fed from October to February, and hay was fed in January and February of the second experiment. Supplementation to meet metabolizable protein requirements decreased weight loss in one experiment. Winter hay feeding reduced weight loss and body condition loss compared to no hay feeding. Forage intake declined from 2.1% of body weight in November to 1.3% in February. Metabolizable protein was deficient when animals were supplemented to meet CP requirements. Supplementation to meet metabolizable protein requirements may improve performance …

Performance And Economics Of Winter Supplementing Pregnant Heifers Based On The Metabolizable Protein System, Trey Patterson, Don C. Adams, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Richard T. Clark, Burke Teichert

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In 1997-1998 and 1998-99, pregnant, March-calving heifers (2,375 head) at two locations of a ranch in Nebraska were used to evaluate the production and economic responses of winter supplementation (September to February) to meet metabolizable protein or CP requirements. Net present value was used to determine the economic benefits of supplement treatments. In 1997-98, metabolizable protein heifers had higher pregnancy rates and expected profitability than CP heifers at one of two locations. In 1998-99, metabolizable protein heifers had higher pregnancy rates and expected profitability at both locations.

Avian Use Of Various Bait Mixtures Offered In Harvested Cornfields During Spring Migration In South Dakota, George M. Linz, H. Jeffrey Homan, Ryan L. Wimberly

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The avicide, DRC-1339, is used to cull populations of spring-migrating blackbirds in eastern South Dakota to reduce damage to ripening sunflower in late summer. We investigated non-target bird hazards associated with using various grain mixtures to attract blackbirds (Icteridae), especially red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), to avicide-treated bait broadcast in harvested cornfields. During spring 1997 and 1998, we recorded the species and numbers of birds attracted to 0.2-ha plots baited with cracked corn and brown rice, fine-chipped sunflower meats and brown rice (1997 only), and unsupplemented brown rice. Unbaited plots were used as reference sites. In 1997 and 1998, …

A Simple Performance-Based Index For Assessing Multiple Agroecosystem Functions, Mark A. Liebig, Gary E. Varvel, John W. Doran

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Evaluating the impact agricultural practices have on agroecosystem functions is essential to determine the sustainability of management systems. This paper presents an approach to determine the relative sustainability of agricultural practices. A simple ranking procedure using a relative scoring method is proposed to discriminate among treatments based on the status of crop and soil parameters within different agroecosystem functions. Summing scores across agroecosystem functions allows for the identification of agricultural practices that are performing optimally based on functions included in the procedure. An example, using data from a long-term cropping systems experiment in the western Corn Belt, found the indexing …

Managing N Inputs And The Effect On N Losses Following Excretion In Open-Dirt Feedlots In Nebraska, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Feedlot nutrition will play an important role in meeting environmental challenges of beef cattle feedlots. Nutritionists are continually refining protein requirements and recently adopted a new, metabolizable protein (MP) system to more efficiently use N and allow more accurate diet formulation. Protein requirements vary by animal age and weight during the finishing period. Our hypothesis was that formulating diets with the MP system would decrease N inputs leading to decreased excretion and losses. Comparing industry average diets (13.5% CP) to phase-fed diets formulated to not exceed MP requirements decreased N inputs by 10 to 20% for calves and yearlings without …

Estimating Forage Protein Degradation In The Rumen, Terry J. Klopfenstein, R. A. Mass, K. W. Creighton, H. H. Patterson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Forage proteins are degraded rapidly by rumen microorganisms and therefore supply relatively small quantities of undegraded intake protein (UIP). Growing cattle with high metabolizable protein requirements and lactating beef and dairy cows respond to UIP supplementation when fed high-forage diets, even though degradable intake protein (DIP) is adequate. This observation suggests that an accurate estimate of forage UIP is needed to establish optimal supplementation conditions. Microbial protein must be quantitated in duodenal or in situ residue samples to accurately measure forage UIP. Purines commonly are used as a microbial protein marker. Recent reports suggested that the original purine procedure generates …

Switching Feedlot Dietary Fiber Level For Cattle Fed In Winter, T. L. Mader, M. S. Davis, J. M. Dahlquist, A. M. Parkhurst

