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A Case Study On Cruelty To Farm Animals: Lessons Learned From The Hallmark Meat Packing Case, Nancy Perry, Peter Brandt

Michigan Law Review First Impressions

“I need the public to understand that my office takes all cases involving animal cruelty very seriously . . . [and i]t doesn’t matter whether the mistreated animal is a beloved family pet or a cow at a slaughterhouse. Unnecessary cruelty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.” San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos (February 15, 2008) One morning in January 2008, images of horrific animal cruelty were blasted by Internet, television, and print media throughout the country. The story was all the more shocking in that the animals at …

Evaluation Of In Vitro Methods To Estimate Digestibility Of Amino Acids In The Rumen Undegraded Protein Fraction Of Feedstuffs, Sarah Boucher

Doctoral Dissertations

Soybean meal, SoyPlusRTM, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and fish meal samples were used in the evaluation of the modified three-step, the immobilized digestive enzyme assay ( IDEA), the guanidination, and the furosine in vitro procedures to estimate intestinal digestibility of amino acids in rumen undegraded protein ( RUP-AA). Identifying an in vitro method to estimate RUP-AA digestibility will allow for routine analysis of feeds for this parameter, which can lead to more accurate formulation of dairy rations. To determine the adequacy of these procedures, in vivo RUP-AA digestibility estimates were obtained using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Rumen …

The Development Of A Modular Integrated Recirculating Aquaculture System Using Porphyra (Nori) For The Bioremediation Of Marine Finfish Effluent, Jennifer Pauline Day

Doctoral Dissertations

It is crucial for the development of the fish aquaculture industry to be managed in a way that provides a reliable, long term source of products without negatively impacting the environment. The simplest form of integrated multi-tropic aquaculture (IMTA) uses a fed component (e.g. finfish) and an extractive component (e.g. seaweed) to remove the inorganic metabolites from finfish aquaculture effluent. In IMTA systems metabolic wastes become nutrients for the other cultured organisms and are incorporated into potentially valuable biomass. A demonstration-scale Modular Integrated Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (MIRAS) was constructed in a greenhouse adjacent to Great Bay Aquaculture, LLC (GBA), Newington, …

Conserving Dolphins And Fishermen: Combining Science And Local Knowledge To Reduce Cetacean Bycatch, Erika A. Zollett

Doctoral Dissertations

Bycatch is the portion of catch that is neither targeted nor retained by fishermen. It threatens the survival of many marine mammal populations globally, and it occurs in nearly every fishing gear type. Despite its widespread occurrence, observations of bycatch are rare, and scientific data on marine mammal bycatch are limited. Difficulties result in developing models that accurately depict the interactions. This study focuses on developing methodology to combine disparate data sources, specifically data from fishery observer programs and interviews of fishermen, to better understand these interactions and to identify effective mitigation measures. As a case study, this research investigates …

Ec08-278 Grazing Crop Residues With Beef Cattle, Richard J. Rasby, Galen E. Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein, Darrell R. Mark

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Grazing cattle on crop residue is a valuable feed assets for livestock producers to consider. This Extension Circular review many aspects of grazing residues from nutrient content of residue, supplementation strategies based on desired performance, calculating stocking rates, and strategies to manage around founder. Allowing cattle to harvest their needs is a management strategy to reduce feed costs. Know what your expectations are for your operation, your cattle, and your crops.

G08-1784 Drinking Water: Nitrate-Nitrogen, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt, Bruce I. Dvorak, Ralph Pulte

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nitrate-nitrogen is sometimes present in drinking water. At certain levels it can present a health risk. Properly locating and constructing wells along with regularly testing can help manage risk and are discussed in this 2008 NebGuide.

G08-1844 Stormwater Management: Pesticide Use In The Lawn And Garden, Clyde Ogg, Erin Bauer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 2008 NebGuide explains how the proper use and application of lawn and garden pesticides can prevent potential water contamination from stormwater runoff.

