Digital Commons Network^™

A Proposal To Make Grain Storage Financially Feasible, David L. Garrett

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The United States has a National Oil Reserve but not a food reserve. Just as the oil reserve is designed to buffer unforeseen disruptions in the critical supply, the nation should also have a food reserve for the same purpose.

The United States and other developed nations have little or no food reserve beyond the typical demands between growing seasons. Marvelous production achievements in agriculture beginning in the early 1960s and known as the “Green Revolution” are now leveling off. Food production, suffering from such negative side effects as reduced water tables, is being outstripped by population growth (Bourne, 2009).

Predicting Body Mass From The Skeleton With An Application To The Georgia Coast, Shamsi R. Daneshvari

Anthropology ETDs

Body mass has been studied in multiple subfields within anthropology, including paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, biomechanics, and forensics. Most previous studies that focused on predicting mass from the skeleton utilized population averages, living subjects, and/or small sample sizes. This study sought to create an individualized predictive model of body mass estimation from multiple skeletal elements. The new multiple element model was then compared to three models currently used by anthropologists. Three hypotheses were tested: 1) the multiple element model has a lower predictive error than the other models, 2) upper limb elements will predict mass more accurately and 3) articular dimensions predict …

Effects Of Global Climate Change On Nigerian Agriculture: An Empirical Analysis, Apata T. .G

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the effects of global warming on Nigerian agriculture and estimation of the determinants of adaptation to climate change. Data used for this study are from both secondary and primary sources. The set of secondary sources of data helped to examine the coverage of the three scenarios (1971-1980; 1981-1990 and 1991-2000). The primary data set consists of 900 respondents’ but only 850 cases were useful. This study analyzed determinants of farm-level climate adaptation measures using a Multinomial choice and stochastic-simulation model to investigate the effects of rapid climatic change on grain production and the …

Comparison Of Agro-Chemical Information Services To Be Used By Cal Poly San Luis Obispo College Of Agriculture, Mathew O'Neill

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

We Can Grow It: Reporting On Women In Agriculture In India, Belize And The U.S., Colleen Stewart

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Women produce more than half of the world’s food, according to the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization. This aligns with the Chinese proverb– “Women Hold up Half the Sky.” As the role of women in agriculture increases in the developed and developing world, female economic activity in agriculture serves as a beacon for poverty reduction, increased food security, and environmental sustainability. In the United States, there has been a 30-percent increase in the number of female-run farms in the U.S. since 2002 and women, now the largest “minority” group in agriculture in the U.S., operate approximately 300,000 farms throughout the …

A Survey Of Agricultural Productivity And Nutritional Status In Rural South Wollo, Ethiopia, Anne M. Cafer

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

Although many studies have focused on the plight, poverty, and severe malnutrition of rural Ethiopians, few have managed to incorporate qualitative and quantitative data to examine connections between health status and food production. This project is unique in that both types of data are combined and anthropometric measurements and a structured questionnaire are used to explore the link between agriculture, development, and nutrition. Additionally the research design incorporated feedback from local development agents, faculty and staff at an Ethiopian university, and community leaders. A survey of 120 households in seven villages within two districts of South Wollo revealed that a …

Preference Of White-Tailed Deer For Corn Hybrids And Agricultural Husbandry Practices During The Growing Season, Joshua A. Delger, Kevin L. Monteith, Lowell E. Schmitz, Jonathan A. Jenks

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Damage to field corn (Zea mays) by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be substantial, resulting in millions of dollars lost annually. Numerous methods exist to minimize deer depredation, but all have met with varying degrees of success. Currently, little information is available on preference of white-tailed deer for corn hybrids during the growing season and how that preference might affect depredation patterns. We used adult female white-tailed deer in captivity to study the effect of herbicide treatments on deer-use (treatment versus no treatment) of corn in 2005 and to document preference among specific corn hybrids in …

College Food Systems Comparison, Courtney Fearon

Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

Teaching To Cultivate Gardening Education Programs In Public Elementary Schools, Andrew Noune

Theses & ETDs

In an attempt to explore ways that the educational system can encourage an understanding of food production systems and their effect on the environment and human health, I explore the components of edible school gardening programs. Eight public elementary school programs in a county in southwest Florida were studied by interviewing the facilitating teachers and observing in-class activities. Components related to horticultural procedures, academic connections, and students' home life were identified and analyzed. The findings of this research suggest that in-ground school gardens are likely to contain more horticultural components and academic connections than earth box or hydroponic gardens. Therefore, …

