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The Probe, Issue 19 - February 1982

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE National Animal Damage Control Association February, 1982
The NATIONAL W1LDLIFE FEDERATION (Newsrelease 1/7/82) listed animals that made the news for 1981.
The explosion of predation, primarily by the coyote, that has forced thousands of sheep growers out of business over the past decade.
OL’ TIMER'S CORNER
THE 1080 CONTROVERSY
AUDUBON NEWSLETTER, January 4. 1982
All-out chemical warfare.
1080 is most lethal and destructive.
Death of thousands of non-target animals including eagles.
Kill the Industry, Not the Animals
HUNTER HARASSMENT

Effects Of Insecticides On Nilaparvata Lugens And Its Predators: Spiders, Microvelia Atrolineata, And Cyrtorhinus Lividipennis, W. H. Reissig, E. A. Heinrichs, S. L. Valencia

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Thirty-five insecticides used on rice in Asia were tested in the field against Nilaparvata lugens. The most important predators of the pest, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Microvelia atrolineata, and predacious spiders, Lycosa pseudoannulata, Tetragnatha, and Araneus species, were also monitored in the test plots. Ten insecticides significantly reduced numbers of N. lugens, but propoxur and ethylan gave the most consistent and effective control. Most insecticides did not significantly reduce populations of spiders and M. atrolineata compared with untreated checks, but they did reduce numbers of C. lividipennis. Fifteen treatments caused resurgence of N. lugens, …

Selection Of Biotype Populations 2 And 3 Of Nilaparvata Lugens By Exposure To Resistant Rice Varieties, P. K. Pathak, E. A. Heinrichs

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The release of an insect pest-resistant variety and subsequent adaptation of the insect species to that variety through the process of biotype selection has occurred on many cultivated crops. The present study was designed to obtain detailed information on some of the processes involved in the selection of biotypes of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) on two rice varieties with different major genes for resistance. The N. lugens population selected for the study, which had originally been collected in the field and reared on a susceptible variety for 12 years (ca. 140 generations), initially had a low survival on the resistant rice …

Insecticide-Induced Resurgence Of The Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata Lugens, On Rice Varieties With Different Levels Of Resistance, W. H. Reissig, E. A. Heinrichs, S. L. Valencia

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Three rice varieties, IR29, IR40, and IR42, which are, respectively, susceptible, moderately resistant, and resistant to Nilaparvata lugens Stål in the Philippines, were treated in the field with decamethrin, an insecticide known to cause resurgence. N. lugens populations increased to a significantly higher level in the treated plots than in untreated checks, but the degree of resurgence varied among varieties. The maximum population increases in the treated plots compared with the checks were ca. 74-, 50-, and 5-fold, respectively, for IR29, IR40, and IR42. Decamethrin was toxic to predators, and this reduction of natural enemies of N. lugens may …

Resurgence Of Nilaparvata Lugens (Stål) Populations As Influenced By Method And Timing Of Insecticide Applications In Lowland Rice, E. A. Heinrichs, G. B. Aquino, S. Chelliah, S. L. Valencia, W. H. Reissig

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Resurgence of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) after insecticide application is a common phenomenon in rice in South and Southeast Asia. Among other insecticides inducing resurgence, carbofuran, decamethrin, and methyl parathion were selected for this study. Of the various methods of carbofuran application tested, foliar sprays were most active in inducing resurgence. Extent of resurgence was highly influenced by time of insecticide application. Sprays of methyl parathion and decamethrin applied 50 and 65 days after transplanting (DT) induced resurgence in the third generation of N. lugens at ca. 90 DT, whereas earlier applications had little effect. The cause(s) for resurgence was not …

Conception And Embryonic Development In The Beef Female, Ralph R. Maurer, Sherrill E. Echternkamp, William F. Pope

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Reproduction is an important economic trait in beef cattle production. The average percent calf crop for the United States has been estimated between 80 to 85%. Approximately 60% of the reduction in calf crop can be attributed to fertilization failure and embryonic death. We conducted several studies to determine at what stage of the reproductive cycle losses were incurred in normal reproducing cows and heifers and in cows and heifers that failed to reproduce. In addition, we measured hormone levels in normal range cows and heifers and used techniques like embryo transfer and culture to study the development of the …

Genetic Variation Among And Within Herds Of Angus And Hereford Cattle, Larry V. Cundiff, Keith A. Gregory