Suicides Among Farmers In Three Southeastern States, 1990-1998, Steven R. Browning, Susan C. Westneat, Robert H. Mcknight

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Several studies have documented higher rates of suicide among farmers in comparison to other occupational groups, both in the U.S. and internationally. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of farmer suicides in three southeastern states (Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina) during the nine-year period 1990-1998. Electronic death certificate data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. Over the nine-year period, there were 590 deaths related to suicide (E-codes: 950-959) among farmers (occupation codes: 473, 474, 475, 477, and 479) in the states of Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The results of this …

Spawning Stock Identification Of Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) In Us Waters Using Pan I And Microsatellite Genetic Markers, Timothy S. Breton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Most Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks within U.S. waters are currently in decline as a result of overexploitation and fishing pressure from commercial fisheries. A better understanding of the genetic structure of cod populations is essential to identify stocks for successful fisheries management. In this study, the genetic structure of cod from major temporally and geographically distinct spawning grounds in U.S. waters was investigated. Adult and juvenile cod were sampled from aggregations within the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and southern New England waters in cooperation with commercial fishermen and state fishery biologists. Caudal fin clips were collected and analyzed …

The Behavior Of Atlantic Cod, Gadus Morhua, In An Offshore Net Pen, Christopher B. Rillahan

Master's Theses and Capstones

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors of the world, with an annual compounding growth rate of 8.8% (since 1970). In spite of the rapid growth, scientific and public concerns have arisen about the sustainability and environmental impacts of the industry, including aquaculture's dependence on wild fish products, eutrophication from animal waste and uneaten food, and escapement of genetically altered farming stock. The use of behavioral studies may help refine commercial aquaculture by obtaining information to design operations that optimize growth, and feed utilization, while increasing production and animal well being. The goal of this study was …

Sandhill Crane Wintering Ecology In The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, Gary L. Ivey, Caroline P. Herziger

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We studied wintering sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) ecology in 2002–2003 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California, focusing on Staten Island, a corporate farm which was acquired by The Nature Conservancy and managed to promote sustainable agriculture that is beneficial to wildlife. Our purpose was to define habitat conservation needs for cranes, including the state-threatened greater subspecies (G. c. tabida). Research was conducted through intensive surveys by vehicle of crane foraging and roosting behavior. We estimated that about 1,500 greaters used Staten Island, which is a significant portion of the Central Valley Population of greater sandhill …

The Effects Of Using Prescribed Fire Or Mowing To Maintain Early Successional Wildlife Habitat, Kathleen M. Barrett

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study involves a comparison and results between prescribed burns and mowing in order to maintain openings in early successional stages at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Newington, NH. The prescribed fire was conducted by a US Fish and Wildlife fire crew on 19 September 2001. The mowing was completed during the third week of October 2001 by staff and volunteers.

Special attention was given to non-native invasive species, with some species tending to increase with a fall burn. The mowed study sites did not seem to have a significant increase in growth or spread of invasive species.

A New Perspective: Atlantic Herring (Clupea Harengus) As A Case Study For Time Series Analysis And Historical Data, Emily Klein

Master's Theses and Capstones

This thesis endeavors to develop methods for the historical analysis of a specific species and location to begin understanding fishery patterns and change over time. The main goal was to develop statistical methods to address historical data and provide long-term information on fishery trends and potential relationships between the fishery and outside influences. The Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) fishery was investigated for underlying patterns and the possible impact of outside variables and events from 1870 to 2007.

In the Gulf of Maine, Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) provide critical forage for many economically valuable species, while supporting a major New England …

Factors Affecting Insulin-Stimulated In Vitro Glucose Oxidation In Rat Epididymal Adipocytes, Lisa C. Merrill

Master's Theses and Capstones

Since Martin Rodbell published his collagenase method for isolating rat adipocytes from their stromal-vascular matrix in 1964, researchers have modified the procedure in an attempt to maximize results. These modifications are also purported to decrease the interlaboratory variability observed by researchers who utilize this procedure. Strict adherence to these modifications does not, however, necessarily result in robust, repeatable in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation. The purpose of this study was to optimize Rodbell's procedure for measuring in vitro glucose oxidation in rat adipocytes, and to measure the effect of meal feeding on this process.

