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Water Current, Volume 32, No. 2, April 2000

Water Current Newsletter

July Water and Natural Resources Tour to Examine NE/CO Water Transfers and Marketing
From the Director: April 22 Marks the 30th Anniversary of National Earth Day Celebrations...How Far Have We Come?
Preventing and Controlling Pollution Top Priorities in Water Conference Voting
Research in Brief: Effect of Herbicides on Aquatic Environments Needs Research, Says UNL Ecologist
Water Rates Vary Widely
Water News Briefs
New EPA Water Guide Available
Free Tabloids Still Available
2000 Groundwater Foundation Fall Conference
2000 Groundwater University

Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter, Spring 2000, Volume 6, No. 2

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

Contents:

Use of Prescribed Fire in Grassland Management by James Stubbendieck and Robert Masters, Department of Agronomy, UNL

Bison and Grasslands: Living in Harmony with Nature by David Hutchinson, Perfect Ten Bison Ranch, Rose, Nebraska

Plains Bison Bison bison bison

Act Now to Adjust for Drought by Bruce Anderson, Department of Agronomy, UNL

Turfgrass Drought Stress by Robert (Bob) Shearman, Department of Horticulture, UNL

Nebline, April 2000

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Earth Wellness Festival: A Splashing Success!
Rhubarb in the Garden
Thank You Master Gardeners!
Plant a Tree
Great Plants: 2000 Plants of the Year
Prevent Termites With Landscaping, Home Maintenance
Let’s Make a Difference – Earth Day 2000
A Plague of Rabbits
What’s Buggin’ You?
Effect of Soaring Fuel Prices on Cost of Field Operations
Managing Fertilizer Use in Dry Soils
SNAP Producer Alliance Takes Next Steps
The Management Team
Road Maintenance
Rodent Proofing Your Home
Knowledge of Animal Laws Important-State Leash Law
Good Nutrition, Better Health
You Can’t Serve From an Empty Plate. So, F-E-A-S-T Frequently
Focus on Food …

Strengths And Stresses Of Omaha Indian Families Living On The Reservation, Douglas A. Abbott, Glenna Slater

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

We studied current strengths and contemporary stresses of Omaha Indian families living on the reservation in northeast Nebraska. Interviews with 60 tribal members revealed that major family and tribal strengths included: extended family support, spiritual values and religious practices, community generosity and support, Omaha culture and traditions, and a determination of many tribal members to recognize and overcome their problems. Respondents also identified major stresses that included: alcohol use, family breakdown, tribal leadership, unemployment and their children's education. Social Interaction Theory suggests that the identification of stresses should be more common than the identification of strengths by an oppressed minority. …

Review Of The Making Of The 1996 Farm Act By Lyle P. Schertz And Otto C. Doering Iii, Roy Frederick

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

Schertz and Doering have produced a useful, comprehensive volume that details key actions leading to passage of the 1996 Farm Act. Although both authors are distinguished economists, the book is more about the political process-and associated policymakers-than economics. It should have lasting value, if for no other reason than that the 1996 legislation differed greatly from the twenty or so farm acts preceding it. For anyone who has wondered why the outcome was different in 1996, this book is must reading.

The authors begin, correctly, with a chapter on the 1994-95 setting for farm legislation, since farm bills are typically …

Influence Of Past Interactions On The Prairie Today: A Hypothesis, Kathleen H. Keeler

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

Past conditions in North American prairies have left behind animals and plants whose features were shaped by interactions, some of which no longer exist. For example, pronghorns are fast runners but there are now no fast predators to chase them. Similarly, bison activity structured grasslands, but few prairie reserves now have bison. Here I draw attention to possible cases where ecological patterns are best explained by conditions not present in the modern prairie and propose that such outcomes may be more important than presently thought. My aim is to stimulate a reevaluation of prairie organisms and the effect of their …

Air Quality And Shelterbelts: Odor Mitigation And Livestock Production, A Literature Review, John Tyndall, Joe Colletti

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This literature review is focused on the potential for innovative use of trees and other vegetation to reduce the odor associated with livestock production. The goal is to examine available evidence to assess if trees and shelterbelts may: 1) be able to help control odor through physical and biological means, and 2) be an economically feasible technology for livestock producers as well as surrounding communities.

