Life Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Fermentation Level On The Utilization Of Silage Protein, Liisa Syrjala

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The utilization of silage nitrogenous compounds by ruminants depends to a great degree on the fermentation level of silage. When the fermenta­tion level is high, the crude protein fraction contains high amounts of soluble nitrogenous compounds and the sugar content is low, the utilization of nitrogenous compounds decreases. The soluble carbohydrate supplements, es­pecially sugar, fed together with silage, can in this case improve their utilization. When the fermentation level of silage is low, the benefi­cial effect of sugar on the utilization of silage protein is less.

Estimating The Feeding Value Of Grass And Leguminous Crops By Means Of Easily Determinable Parameters, P Zwierz, B Hoffmann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Numerous studies involving different types of green forage material have shown that the lig­nin content is a suitable parameter for predicting the energetic feed value. Regression analyses for pasture grass and alfalfa included correlation coefficients of 0.984 and 0.959, respectively. Although for green 'rorage ma­terials the lignin content proved to provide reliable results when used as the sole parameter for calculation, further studies have shown that for other types of feed the content of easily soluble and hydrolizable carbohydrates should be incorporated into the calculation in addition to the crude protein content. The validity of in vitro methods for determining …

Evaluation Of Quality Factors In Warm Season Forages, Warren G. Monson, Glenn W. Burton, Wayne W. Hanna

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Improved forage quality is a feasible objective. Coastcross-1 bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., selected for high dry matter digesti­bility, has consistently enhanced the perform­ance of the animals consuming it. Variation in quality factors of other species, particularly Paspalum notatum var. Saurae Parodi and Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. Schum., makes it possible to improve digestibility. Pearl millet varieties with improved animal­production potential have been developed and released for farmer use. The varieties have

been selected for higher digestibility and short stature, with reduced stem fractions. The assessment of the digestion of fresh forage permits evaluation of the effects of other factors, …

Investigations Of Quality Factors In Cocksfoot (Dactylis Glomerata), Gosta Julen, Per Martensson, Jan Sjdoin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The investigations reported show a clear and constant difference in digestibility of organic matter (DOM) between the crosses 14 x 18 and 16 x 20. This difference cannot be explained by the differences obtained in the relationship between leaves and stems, through the differ­ences in content of crude protein, fiber, or ash; nor can it be explained by the differences in the fiber composition. Sometimes it is proposed that the differences in DOM might be explained by differences in silica content, which is high in cocksfoot and is expressed by a high in­soluble ash content. However, since the leaves have …

Estimating The Digestibility Of Herbage By Means Of An In Vitro Technique Based On Cellulase, Kurt Nehring

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A rapid method based on cellulase was devised to estimate the digestibility of feeds. The method is easily applicable and readily reproducible; the standard error of the values is small. The digestibility coefficients established by means of cellulase (DCceBJ were found to be somewhat lower than the in vivo values; the differences go up as the vegetation advances. As the lagging behind of the DC reveals a marked dependence on the crude fibre content, it should be possible to translate to the animal the results obtained by means of the cellulase method. On account of its rapidity and sensibility this …

On The Estimation Of Digestibility And Net Energy In Green Forage And Roughage By Means Of A Cellulase Method, R J. Kellner, M Kirchgessner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In vitro methods using rumen liquor for the determination of the digestibility of forages have the disadvantage of difficult use and restricted reproducibility. Therefore, the cel­lulolytic properties of the rumen inoculum were replaced by a commercial cellulase in order to get a simpler and more reproducible procedure. The values of in vivo digestibilities are reached if the cellulase digestion of feed samples is pretreated with dlilute hydrochloric acid and is followed by pepsin digestion. This cellulase digestibility alone or in combination with the contents of several crude nutrients can serve as parameter to estimate the energy value of feeds. The …

Forage And Feedstuff Analysis With Infrared Reflectance Spectro/Computer System1, J S. Shenk, K H. Norris, R F. Barnes, G W. Fissel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An infrared reflectance spectro/computer sys­tem (IRSCS) has been established at The Pennsylvania State University to evaluate the nutritional quality of forage and feedstuffs. Studies with alfalfa forage clearly show that the reflectance spectral curve of the forage is a composite curve consisting of various chemical constituents in the forage such as water, protein and cellulose. Chemical constituents are not measured directly by IRSCS but calibration prediction equations are developed from sam­ples with known chemical constituents and animal response data. After this is completed, forage samples can be analyzed for multiple chemical constituents and animal responses in less than 2 minutes. …