Adipocytes from rats in 26 optimization experiments …

Where Do You Get Your Produce? Participation In The Farmer’S Market In Santa Elena, 2008, Allison Cantor, Charlotte Noble, Aidan Seale-Feldman, Caitie Trucksess, Dawn Waltonbaugh

Monteverde Institute: Culture, Community, and Health

A study on the participation at the farmer's market in Santa Elena.

A Prairie Perspective On Global Warming And Climate Change: The Use Of Law, Technology, And Economics To Establish Private Sector Markets To Compliment Kyoto, Ronald C. Griffin

Journal Publications

We are in the midst of an environmental calamity that few perceive as grave. The climate is changing. Civilization is suffering. One person can do little to cope with these problems on a global scale. But farmers can do something about their farming operations to contribute less to climate change.

Today, two percent of the population feeds us. With mechanical advancements, new farm machinery, innovative practices, products, commodities, securities, and markets folk can do something to reward farmers for their efforts to slow the pace of climate change.

Recovery Policy, The Endangered Species Act And The Yellowstone Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos Horribilis): A Case Study Analysis Of The Role And Function Of Environmental Organizations, Rachel A. Platt

Master's Theses and Capstones

This Thesis explores the question, "what are the politics of de-listing an endangered species?" The Yellowstone grizzly de-listing process offered environmental organizations a platform to provide the general public with a genuine opportunity to engage with the comments and positions, to the federal government. It contends that a symbolic consensus has been constructed about the American West, Yellowstone National Park and the grizzly bear and these constructed were strong enough to generate the majority of edited responses to the Fish and Wildlife Service during the de-listing process. This thesis looks at the manner in which environmental organizations employ this natural …

Investigation Of The Sex Determination Mechanisms In Summer Flounder (Paralichthys Dentatus) And Black Sea Bass (Centropristis Striata), Heidi R. Colburn

Master's Theses and Capstones

In many cultured finfish species, sexually dimorphic growth is observed, therefore, understanding the mechanisms of differentiation in fishes is necessary for successful aquaculture. Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus ) and black sea bass (Centropristis striata) are good candidate species for aquaculture because they easily adapt to culture conditions and have high market value. The production of monosex populations is advantageous in species exhibiting sexually dimorphic growth rates. The purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of the mechanisms involved in sex differentiation of summer flounder and black sea bass. In summer flounder, monosex female culture is beneficial because females …

Anionic Salts In The Prepartum Diet And Addition Of Sodium Bicarbonate To Colostrum Replacer And Their Effects On Igg Absorption In The Neonate, Kimberley M. Morrill

Master's Theses and Capstones

Forty Holstein cows were assigned to a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized block design to one of four treatments: basal diet and no sodium bicarbonate in the colostrum replacer; basal diet and supplemental sodium bicarbonate in the colostrum replacer; anionic salts and no sodium bicarbonate in the colostrum replacer; anionic salts and supplemental sodium bicarbonate in the colostrum replacer. Calves received two doses of colostrum replacer +/- sodium bicarbonate at 0 h, 1 dose of colostrum replacer +/- sodium bicarbonate at 6 hours and milk replacer at 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Calves …

Hydrogeochemistry And Water Quality Of Echo Hills, Joel M. Kimball

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Ground water of the Echo Hills area in Clark County, Ohio was investigated for common water contaminants such as nitrate and coliform bacteria. Thirty-four water samples were collected from locations including private wells, streams and a spring. Nine of those samples were selected for nitrogen isotope analysis. Three locations were chosen for a tracer test. Additionally, well log data, historical water quality data, and GIS data were obtained from the Clark County Health Department in Springfield, Ohio. Results show that local agriculture likely has the greatest impact on ground water quality in Echo Hills especially the north-eastern portion, with local …