In Response To Need, A History Of The Western Australian Department Of Agriculture - 1894 To 2008, E N. Fitzpatrick

Books & book chapters

The department was not always such a significant organisation; it came from very small beginnings. However, it has been a major component of the engine which has produced an agricultural industry in a Mediterranean climate zone which is superior to all others operating in this zone. This book is a summary of its work. There are many more fascinating chapters to be recorded of work on specific issues of development, investigation or conservation. I hope they will be written by someone one day. With this in mind the department has decided to put the book on a web page where …

Addition Of Sodium Bicarbonate To Colostrum: Effects On Igg Absorption And Hematocrit In Neonatal Calves, Colleen E. Chapman

Master's Theses and Capstones

Twenty-six Holstein bull calves born from primiparous and multiparous cows without dystocia were assigned to a randomized complete block design to one of two treatments within each block: colostrum with no supplemental sodium bicarbonate or colostrum with 30 g of supplemental sodium bicarbonate. Calves were fed colostrum from nine different batches with an immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of 82.05 +/- 8.45 g/L and the total amount of IgG fed of 329.89 +/- 34.56 g at 0 h and 6 h postpartum. Calves were fed 2 L of milk replacer (MR) at 24, 36, and 48 h postpartum. The addition of …

An In Vitro Technique To Estimate Digestibility Of Amino Acids In Dairy Cattle Feeds, Scott Joseph Talbot

Master's Theses and Capstones

Three soybean meal (SBM), 3 SoyPlusRTM (SP), 5 dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS), and 5 fishmeal (FM) were obtained from FeedAC, Inc. (Homer, NY) and along with 5 cornsilage hybrid samples (CS), were used in an experiment to calculate total tract digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA). An in vitro procedure was used that incorporated the modified three step procedure (mTSP) developed by Calsamiglia and Stern (1994) and then modified by Gargallo et al. (2006) and the protease incubation procedure developed by McNiven et al. (2001) which replaces the in situ rumen incubation step in the …

Overcoming The Obstacles To Sustainability In Ghana, Ashley M. Scott

CMC Senior Theses

For several decades following its independence from Great Britain, Ghana’s policies continued to promote over-extraction of natural resources to the detriment of its economy and rural communities.  Agricultural and forestry policy has gradually evolved to foster more sustainable and equitable practices, as in building partnerships with the private sector to fund infrastructure improvements.  Policy has recently recognized the dire need to adopt agricultural practices and means of forest resource extraction that are compatible with ecological stewardship.  However, many shortcomings are still apparent.  Large logging operations completely disregard forestry regulations with impunity, whereas rural sustenance extractors are severely punished in the …

Assessing Relationships Of Moose Populations, Winter Ticks, And Forest Regeneration In Northern New Hampshire, Daniel Henry Bergeron

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study examined relationships among winter ticks, weather, and the nutritional and reproductive status of moose, and the impact of moose on regeneration of commercial forests in northern New Hampshire. Three methods were evaluated to assess their usefulness as indices of relative winter tick abundance, and predictors of tick epizootics: tick counts on harvested moose and roadside, spring hair-loss surveys were considered time and cost effective to index winter tick abundance. Physical characteristics of harvested moose (1988--2009) indicated ovulation rates (∼20%), and mean body weight (<200 kg) of yearlings declined since 1988; because adult body weight and ovulation rates remained stable, habitat quality was unlikely related. Winter tick epizootics are likely influenced by abnormal large scale weather events, as evident in the widespread die-off in 2002 associated with warm snowless conditions into mid-December 2001 that extended tick transmission to moose. Spring and fall weather should be monitored for unusual conditions causing high tick abundance and tick loads, particularly warm and snowless conditions in April and December. Mean stocking rate of all age classes of commercial tree species was above the threshold in all regions (49--87%); forest regeneration was not considered a regional problem at any moose density.

