Life Sciences Commons^™

Do Food Safety Certifications Improve The Safety Of Our Food System? Evidence From The U.S. Meat, Poultry, And Egg Industry, Lijiao Hu, Yuqing Zheng

Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Private food safety certifications have become increasingly popular in the global agri-food supply chain over the last three decades. We examine a fundamental yet unaddressed question of whether food safety certifications make our food system safer. Focusing on the U.S. processing industry for meat, poultry, and eggs, the most likely contaminated foods, we matched unique establishment-level food safety certification data collected over the period of 2015–2018 with the microbial testing data from the government for processing establishments. By applying a penalized maximum likelihood method to address the rare event problem in the data, we found that the certification to the …

Assessing The Impact Of Local–State Revenue Shares And Property Tax Structure On Effective Farmland Tax Rates: Panel Evidence From Seven Midwestern States, 2009–2022, Imtiaz Amin Chy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Property taxes are the primary revenue instrument of local governments in the United States, yet the burdens they impose are distributed unevenly. Farmland, because it cannot be relocated, often absorbs a disproportionate share. This paper examines two related questions: what fiscal factors determine how heavily agricultural land is taxed, and do those tax rates capitalize into farmland asset values? Using an annual panel of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin from 2009 to 2022, we first document how each state allocates property tax revenue across four major spending categories (education, public welfare, health, and utilities) finding that all …

Crispr-Cas9: Transforming Biomedical Technology Through Gene Editing, Zaina Issa

A with Honors Projects

The research paper describe the gene editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and the implications of its use in different fields, including medicine and agriculture.

Root-Knot Nematodes In Western Australian Horticulture, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Horticulture factsheets

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species, RKN) are unsegmented round worms which are usually invisible to the naked eye, but the galls they produce in infested plant roots are often easy to spot. RKNs are plant-parasitic with a broad host range, which includes vegetables, field crops, tree and vine fruits, ornamentals, pastures and some weed species.

Root-knot nematodes reduce yields of many horticulture crops, including carrot, potato, sweet potato, tomato, capsicum, pumpkin, zucchini, avocado, grapes and lettuce. RKNs favour the sandy soils common throughout the south-west of Western Australia’s (WA’s) horticultural area.

Factors Affecting Diet Selection In Sheep Fed Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue, Jordan Thomas, Ronelson Stinfil, Kenneth P. Coffey, Christine C. Nieman, Derico Setyabrata, Shawna Weimer

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) infected with toxin‑producing fungi can induce fescue toxicosis in grazing ruminants, reducing performance and altering forage intake. Chemical compounds in red clover (Trifolium pratense), such as biochanin A, have been proposed to mitigate these effects by improving palatability and blood vessel relaxation. This study examined whether the inclusion of ground red clover (GRC), either alone or in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), affected voluntary diet selection in lambs offered toxic fescue. Thirty‑three lambs were housed individually and assigned randomly to one of four diets: (1) toxic …

Success Criteria: Sustainable Efficacy In Australian Farmer Groups, David K. Mckenzie, Janine Joyce, Kerstin K. Zander, Penelope A.S. Wurm, Kim M. Caudwell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: To examine the factors and processes that sustain the efficacy of farmer groups as extension intermediaries for influencing collective innovation, and knowledge co-creation and exchange. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from farmer interviews, focus groups, and the published digital documents of five farmer groups across SE Australia. A grounded theory mixed-methods approach was used for data collection and analysis, aided by Atlas software in constructing concepts and a concept map representing group processes. Findings: The ability of groups to influence farm innovation, and farmer learning and knowledge co-creation, depends on the group efficacy. Group identity in advancing farmer interests and …

Beef Cattle Producers’ Knowledge About And Preferences For Carbon Contracts, Zuyi Wang, Anastasia W. Thayer, Felipe De Figueiredo Silva, Michael Vassalos, Jordan M. Shockley, Nathan Smith

Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Carbon contracts have gained attention as a way to incentivize carbon-emissions reduction for the agricultural sector, particularly among beef-cattle producers.

Our study utilized data from a survey of 222 beef cattle producers in the southeastern United States to examine their knowledge, perceptions, and preferences regarding carbon contracts.