Quantitative Recording Of Roughages, Ingrid Marx

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As site-adapted concentration and specializa­tion of production proceed and certain farms gradually specialize in forage production, roughages must be looked upon as commodi­ties. In accordance with the character of com­modity production, roughages must therefore be planned and accounted also in terms of quan­tity, quality, costs, and returns. In the paper, several methods of quantitative recording are described for the following rough­age groups: pasture grass, green forage, silages, hay, and dried green crop. They allow an exact control over roughage production in the crop production enterprises.

The Application Of The Gdr Feed Evaluation System In The Velgast Inter-Farm Cooperative Crop Production Divi­Sion (Kap), Wolfgang Weidlich, Fritz Luddecke, Manfred Beyer, Werner Jentsch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experience is reported regarding the applica­tion of the GDR Feed Evaluation System in managing and planning the forage production along industrial lines in the Velgast KAP. The following priorities of application are dis­cussed:

(1) Determining the feed supply and balancing it against the feed requirements of the ani­mals to be fed, for the purpose of planning the forage production and analyzing the performance reached in forage production;

(2) Utilization of the results of energy and nu­trient yield assessment over several years, and of feed planning in order to derive op­timum cropping patterns;

(3) Implementation of exact assessment of feed quantity …

Planning And Balancing Of Feed Requirements And Feed Production According To Standards Of The Energy And Protein Requirements Specified In The Gdr Feed Evalua­Tion System, Arthur Chudy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

"Feed planning and balancing according to standards of the energy and protein require­ments" has been elaborated as an integral part of the GDR Feed Evaluation System to ensure that feed supply can be planned according to actual requirements, and has, by using com­puter techniques, been introduced in the GDR for planning activities at enterprise level as well as for national planning at territorial levels. The standards characterize the feed require­ments encountered under average production conditions for large livestock populations and longer spans of time. They have been derived for all animal species and production objectives from the requirement standards for …

Roughage Quality Estimation In The Gdr Feed Evaluation System, Bernd Hoffmann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The quality of a feed is defined as the sum of the properties characterizing the feed in terms of its employment for animal production pur­poses. It unites parameters for the energy con­centration, contents of specific nutrients, die­tary characteristics, and properties· affecting feed intake. To facilitate roughage quality esti­mation, feed testing and attestation documents have been elaborated in connection with the introduction of the GDR Feed Evaluation Sys­tem. These documents include attestation tables for determining major feed value parameters (energy concentration, protein concentration, energy digestibility), the classification frames for assessing the roughage according to its content of specific nutrients, dietary chara1:­teristics …

How A Drying Plant Influences Intensification In The Development Of Forage Production Along Industrial Lines, Josef Pohl, Manfred Fechner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since the opening of the Selbelang drying plant, essential changes have occurred in the roughage patterns of the socialist farms in this territory. This development has been charac­terized by a strong decline in hay production, the latter depending strongly on weather con­ditions and involving heavy losses, in favour of the processing and use of dried green crop. Drying of whole plants and straw pelleting have been introduced. Furthermore, the quality of dried roughage has been essentially improved and winter-feeding rations have been stabilized through the use of high-quality dry feeds. Losses from preservation declined. Applying these measures of intensification it …

The Evaluation Of Roughages Under The Gdr Feed Evalua­Tion System, Reinhard Schiemann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The purpose and content of the GDR Feed Evaluation System are discussed in the form of a summary report. The GDR Feed Eval­uation System incorporates, in a form suitable for practical application, the following:

Parameters and methods for the complex evaluation of feeds with particular refer­ence to energy and protein (including amino acids), prepared in the form of detailed feed tables for feeding and planning pur­poses [9, 10];

Parameters and methods for determining daily feed requirements and application rates, in the fonn of energy and nutrient • requirement standards for composing op­timum rations according to animal species and performance (9, …

Water Dogs-Master Gardener Driven Landscape Water And Soil Conservation Program, Sarah J Browning, Kelly Feehan, Nicole Stoner, Roch Gaussion, Elizabeth Exstrom, John Fech, David Lott

Journal of Extension

``Set it and forget it'' is a common practice with automatic irrigation systems and can lead to excessive irrigation, unhealthy root systems, and water waste. The Water Dogs program in Nebraska focuses on educating Extension Master Gardener volunteers (EMGVs). The goal was to increase their understanding of turfgrass water needs, efficient irrigation methods, and soil health management practices, and to promote greater engagement of EMGVs with homeowner audiences to share and demonstrate the knowledge gained and practices learned through ``Neighbor-to-Neighbor'' workshops. The overall goal is to conserve water and improve soil and plant health.

