Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

G97-1342 Feeding Value Of Alfalfa Hay And Alfalfa Silage, Terry L. Mader, Todd Milton, Ivan G. Rush, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the feeding value of alfalfa under different harvesting, storage and feeding methods, as compared to other protein sources.

In Nebraska, alfalfa is used primarily as a protein source. However, for cow-calf producers it can sometimes be an economical energy source, depending on the prevailing price of feed grains and other sources of energy.

Alfalfa is generally harvested as dry hay or as silage (65 percent moisture). Ensiling at 45 to 55 percent moisture is also common, particularly if the alfalfa is stored in an upright oxygen-limiting structure. Regardless of harvesting and storage methods, some dry matter and …

Ec97-276 Management Strategies For Pen-Mating Female Pigs, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The master control switch of a pork production enterprise is weaning day. Pork production managers have little or no control concerning when a weaned female will cycle or how long she will be in estrus after weaning. When females are pen-mated, the producer needs to use management procedures to prevent an excessive number of estrous females from expressing the standing response at the same time, try to manage estrous females so that they are bred at the proper time, try to manage boars so they maintain an adequate level of fertility, evaluate boars for level of sexual behavior before and …

Ec97-274 Management Of Replacement Gilts For Efficient Reproduction, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Successfully introducing replacement gilts into the breeding herd is an important aspect of breeding herd efficiency. To attain herd efficiency, females must ovulate adequate numbers of viable ova, express estrus, show willingness to mate and conceive in a regular manner. If these qualities are properly developed, pregnancy rate and litter size will be maximized. A gilt development and management program needs to be designed for gilts from birth to farrowing their first litter.

G97-1313 Designing Preventive Health Management Programs For Cattle Producers, Dicky D. Griffin, Louis Perino, Gary Rupp, Eddie Hamilton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The NebGuide details recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program.

This NebGuide presents two flow sheets which detail the recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program: the Calf through Weaning Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet and the Heifers, Cows and Bulls Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet. While this NebGuide emphasizes the procedures conducted on cattle at each cattle handling opportunity, it is very important to note the role a high quality nutritional program plays in building a total herd health program. You are encouraged to work with a qualified beef cattle nutritionist and your veterinarian when developing your …

Ec96-1770 Windbreaks For Snow Management, James R. Brandle, H. Doak Nickerson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

In areas of high winds and blowing snow, windbreaks can reduce the amount of effort spent on snow management. They can be designed to spread snow across a large area or to confine it to a relatively small storage area. The design of your windbreak will depend on your objective. Field windbreaks designed to distribute snow evenly across a field should be tall and porous. In contrast, windbreaks designed to capture snow and control drifting should have multiple rows with high density. There is no one set design, number of rows, or width of planting that is ideal for every …

Nf96-307 Managing The Russian Wheat Aphid With Resistant Wheat Varieties, John Thomas, Gary Hein, David D. Baltensperger, Lenis Alton Nelson, Scott Haley

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has information on using resistant wheat varieties to control Russian wheat aphids.

Ec96-1768 Windbreak Management, James R. Brandle, Craig Stange

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The windbreaks on your farm are an important part of the agricultural landscape. They provide protection for the farmstead, livestock, and crops; provide habitat for wildlife; and contribute to an overall healthy environment for you and your family. They are living systems with youth, maturity, and old age. Like any other living thing they need proper care and management in order to continue to function at their best.

Windbreak management requires an understanding of how your windbreak works. Your goal is to maintain the health and vigor of individual trees and shrubs while maintaining the overall structure of the windbreak …

Nf96-305 Precision Farming In Nebraska: A Status Report, William Miller, Ray Supalla

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Precision farming is a term applied to a broad array of topics that relate to the precise management of small units of land in contrast to the more traditional management of an entire field in a uniform manner.

G96-1305 Water Runoff From Sprinkler Irrigation: A Case Study, Norman L. Klocke, William L. Kranz, C. Dean Yonts, Kelly Wertz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide illustrates the influence of soil texture, topography and irrigation system characteristics on potential runoff.

When water is applied to a field through a sprinkler irrigation system, it should soak into the soil where it lands rather than drain to a low spot or off the field altogether. Runoff causes non-uniformity of water application, poor irrigation efficiency and possible leaching of chemicals to the groundwater. Some systems like LEPA (Low Energy Precision Application) are designed so water does not immediately soak into the soil. However, proper LEPA designs also call for tillage practices that hold the water on the …

G96-1293 Feedlot Abandonment Recommended Procedures, Richard K. Koelsch, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

An abandoned animal feeding facility is a significant threat to the environment. Procedures to minimize the risk are discussed.

Feedlot abandonment occurs for various reasons, including economic and social changes, environmental concerns, consolidation for more cost effective management and operation, and modification of personal goals. Whether a feedlot is abandoned for a short time until some crisis passes, or permanently, steps are necessary to minimize the risk of environmental degradation.