Center For Sustainable Agricultural Systems Newsletter, March/April 2000

Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Newsletter (1993–2000)

Contents:

Marketing Featured at NSAS Annual Meeting

Nebraska’s Future Agriculture: Innovative Producers Get More of the Consumer’s Food Dollar

New Proposal for National Organic Standards

130 Countries Finalize Trade Treaty on Biotech Food

NSAS Director Carusi to Wisconsin

OFRF Proposal Deadline July 15

USDA Ag Biotech Advisory Committee Formed

Alternative Ag Expo

Nebline, March 2000

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Stormwater Management and Water Quality: Urban Nonpoint Source Pollution
All America Selection 2000 Winners
Pruning Mature Deciduous Shrubs
Educate Yourself Before You Buy
Carpenter Ants are Frustrating!
Get Ready for Babies!
“Tiny Red Dots Moving on My Window Sill”
Cats — Keeping the Urban Predator in Check
Farming in a Drought
Could We Still Have a Y2K Disaster?
Stockmen Prepare for Drought
Tanks vs. Ponds and Creeks for Livestock Water
Dry Conditions Expected Through Spring
The Business Plan: Executive Summary
To Prune is to Care
On the Plate...Supplement Label Changes
Convenient, Safe and Nutritious Foods: It’s in a Can
Healthy …

Serum Lipid Response To N-3 Fatty Acid Enriched Eggs In Persons With Hypercholesterolemia, Nancy M. Lewis, Kim Schalch, Sheila E. Scheideler

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Consumption of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) is low among certain population subgroups in the United States, especially in people living in Midwestern states and those who dislike fish. Therefore, there is a need to identify acceptable food sources of n-3 PUFA. Vegetable oils, such as canola and soy, provide some n-3 fatty acids. However, these sources are high in n-6 fatty acids and there is concern that they may have detrimental side effects. Eggs enriched in n-3 PUFA can be produced by incorporating sources of these fatty acids into poultry rations. In acceptability studies, US consumers responded …

Ard News February 2000

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
Comments from the Dean
CSREES Appropriation for FY 2000
Initiative for Future Agricultural and Food Systems
ARD 113th Annual Report
Grants and Contracts Received December 1999 and January 2000
New or Revised Projects
Undergraduate Honors Research Program
Research Support from Commodity Checkoff Programs
Endeavors
Innovative and High Risk Research Program
NABC Bioethics Institute
NABC 12 Annual Meeting
NABC Statement 2000 an Agricultural Biotechnology
Federal R&D Funding for FY 2000

Nebline, February 2000

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Southeast Nebraska Area Producers – SNAP, a history and update
2000 Perennial Plant of the Year
Basil
Mulches
Roosting birds making a mess?
Dust mites
EPA announces recall of AllerCare
Drought entering 2000 growing season
Sorghum seminar features marketing and production tips
Computerized financial record keeping
Selecting an alfalfa variety
Y2K dust bowl has arrived
The business plan
Water softening skin and detergent
Bait stations for rodent control
Stretching food dollars through the holidays
Healthy Eating: Winter Crisp
Heart healthy adventures
Focus on Food
Family & Community Education (FCE): Clarice's Column
FCE News
Raising boys to men
Ways to beat …

Intsormil 2000 Annual Report, John M. Yohe, Thomas Crawford, Jr., Joan Frederick, Dorothy Stoner

INTSORMIL Impacts and Bulletins

Presently, worldwide, more than 800 million people are hungry and over I billion are desperately poor, and food demand is increasing rapidly. The majority of poor live in rural areas in developing countries and agricultural and food systems development is vital to economic growth; improving environmental quality; strengthening nutrition, health and child survival; improving the status of women; and promoting democratization. It is estimated that by 2000, the number of people living in developing countries will grow from 4.9 billion to 6.8 billion people. More than 1.3 billion people today live on less than one dollar per day. It is …

Ec00-280 Hiring Dairy Personnel: Making The Process Easier, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Position descriptions are essential. A detailed position, or job, description can help you as an employer identify and eliminate applicants who will not perform well on the job and gives you justifiable grounds for terminating an employee who does not perform the job satisfactorily.

On most dairy farms, employees can be grouped into three categories: herd managers, feeders or outdoor workers, and milkers. This extension circular discusses the description for each category, how to start the hiring process, and questions that may be asked during interviewing and after hiring for a position on the dairy farm.

Leadership In Wolf, Canis Lupus, Packs, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

I examine leadership in Wolf (Callis lupus) packs based on published observations and data gathered during summers from 1986 to 1998 studying a free-ranging pack of Wolves on Ellesmere Island that were habituated to my presence. The breeding male tended to initiate activities associated with foraging and travel, and the breeding female to initiate, and predominate in, pup care and protection. However, there was considerable overlap and interaction during these activities such that leadership could be considered a joint function. In packs with multiple breeders, quantitative information about leadership is needed.