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Four feeding regimens were evaluated in two different outside facilities [tree windbreak provided (SP) vs no wind protection provided (NP)] over two winter seasons. Feeding regimens were 1) 7.5% (DM basis) alfalfa hay (AH) diet (Low- Low); 2) 15% (DM basis) AH diet switched to a 7.5% (DM basis) AH diet under cold stress conditions (High-Low); 3) 7.5% (DM basis) AH diet switched to a 15% (DM basis) AH diet under cold stress conditions (Low-High); and 4) 15% (DM basis) AH diet (High-High). For feeding regimens High-Low and Low- High, cold stress was determined by use of a model, based …

Use Of Sire Referencing Schemes To Select For Improved Carcass Composition In Sheep, G. Simm, R. M. Lewis, J. E. Collins, G. J. Nieuwhof

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Objective genetic improvement in specialized meat breeds of sheep in Britain is based largely on the performance recording and genetic evaluation service provided by Signet and the Meat and Livestock Commission. This includes the use of ultrasonic scanning and a selection index to identify animals with high genetic merit for lean growth. More than 20 sire referencing schemes (SRS) have been established in Britain during the last 12 yr. About half of the performance- recorded flocks in Britain now belong to SRS. Sire referencing schemes create genetic links between flocks and years through the shared use of elite rams (reference …

Nf01-465 Turf Disease Fact Sheet No. 5: Management Program For Pythium Blight, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is about turf disease and includes information on managing pythium blight.

Nf01-491 The Corn Stalk Nitrate Test, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard L. Deloughery

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is about several soil and plant nitrogen tests that have been developed for use, before planting or mid-season, to help farmers decide how much nitrogen to apply to their corn.

"Vertebrate Pests Of Agriculture, Forestry And Public Lands" 2001 Annual Meeting

Western Region Coordinating Committee for Vertebrate Pests of Agriculture, Forestry, and Public Lands (WCC-95)

Table of Contents

2001 Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Minutes ................................................................ 2

Number and Title of the Regional Project ................................ 2

Location and Dates of the Meeting ................................... 2

Participants ................ , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . …

2001 Nebraska Swine Report, Duane E. Reese

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, breeding, health, nutrition, economics and housing of swine.

Ec01-146 Nebraska Soybean Field Guide, Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

EC 01-146-D: This circular is a pocket guide to the planting of soybeans in Nebraska. The field guide provides much information over soybeans and how they are grown within the state. Though the sections are brief, it provides a vast quantity of information from planting practices to soybean fertility and different diseases and insects which can affect the crop.

Crop Watch No. 2001-26, Nov. 19, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Ag Technology..........224

Remedial Bt Response..........225

Soil Moisture Update..........226

Returning to the Farm..........226

Corn / Soybean Workshops..........227

Crop Protection Clinics..........227

Integrated Crop Management..........228

Agronomy Highlights..........229

Annual Index..........230

Soybean Expo..........232

Nf01-499 Tips For Eating Out, Linda S. Boeckner

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

To make healthy choices when you eat out, use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to pick up some tips on ordering foods at a restaurant.

Feeding And Survival In Parasitic Wasps: Sugar Concentration And Timing Matter, Gitta Siekmann, Brigitte Tenhumberg, Michael A. Keller

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Sugar consumption can increase the longevity and lifetime fecundity of many species of parasitic wasps. Consequently, for these insects the availability of sugar sources in the field is important for their reproductive success. As sugar sources can be highly variable in quantity, space and time, the chances of finding a sufficient amount of sugar to increase longevity might be very low. Therefore, the reward from a single feeding event can be critical for the forager’s fitness. We measured the longevity of the parasitoid Cotesia rubecula after a single honey meal differing in sugar concentration (25, 47, 86% w/w) and timing …

Effect Of Animal Grouping On Feeding Behavior And Intake Of Dairy Cattle, R. J. Grant, J. L. Albright

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Although data are scarce, it is clear that grouping strategy can have a significant impact on the feeding behavior and feed intake of dairy cattle. Feed intake is controlled by ruminoreticular fill and physiological mechanisms, but grouping is a component of the cow’s feeding environment that can modulate intake as a result of its impact on cow comfort, competition for feed and other resources, and herd health. Social dominance and competition for feed impact feeding behavior and proper grouping strategy will minimize the negative impact of excessive competition on intake and enhance beneficial effects of group feeding such as social …