Life Sciences Commons^™

Forage News [2005-08], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• International Grassland Congress
• Grazing School
• Heart of America Grazing Conference
• U.K. All Commodity Field Day
• Alfalfa Hay Acres Up
• Time to Line Up Seed for Fall Planting
• Hay/Barn Fires
• Remember to Stockpile Fescue Starting Now
• USDA-ARS Forage-Animal Production Research Unit
• Field Experience with Strip Grazing Standing Corn as an Economical Alternative for Wintering Beef Cows in the Midwest
• Grazing Corn: Impact of Harvest Date on Yield
• Poultry Litter Rate Study in Tall Fescue
• Upcoming Events

Forage News [2005-07], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• U.K. All Commodity Field Day to be Held in Princeton July 28
• WKU Wins AFGC Grassland Evaluation Contest
• Kentuckian’s Fair Well at AFGC
• Using Poultry Litter on Pastures
• Hay Moisture Meters and More
• Does Fertilizer Harm Soil Microbes?
• Upcoming Events

Spatial Variation Of Protein, Oil, And Starch In Corn, Samuel G. Mcneill, Michael D. Montross, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Significant spatial yield variations are known to exist in cornfields with different soil types, topsoil depth, and other variables. Similarly, variations might also be found among the highly valued chemical components (oil, protein, and starch) in corn kernels due to local differences in soil type, fertility, acidity/pH, organic matter, etc. This study quantified the spatial variability of protein, oil, and starch content of corn from two conventional cornfields and two high-oil cornfields. Whole ears were harvested by hand from 20 to 40 randomly selected locations within each field. A differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver recorded the location of each …

Fertilizer, Tillage, And Dairy Manure Contributions To Nitrate And Herbicide Leaching, C. S. Stoddard, John H. Grove, Mark S. Coyne, William O. Thom

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Few studies have examined the water quality impact of manure use in no-tillage systems. A lysimeter study in continuous corn (Zea mays L.) was performed on Maury silt loam (fine, mixed, semiactive, mesic Typic Paleudalf) to evaluate the effect(s) of tillage (no-till [NT] and chisel-disk [CD]), nitrogen fertilizer rate (0 and 168 kg N ha⁻¹), and dairy manure application timing (none, spring, fall, or fall plus spring) on NO₃–N, atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine), and alachlor [2-chloro-2′-6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] concentrations in leachate collected at a 90-cm depth. Herbicides were highest immediately after application, declining to less …

Forage News [2005-06], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• UK College of Agriculture Research Farm Celebrates 50 Years
• Maintaining Healthy Horse Pastures (New Poster)
• Barren County Continued as Cattle Capital of Kentucky
• Toward Higher Quality Hay
• Harvest and Storage Method Affects Ergot Alkaloid Concentration in Tall Fescue
• Intake, Digestion, and N Metabolism in Steers Fed Endophyte-Free, Ergot Alkaloid-Producing Endophyte-Infected, or Nonergot-Alkaloid Producing Endophyte-Infected Fescue Hay
• Upcoming Events

Manganese Distribution Across The Blood-Brain Barrier. Iv. Evidence For Brain Influx Through Store-Operated Calcium Channels, Janelle S. Crossgrove, Robert A. Yokel

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Manganese (Mn) is a required co-factor for many ubiquitous enzymes; however, chronic Mn overexposure can cause manganism, a parkinsonian-like syndrome. Previous studies showed Mn influx into brain is carrier-mediated, though the putative carrier(s) were not established. Studies conducted with cultured bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells (bBMECs), which comprise the blood–brain barrier, revealed ⁵⁴Mn (II) uptake positively correlated with pH, was temperature-dependent, and was sodium- and energy-independent. Brain ⁵⁴Mn uptake correlated inversely with calcium (Ca) concentration, but ⁴⁵Ca uptake was unaltered by high Mn concentration. Lanthanum (La), a non-selective inhibitor of several Ca channel types, as well as …