Soil Quality Assessment After Weed-Control Tillage In A No-Till Wheat–Fallow Cropping System, Timothy A. Kettler, Drew J. Lyon, John W. Doran, W. L. Powers, Walter W. Stroup

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Adoption of reduced-tillage fallow systems in the western USA is limited by winter annual grass weeds such as downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.). Moldboard plowing is an effective means of controlling downy brome in winter wheat (Tritcum aestivum L.)–fallow systems. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of plowing and secondary tillage operations, for the purpose of weed control, on soil quality attributes of a silt loam soil that had been cropped in a subtill or no-till (NT) winter wheat–fallow system for more than 20 yr. Compared with undisturbed NT, downy brome populations in plowed …

Ec00-1207 Growing Onions, Shallots, And Chives, Susan Schoneweis, Laurie Hodges, Loren J. Giesler

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The common onion (Allium cepa) is the most popular and widely grown Allium in Nebraska home gardens. Many members of the onion family (Alliaceae) are used in flower gardens because of their interesting flowers and foliage, but here we're going to focus on the onion as a vegetable crop.

This publication will discuss the different types of onions and how to grow onions from onion sets, plants, transplants, and seed. It will cover the different cultivars found here in Nebraska, the nutrition, fertilizing, harvesting, curing and storing of onions.

"Vertebrate Pests Of Agriculture, Forestry And Public Lands" 2000 Annual Meeting

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

Table of Contents ........................................................... i

2000 Officers ............................................................... 1

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

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

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

Participants .......................................................... 2

Attendees ............................................................ 3

Adopted Agenda ...................................................... 4

Convening of Sessions (Tuesday 14 November) ............................... 4

Forum: Internet Resources in Wildlife Damage Management .................... 4

2000 Business Meeting (Wednesday 15 November) ............................ 4

Presentations (Wednesday 15 November) .................................... 9

Continued Presentations (Thursday 16 November) ........................... 10

Individual Updates ................................................... 11

Completion of Sessions ................................................ 13

Participants/ Attendees Names and Addresses . . . . . . . . . …

Severe Anemia In Young Children After High And Low Malaria Transmission Seasons In The Kassena-Nankana District Of Northern Ghana, Kwadwo A. Koram, Francis K. Nkrumah, Seth Owusu-Agyei, Fred N. Binka, Greg Utz, Kevin J. Baird, Steven L. Hoffman

United States Navy: Publications

Malaria and anemia accounted for 41% and 18% respectively of hospital deaths in the Kassena-Nankana district of northern Ghana during 1996. We measured hemoglobin (Hb), malaria prevalence, and anthropometric indices of 6—24-month-old infants and young children randomly selected from this community at the end of the high (May–October, n = 347) and low (November–April, n = 286) malaria transmission seasons. High transmission season is characterized by rainfall (the equivalent of 800–900 mm/yr.), while the remaining months receive less than 50 mm/ yr. Severe anemia, defined as Hb < 6.0 g/dL, was 22.1% at the end of the high transmission season compared to 1.4% at the end of the low transmission season (Odds Ratio [OR] = 20.1; 95% CI: 7.1–55.3). Parasitemia was 71% and 54.3% at these time points (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5–2.9). Nutritional anemia appeared to have little impact upon this seasonal difference since anthropometric indices were comparable. Although the relative contributions of other causes of severe anemia were not assessed, repeated malaria infections may be a primary determinant of severe anemia among infants and young children during the high transmission season.

Spring-Staging Ecology Of Waterfowl In Nebraska — Then Versus Now, Robert R. Cox Jr.

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Spring snow storms can influence migration chronology and nutrient-reserve dynamics of waterfowl in Nebraska.
For centuries, the Rainwater Basin and Platte River Valley of central Nebraska have attracted millions of migrating waterfowl during spring. While in this region, females begin to accumulate fat and protein reserves needed for egg-laying and for recruitment of young.

Ec00-1878 Pine Wilt : A Fatal Disease Of Exotic Pines In The Midwest

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

EC 00-1878: This circular gives information over pine wilt in the Midwest. The circular details the symptoms of pine wilt infected trees, how pine wilt affects trees, and management options for those

Ec00-281 Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows: A Tool For Managing The Nutrition Program For Beef Herds, Richard J. Rasby, James A. Gosey, Don C. Adams

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Body condition scores (BCS) describe the relative fatness of a cow through the use of a nine-point scale and is an effective management tool to evaluate nutrition status of the herd.

This extension circular describes the nine-point body condition scoring system, relationship between body condition and productivity of the cow herd, and use of body condition as a management tool to develop and monitor nutritional programs. Incorporation of body condition scoring as a management tool can increase the profit potential of the cow/calf enterprise.

