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The Status Of Nebraska Fishes In The Missouri River. 6. Sauger (Percidae: Stizostedion Canadense), Larry W. Hesse

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Saugers were once common representatives of the Missouri River fish assemblage. Prior to channelization and impoundment, they comprised from 10 to 65% of the.main channel big-river fish group. They utilized the slower side channels and backwaters seasonally for feeding, resting, and maturing, but the main channel was important for breeding habitat. Since the onset of channelization and impoundment, saugers have been reduced by as much as 98% in some areas, and the trend toward extirpation continues unabated today. Recovery of native sauger stocks will require a complete cessation of harvest, recovery of the natural hydrograph, recovery of sediment transport, recovery …

A Survey And Analysis Of The Unionid Mollusks Of The Elkhorn River Basin, Nebraska, Ellet Hoke

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Surveys in the Elkhorn River Basin between 1972 and 1994 documented a unionid fauna of 28 taxa. Two additional taxa were documented by museum records, bringing the total to 30 confirmed for the region. In recent collections only eleven species were found as live specimens or fresh shells, suggesting the possible loss of as much as 63% of the documented fauna of the Basin. Biological diversity was once greatest in the eastern portion of the Basin, reflecting the greater variety of habitats in this region. At present, the greatest diversity appears to be found in the western portion. This reversal …

Floristic Analysis Of The C. Bertrand And Marian Othmer Schultz Prairie, A Mixed-Grass Prairie In South-Central Nebraska, Steven J. Rothenberger

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The C. Bertrand and Marian Othmer Schultz Prairie is a 259 ha/640 ac/1 mi² tract of mixed-grass prairie in a region of loess hills in south-central Nebraska. It is on the Kansas border in Webster County, 6.5 km south and 8.1 km east of Red Cloud. A floristic study of the prairie was made during the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons. The 1993 study was accompanied by an ecological survey which determined (1) plant species importance and (2) plant-community relationships using point-step and quadrat methods. Major plant community types are Andropogon scoparius- A. gerardii- Bouteloua gracilis on shallow limy …

Utah State University's Berryman Institute For Wildlife Damage Management, Robert H. Schmidt, Michael R. Conover

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In 1990, the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University established a program dedicated to research, education, and extension in wildlife damage management (Schmidt et al. 1992a). This program was initiated with funding from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) program and Utah State University.

Status Of M-44 Device, Charles D. Lee

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The purpose of this paper is to report on the current status of M-44 (sodium cyanide) capsule and its use. I have included information received from other states and entities that have a registration for M-44s, included some historical information concerning the M-44 program and the current source of supplies.

The Evolutionary Relationships Of The Skunks To Each Other And The Rest Of The Weasels; With A Note On Behavioral Idiosyncrasies, Jerry W. Dragoo

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I will discuss four aspects of my current research with respect to skunks. The first concerns the recognition and conservation of potentially endangered populations of hog-nosed skunks. The second pertains to the evolutionary relationships among the three genera of skunks, based on genetic data. The third aspect also is based on molecular data, and is a study of the relationship of the skunks to the rest of the Mustelidae (weasels). Finally, I will discuss some of the behavioral idiosyncrasies I have observed in my endeavors to obtain skunk specimens.

Prospects For The Future In Animal Damage Control, Donald Hawthorne

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I am pleased to be here to address a subject that is very special to many of us, one to which I have devoted my entire career. Animal damage control is a controversial component of wildlife management. In the late 1960's and early 70's, many wildlife practitioners tried to divorce themselves from animal damage control activities. In recent years, however, management of wildlife damage is viewed by many as a vital and integral part of wildlife management, whether to protect human interests and safety or to save an endangered species.