Herbage Mass Accumulation In An Intensive Rotational Grazing System At Unh's Organic Dairy Research Facility, Ashley Green

Master's Theses and Capstones

Pasture-based animal management in the Northeast U.S. relies on the ability to efficiently estimate pasture production and animal intake. Accuracy and precision of a rising plate meter, NDVI meter, and height measurements for estimating pasture biomass were compared relative to hand-clipped samples. Pasture measurements were used to describe biomass accumulation, lactating dairy herd intakes, and re-growth patterns for intensively rotated pastures. Pastures were measured from May-September, 2009 at the UNH Organic Dairy Research Facility in Lee, NH. The rising plate meter provided the most robust estimates of biomass (R²=0.58, SEE=2.73). Forty-seven paddocks were measured for 82 total grazing events; grazing …

Preference Of White-Tailed Deer For Corn Hybrids And Agricultural Husbandry Practices During The Growing Season, Joshua A. Delger, Kevin L. Monteith, Lowell E. Schmitz, Jonathan A. Jenks

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Damage to field corn (Zea mays) by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be substantial, resulting in millions of dollars lost annually. Numerous methods exist to minimize deer depredation, but all have met with varying degrees of success. Currently, little information is available on preference of white-tailed deer for corn hybrids during the growing season and how that preference might affect depredation patterns. We used adult female white-tailed deer in captivity to study the effect of herbicide treatments on deer-use (treatment versus no treatment) of corn in 2005 and to document preference among specific corn hybrids in …

Vegetative Compatibility In Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Sonia Purin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The process of anastomosis promotes interconnectivity between hyphal branches during formation of a mycelial network and between fungal colonies. Self anastomosis involves fusion within a mycelium from a germinating spore, and this process is common in all species of fungi. Non-self anastomosis involves fusion between hyphae from different spores or colonies and allows lateral gene transfer, but this process is much rarer. Anastomosis in Ascomycota is well studied, but little is known for asexual arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Glomeromycota. Because AMF are obligate symbionts in plant roots, studies have focused on anastomosis in asymbiotic hyphae of germinating spores. To …

Agriculture's Fate Under Climate Change: Economic And Environmental Imperatives For Action, John N. Moore, Van Bruggen

Chicago-Kent Law Review

Farming, ranching, and other agricultural activities are in a relatively unique position amongst all human-caused sources of global warming. Unlike fossil fueled power plants and vehicles, for example, agriculture will suffer direct economic losses from the impacts of global warming on its products, such as through reduced crop yields. Also unlike other causes of global warming, agriculture can both mitigate global warming and increase revenue through a range of different practices, such as carbon sequestration and investments in carbon-friendly renewable energy. This article explains how global warming affects agriculture, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains, and how agriculture contributes …

Assessment Of Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics Of Condensed Tannin-Containing Forages Using Continuous Cultures, Christina Marie Williams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two independent studies were conducted to assess the effects of feeding condensed tannin (CT)-containing forages to continuous cultures to evaluate their impacts on ruminal fermentation and digestibility, with an emphasis on methane (CH4) and ammonia-N (NH3-N) production. In Chapter 3, treatments consisted of: 1) 100% alfalfa hay (AH), 2) 50% AH and 50% birdsfoot trefoil hay (dry matter (DM) basis; AHBFTH), and 3) 100% birdsfoot trefoil hay (BFTH). Three replicated runs lasted 8 d each, with the first 5 d allowed for microbial adaptation to the diets, and 3 d for data collection and sampling. Methane, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) …

Mexico Concerned Spike In Wheat Prices Could Affect Domestic Food Costs, Carlos Navarro

SourceMex

No abstract provided.

Foodshed Foundations: Law's Role In Shaping Our Food System's Future, Margaret Sova Mccabe

Law Faculty Scholarship

[. . .] This symposium Article analyzes how we can rethink the architecture of law based on a foodshed model to provide a greater role for local, state, and regional government in the American food system. In turn, greater roles for different levels of government may help America achieve greater efficiencies in domestic food safety, nutrition and related public health issues, sustainability, and international trade.

Americans need a greater voice in the food system. The foodshed model is a powerful vehicle that allows us to conceptualize change, allowing greater citizen participation and a more nuanced approach to food policy. The …

The Kentucky Food Consumer, Timothy A. Woods

Agricultural Economics Presentations

No abstract provided.

Economic Outlook 2011: U.S. Economy And Agriculture, Craig Infanger

Agricultural Economics Presentations

No abstract provided.