Planning For Drought: Moving From Crisis To Risk Management, Donald A. Wilhite, Michael J. Hayes, Cody Knutson, Kelly Helm Smith

National Drought Mitigation Center: Faculty Publications

Severe drought is a recurring problem for the United States, as illustrated by widespread economic, social, and environmental impacts. Recent drought episodes and the widespread drought conditions in 1996, 1998, and 1999 emphasized this vulnerability and the need for a more proactive, risk man-agement approach to drought management that would place greater emphasis on preparedness planning and mitigation actions. Drought planning has become a principal tool of states and other levels of government to improve their response to droughts. For example, since 1982, the number of states with drought plans has increased from 3 to 29. Many local governments have …

Chapter 18 Drought: Pervasive Impacts Of A Creeping Phenomenon, Donald A. Wilhite, Olga V. Vanyarkho

National Drought Mitigation Center: Faculty Publications

Throughout human existence, drought has been a threat to the survival of societies. It has often been a trigger for massive human migrations, famines, and wars, altering the course of history itself. Today, as we prepare to enter the twenty-first century, drought continues to affect our global community in countless ways. In fact, we are still discovering the complex interrelationships between drought and society and grappling with response and mitigation strategies that will lessen impacts and therefore reduce vulnerability for future generations.

Chapter 35 Preparing For Drought: A Methodology, Donald A. Wilhite

National Drought Mitigation Center: Faculty Publications

Preparedness was defined in chapter 1 as predisaster activities designed to increase the level of readiness or improve operational and institutional capabilities for responding to an emergency. Drought preparedness has encountered increasing support from governments in recent years at various levels because of escalating impacts and the ineffectiveness and costs of emergency assistance programs that have little noticeable return. For example, between 1970 and 1984, state and federal government in Australia expended more than A$925 million on drought relief under the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (Wilhite 1986). The Republic of South Africa spent R2.5 billion for drought relief from the …

Ec00-219 2000 Nebraska Swine Report, Rodger K. Johnson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The 2000 Nebraska Swine Report was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. This publications deals with research on swine reproduction, breeding, health, nutrition, economics, and housing.

Assessing Factors That May Predispose Minnesota Farms To Wolf Depredations On Cattle, L. David Mech, Elizabeth K. Harper, Thomas J. Meier, William J. Paul

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Wolf (Canis lupus) depredations on livestock cause considerable conflict and expense in Minnesota. Furthermore, claims are made that such depredations are fostered by the type of animal husbandry practiced. Thus, we tried to detect factors that might predispose farms in Minnesota to wolf depredations. We compared results of interviews with 41 cattle farmers experiencing chronic cattle losses to wolves (chronic farms) with results from 41 nearby "matched" farms with no wolf losses to determine farm characteristics or husbandry practices that differed and that therefore might have affected wolf depredations. We also used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to …

Direct And Indirect Parametrization Of A Localized Model For The Mountain Pine Beetle — Lodgepole Pine System, Zy Biesinger, James Powell, Barbara Bentz, Jesse Logan

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The dynamic interaction between mountain pine beetles (MPB) and one of its hosts is reviewed briefly. The ‘local’ projection of a partial differential equation model describing this interaction is employed in model parameter estimation. Methods and assumptions for estimating non-fitted parameter values are given. Assigning values to non-fitted parameters, direct and indirect parametrization techniques are employed to estimate remaining parameter values. The indirect method is quickly and easily applied to many data sets but requires some assumptions and model simplifications. The direct method requires fewer assumptions but is computationally intensive. The results of these two techniques are compared and evaluated.

Impact 2000, C. Dean Yonts, Keith Glewen, Burt Weichenthal, Bud Stolzenburg, Dee Griffin, Bob Wills, Bruce Treffer

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: News Releases

Index

Competitive Agricultural Systems in a Global Economy ...................................................... 1-27

Safe and Secure Food and Fiber Systems ...................................................... 28-34

Healthy, Well-Nourished Population ...................................................... 35-39

Greater Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environment ...................................................... 40-49

Economic Development and Quality of We for People and Communities ...................................................... 50-68

Society-Ready Graduates ...................................................... 69-75

Birth Order, Sibling Investment, And Fertility Among Ju/’Hoansi (!Kung), Patricia Draper, Raymond Hames

Department of Anthropology: Faculty Publications

Birth order has been examined over a wide variety of dimensions in the context of modern populations. A consistent message has been that it is better to be born first. The analysis of birth order in this paper is different in several ways from other investigations into birth order effects. First, we examine the effect of birth order in an egalitarian, small-scale, kin-based society, which has not been done before. Second, we use a different outcome measure, fertility, rather than outcome measures of social, psychological, or economic success. We find, third, that being born late in an egalitarian, technologically simple …