Prairie Vole Damage Control In No-Till Corn And Soybean, Ron A. Hines

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The prairie vole (Microtus ochragaster) is the primary rodent that reduces no-till crop plant stands in Southern Illinois. Because the vole requires a full canopy cover for protection from predators, established grass or legume sod fields and field borders (including wheat or rye stubble, set-aside and cover crop seedings) provide an ideal habitat for the development of a very high population of this rodent. In fields that have had the vegetative cover maintained for more than one year prior to planting no-till corn, plant stand reductions can reach 80 to 100 percent in intense (more than 30 per …

A Prairie Dog Abatement Program In San Juan County, Utah, Terry A. Messmer, Jim Keyes, Roy Mcdonald

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Four species of prairie dogs are native to the plains and plateaus of the western United States. The most abundant and widely distributed of these is the blacktailed prairie dog, (Cynomys ludovicianus). This species has been a frequent topic of discussion at previous Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control workshops.

The Prairie Dog Ecosystems And Endangered Species, Daniel W. Mulhern, Kenneth L. Powell

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The prairie dog is no doubt one of the most controversial animals in the western United States. Public sentiment regarding this rodent runs the gamut from some livestock producers who are satisfied only with complete eradication of all prairie dogs, and some animal rights groups who would like to see all prairie dogs given complete protection from any form of harm. Between these two extremes lie the real truths surrounding this sometimes destructive, mostly biologically beneficial, creature.

Survey Of Nuisance Urban Geese In The United States, James E. Forbes

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Problems caused by Canada geese in urban areas include defecation and molted feathers on lawns and golf courses, fowling water supplies, noise, attacks upon small children, and bird hazard to aircraft at airports. Detailed discussion of nuisance Canada geese in Connecticut and New York are reported by Forbes (1982) and Converse (1985). This paper updates the survey of nuisance Canada geese in urban areas of the eastern U.S. by Conover and Chasko (1985).

Update On Development Of A Tranquilizer Trap Device, Peter J. Savarie, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Edward W. Schafer Jr.

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The foothold trap is an important tool that is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Damage Control (ADC) program to capture coyotes (Canis latrans) that are causing livestock depredations. In FY 1990 and FY 1991 the ADC program trapped 17,732 and 15,805 coyotes, respectively (USDA 1991;1992). Foothold traps can cause trauma and injury to feet and legs (Englund 1982; Linhart et al. 1986; Olsen et al. 1986, 1988; Onderka et al. 1990, Tullar 1984) and Onderka et al. (1990) observed oral injuries such as broken teeth, and tongue and gum lacerations in captured animals. The ADC program and …

The Impact Of European Community's Humane Trapping Resolution On U.S. Wildlife Damage Control Program, Mahadev Bhat, Robert Gotie, Luther Keller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This paper discusses the implications that The European Economic Community's recent Wild Fur Regulation (WFR) might have on the U.S. wildlife damage control program. Beginning Jan. 1, 1995, the regulation will ban fur imports originating from countries which fail to (1) stop foothold trapping, and (2) adopt international humane trapping standards. Countries which pledge to adopt humane trapping standards will be granted a one-year extension to comply with the WFR. Because the European community is an important market for American furs, the regulation will affect the trapping of many American fur-bearing species, including raccoon, beaver, bobcat, muskrat, coyote, otter, badger, …

Endangered Species And Pesticides: The Kansas Program, Sue Ann Funk

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), because of its responsibility for registering pesticides for use in the U.S., is subject to the restrictions of federal Endangered Species Law. Before a pesticide can be registered, and subsequently marketed, EPA must guarantee that specific pesticides will not place an endangered species in peril. The Division of Plant Health of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture has received a grant from EPA to enforce the protection of listed species from pesticide exposure in Kansas.

How To Involve Local Communities In Wildlife Damage Control Decision-Malting, Scott R. Craven

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In most cases the impetus for wildlife damage control (ADC) comes from the individual or group victimized by the problem, i.e., the farmers losing crops to migrating waterfowl or the homeowners frustrated with the loss of valuable ornamental plants to marauding deer. These "victims" or "stakeholders" are clearly best positioned to describe the nature and extent of the problem, how they feel about it, and to comment on what action could/should be taken to reduce or end the problem.