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Historically, beef cattle record of performance programs have by necessity expressed variation as deviations or ratios from herd means because differences between herds are believed to be large primarily because of environment. To the extent differences between herds are genetic, this procedure underestimates or overestimates breeding values of individuals relative to breed average depending on whether they are produced in herds of above or below average genetic merit for a breed. We conducted this study in cooperation with the American Angus Association and the American Polled Hereford Association, and designed it to separate and evaluate the relative importance of between-herd …

Lipid Synthesis In The Beef Animal, Ronald L. Prior, Stephen B. Smith

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Rates of in vitro fat synthesis from acetate and lactate were compared to the activities of enzymes thought to be involved in the process of lipid synthesis from lactate. Results of these studies indicate that lactate can be incorporated into fats by a pathway heretofore thought to be nonfunctional in ruminants, the citrate cleavage:malic enzyme pathway. Studies of the effects of age and diet on the enzymes of the citrate cleavage:malic enzyme pathway support the concept of a physiological role for this pathway in lipid synthesis in beef cattle.

Relationship Of Selected Beef Carcass Traits With Meat Palatability, John D. Crouse

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Relationships among selected carcass traits and cooked meat palatability were studied on 240 carcasses obtained from steers of different biological types produced under a wide range of feeding regimens. Breed type of steer or feeding regimen had little or no effect on correlations among taste panel (TP) scores for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and general acceptability. Treatments also had little effect on correlations of conformation, lean color, lean texture, and final maturity with TP observations. Late maturing breeds of steers and steers fed on low energy regimens were rated more youthful than early maturing breeds of steers and steers fed on …

Beef Research Program Progress Report No. 1 (1982): Table Of Contents

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

ROMAN L. HRUSKA U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, Robert R. Oltjen........iii

BREEDING AND GENETICS

Sixteen years of selection for weaning weight, final weight, and muscling score in Hereford cattle: Robert M. Koch, Larry V. Cundiff, and Keith E. Gregory. . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

Effects of heterosis in Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorn rotational crosses: Larry V. Cundiff, Keith E. Gregory, and Robert M. Koch. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 3

Heterosis and breed maternal and transmitted effects in beef cattle: Keith E. Gregory, Larry …

Effect Of Grain Source And Dietary Level Of Oat Hulls On Phosphorus And Calcium Utilization In The Growing Pig, R. L. Moser, E. R. Peo, Jr., B. D. Moser, A. J. Lewis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three metabolism trials were conducted to determine the effect of grain source and dietary level of oat hulls on dry matter digestibility, P and Ca retention and intestinal phytase activity of growing pigs. Twenty-four crossbred pigs (39 kg)were used. Dry matter digestibilities of corn-based diets were greater (P<.01) than grain sorghum-based diets (74.7 vs 63.5%). Diets containing 10% oat hulls had lower (P<.01) dry matter digestibilities than diets containing no oat hulls (64.0 vs 74.2%).

Agricultural Meteorology In China, Norman J. Rosenberg

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

During nearly five weeks in China (May-June 1981), the author visited scientific institutions and experiment stations engaged in agricultural meteorology and climatology research and teaching. The facilities, studies, and research programs at each institution are described and the scientific work in these fields is evaluated. Agricultural meteorology and climatology are faced with some unique problems and opportunities in China and progress in these fields may be of critical importance to that nation in coming years. The author includes culinary notes and comments on protocol in China.

Teaching Vertebrate Pest Control: A Challenge To Wildlife Professionals, Robert M. Timm

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Vertebrate pest control deals with wild animals that create health hazards, damage resources, or become a general nuisance. Some people prefer the terms "wildlife damage control" or "animal damage control" because they focus on controlling damage rather than controlling animals. This is an important principle. Vertebrate animals that cause damage often have many positive values. In dealing with these situations our objective should always be to reduce or prevent damage; this does not necessarily require the killing of animals. I use the term "vertebrate pest control" because I believe it is less ambiguous than "damage control." When I call an …

The Suriname Small Mammal Survey: A Case Study Of The Cooperation Between Research And National Conservation Needs, Hugh H. Genoways, Henry A. Reichart, Stephen L. Williams

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A cooperative program between the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to survey the small mammals of Suriname is reviewed. The program has proven to be mutually beneficial and it is presented as a model for development of similar programs in the future. The technical assistance requested by the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname concerned the distribution and natural history of small mammals, especially those occurring in the Nature Parks and Reserves. The Government of Suriname has established an excellent system of Reserves and Parks throughout the country. They are trying to …

Viruses Of Symbiotic Chlorella-Like Algae Isolated From Paramecium Bursaria And Hydra Viridis, James L. Van Etten, Russel H. Meints, Daniel Kuczmarski, Dwight E. Burbank, Kit Lee