Exotic Two-Spined Trap-Jaw Ants (Odontomachus Haematodus) In Urban Parks Of Hattiesburg, Mississippi: Recommended Sampling Methods And Notes On Nesting Biology, Caroline M. Marley, Vinny Halsey, Lila Blackburn, Kayla D. Stan, Kaitlin M. Baudier

Midsouth Entomologist

The two-spined trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus haematodus (Linnaeus), is native to South America and was introduced to the United States via Mobile, Alabama in the mid-twentieth century. Misidentification as a native congener for several decades has inhibited the study of the ecology of O. haematodus in its introduced range within the Gulf Coastal Plain. We conducted a multimethod survey to: 1) assess the abundance of O. haematodus across urban parks in Hattiesburg, MS, the northernmost published record in this species’ exotic range, 2) establish which sampling methodologies are most effective for conducting urban surveys of O. haematodus, and 3) study …

Abstracts Of The 71st Annual Conference Of The Mississippi Association Of Entomologists, Nematologists, And Plant Pathologists (Maenpp)

Midsouth Entomologist

October 27 & 28, 2025

Stability Of The Apogee Galvanic Cell Sensors In The Utah State University Biological Oxygen Demand System, Tia Lawrence, Carson Richards, Bruce Bugbee

Techniques and Instruments

The Utah State University Crop Physiology Laboratory has developed a six-chamber biological oxygen demand (BOD) system to quantify respiration (Kusuma & Bugbee, 2020). Like all instruments, accuracy depends on the ability to get a zero in empty containers. Here we report the signal output and zero stability in empty containers over a five-day interval.

Bridging The Gap In Science Research: Preparing Students For College- Level Research In The Sciences, Victoria Helwig, Yaoguang Li

UConn Library Presentations

Many first-year students enter college unprepared to fully engage with scientific literature and academic library resources. Drawing on experiences from academic librarians working with STEM students, this session explores common gaps in science research skills, including navigating databases, identifying scholarly sources, and understanding the structure of scientific literature. Participants will be introduced to practical strategies and classroom-ready activities to better prepare students for college-level research. Discussion questions: What science research skills do students struggle with most when entering college? How can high school instruction better support these skills? Where can librarians and educators collaborate to support student success?

Vines In The Landscape: Japanese Wisteria, Saroj Burlakoti, Youping Sun, Shital Poudyal

All Current Publications

Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) is a vigorous, woody, deciduous climbing vine known for its spectacular, drooping (pendulous) clusters of pea-like flowers. This fact sheet provides information on planting and management guidelines, as well as its landscape performance in Utah.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Alpine Smelowskia (Smelowskia Ovalis), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Alpine smelowskia (Smelowskia ovalis) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia Laxa), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Ithuriel's spear (Triteleia laxa)
 using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Irrigation Water Conservation And Accelerated Composting: An Exploration Of Environmentally Conscious Practices For Ornamental Horticulture, William James Carson Dunford

LSU Master's Theses

Best management practices for ornamental horticulture include proper management of irrigation water resources and substrate components. The first study investigated the effects of wind speed, wind direction, water pressure, and spray stake height on irrigation efficiency in nursery containers. Results indicated that lower spray stake height positions and lower wind speeds significantly improved the irrigation water volume captured within nursery containers by as much as 18% to 39%. Orienting spray stakes against prevailing winds further enhanced water retention, particularly at 0 and 1 inch heights. In contrast, higher stake elevations led to increased irrigation water loss by as much as …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Thompson Mistmaiden (Romanzoffia Thompsonii), Nora Dunkirk, Gabriel Campbell, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Thompson mistmaiden (Romanzoffia thompsonii) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For California Pinefoot (Pityopus Californicus), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for California Pinefoot (Pityopus californicus) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Towards 2035: Future Forms And Strategic Path Of Chinese Agriculture, Liu Tao, Zeyu Yang, Zhaohui Dong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Agricultural modernization is an integral component of the national modernization. Toward 2035, China’s agricultural system confronts multiple challenges, including increasing resource and environmental pressures, rapid upgrading of residents’ consumption structure, and in-depth adjustments in the international supply chain pattern. Meanwhile, it also embraces a series of opportunities brought by transformations in agricultural production technologies and models driven by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and engineering technology. Based on the perspective of national medium and long-term development strategy, this study sorts out the internal constraints, external opportunities, and development drivers faced by China’s agriculture. It explores six major strategic trends—ecological, intelligent, customized, facility-based, …