Survey respondents demonstrated a lack of accurate knowledge about carbon markets and contract specifications, with many overestimating the price of carbon.

Among the most common barriers to signing contracts were the cost of altering practices, the duration, and insufficient payments.

Further, our results indicated that producers require an additional $103.74/hectare ($42/acre) to accept …

Leveraging Research-Based Knowledge Translation Via Rural Libraries To Improve Maize Postharvest Practices In Uganda, Jackline Estomihi Kiwelu, Patrick Ngulube

Libraries

Background: Rural community libraries are increasingly recognised for providing localised knowledge, yet their potential to support agricultural extension services and improve access to postharvest knowledge in Uganda remains underexplored.
Objectives: This study examined the postharvest information needs of smallholder maize farmers and explored how community libraries can be leveraged to translate and repackage research-based knowledge to meet these needs.
Method: A mixed-methods parallel design was employed. Data were collected from a survey of 312 maize farmers, personal interviews and two focus group discussions (FGDs) with 22 extension workers and four librarians. Desk research was conducted to analyse relevant documents. Quantitative …

Soil Organic Carbon And Soil Health Property Responses To Land Management Across Topographic Positions, Mia D. Makovsky

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

uring the last ice age, ice sheets advanced and retreated across the upper Midwest, leaving behind a landscape characterized by poorly drained hummocky topography. Well-aerated soils have formed on uplands and lowlands are dominated by hydric soils. These wetlands and hydric soils have potential to store large quantities of carbon, particularly compared to the well-aerated uplands, but many have been drained and cultivated for decades. Conservation agriculture methods have emerged to protect and conserve soil health from negative effects due to cultivation.The purpose of this study is to determine how agricultural management practices and landscape properties (e.g, topographic position) affect …

Influence Of Microbial Communities And Dilute Heavy Metals In Green Manure On Growth In Lactuca Sativa, Robert Lemay

Student Research Projects

This experiment investigated the effects of a green manure (Lemna minor, common duckweed) grown in varying levels of heavy metals and inoculated with local microbiomes on a crop (Lactuca sativa, volcana lettuce). The growth and health of the duckweeds were measured via root length and biomass, and the health of the lettuce crop was measured via head diameter and biomass.  Two levels of heavy metal concentrations were based on real-world stormwater runoff data to mimic an agricultural environment where accumulation of metals in local water bodies may be absorbed into green manure duckweeds. One microbial treatment and …

Limitations Of Reproductive Manipulation By Bacterial Endosymbionts In A Spider Host, Jordyn D. Proctor

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts are common in arthropods. Many of these bacteria manipulate host reproduction to favor the production of infected females, thereby increasing bacterial prevalence in the host population, even if cost is incurred to the host. However, there are also many factors that may inhibit symbionts’ ability to spread in host populations, including environmental constraints, symbiont-imposed costs on the host, interactions with co-infecting bacteria, or host biology. I explored two aspects of symbiont biology within a spider host, Mermessus fradeorum (Linyphiidae), which has varying combinations of up to five different bacterial endosymbionts in local populations: Rickettsiella, Tisiphia …

Impacts Of Livestock Dewormers On Dung Beetle Foraging Choices Across Spatial Scales, Madison L. Kluge

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Dung beetles provide ecosystem services in pasture systems but are vulnerable to chemical residues in livestock dung. Parasiticides containing macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are used to control parasites in livestock and are excreted unmetabolized in dung, exposing non-target organisms to these compounds. We used a multi-scale approach to examine whether ML residues alter dung beetle foraging ecology. At the field scale, we assessed dung beetle abundance and community composition using traps baited with dung from untreated cattle and cattle treated with ivermectin, moxidectin, or eprinomectin across eight farms and natural areas. At a smaller scale, we conducted behavioral assays to quantify …

Supplemental Bibliographic Details. From 2001 Mars Odyssey To Earth’S Climate Crisis: Integrating Gamma Spectroscopy, Martian Soil Simulants, And Plant Genomes For Agroecology, Anchored In Sri Lanka’S Mars-Context Serpentinites, Suniti Karunatillake, Maheshi Dassanayake, Carlos Gary Bicas

