Digital Commons Network^™

Forage Sampling Guide For Agronomic Crops, Jody Gale, Matt Yost, Megan Baker, Michael Pace, Earl Creech, Grant Cardon, Kalen Taylor, Cody Zesiger, Tiffany Evans, Rhonda Miller, Clara Anderson

All Current Publications

Forage sampling is a valuable tool that provides producers with quality information for calculating feed rations and marketing their forages. To ensure that this information is accurate and reliable, it is important to understand how to collect these samples correctly. Sampling tools have been developed that simplify this process and improve accuracy.

The Nourished Initiative: Lessons From A Pilot Program On Food Access And Education, Palak Gupta, Cara Murray, Cindy Jenkins, Kristi Strongo, Macey Bunn, Lea Palmer, Heidi Leblanc

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

NourishEd addresses food insecurity in Utah through nutrition education, community partnerships, and the distribution of fresh produce. This article highlights program outcomes, volunteer insights, and strategies for expanding impact and sustainability.

From Insight To Action: Advancing Extension Programming For Utah Agriculture, Melanie Heaton, Cheyenne Reid, Reganne K. Briggs, Rebekah E. Iverson, Kara Thornton-Kurth, Brooke Holgate

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah State University Extension programs, including evening events and a hands-on cattle boot camp, address gender disparities in Utah agriculture education. While open to everyone, these initiatives empower women through skill-building, peer support, and expert instruction, leading to increased confidence and knowledge, which ultimately enhances their roles and profitability in livestock production.

Statice Cut Flower Production In Utah, Kellie Webb, Melanie Stock, Benjamin Scow, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Ali Harrison, Lorin Harrison, Amanda Pratt, Claudia Nischwitz, Nick Volesky

All Current Publications

Statice is a cut-and-come-again, full-sun annual with clustered, papery blooms. Plants have lower water needs and a moderate tolerance to salinity, making this crop a sustainable choice for cut flower production in Utah and other states with water and soil limitations. This fact sheet provides information on statice cultivars, site preparation, germination, transplanting and spacing, trellising, nutrient management, harvest, economics for producers, and pest and disease management.

What Motives Influence Parents’ Commitment To Their Children’S Sport Participation In The United States?, Katherine N. Alexander, Daniel J. M. Fleming, Mitchell Olsen, Travis E. Dorsch, Kat V. Adams

Human Development and Family Studies Student Research

Background: The public often places value on youth sport involvement in the United States due to its potential to foster positive outcomes for participants. Although sport parents are key socializers and provide access to appropriate participation opportunities for children, less is known about how their perceptions of their child’s motives influence their sport commitments. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to understand how parents’ perceptions of their child’s motives for sport participation were associated with time/travel sport commitments. Methods: Participants (N = 1250) were parents in the United States reporting on their child’s youth sport participation. Measures …

Winter Supplementation Of Beef Cows In The Intermountain West, David Secrist

All Current Publications

Feed costs are the most significant expense of most ranching operations in the Intermountain West. Year-round grazing opportunities, hay cost and availability, calving season, cow size, milk production, and feeding logistics are all considerations in a supplementation program. The key to effective winter feeding is to balance the cost/benefit ratio of the supplementation programs while meeting nutritional demands at a minimal cost.

Cocoa Polyphenols Modulate The Mouse Gut Microbiome In A Site-Specific Manner, Marcus Hayden, Eliza C. Stewart, Mohammed F. Almatani, Jeremy Case, Samuel Rice, Giovanni Rompato, Korry J. Hintze, Abby D. Benninghoff

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Background/Objectives: The dietary modulation of the gut microbiome is a promising strategy for mitigating gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, including (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, which have been associated with beneficial effects on gut health and microbiome modulation. Importantly, changes in the bacterial populations associated with the gut mucosal layer may have different health impacts compared to changes in cecal or fecal microbiomes. This study investigated the effects of cocoa polyphenol supplementation on microbiome composition across the cecal, fecal, and mucosal compartments in a mouse model of colitis. …