Forage News [2005-05], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Spring Grazing School
• KFGC Officers
• Productivity of Simple and Complex Mixtures of Forages Compared in On-Farm Pastures
• Last Chance for the National Forage Conference in 2005
• Summary of Good Hay-Making Practices
• Losses from Alfalfa During Harvest Operations
• Changes in Alfalfa Quality with Rain Damage
• Alfalfa Reduces Energy Needs for Food Production
• Does Fertilizer Harm Soil Microbes?
• pH Makes a Difference!
• Upcoming Events

Permeability Of Corn, Soybeans, And Soft Red And White Winter Wheat As Affected By Bulk Density, Michael D. Montross, Samuel G. Mcneill

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Darcy’s law is a function of viscosity, permeability, and velocity and can be used to predict the airflow resistance in granular materials at low air velocities. Permeability also governs the magnitude of natural convection currents during periods of non-aerated grain storage. The permeability of corn, soybeans, soft white winter wheat, and soft red winter wheat were measured as a function of bulk density and moisture content. Air was passed through a column of grain and the flow rate and pressure drop measured. Bulk density and kernel density were also measured to determine the porosity of grain in the test column. …

Airflow Resistance Of Seeds At Different Bulk Densities Using Ergun's Equation, Marek Molenda, Michael D. Montross, Samuel G. Mcneill, Jozef Horabik

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Airflow resistance of grains and oilseeds has been extensively studied. Traditionally the data has been presented using Shedd’s curves. However, this assumes that airflow resistance is independent of grain depth. Grain undergoes compaction during storage that changes the bulk density, porosity, and therefore the airflow resistance. Ergun’s equation is a function of particle size and porosity of the granular material. Airflow resistance by Ergun’s equation was used to predict the pressure drop across a column of corn, soft white winter wheat, soft red winter wheat, and soybeans at three moisture content levels and two bulk densities. The maximum root mean …

Crop Yield Response To Precision Deep Tillage, Larry G. Wells, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Experimental precision deep tillage was applied at three sites in central Kentucky with relatively well-drained silt loam soils in no-till crop production. Fields were divided into 0.4 ha (1 ac) grid cells using DGPS mapping. Assessment of soil compaction by machinery traffic was made using multiple soil cone penetrometer measurements and expressed as cone index (CI). Corn, wheat, and soybean yields were depressed in grid cells with CI_avg ≥ 1.5 MPa (218 psi) prior to application of tillage treatments at sites 1 and 3, whereas at site 2, where most of the highest average CI values ranged from 1.44 …

Effect Of Fat And Casein Particles In Milk On The Scattering Of Elliptically Polarized Light, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Jeremie Wade, Janakiraman N. Swamy, Mustafa M. Aslan, M. Pinar Mengüç

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

In this article, we present an experimental approach to determine the milk fat content using scattered light intensity profiles. The elements of the scattering (Mueller) matrix have been shown to provide valuable information about variation of the optical properties of scattering particles. The scattering behavior of fat and casein in terms of the scattering matrix elements was experimentally determined for milk with varying fat levels ranging from 0.05 wt% (skim) to 3.20 wt% (whole). Three of the scattering Mueller matrix elements, specifically S₁₁, S₁₂/S₁₁, and S₃₃/S₁₁, were found to be …

Thinking Critically About Science And Religion: Disclosure Interviews Massimo Pigliucci, Jeff West, Viva Nordberg

disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory

No abstract provided.

'Paclims': A Component Lim System For High-Throughput Functional Genomic Analysis, Nicole Donofrio, Ravi Rajagopalon, Douglas Brown, Stephen Diener, Donald Windham, Shelly Nolin, Anna Floyd, Thomas Mitchell, Natalia Galadima, Sara Tucker, Marc J. Orbach, Gayatri Patel, Mark Farman, Vishal Pampanwar, Cari Soderlund, Yong-Hwan Lee, Ralph A. Dean

Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in sequencing techniques leading to cost reduction have resulted in the generation of a growing number of sequenced eukaryotic genomes. Computational tools greatly assist in defining open reading frames and assigning tentative annotations. However, gene functions cannot be asserted without biological support through, among other things, mutational analysis. In taking a genome-wide approach to functionally annotate an entire organism, in this application the approximately 11,000 predicted genes in the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea), an effective platform for tracking and storing both the biological materials created and the data produced across several participating institutions was required.