Using Ultrasound Technology In Reproduction Management, Douglas D. Zalesky

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Reproductive performance in cow-calf operations is one of, if not the most important factor affecting profitability in a herd. Several economic studies have suggested that reproductive traits are 5 to 10 times more important than growth traits and 5 to 20 times more important than carcass traits in determining the net profitability in an operation. Therefore, achieving high levels of reproductive efficiency should be the top or one of the top goals of any cow-calf operation.

Ultrasound technology is by no means a new technology. Its use in live animals was first described in 1950 by J.J. Wild. He described …

Setting Direction And Effective Management Style, Burke Teichert

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Management style is a major determinant of effectiveness. Setting direction in turn is an integral part of an effective management style. At Rex Ranch our mission or long term direction is to "maximize long term profit while improving the land, animal and human resources." The redundancy in the mission statement is recognized and intended. If we fail to improve the land, animal and human resources, we will not be competitive or profitable in the long run. So, that part of the statement is to keep us based on correct principles.

A ranch is really a production and marketing system made …

Optimum Mainstream Crossbreeding System's "Omc Hairpin Brand Bell Curve Strategies" Including Crossbreeding And Composites For Success In The Cow Business, Jim Leachman

Range Beef Cow Symposium

I. PLANNING the future of your cow outfit should involve an assessment of:

A. PRESENT STATUS: a realistic inventory of where you are in terms of competitive production parameters, including:

1. cost per pound weaned per cow exposed,
2. percentage of cattle meeting carcass yield, grade, and weight specs.

B. PROPER GOALS: informed visions of the direction of a consumer-based market driven industry such as:

1. redefining quality as a uniform product with consistent eating qualities,
2. discounts for products not meeting targets and needs.

C. CORRECT STRATEGIES: the game plans which theoretically and practically have a good probability of …

Across Breed Expected Progeny Differences (Epd's), James A. Gosey

Range Beef Cow Symposium

If commercial beef producers were to abandon crossbreeding, there would be no need to consider Across Breed EPD's. With only one dominant breed such as the dairy industry's Holstein, sire selection would be greatly simplified. Given the diversity of production environments, management systems and market scenarios within which beef is produced, it seems unlikely that a least-cost producer will approach the business without crossbreeding as one of the tools.

As a matter of fact, Across Breed EPD's are just the most recent chapter in an ongoing evaluation of breeds and bulls. Astute commercial producers have been "going to school" on …

What Will Happen To Production Traits If We Select For Carcass Traits?, Tom Field

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Cow-calf producers find themselves in the unique position of managing an enterprise where profitability is dependent on their ability to hit two targets, the first being the complex of maternal traits as defined by the environmental and management constraints of their individual farm and ranch. The second target is outlined by the demands of the marketplace.

What is the feasibility of accomplishing these two goals within the context of improving profitability by lowering appropriate production costs while avoiding the discounts inherent in commodity pricing schemes? The answer to this question is dependent on a variety of factors, including: the specific …

Improving Vaccine Utilization On The Ranch/Farm, David L. Morris

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Improving vaccine utilization on the ranch or farm begins with a better understanding of common terms used in discussing products or methods used to enhance the animal's ability to prevent or control disease. The following terms and definitions are presented for that reason.

Calf Scours: Prevention And Treatment, Franklyn Garry

Range Beef Cow Symposium

There are numerous causes of disease and death in nursing beef calves. Within the first several days of life, the leading causes of beef calf disease are metabolic and behavioral problems, many of which are the direct or indirect result of dystocia. Thereafter, the most common calfhood problems are infectious diseases. Infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal system account for the overwhelming majority of calf disease and death in the United States. Gastrointestinal diseases tend to be most common within the first month of life, while the respiratory diseases tend to be more important after that time.