Effects Of Tannin-Rich Supplements On Immune Response In Goats And Beef Cattle: A Collection Of Controlled Feeding Trials, Sebastian P. Schreiber, Rebecca D. Burson, Cody B. Scott, Corey J. Owens

Wildland Resources Student Research

Emerging research evokes selection for various plant secondary compounds as a potential driver of ruminant diet selection, through animals’ evident ability to rectify deficiencies and even self-medicate. This idea was assessed by comparing physiological responses to vaccination challenges of animals fed diets of differing phytochemical composition. In the first of three separate trials, goats were placed in individual pens and fed one of three treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments in Trial 1 consisted of redberry juniper (50 g) and shin oak (50 g). In Trial 2, goats were fed rations containing grape and blueberry pomace at an inclusion …

Epidemiological-Based Study Of Sars-Cov-2 In Faisalabad, Sana Ullah, Muhammad Waseem Khan, Qurat-Ul- Ain, Khushbu Farva, Niaz Muhammad Khan, Hayat Ullah

Biological Engineering Student Research

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) raced around the world across different populations; there needs to be a consolidated effort to understand the divergence of the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. Population-based epidemiological characteristics studies measure the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a country. The current research study was designed to report epidemiological data from Pakistan. For this purpose, 246 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were included in the study. For SARS-CoV-2 confirmation, viral samples were collected from all the study participants; SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by viral nucleic acid detection using a nucleic acid detection kit. After SARS-CoV-2 confirmation, all the study participants …

Understanding Salt Stress In Watermelon: Impacts On Plant Performance, Adaptive Solutions, And Future Prospects, Sukhmanjot Kaur, Milena Maria Tomaz De Oliveira, Amita Kaundal

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Soil salinity stress, intensified by extreme weather patterns, significantly threatens global watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai] production. Watermelon, a moderately salt-sensitive crop, exhibits reduced germination, stunted growth, and impaired fruit yield and quality under saline conditions. As freshwater resources decline and agriculture’s dependency on irrigation leads to soil salinization, we need sustainable mitigation strategies for food security. Recent advances highlight the potential of using salt-tolerant rootstocks and breeding salt-resistant watermelon varieties as long-term genetic solutions for salinity. Conversely, agronomic interventions such as drip irrigation and soil amendments provide practical, short-term strategies to mitigate the impact of salt …

Review Of Microgravity Biotechnology For Space Applications: The Anujiva Perspective, Saranya Ravva, Yukti Makkar, Abeneth Ramachandran, Sai Kiran Parre

Small Satellite Conference

Biomanufacturing in microgravity presents transformative opportunities for biotechnology beyond the limitations of terrestrial environments. Gravity-driven convection, sedimentation, and contamination risks often hinder biological productivity on Earth. In contrast, space-based conditions enhance protein crystallization, three-dimensional cell culture, and the production of novel biomaterials. This review synthesizes recent advancements in microgravity-enabled biotechnology, drawing from recent peer-reviewed literature and mission data.

We focus on the emerging field of autonomous bioreactor systems for space applications, emphasizing innovations in miniaturization, closed-loop environmental control, and real-time sensing. As a representative case study, we examine the AnuJIVA initiative, a CubeSat-based platform engineered for cultivating microorganisms such as …

Evaluation Of Diet Quality, Physical Health, And Mental Health Baseline Data From A Wellness Intervention For Individuals Living In Transitional Housing, Callie Millward, Kyle Lyman, Soonwye Lucero, James D. Lecheminant, Cindy Jenkins, Kristi Strongo, Gregory Snow, Heidi Leblanc, Lea Palmer, Rickelle Richards

All Current Publications

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline health measurements among transitional housing residents (n = 29) participating in an 8-week pilot wellness intervention. Methods: Researchers measured anthropometrics, body composition, muscular strength, cardiovascular indicators, physical activity, diet quality, and health-related perceptions. Researchers analyzed data using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Results: Most participants were male, White, and food insecure. Mean BMI (31.8 ± 8.6 kg/m2 ), waist-to-hip ratio (1.0 ± 0.1 males, 0.9 ± 0.1 females), body fat percentage (25.8 ± 6.1% males, 40.5 ± 9.4% females), blood pressure (131.8 ± 17.9/85.2 ± 13.3 mmHg), and …