Planetary Science Lab

Bibliographic details follow to supplement hyperlinked citations in the multinational GANGOTRI-supporting project conceived by Karunatillake, Dassanayake, and Gary-Bicas

Midwestern Farmers' Willingness To Engage With Precision Agriculture Technologies And On-Farm Precision Experimentation, Reagen G. Tibbs, Nicholas J. Heller, David S. Bullock, Maria A. Boerngen

Faculty Publications - Agriculture

Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) have revolutionized the agriculture industry and provide many benefits to farmers. Among these benefits is the ability to conduct experiments in a process known as on-farm precision experimentation (OFPE). By conducting these experiments and through collaboration with researchers, crop consultants, and extension agents, farmers can learn site-specific management practices to better address challenges in their operations. However, adoption rates of these technologies have remained below 50% in the United States. Furthermore, very few studies have explored the factors that influence a farmer's decision to conduct experiments, or their willingness to collaborate with external stakeholders such as …

A Preliminary Study On Producing Volatile Fatty Acids From Winter Cover Crops, Tuba Yasmin Lubna, Robert L. Rhykerd, David E. Kopsell, Nicholas J. Heller, Md. Mahadi Hasan, Kathryn Stahl, Liangcheng Yang

Faculty Publications - Agriculture

Winter cover crops provide many ecological benefits, though their economic impacts have been shown to be mixed. While cover crop biomass is typically terminated or used as livestock feed, it can also serve as a feedstock for bioenergy production, offering opportunities for additional revenue. This study evaluated the potential of wild pennycress, CoverCress™, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, and field pea biomass for volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production through arrested anaerobic digestion (AAD). Specifically, the effects of harvest timing on cover crop biomass composition and VFAs yield were examined, given the need for effective utilization and storage of early-harvested biomass. The …

Eat With Understanding: A Um Student Guide To Food Systems, James Deacon, Cora Johnson, Lucas Dymit, Kaeli Rackham, Elsie Danyo

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The industrialized food system creates environmental harm, reduces food sovereignty, and contributes to growing food insecurity. These problems oftentimes are overlooked in higher education. To address this gap, our project examines how access to sustainable food education and campus-community partnerships can improve well-being and informed decision-making amongst University of Montana students. This collaborative project connects partners within UM Wellness, PEAS Farm, the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, and the Big Sky Culinary Institute. Our research includes applied learning with these organizations by hosting a variety of speaker series presentations and coordinating a cooking workshop. We collected quantitative and qualitative …

Effects Of Rnai Of Ribophorin 1, Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2 Beta, And Peptidylprolyl Isomerase A In Acyrthosiphon Pisum, Brandon L. Kennemer

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Three genes found in the Unfolded protein response, Ribophorin 1, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 beta, and Peptidylprolyl isomerase A are thought to be potential targets for RNA Interference (RNAi) in Acyrthosiphon pisum.  Ribophorin 1 (RPN1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that assists in anchoring ribosomes to the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane.  It acts as a substrate-specific chaperone.  It facilitates N-glycosylation by delivering newly synthesized proteins to the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex.  Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 beta (eIF2B) is a key component of the eIF2 heterotrimer that facilitates protein synthesis initiation by binding GTP and recruiting a specific transfer RNA to …

Optimizing Insect Exclusion Systems For Organic Specialty Crop Production, Elaine Losekamp

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Feeding damage from insect pests is a leading challenge for specialty crop growers who follow organic practices. Past research has shown that fine-mesh row covers installed over mesotunnel structures, which form a physical barrier between plants and insects, often reduce insect pest abundance and increase yield compared to open field conditions. However, there are several challenges associated with this practice. Exclusion efficacy varies across a spectrum of insect body sizes and mesh sizes, and effects on yield vary across crops. Additionally, pollination management for pollinator-dependent crops introduces labor requirements and may result in reduced pest exclusion efficacy. Mechanical weed management …

Seasonal Population Dynamics And Interspecific Interactions Of Drosophila Suzukii, Eleanor Mccabe