There are numerous …

Problems Handling Dystocia, Robert G. Mortimer

Range Beef Cow Symposium

The recognition of abnormal calving (dystocia) comes FIRST from a basic understanding of normal calving. From this understanding, the establishment of guidelines for observation of cattle and for intervention will reduce calf losses . In Colorado, as part of a pilot program of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), two-thirds of the costs of disease losses were associated with death loss. From a subset of 73 of the 86 NAHMS herds in studied in 1986-87 in 24,396 births, 4.5% of the calves were lost. Of the 4.5% losses, 34% were attributed to dystocia related losses. In addition, losses attributed …

Status Of Selected Fishes In The Missouri River In Nebraska With Recommendations For Their Recovery, Larry W. Hesse, Gerald E. Mestl, John W. Robinson

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Staff Research Publications

Population density of five species of chubs and two species of minnows in the Missouri River in Nebraska has been reduced by as much as 95% since 1971. Burbot have been nearly extirpated, sauger have been greatly reduced, and blue catfish are rare. Reasons for the decline of these species include removal of snags from the river; cessation of organic matter and sediment transport because of the construction of large dams on the mainstem and tributaries; cutoff of floodplain connection through channelization, degradation, and the cessation of flooding; alteration of the natural hydrograph to meet the need for commercial navigation; …

Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook, Appendix: Literature Review Database, Volume Ii Of Ii, United States Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

This Appendix is intended to accompany the Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook (hereafter referred to as the Handbook) and should be used only by individuals familiar with the Handbook. The species-specific values for the exposure factors presented in Chapter 2 of the Handbook of are a subset of the data included in the tables of this Appendix. Most values identified in the literature reviewed for the Handbook are included in this Appendix. For some exposure factors for some species, large quantities of data are available. For these factors and species, we tried to select data that represented a range of values …

Nebline, December 1993

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Horticulture

Rural $ense

Human Resources

4-H & Youth

Environmental Focus

Community & Leadership Development

Extension Calendar

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Nebraska Association for Family and Community Education News

and other extension news and events

Ard News December 1993

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:

SEASON'S GREETINGS
GRADUATE STUDENT ENROLLMENT FOR 1993-1994
ARD ADMINISTERED GRANT AND AWARDS PROGRAMS
INDIRECT COST RECOVERY BY ARD UNITS DURING FY 1993
NEW OR REVISED PROJECTS
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR FEDERAL GRANTS
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS RECEIVED OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1993
IANR RESEARCH TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM
CHEMICAL SAFETY/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ISSUES
ARDC RESEARCH AND OUTREACH FACILITY
ARDC UPDATE

Pine Siskins In Breeding Condition Along The North Platte River, Keith County, Nebraska, 1993, William C. Scharf, W. John Berigan, Josef Kren

Nebraska Bird Review

Johnsgard (1979) categorizes the Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) as an erratic breeder in a number of eastern and southeastern Nebraska counties. Ducey (1988) considers this species to be a regular nester throughout the state in suitable coniferous habitat. Neither authors have listed breeding records in Keith County, although Ducey cites a record from Chase County (Bennett 1986). The Pine Siskin is known as a breeder in 12 counties in Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1992).

Methods

We caught and banded Pine Siskins at Cedar Point Biological Station near Lake Keystone, Keith County, Nebraska (41° 13' N, 101° 38' W) …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (December 1993) 61(4),

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Fall Meeting, Sept. 3-5, 1993 …………….142

Whooping Crane Sightings During Fall Migration, 1993……………. 143

Pine siskins in Breeding Condition Along the North Platte River, Keith County, Nebraska, 1993 …………….144

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count for 1993……………. 145

Index to Volume 61…………….150

EDITOR'S NOTE: Appreciation is expressed to Dr. R. G. Cortelyou for compiling the Christmas bird count and the index for this volume.

New Species Of Hydrellia (Diptera: Ephydridae) From The Southern United States, D. L. Deonier

Insecta Mundi

Five new species of Hydrellia Robineau-Desvoidy are described from localities in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. H. alabamae, n. sp. was first collected on water primrose in northern Alabama and later in northern Florida on Nuphar and Nymphoides. At present, there is no indication about potential host plant species. H. naiadis, n. sp. was reared from Najas guadalupensis (Spreng) Morong in northern Florida and later collected throughout the state and also in southeastern Texas. H. apalachee, n. sp., first collected in northern Florida and later in northern Alabama, is unique among described Hydrellia in having a …