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

We previously reported that isolation of symbiotic Chloreila-like algae from the Florida strain of Hydra viridis induced replication of a virus (designated HVCV-1) in the algae. We now report that isolation ofsymbiotic Chlorella-like algae from four other sources of green hydra and one source ofthe protozoan Paramecium bursaria also induced virus synthesis. Algae from one of these hydra contained a virus identical to HVCV-1 (based on its rate of sedimentation, buoyant density, reaction to HVCV-1 antiserum, and DNA restriction fragments) whereas algae from the other three hydra contained. another similar, but distinct, virus (designated HVCV-2). The virus from the paramecium …

Characterization Of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Postweaning Growth And Feed Efficiency, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch, Keith E. Gregory

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

On a life-cycle basis, about 30% of the energy requirements for beef production are consumed by steers and heifers during the period from weaning to slaughter. About 45 to 55% of the total feed costs are incurred in the postweaning period, depending on the cost of feed resources for the cow herd relative to those for the feedlot. We find it is important, therefore, to characterize breeds of cattle for rate and efficiency of postweaning gain.

Methane And Protein From Beef Cattle Manure, Andrew G. Hashimoto, Yud-Ren Chen, Vincent H. Varel, Ronald L. Prior

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Dwindling supplies of conventional fossil fuels have prompted renewed interest in recovering energy through the bioconversion of waste organic materials. The large quantities of manure produced in confinement feedlots and the need to manage this manure effectively make feedlots a logical choice for assessing the feasibility of recovering methane and protein through anaerobic fermentation.

Research at U.S. Meat Animal Research Center is designed to determine the technical and economic feasibility of recovering methane and protein from beef cattle manure.

Specific Objectives are to:

1. Develop design criteria for optimum production of methane and protein through anaerobic fermentation of beef cattle …

Characterization Of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Postweaning Growth And Puberty Of Females, Keith E. Gregory, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Puberty traits in beef cattle are important criteria for evaluating the use of breeds for different beef production systems. Age at puberty is an important trait in beef cattle where females are bred to calve at 2 years of age, especially when a restricted breeding season is used. It is not only important that heifers reach puberty and conceive, but that they conceive early in the breeding season. Heifers that fail to reach puberty or that reach puberty and conceive late in the breeding season cause reduced production efficiency. Thus, from a breed selection standpoint, puberty is an important trait …

Characterization Of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Preweaning Traits, Keith E. Gregory, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

The germ plasm base for beef cattle production in the United States has been broadened considerably during the last decade, primarily as a result of the development of appropriate quarantine facilities and procedures by the Canada Department of Agriculture that have provided for importing several new breeds of European origin. Also, the importation of new breeds, along with other factors, has stimulated interest in increased use for beef production of several breeds that have been available in North America for many years. The newly introduced breeds added to the breeds already available in the United States provide a wide range …

Resource Management Thrusts And Opportunities: National Parks And Wildlife Refuges, G. Ray Arnett

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Well, it's been an interesting year. Somehow, it got to be very convenient for some folks to misconstrue what the Secretary had said. Some of those folks just seemed determined to make James Watt a household name-and they succeeded. And those same folks succeeded, too, in increasing the membership roles of a few of the environmental groups. But I don't think they succeeded very well in listening to and understanding what the Secretary said a year ago .... So, as succinctly and plainly as possible, I will spell out again that the goals of this Administration weren't designed to create …

Effects Of Increased Human Populations On Wildlife Resources Of The Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, Edward E. Bangs, Ted H. Spraker, Theodore N. Bailey, Vernon D. Berns

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

In this paper, we will discuss what has occurred to several wildlife populations on the Kenai Peninsula as the human population increased. By discussing historical impacts, management techniques, and potential human impacts, we intend to show the significance of what occurred and may occur as human populations expand, both on the Kenai and in Alaska.

Status Of Alaska Sea Otter Populations And Developing Conflicts With Fisheries, Ancel M. Johnson

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Although sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have been a relatively insignificant resource in Alaska during the twentieth century, the situation is changing. Remnant populations that recolonized most of their historic range are becoming recognized as a potentially valuable economic resource and as a competitor with some important shellfish fisheries. It is appropriate that sea otters should again become an important Alaskan resource because they were so significant in the initial exploration and settlement of Alaska by non-natives. In this paper I review changes in distribution and population abundance since 1740, recent changes in human attitudes toward sea otters, and …

Hep As A Planning Tool: An Application To Waterfowl Enhancement, Scott C. Matulich, Jeffrey E. Hanson, Ivan Lines, Adrian Farmer

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

To many, the principal role of wildlife agencies in public and private resource development has been that of impact mitigation. With known or pending habitat damage, biologists have to develop mitigation or compensation plans. Unfortunately, once in a mitigation framework, they are in a no-win situation, seeking remedial action at best. Yet, the potential exists for cooperative project planning, thereby facilitating mitigation of impacts before they occur, and enhancement of environmental amenities through project development. In fact, such planning is mandated by federal legislation (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Outdoor Recreation Act, etc.).