Under both scenarios, an abandoned feedlot poses an immediate threat to surface and groundwater quality. The unused facility is also a potential nuisance and source of health problems for humans …

G96-1311 Global Warming: What Is Known And Why Nebraska Agriculture Should Care, William E. Easterling, Cynthia Hayes

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The purpose of this NebGuide is to review the facts of global warming, to point out what is sheer speculation, and to suggest why Nebraska agriculture should care about global warming.

Climatologists talk about global warming one year and the next year they talk about global cooling! Depending on the time periods involved, both views may be correct. Over the next few hundred years, the earth may undergo a general cooling trend. This trend is consistent with the regular shifts into and out of ice age conditions that have characterized the earth's climate history of the last 50,000 years. However, …

Ec96-143 Pesticide Runoff And Water Quality In Nebraska, Steven Comfort, Thomas G. Franti, S.K. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraska's natural resources provide its residents with an abundance of wildlife, recreation, and agricultural opportunities. Some of the state's most important resources are its lakes, rivers and streams. These surface waters provide year-round habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, rest stops for migratory birds, and countless hours of enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, surface waters provide a source of drinking water for many Nebraska residents, and are vital for some farming and industrial operations. To better understand how surface waters become contaminated from pesticide runoff, the various factors and processes influencing runoff must be understood. With this understanding, pesticide …

Ec96-142 Crp Land Use Guide (Conservation Reserve Program), Douglas Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts held by Nebraska producers will begin to expire in 1996. Thousands of acres of grassland will be eligible for haying, grazing or to be returned to other uses. Land-use decisions made by owners and operators will impact the economic viability and long-term productivity of individual farms, as well as the region as a whole.

The intent of the CRP Land Use Guide is not to provide all the asnwers - in many instances we don't even know the questions. It is however, intended to provide an outline of the key issues you will face when …

Nf96-310 Costs Of Harvesting And Hauling Corn Stalks In Large Round Bales, H. Douglas Jose, Lance L. Brown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact calculates the costs of harvesting corn stalks for either livestock fodder or industrial uses.

Ec95-817 Nebraska Agricultural Producers Preferences For National Agriculture, And Food Policy After 1995, A.L. (Roy) Frederick, Glenn A. Helmers, Steven L. Elmore

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Farmers' preferences are important in the development of farm bills. In that spirit, the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service recently asked a random sample of agricultural producers about their preferences for the 1995 farm bill. Similar surveys were undertaken in 1984 and 1989, prior to the last two farm bills. Each Nebraska survey was part of a larger, national effort. This year, 15 states, scattered across all regions of the United States, participated.

The purpose of this report is to summarize Nebraska producers' views on key issues likely to be …

G95-1250 Rust Of Dry Bean, James R. Steadman, H. F. Schwartz, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The symptoms, sources, spread and management of rust in dry edible beans is discussed in this NebGuide.

Rust is an important disease that affects dry beans in eastern Colorado, western Nebraska and adjacent regions. The disease is caused by the fungus Uromyces appendiculatus which has caused periodic epidemics in this region since the 1950s. Recent yield losses from the disease have exceeded 50 percent in some areas.

Nf95-216 Ascites Syndrome In Broiler Chickens, Eva Wallner-Pendleton, Sheila Scheideler

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact explains the number one cause of broiler death in home flocks and how to prevent it.

Nf95-225 Oil Analysis, Robert D. Grisso, Steven R. Melvin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses the many advantages to an oil analysis.

Ec95-273 Swine Nutrition Guide, Duane Reese, Robert C. Thaler, Mike Brumm, Austin J. Lewis, Philip S. Miller, George W. Libal

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication is a revision of the previous swine nutrition publication prepared by the Universityof Nebraska and South DakotaState University. The focus of the publication continues to be on nutrient recommendations for swine. Specific factors (nutritional, environmental and managerial) that affect nutrient recommendations have been considered and discussed. We believe that the identification and description of the factors provide the framework for the nutrient recommendations presented inTables 11 to 16. Industry advisors representing various facets of the pork industry were recruited to review and challenge the concepts incorporated in this publication. Also, in situations where “gray areas” existed, these industry …

G95-1236 Developing Beef Quality Assurance, Dicky D. Griffin, Louis Perino, Don Hudson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This Neb-Guide gives guidelines for developing a feedlot beef quality assurance program.

The displacement of people from agriculture into other areas of employment has broken the relationship between most consumers and producers. The consumer's lack of knowledge about agricultural production coupled with concern for misuse of technological advances in agriculture has created great concern for the safety of their food supply. Consumers are worried that their food will be contaminated by antibiotics, hormones, and agricultural chemicals. Recently, bacterial contamination of beef has been added to their fears. These concerns, combined with diet and health concerns for eating red meat and …

Ec95-1560 Use Of Cultural Practices In Crop Insect Pest Management, Robert J. Wright

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This Extension Circular reviews what is known about the effects of rotations, tillage practices, and planting and harvest dates on crop insect management, focusing on major crops in Nebraska.