RESULTS: …

Forage News [2005-04], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Thanks to Barnhart Fund for Excellence
• Kentucky Grazing School
• New Alfalfa Website
• Ancient Crop: Modern Use?
• Kentucky Van to AFGC in Illinois
• Pennington Seed & AgResearch Announce Part Settlement of Tall Fescue Endophyte Patent Lawsuit
• Contracting Toxic-Endophyte Contamination Between Endophyte-Free and Nontoxic-Endophyte Tall Fescue Pastures
• Upcoming Events

Forage News [2005-03], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Spring Grazing School
• Alfalfa Award Winners
• Hay Contest Winners
• New Grass Seed DVD Available
• Tom Keene Joins UK Forage Team
• Roundup Ready Alfalfa
• Novel or Friendly (Nontoxic) Endophytes
• Evaluation of a Tasco Supplement on Reproductive Rate in Suckled Postpartum Beef Cows
• Keys to a Profitable Forage Program
• Upcoming Events

Controller Area Network Based Distributed Control For Autonomous Vehicles, Matthew J. Darr, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The goal of this project was to evaluate the potential of a controller area network (CAN bus) to be used as the communication network for a distributed control system on an autonomous agricultural vehicle. The prototype system utilized microcontroller-driven nodes to act as control points along a CAN bus. Messages were transferred to the steering, transmission, and hitch control nodes via a task computer. The task computer utilized global positioning system data to generate appropriate control commands. Laboratory and field testing demonstrated that each of the control nodes could function simultaneously over the CAN bus. Results showed that the task …

Photo Highlights Of The 25th Kentucky Alfalfa Conference, Kentucky Alfalfa Conference

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Photos Of The 25th Kentucky Alfalfa Conference Award Winners, Kentucky Alfalfa Conference

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Alfalfa: The Queen Of Forage Crops, It Don't Get Any Better, Warren C. Thompson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

For anyone who has grown or used alfalfa, there is no question but that alfalfa is the best forage crop they have dealt with. Perhaps that is one reason that we in professional agriculture have given so much special interest to the crop and why it is held in such high esteem and the position it demands in research and refinement investments over the years at the private and public sectors.

Alfalfa: Crop For The Future, N. P. Martin, R. D. Hatfield, D. R. Mertens, P. J. Weimer

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa use by dairy cattle has decreased in recent years because of excessive nonprotein nitrogen and low fiber digestibility. Ideal attributes for plant modification of alfalfa may include those that increase milk potential per acre and/or per ton, enhance digestible NDF, improve protein content and amino acid balance, improve agronomic traits for insect protection (safer forage supply), herbicide tolerance, virus resistance, drought tolerance, cold tolerance, improved mineral availability and enhanced yield. Progress in attaining these attributes will accelerate with the use of biotechnology. Livestock and hay enterprises will benefit from alfalfa that is less prone to contain mycotoxins or toxic …

History Of Roundup Ready Alfalfa, Mark Mccaslin

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In late 1997 Forage Genetics International (FGI) and Monsanto began a joint project to develop Roundup Ready alfalfa. FGI collaborated with Montana State University to produce the first transgenic Roundup Ready alfalfa plants. The same CP4 glyphosate tolerance gene that has been effectively used in developing multiple other Roundup Ready crops, was successfully inserted into an elite FGI alfalfa plant in early 1998.