The Effects Of National Elite Signaling On Ranked Choice Voting In Utah, Mathew Woodman

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) is a voting method used in few cities in the United States. There has recently been an increase in interest in adoption of the voting method in other cities using pilot programs, much like the one introduced in Utah. Ranked-Choice Voting has become a topic of contention with strong disapproval coming from opponents of the voting system. The questions are why there is disdain for Ranked-Choice Voting, and why such disdain seems to exist more heavily in Republican camps. Public opinion polling from “likely and confirmed Utah voters” in Salt Lake, Utah, and Grand Counties, conducted by …

Ctso Implementation In Secondary Education: Insights Into Teacher Motivation, Barriers And Training Needs, Ariane Crystal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study explores the role of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) in enhancing the educational experiences of secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in Utah. By surveying CTE educators, the research identifies key factors that motivate teachers to implement CTSOs, as well as barriers they face in doing so. The findings indicate that a significant majority of teachers recognize the value of CTSOs for fostering student engagement and career readiness. Key motivators include support from school administration and access to professional development, while challenges such as time constraints and resource limitations hinder participation. The study highlights the importance …

The Socioecology Of Indigenous Archaeological Maize In The Uinta Basin, Utah, Sara Saouma

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis investigates the phenotypic variability of maize (Zea mays spp.) from archaeological sites located in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Maize was first introduced to the American Southwest around 5,000 years ago following its migration via trade routes from its native region of southern Mexico (Vint 2017). The adaptation of maize to the arid and temperate conditions of the American Southwest and Mexico triggered significant phenotypic change resulting from human and environmental selection pressures. This thesis focuses on the analysis of uncharred maize cobs from seven archaeological sites in the Uinta Basin. The analysis includes 70 corn cobs—most …

Precision Agriculture Applications In Tart Cherries: Yield Mapping Technologies And Remote Sensing For Water Stress Estimation, Anderson Luiz Dos Santos Safre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Tart cherry is an important specialty crop in the United States, particularly in Utah where the area dedicated to tart cherry cultivation is larger than any other fruit grown in the state. However, growers face increasing challenges due to rising land prices, limited water availability, and extreme weather events. These factors make it essential to adopt new technologies that improve efficiency and sustainability. Precision agriculture, which uses data-driven tools to manage crops more effectively, can help address these challenges. However, most tart cherry orchards still rely on traditional practices due to a lack of specialized technologies for this crop. This …

Remote Detection Of Pest Damage And Tree Health In Tart Cherry, Christina Klara Lilligren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

With the increasing affordability of technology, using technological advancements to assess tree health might soon become a possibility in low input crops such as tart cherry. We evaluated the ability of drone-mounted multispectral cameras, ceptometry

(canopy density), and soil conductivity meters (soil texture) to predict pest occurrence and remotely detect tree health. Pest scouting data were compared to the different technological datasets to identify the possibility of use for pest detection. While drone-mounted multispectral cameras were able to identify chlorotic trees, powdery mildew was not reliably detectable under a management threshold with current multispectral camera technology. Trees with low canopy …

Linking Variation In Mule Deer Nutritional Condition And Age To Population Performance In A Temperate Environment, Kent R. Hersey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The amount of body fat animals have as they enter and exit winter can have major impacts on how well they survive and reproduce. Mule deer are widely distributed herbivores whose survival and reproduction are strongly tied to weather patterns and the quality of vegetation they consume, which in turn impacts nutritional condition. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the factors (animal specific, climatic, or habitat) influencing mule deer body fat during both summer and winter in Utah and examine how nutritional condition influences survival. We found December body fat was most affected by December lactation …

Ecology And Management Of Forest Grouse: Breeding Acoustic Monitoring, Spatial Behavior, And Harvest, Logan Clark

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Forest grouse are difficult to study and manage in the Intermountain West because they live in remote, rugged areas and do not gather at predictable display sites like other grouse species. From 2023 to 2025, I studied two species, dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), to test new survey tools, track their seasonal movements, and evaluate hunting impacts.