Before the development of synthetic organic insecticides (pre-DDT era), rotations, tillage practices, planting and harvest dates, and other nonchemical cultural controls were commonly recommended for insect management. Research focused on crop rotation and other cultural practices for insect management. With the development of DDT and later insecticides however, research on nonchemical controls decreased markedly.

With the emergence of the concept of sustainable agriculture in the 1980s, there has been increased emphasis …

Nf95-224 Pricing Sew Piglets, Michael Brumm, Larry L. Bitney

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact addresses valuing and marketing SEW pigs in Nebraska.

G95-1270 Sclerotinia Stem Rot Of Soybeans, James R. Steadman, S. Rutledge, D. Merrell, David Wysong

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Life cycle, symptoms, and control measures of sclerotinia stem rot of soybeans is discussed.

Sclerotinia stem rot of soybeans is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This pathogen has an extremely wide host range and can affect more than 400 plant species, including oilseed, vegetable and forage legume crops. S. sclerotiorum has caused a disease known as white mold on dry edible beans in western Nebraska for 40 years, but it did not become a problem in soybeans until the 1990s. This fungal pathogen can be found on soybeans in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. …

G95-1267 Manure Applicator Calibration, Richard K. Koelsch

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Calibration methods for manure spreaders are discussed here.

Applying manure to land often is considered a waste disposal process rather than a fertilization process. Applying manure as a waste product is causing growing concerns about groundwater and surface water contamiantion. Increasing commercial fertilizer costs and regulatory mandates will encourage application of manure as a nutrient source in the future.

Ec95-816 Extending The Clean Water Act: Issues And Alternatives, Roy Frederick

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Author's note: This publication was written in the months immediately prior to the beginning of the 104th Congress in January 1995. While the basic issues ave not changed, the schedule for reauthorization of the Clean Water Act and the approach to issues may have been altered by the change in political-party leadership in the Congress. For example, wetlands policy and private property rights may be treated as separate pieces of legislation in 1995.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, frequently referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA), was last amended and updated in 1987. This reauthorization expired …

Nf95-219 Common Ground: State Conservation Reserve, William Miller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been a popular part of the federal farm program for the past several years because it contributes to farm income, soil conservation, and wildlife habitat. Landowners have found the annual payments for enrolling land in the CRP to be a financially attractive alternative to producing crops. Higher commodity prices due to fewer crop acres has been an additional benefit to landowners. Environmentalists have been pleased with the lower soil losses from the land and the improved stream environment associated with the CRP. Wildlife advocates are strong supporters of the CRP. For example, the Wildlife …

Nf95-218 Conjunctive Use Policy Options, William Miller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Background

The hydrologic cycle controls water available for use. Rainfall, evaporation, runoff, percolation, and transpiration combine to influence the water available at a specific location at a particular point in time. The speed at which water moves among stages in the hydrologic cycle and the amount of time it spends in storage at any stage affects water availability to users. The conjunctive use issue refers to the portion of the hydrologic cycle where groundwater and surface water interface and influence each other.

Users who couldn't depend on an irregular flow of water over time developed systems that modify the variable …

G95-1243 Ventilation Fans: Types And Sizes, Gerald R. Bodman, David P. Shelton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication describes the most common types of ventilation fans and compares their physical and performance characteristics.

Two general types of ventilation fans are commonly used for agricultural applications. Each type has many different blade diameters, materials, blade shapes, speeds, and motor horsepowers available. The desired airflow rate and the resistance to airflow through the ventilation system, or static pressure capabilities, are the two primary considerations when selecting a ventilation fan. Other considerations include maintenance requirements, noise levels, and energy efficiency.

Ec94-852 Cash Flow Planning Form, Larry L. Bitney, James Friesen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This extension circular covers the following areas of a cash flow planning form: Beginning Cash Balance, Operating Sales (crop and hay, market livestock, livestock product, custom work); Capital Sales (breeding livestock, machinery and equipment); Personal Income (wages, interest); Operating Expenses (car/truck, chemicals, conservation, custom hire, feed purchased, fertilizers and lime, freight and trucking, gasoline, fuel and oil, insurance, labor hired, rents and leases, repairs and maintenance, seeds and plants, storage, warehousing, supplies, taxes, utilities, veterinary, breeding fees and medicine, feeder livestock); Capital Purchases (breeding livestock, machinery and equipment, family living withdrawals, personal investments, income and social security, term loan payments); …

Ec94-738 Using Agricultural Anhydrous Ammonia Safely, Robert D. Grisso, David Morgan, Rollin D. Schnieder

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Anhydrous ammonia is one of the most efficient and widely used sources of nitrogen for row-crop production. Because it is a cheap source of nitrogen and readily available, large quantities of anhydrous ammonia are used as nitrogen fertilizer.

Anhydrous ammonia has disadvantages, especially in handling. It must be stored and handled under high pressure, which requires specially designed and well-maintained equipment. In addition, to ensure operator safety, workers must be trained to handle this product and to follow strict work procedures.