Alfalfa In Our Dairy Operation, Lee Robey

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Welcome to Robey Farms. Our farm has been in our family for six generations. The farm was founded by my great grandfather, Herbert Robey, in 1899. Four generations live and are actively involved in the farm operation today. My mom and dad, Jane and D.L., my wife Denise and I, our oldest son Chris and his wife Jessica and three grandchildren, Jessalyn, Ethan, and Whitley, our middle son Adam and his wife Amanda, our youngest son Eli, who is a Sophomore at U.K. majoring in Ag. Economics, and my older brother Carr.

Growing Alfalfa For Wildlife, Don Ball

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has long been recognized as a superb forage crop, which is why it is widely grown for dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and many other types of domesticated forage-consuming animals. Reasons for its popularity include wide adaptation, excellent nutritive value, good yield potential, perennial growth habit, a long growing season, and the fact that (in association with Rhizobium bacteria) it is a nitrogen-fixing legume that does not require periodic applications of nitrogen fertilizer.

Progress Towards Sclerotinia--Resistant Varieties, Paul C. Vincelli

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Sclerotinia crown and stem rot (SCSR), caused by the fungus Sclerotinia trifoliorum, is one of the most important factors limiting the success of late-summer alfalfa seedings in the region. Infections of S. trifoliorum that progress into the crown of a fall-sown alfalfa plant can kill it during winter or spring green up. Stand losses by the following spring may be insignificant (1-3%) or nearly total, with 95-99% of the stand being dead (and often even rotted away and gone by spring green-up).

Alfalfa Hay For Horses (And Horse Owners!), Laurie Lawrence, Bryan Cassill

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is one of the most common hays fed to horses in Kentucky. Other hays that are often used include timothy and orchardgrass. As a legume, alfalfa has many nutritional advantages over timothy or orchardgrass. Alfalfa hay contains more protein and calcium than grass hays and thus is an excellent source of these nutrients for broodmares and growing horses. Another legume that may be useful as a hay for horses is red clover. Nutritionally, red clover has many of the same advantages as alfalfa. However, red clover has some non-nutritional characteristics which have traditionally limited its popularity with horse owners. …

Advances In Alfalfa Seed Coating, Bill Talley

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Seed coating for alfalfa has been available since the mid to late 70’s. Over the last 30 years, advances in the industry have made it the choice of many producers. The purpose of the coatings at that time was mainly to add weight to increase the ballistic properties and to be a carrier for the rhizobia. Through research and new technology, coatings have evolved and shown great agronomic benefits. Seed coating can provide an opportunity to supply effective quantities of needed materials to each seed, which can influence both the physical property, and the microenvironment of the seed. Coatings can …

Impact Of Alfalfa In Lincoln County, Dan Grigson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Lincoln County is located 45 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky. It is part of 3 geographical regions of the state-the outer Bluegrass, the Knobs, and the Eastern Pennyroyal area. Thus the land ranges from moderate sloping fields that can be row cropped to fields that are nearly too steep to mow. The majority of the land is best suited for hay and pasture production. The soil fertility is moderately high with limestone, sandstone, shale and siltstone parent material. The land is very well suited to growing very productive forage crops.

Teaching Stand Management Using Virtual Alfalfa Plants, S. Ray Smith, Lars Muendermann, Av Singh

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

A ‘virtual’ alfalfa plant model was developed at the University of Manitoba in Canada as part of a comprehensive grazing research project. This model shows an alfalfa plant ‘growing’ on a computer screen and the plant’s response to grazing (similar to time-lapse photography). The original model was designed and constructed by Av Singh to show the research potential of visually modeling alfalfa plant growth. The ability to visually ‘grow’ a plant on a computer screen also provides an excellent teaching and extension tool.

Kentucky Alfalfa Conference 25th Anniversary, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Today marks the 25th consecutive year we have come together for a full day’s conference featuring "Alfalfa - Queen of the Forages" as the theme and focal point. Only one other state in the U.S. has such an annual event.

Foreword And Recipients Of Kentucky Alfalfa Awards [2005], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.