Development And Use Of A Habitat Gradient Model To Evaluate Wildlife Habitat, Henry L. Short

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Ecologists and wildlife managers are increasingly confronted with the problems of predicting the value of surface cover as wildlife habitat and developing management alternatives to offset wildlife values lost because of land-use change. These problems have become urgent and more acute because of increased demand for products from the land and diminished fiscal and manpower resources for obtaining meaningful environmental information for the decision maker. This paper describes a relatively rapid, simple, and quantitative process for evaluating the quality of an area as wildlife habitat.

Maps Of Distribution And Abundance Of Selected Species Of Birds On Uncultivated Native Upland Grasslands And Shrubsteppe In The Northern Great Plains, Harold A. Kantrud

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Many areas of the northern Great Plains (Fenneman 1931) remain poorly known ornithologically. Knowledge of species distribution in portions of this vast area has been advanced by recent State birds books (Stewart 1975; South Dakota Ornithologists' Union 1978) but many voids remain. Especially desirable for biologists and land managers is information concerning the relative abundance of plant and animal species over large land areas. This information can only be obtained from extensive surveys of the biota. The field of community ecology has been severely hampered by lack of information on species abundance (Dice 1930; Cain 1947; Partch 1962; Udvardy 1963). …

Sandhill Cranes And The Platte River, Gary L. Krapu, Kenneth J. Reinecke, Charles R. Frith

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

The waters of many western rivers have been diverted by man for irrigation and other consumptive uses (Ohmart et al. 1977, Johnson 1978). As flows in certain rivers diminished precipitously during this century, numerous conflicts have arisen brought on by changes affecting various interests. The Platte River is such an example. With approximately 69 percent of the annual flows destined for the Platte now removed upstream (Kroonemeyer 1979) and additional projects proposed that would utilize remaining flows, intense competition and widespread concern have developed among the factions relying on the river's flows to meet their needs.

Black Elk Speaks As Epic And Ritual Attempt To Reverse History, Paul A. Olson

Department of English: Faculty Publications

Modern Siouan storytellers make a distinction in speaking of the difference between bedtime and sacred stories. Moreover, Lakota masters of the sacred arts are inveterate constructors of figural or allegorical systems. They interpret, apply, and reapply the iconological resources of their culture through ritual, myth, storytelling, symbolic action, and clothing. This Sioux symbolic tradition is one context in which John G. Neihardt's Black Elk Speaks (1932) must be understood. Conceptualizing it as an epic may assist both Western and non-Western readers to clarify the uses to which a culture's symbol system may be put in mediating conflicting values, especially those …

Wildlife Values Versus Human Recreation: Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen H. Bouffard

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Expanding human populations are making increased recreational demands on National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is trying to accommodate these demands whenever possible. An important, but not primary objective of NWRs is to provide for various public uses, including recreation (U .S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1976a). The Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460K-460K-4) authorizes the FWS to allow recreational uses on NWRs, National Fish Hatcheries and similar lands. This act specifies that all recreational uses must be secondary to the primary purpose of the refuge. While most refuge recreation programs do not …

Habitat Models For Land-Use Planning: Assumptions And Strategies For Development, Adrian H. Farmer, Michael J. Armbruster, James W. Terrell, Richard L. Schroeder

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Wildlife managers have long recognized that management goals must be constrained by the availability and suitability of habitat. This recognition, combined with ever increasing land development pressures, has resulted in environmental legislation emphasizing systematic approaches to collection and analysis of habitat information. Wildlife planners have responded with a variety of approaches to the development of models that quantify habitat requirements.

Interactions Of Northern Fur Seals And Commercial Fisheries, Charles W. Fowler

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Under international agreement, the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) is managed with the objective of obtaining a maximum sustainable yield. Currently the harvest is restricted to subadult males; however, between 1956 and 1968 the fur seal population of the Pribilof Islands was subjected to a harvest of females. This harvest was justified, in part, as an attempt to stimulate the production of greater quantities of harvestable animals (Chapman 1981). A reduction in the population occurred during this period as can be seen in Figure 1. As described in York and Hartley (1981), the female harvest itself provides an …