Cmls94 Trends On Water Risk Contamination By Pesticide At Two Field Crops Over Areas Of Aquifers At Amazon And Southeast Regions, Brazil, Maria Conceição Peres Young Pessoa, Ricardo De Oliveira Figueiredo, Sonia Claudia Nascimento De Queiroz, Marco Antonio Ferreira Gomes, Anderson Soares Pereira, Eduardo Jorge Maklouf Carvalho, Vera Lucia Ferracini, Manoel Dornelas De Souza, Lilianne Maia Lima, Fábio Monteiro Cruz

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The absence of strategies for sustainable use and management of hydric resources is probably the main reason of several negative environmental impacts. Among them we can point out the inadequate use of pesticides on crop fields located over vulnerable areas. Due to this, the assessment of water risk contamination potential in aquifers has extreme importance to drive practices in order to reduce undesirable contaminations. In the present work we use CMLS-94 simulator to evaluate the vertical movement of pesticides through soils in agricultural catchments over areas of aquifers in Brazil. 2-4D acid, dimethoate, prochloraz, methamidophos and carbendazim applied in yellow …

Cmls94 Trends On Water Risk Contamination By Pesticide At Two Field Crops Over Areas Of Aquifers At Amazon And Southeast Regions, Brazil, Maria Conceição Peres Young Pessoa, Ricardo De Oliveira Figueiredo, Sonia Claudia Nascimento De Queiroz, Marco Antonio Ferreira Gomes, Anderson Soares Pereira, Eduardo Jorge Maklouf Carvalho, Vera Lucia Ferracini, Manoel Dornelas De Souza, Lilianne Maia Lima, Fábio Monteiro Cruz

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The absence of strategies for sustainable use and management of hydric resources is probably the main reason of several negative environmental impacts. Among them we can point out the inadequate use of pesticides on crop fields located over vulnerable areas. Due to this, the assessment of water risk contamination potential in aquifers has extreme importance to drive practices in order to reduce undesirable contaminations. In the present work we use CMLS-94 simulator to evaluate the vertical movement of pesticides through soils in agricultural catchments over areas of aquifers in Brazil. 2-4D acid, dimethoate, prochloraz, methamidophos and carbendazim applied in yellow …

Agricultural Insurances Based On Meteorological Indices: Realizations, Methods And Research Agenda, Antoine Leblois, Philippe Quirion

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

In many low-income countries, agriculture is mostly rain-fed and yields highly depend on climatic factors. Furthermore, farmers have little access to traditional crop insurance, which suffers from high information asymmetry and transaction costs. Insurances based on meteorological indices could fill this gap since they do not face such drawbacks. However their implementation has been slow so far. In this article, we first describe the most advanced projects that have taken place in developing countries using these types of crop insurances. We then describe the methodology that has been used to design such projects, in order to choose the meteorological index, …

Agricultural Resources Available To Women Of Arusha, Tanzania, Travis Barnett

Agribusiness

Paper includes prior research and background about gender inequality and a woman's role in African society. Research documents agriculturally related resources available to women living in Arusha, Tanzania. Research documents agricultural, educational and financial resources provided by Non Government Organizations (NGO's) and Farm Systems Research (FSR) headquarters. Also includes documentation of societal and geographical resources, such as crop production and market locations and times within the Arusha region.

Hydroponic Production: An Educational Dvd For High School Agricultural Education, Lindy Mattice, Chelsey Brown

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project was to create an educational video based upon hydroponic farming. It was created for agricultural educators, in hope high school agricultural teachers would show it in their classrooms. The goal was for students to be able to see a commercial style hydroponic system, and to understand the basic concepts of operation. The video was intended to be supplemented with additional printed information on alternative farming methods. It was not intended to be a sole source of information, but should instead be used to enhance the learning environment for students.

The survey of local high school …

The Homestead: Revisited, Christopher William Kramer

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This paper discusses ideas for harmony on 100 acres in mid-eastern New York. Problems leading to this research include the depletion of resources from irresponsible energy use and profit-driven industrial agriculture; dependency on fossil fuels and centralized energy; and lack of connection between people within communities, with their environment, and with sources of food and water. It is feared that sustainable, resilience building practices that nourished generations throughout history are being neglected. This specific application provides depth and concreteness to the discussion and planning process. Resources including books, maps, reports, and periodicals were integrated to select the site and plan …

Evaluation Of Semiochemical Strategies For The Protection Of Whitebark Pine Stands Against Mountain Pine Beetle Attack Within The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Greta Katherine Schen-Langenheim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

High-dose verbenone, verbenone plus nonhost volatiles (NHVs), and both semiochemicals in combination with aggregant-baited funnel traps were tested for stand- level protection against mountain pine beetle attack for two consecutive years (2004-2005) at three seral high elevation whitebark pine sites in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In 2004, two 0.25-hectare treatments comprised of 25 high-dose verbenone pouches or verbenone pouches combined with single baited funnel traps were tested in a push-pull strategy. In 2005, 25 high-dose verbenone and 25 NHV pouches, or verbenone and NHV in combination with baited funnel trap clusters were tested. In both years, treatments were compared to …