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Invasive species are a growing problem, and it is important to investigate how invasives interact with novel ecosystems, which are characterized by distinct abiotic and biotic factors. In this dissertation, I investigate abiotic and biotic factors affecting two invasive pests in central Kentucky, Drosophila suzukii and Zaprionus indianus. In Kentucky, seasonality, and landscape features on population dynamics and fitness are unknown. I found that D. suzukii overwinters in Kentucky and that wild berry species improve winter survival. I used local weather data to identify meteorological variables that best predict D. suzukii populations. I tested the extent to which D. suzukii …

Fusarium Head Blight Of Hemp: A Destructive Disease Emerges On A New Host, Henry Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Hemp was reintroduced as a commercial crop in 2018 after a near 50-year production ban under the Controlled Substances Act. Since reintroduction, Kentucky has consistently ranked among the top five hemp producing states in the US. Surveys have shown that hemp is susceptible to a multitude of diseases that impact production. Among the most concerning diseases in Kentucky is Fusarium head blight (FHB). FHB is a major disease of cereals that is caused by various Fusarium species, predominately F. graminearum. FHB of hemp caused by F. graminearum was first reported in Kentucky in 2020. A survey of 25 different …

Between The Rails: Experiential Education And Its Impact On Compliance And Consistency In Racetrack Surface Management, Heather Mackenzie

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

Recent regulatory requirements within the Thoroughbred racing industry have increased expectations for consistent collection and reporting of racetrack surface data. Despite clear standards, implementation in daily operations remains inconsistent, highlighting a gap between regulation, knowledge, and practice. This study examined the impact of an experiential education curriculum on racetrack personnel’s self-efficacy and reporting consistency.

Using a quantitative design, data were collected through pre- and post-surveys measuring self-efficacy and records of the number of days surface data were entered. Descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and effect size analyses were used. Results showed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy (p < .001) with large effect sizes, indicating meaningful gains in confidence and comfortability. Reporting consistency did not show a statistically significant change (p = .885).

Overall, experiential education …

Understanding Knowledge And Perceptions Of The Beef Industry On A Land-Grant University Campus, Allison E. Reaves

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

A well-researched phenomenon in the agricultural industry is the effects of constant innovation coupled with an increasing divide between producer and consumer. This issue has been presented as especially prevalent within animal agriculture and the beef industry, a predominant concern considering Kentucky’s agricultural commodities. This study (n = 31) utilized a mixed-methods approach to understand the knowledge, perceptions, and behavior of beef consumers on a land-grant university campus. Methodologies included Python’s DeepFace emotion recognition, semi-structured interviews, and the JMALI agricultural literacy assessment. Findings revealed participants to be below expected agricultural literacy levels of high school graduates (M=11), with no …

Arkansas Corn And Grain Sorghum Performance Tests 2025, J. F. Carlin, J. P. Kelley, T. N. Spurlock, T. D. Swanson, R. D. Bond, J. C. Mccoy, C. J. Bulloch

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Report Statement This Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) publication summarizes variety trial research conducted by the Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement Program. Variety trial information presented here furthers the AAES mission of conducting research that benefits the citizens of Arkansas by expanding agricultural profitability and strengthening local and state economies. This information is not a recommendation or an endorsement of any product by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture or AAES. Recommendations interpreted from this information are made and presented by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Corn and grain sorghum performance tests are conducted each year in Arkansas by …

Technical Skills And Their Roles In Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Education, Ryan Loy, Logan L. Britton, F. Bailey Norwood

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The integration of advanced technical skills and supply chain management (SCM) tools is critical for the evolving demands of agribusiness. This study identifies the technical competencies, software proficiencies, and educational strategies essential for preparing students to excel in modern SCM roles. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 SCM professionals across US agribusiness sectors, the study highlights the demand for expertise in tools such as SAP, Power BI, and SQL alongside capabilities in data-driven decision-making and adaptability. Despite theoretical preparation, graduates often lack practical experience with industry-standard technologies, underscoring a gap in academic curricula. The findings suggest that agribusiness programs should emphasize …