Plant Diversity In Laos, And Its Strategic Significance For Building China-Laos Community With A Shared Future For Biodiversity, Meng Honghu, Bo Li, Wenbin Yu, Yaowu Xing

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Laos is the first country to sign the bilateral cooperation document for construction of the community with a shared future with China. Over the years, Laos and China have established clear directions for cooperation in politics, economy, security, culture, and ecology, opening a new chapter in the development of China-Laos relations. At present, global environmental governance is facing severe challenges, and the biodiversity loss has become a major international issue of growing concern. Nevertheless, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development remain relatively limited. Laos shares a boarder with China and is characterized by complex natural environments with rich plant resource. Yet, …

Catalogue Of The Water Striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) Of Mississippi, Chase G. Fry, Patricia L.S. Wooden

Midsouth Entomologist

Water striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) are skating aquatic insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts that opportunistically feed on prey trapped by surface tension. The presence or absence of water striders and other aquatic Hemiptera in water systems may be important indicators of water quality. Despite their importance, the last aquatic Hemiptera checklist for the state was published in 1988. Since this publication, humans have altered waterways to meet their needs, and Gerridae taxonomy has continued to evolve. This study aims to create a current checklist of Gerridae, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the species found in Mississippi before aquatic habitats are …

2025 Soybean Invertebrate Losses In The United States, Fred R. Musser, Sebe A. Brown, Tim Bryant, Whitney D. Crow, Jeffrey A. Davis, Christina Difonzo, Ashleigh M. Faris, Chase Floyd, Scott H. Graham, Jeremy K. Greene, Kelly A. Hamby, David Kerns, Janet Knodel, David Owens, Dominic D. Reisig, Phillip M. Roberts, Nicholas J. Seiter, Adam J. Sisson, Benjamin C. Thrash, Kelley J. Tilmon, Adam J. Varenhorst

Midsouth Entomologist

Estimated management costs and losses due to insects and other invertebrates in soybeans during the 2025 growing season were collected and compiled from 20 states to provide a record of insect pressure and management practices for the year. These annual estimates provide a historical record of pest pressure and insect management and have been compiled in some states since 2004. Participating states accounted for 68% of soybean acreage in the United States, with near 100% participation in the southern states. As has been true in previous years, the stink bug complex was the costliest insect pest in soybean followed by …

Nitrogen Management Strategies For Specialty Tea Production In Louisiana: Rate, Source Type, And Nutrient Dynamics, Autumn D. Hilderbrand

LSU Master's Theses

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is an emerging specialty crop in Louisiana and the southeastern United States; however, region-specific nitrogen (N) management recommendations remain limited. This research evaluated N fertilizer source, application rate, and nutrient leaching to identify management strategies that improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and environmental sustainability during tea establishment.

Three complementary studies evaluated N source replacement, application rate, and fertilizer source effects on nutrient retention and movement. The first study evaluated the replacement of urea ammonium sulfate (UAS) with blood meal (BM) while maintaining a constant annual N application rate. Fertilizer replacement did not significantly affect leaf …

A Comparative Expression Analysis Of Selected Genes Involved In Secondary Metabolites Biosynthesis Among Three Alfalfa Cultivars Grown In Iraq, Izdehar Yahia Obaid, Bushra M. J. Alwash

Al-Bahir

Because of its abundance in proteins, vital amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that promote balanced nutrition, Medicago sativa L., also known as alfalfa, is regarded as a nutritionally excellent forage crop. In addition to its nutritional value, alfalfa produces a range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, further supporting its use in medicinal and nutritional applications. Three alfalfa cultivars grown in Iraq were examined for gene expression levels of the primary genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis (PAL, COMT, CHS, and OMT). Among these cultivars are Victoria (VC), Green Gold (GC), and a local cultivar (LC). …