Foal Hoof Care Fact Sheet, Scott Mckendrick, Kerry Rood, Patricia Evans

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Factors That Influcence African Americans To Enroll In Agricultural Science Programs, Levar Desmond Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that most influence African Americans to enroll in agricultural science programs at 1890 and 1862 Land Grant universities. This study used a quantitative approach in researching the problem of identifying the factors that led minorities to enroll in agricultural science programs at 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions. A survey instrument was designed which collected the factors, demographics, and attitudes that influenced minority enrollment in agricultural sciences at 1890 and 1862 universities. The setting for the data collection in this study is 1890 and 1862 land grant universities in the southern …

Ecology And Management Of Rodents In No-Till Agriculture In Washington, Usa, Gary W. Witmer, Rodney Sayler, David Huggins, Jason Capelli

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No-till farming is an important approach to sustainable agriculture because it can conserve soil and water resources. Unfortunately, rodent populations can thrive under no-till conditions because burrow systems are not disrupted by annual plowing and plant residues build-up on the surface, providing cover and insulation. This can result in substantial crop damage. We assessed rodent populations, habitat use, food habits, and crop damage in a no-till cropping system in Washington, USA. We also conducted preliminary trials of methods to reduce rodent populations and crop damage. In the fall, many more rodents were captured in fields with unharvested crops than in …

Agricultural Situation And Outlook Fall 2007, Chuck Corby, Kenneth H. Burdine

Agricultural Situation and Outlook

No abstract provided.

Swine Artificial Insemination For Beginners: Heat Detection, Dennis Worwod

All Current Publications

Heat detection is the most important and time consuming part of an A.I. breeding program. Your goal is to recognize when the sow or gilt reaches “standing heat,” which is the period when she stands still and rigid when you put weight on her loin.

Swine Artificial Insemination For Beginners: Ordering And Caring For Semen, Dennis Worwod

All Current Publications

Sows and gilts are usually bred twice, with 12 to 24 hours hours between inseminations. For this reason, boar studs will not ship less than two doses of semen.

Swine Artificial Insemination For Beginners: Selecting The Right Boar, Dennis Worwod

All Current Publications

Artificial Insemination (A.I.) can complement or replace traditional breeding programs for youth swine projects and other small swine operations.

Swine Artificial Insemination For Beginners: The Insemination Process, Dennis Worwod

All Current Publications

You should not attempt to breed a sow or gilt that is not in standing heat. Put weight on the animal’s loin and watch her response to make sure that she is standing.

The Human Dimensions Of Land Change In Lamjung Of Nepal, Milan Shrestha

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

This paper presents a brief overview of an anthropological study conducted in Lamjung, Nepal. Using a multi-scalar approach that integrates household and community data with remote sensing and geographic information system applications, this study investigated the relationships between agricultural land-use strategies and the district level land-cover change patterns for the period between 1976 through 2004. The main focus of this paper, however, is on the human dimensions part, which examines the household conditions and community contexts under which smallholders changed their land-use strategies. In doing so, it looks beyond the conventional view that tends to over-emphasize demographic and poverty factors.

Integrated Modeling Of Nitrate Contamination Of Groundwater In Agriculture-Dominated Watersheds, M. Almasri, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents and implements a framework for modeling the impact of land use practices and protection alternatives on nitrate pollution of groundwater in agricultural watersheds. The framework utilizes the national land cover database (NLCD) of the United State Geological Survey (USGS) grid and a geographic information system (GIS) to account for the spatial distribution of on-ground nitrogen sources and corresponding loadings. The framework employs a soil nitrogen dynamic model to estimate nitrate leaching to groundwater. These estimates were used in developing a groundwater nitrate fate and transport model. The framework considers both point and non-point sources of nitrogen across …