First, I tested whether small audio recording devices placed in the forest could minimize labor needed for spring breeding surveys. To do this, I conducted traditional surveys with human observers at the same time and …

Exploring The Long-Term Impact Of Dating And Family Violence On American Indian Youth And Adults: The Role Of Belongingness In Moderating Negative Effects, Racheal M. Killgore

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Exposure to violence during childhood and adolescence is an important issue, particularly among Native Americans, who experience violence at higher rates compared to other racial/ethnic groups. This early exposure to violence can significantly affect future physical and mental health outcomes—including depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, obesity, and premature death—while also shaping subsequent relationships in adulthood. Though widely studied in the general population, research focused on American Indians is lacking, with cultural contexts and factors uniquely shaping the experiences of those affected. In AI/AN communities, belongingness is important for well-being and, as such, is a relevant cultural factor that calls for …

The Experience Of Latine Parents During Covid-19: Coping, Support, And Wellness, Jazmin Lara

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Documentation status affects not just individuals, but entire family units. This project shares the voices of Undocumented Individuals and their Loved Ones (UnLOs), specifically Latine parents navigating multiple, overlapping stressors. Data was collected during a particularly challenging time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and threats to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Participants shared how they cope with stress, who they rely on for social support, how they practice wellness, and the type of community programming they would like to see more of. This research was possible through the collaboration between the Latinx Immigrant Health Alliance (LIHA) and …

Impacts Of 4r Nitrogen Management And Water Optimization On Soil Health, Kamaldeep Kamaldeep

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Farmers in Utah and Idaho are facing growing challenges due to high fertilizer costs, limited irrigation water, and pressure to improve long-term soil health. To better understand current practices and grower attitudes, a survey was conducted in 2020 targeting 5,000 producers of small grains, corn, and potatoes. Although the response rate was low, 146 growers representing over 25,000 hectares of cropland participated. Survey results showed that most growers are open to improving nitrogen and irrigation practices and care about their soil health, even if not all are fully using 4R or precision agriculture methods.

This thesis includes two field studies …

Optimization Of The Root Zone In Controlled Environment Agriculture, Brendan Fatzinger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) helps grow plants in spaces where resources like water and nutrients are limited, such as deserts or spacecraft. Effective management of water in the root zone, the area where plant roots grow, is vital to keeping plants healthy, especially in closed-loop systems where water cannot be wasted, as will be necessary for long-duration space missions.

An improved automated watering system designed for use in space-like environments was developed over several trials. Early designs using suction to draw water through tubes faced problems with uneven watering and roots blocking the tubes. Switching to a system that pushed …

Habitat Selection Analysis Of Mule Deer To Determine Efficacy Of The Coyote Bounty Program In Utah, Xaela M. Walden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Mule deer populations have been declining over the past couple of decades in many parts of the western United States. Often times, predators are blamed for the decreases in deer populations. Because of this, wildlife managers implement programs focused on reducing the number of predators on the landscape in an attempt to increase deer populations. However, predator removal programs have had mixed results, thus further investigation is needed to determine if coyote removals by the public through a bounty program have a positive effect on mule deer populations. My study investigated whether coyote removals through the bounty program in Utah …

Watermelon Production In Utah: Exploring Biostimulants To Reduce Water And Fertilizer Use, Evan A. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The impacts of climate change and drought threaten water supplies that are important for watermelon production. Additionally, rising fertilizer costs and off-site effects from improper fertilizer applications cause concerns for the sustainability of watermelon production. Biostimulant products have shown promise in helping plants maintain production under reduced irrigation conditions and may offset fertilizer addition. Biostimulants are any microorganism or substance that is applied to a plant with the goal to increase nutrition efficiency, crop quality traits, or tolerance to environmental stresses. Most of the production in the U.S. uses seedless watermelon which are typically grown in greenhouses and transplanted due …