The Role Of Agricultural Biomass In Supply Chain Decarbonization, Ruxia Lyu, Sobhan Arisian, Zhitang Li, Mohammad S. Taskhiri, Reza Kiani Mavi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To achieve supply chain decarbonization, environmentally conscious manufacturers are transforming their energy infrastructure. While certain manufacturers are adopting a pure bioenergy strategy in their production processes, others are opting for a hybrid energy approach that combines traditional energy with bioenergy. This choice is often influenced by limitations in land capacity and the developmental stage of biomass conversion technologies. This paper introduces a game-theoretic model that explores the optimal approach to achieving supply chain decarbonization by strategically selecting energy portfolios. Our findings reveal that in scenarios where the market size is small, manufacturers tend to adopt a hybrid energy strategy, particularly …

Agricultural Evidence Synthesis At A Critical Juncture: Quality Gaps And Implications For Evidence-Based Agriculture, Chao Cai, Jane Yatcilla, Justyna Czader, Sylvie Brouder, Jeffrey Volenec

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have become essential tools for synthesizing evidence to guide agricultural policy and practice, yet whether these syntheses are themselves conducted with sufficient rigor has rarely been systematically assessed. This study provides a field-wide assessment of reporting quality in agricultural evidence synthesis, examining whether existing reviews are conducted with sufficient transparency and rigor to support the policy and practice decisions they are meant to inform. We drew a random sample of 244 systematic reviews and meta-analyses from a bibliometric dataset of 1,709 articles published between 1997 and 2023, evaluating reporting quality using a 12-indicator rubric across four …

Optimizing Poultry Production And Enhancing Egg Nutrient Composition Through Kelp Supplementation In Laying Hens, Meghan Clifford

Open Access Dissertations

The development of sustainable feed supplements is a crucial component in addressing the current global need for resilient and environmentally responsible food systems. This dissertation has explored the potential of brown algae (Saccharina latissima) as a sustainable feed supplement for poultry with the potential to benefit production efficiency, product quality, and the global food supply. With both controlled feeding trials and a producer-based survey, the work in this dissertation investigates the nutritional, biological and practical implications of adopting kelp into poultry diets.

Chapter one provides a comprehensive overview of the current literature surrounding the use of marine sources …

A Course Correction? The Correlation Between Gfsi-Recognized Certifications And Salmonella In Raw Chicken Products, Kar Ho Lim, Lijiao Hu, Yuqing Zheng, Michael Ollinger

Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a widely recognized entity. Many third-party certifications, such as Safe Quality Food (SQF), Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standard (BRCGS), and Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC), benchmarked against GFSI standards. This study compares the Salmonella detection rates in raw chicken products from SQF, BRCGS, FSSC-certified establishments to those from uncertified ones. We performed a probit regression and calculated average marginal effects using testing data from the Food Safety Inspection Service. Overall, products from certified establishments are associated with 3.2 % lower positive rate of Salmonella detection. Certification is associated with a greater …

Neonicotinoid Bioaccumulation In Bluegill And Bullhead Within Lake Julia And Lake Zumwalde, Jake Stuber

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus, Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis, and Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus are unique in their stark differences. Bullhead are scaleless bottom feeders that can tolerate high pollution and low O₂ conditions. In contrast, Bluegill are scaled, aggressive nesters and are less tolerant of high pollutants or low-oxygen conditions. Among these pollutants include a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids (hereafter referred to as neonics). Neonics are a class of insecticides primarily used within agriculture and pest management. Due to the effectiveness, application has escalated on a global scale. They have been well documented by many toxicology assessments. …

Using L1-Magic For Feature Enhancement And Reduced Redundancy In Hyperspectral Data, Ashley Alfred

Mathematics Dissertations

Hyperspectral imaging offers detailed spectral information, but achieving high spatial resolution typically requires large and expensive equipment. This study explores an alternative approach: enhancing low-quality hyperspectral bands using an L1-norm minimization technique known as L1-magic. The goal is to improve the utility of low-cost hardware by preserving discriminative features, promoting sparsity, and reducing spectral redundancy. We apply L1-magic to enhance low-quality bands and hypothesize that this method selectively amplifies key features while suppressing redundant information. Experimental results indicate that the enhanced bands approach the quality of high-resolution data, enabling robust feature extraction without reliance on high-end hyperspectral cameras.