Validation Of Head Above And Head Submerged Hydrostatic Weighing Equations And Air Displacement Plethysmography, Axel M. Miller

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Traditional hydrostatic weighing (HW) involves full body submersion at residual volume (RV), which may be uncomfortable. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate a more comfortable way to perform this method. HW with the head above water (HW_HAW) was compared to the traditional method of HW with head below water (HW_HBW) and to another method that also measures density by displacement, air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Equivalence was tested by comparing the body fat percentage (BF%), body volume (Vb), and body density (Db) of 27 subjects (15 M, 12 F) between the three methods. Results …

Water Efficient Landscaping At Utah State University: Evaluating The "True" Value Of The Landscape Resiliency And Drought Plan, Mary Claire Jennings

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Utah faces serious water challenges due to its dry climate, growing population, and inefficient water use. While most water conservation efforts focus on homes, businesses, and farms, state institutions like universities also play a role. As Utah’s land-grant university, Utah State University (USU) uses about 260 million gallons of water each year to irrigate its 180 acres of green space, with 92% of that water being used to irrigate grass landscapes. To promote sustainability and meet state water conservation policies, USU developed the Landscape Resiliency and Drought Plan (LR&DP) to create more drought-resistant landscapes. However, implementing water-saving strategies at state …

Supplementing Tannins To Increase Performance And Reduce Methane Emissions In Cows Grazing On Western Grasslands, Horacio Pedro Blanchard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Cattle grazing on U.S. rangelands often rely on a limited diet made up mostly of grasses. As the seasons change from spring to fall, the nutritional quality of these grasses declines, leading to less efficient digestion and higher production of methane—a potent greenhouse gas. In addition, most grass-based pastures lack beneficial plant compounds, such as tannins.

This study explored whether adding natural tannins—specifically, condensed and hydrolyzable tannins from quebracho and chestnut trees—to the diet of grazing cattle could improve how the use efficiency of nutrients and reducing methane emissions from cattle. Over two years, 24 cow-calf pairs grazed in small …

Response Of Ornamental Plants To Salinity: Impact On Species-Specific Growth, Visual Quality, Photosynthetic Parameters, And Ion Uptake, Zirui Wang, Shital Poudyal, Kelly Kopp, Yunhua Zhang

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Ornamental horticulture provides substantial economic and environmental benefits, generating billions in annual sales and contributing to urban greening. However, the increasing scarcity of freshwater resources necessitates the use of alternative irrigation sources, such as reclaimed water. Reclaimed water typically contains elevated salt levels that can induce salt stress. Salt stress adversely affects multiple plant traits. Aesthetic quality declines, manifesting as leaf tip burns, discoloration, and necrosis, reducing landscape value and commercial appeal. Growth performance, including biomass production, plant height, and leaf expansion, is limited by osmotic stress, ion toxicity, and nutrient imbalances. Salinity also reduces chlorophyll content, leading to lower …

Cocoa Polyphenols Alter The Fecal Microbiome Without Mitigating Colitis In Mice Fed Healthy Or Western Basal Diets, Eliza C. Stewart, Mohammed F. Almatani, Marcus Hayden, Giovanni Rompato, Jeremy Case, Samuel Rice, Korry J. Hintze, Abby D. Benninghoff

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Background/Objectives: Chronic inflammation and Western-style diets elevate colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, particularly in individuals with colitis, a feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diets rich in polyphenol-containing functional foods, such as cocoa, may reduce gut inflammation and modulate the gut microbiome. This study investigated the impact of cocoa polyphenol (CP) supplementation on inflammation and microbiome composition in mice with colitis, fed either a healthy or Western diet, before, during, and after the onset of disease. We hypothesized that CPs would attenuate inflammation and promote distinct shifts in the microbiome, especially in the context of a Western diet. Methods: …