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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Nutrition During Adolescent Growth Spurts: What Changes And What To Expect, Georgia Wilde, Stacy Bevan, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos Oct 2026

Nutrition During Adolescent Growth Spurts: What Changes And What To Expect, Georgia Wilde, Stacy Bevan, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

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This fact sheet explains the nutritional changes that occur during adolescent growth spurts and provides practical, evidence-based guidance to caregivers on supporting healthy growth and development.


Cow Size And Reproductive Efficiency: A Western Ranch Perspective, David Secrist Oct 2026

Cow Size And Reproductive Efficiency: A Western Ranch Perspective, David Secrist

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Production costs and reproductive efficiency are critical elements to the survival of cow-calf operations in the West. A cow’s ability to produce a healthy calf at a marketable weight is closely tied to her maintenance requirements and management’s ability to meet those needs from ranch resources at a low cost. This fact sheet explores public-land grazing, cow reproductive efficiency, and solutions for producers.


Part Ii: Sustainable Irrigation Practices For Cut Flowers, Chloe Seeborg, Melanie Stock, Burdette Barker, Alex Rodriguez, Jonathan D. Meyer Oct 2026

Part Ii: Sustainable Irrigation Practices For Cut Flowers, Chloe Seeborg, Melanie Stock, Burdette Barker, Alex Rodriguez, Jonathan D. Meyer

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Sustainable irrigation uses crop and environmental information to guide the frequency (how often) and amount (how much) of water to apply. Without this balance, poor irrigation practices can result, causing crop stress from too little or too much water, nutrient loss and contamination, or wasted water that drains below the root zone. This fact sheet covers the basics of soil water storage, crop water demand, considerations for designating irrigation zones, using free weather stations, and water conservation strategies for gardens and small farms, with a focus on cut flowers.


Outdoor Floral Hemp Research In Utah, Matt Yost, Tina Sullivan, Bruce Bugbee, Earl Creech Oct 2026

Outdoor Floral Hemp Research In Utah, Matt Yost, Tina Sullivan, Bruce Bugbee, Earl Creech

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Floral hemp producers in the Intermountain West face numerous management decisions: which cultivar to plant, which irrigation system to use, and how much water and fertilizer to apply. Utah State University field research near Logan, Utah, from 2020 to 2022 evaluated these questions in outdoor, irrigated conditions.


Agrivoltaics: Combining Food And Solar Power On Agricultural Lands, Dharla Soteros, Kendall Becker, Spencer J. Good, Ngoni Mufute, Matt Yost, Logan Mitchell, Scott Hotaling Oct 2026

Agrivoltaics: Combining Food And Solar Power On Agricultural Lands, Dharla Soteros, Kendall Becker, Spencer J. Good, Ngoni Mufute, Matt Yost, Logan Mitchell, Scott Hotaling

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Utah’s ranchers and farmers face pressure to sell land to developers, conserve water, and manage increasing production costs (Li et al., 2019). One way producers can keep growing food while diversifying and increasing revenue is by integrating agriculture and solar electricity generation on the same land, a practice known as agrivoltaics. In this fact sheet, the authors describe agrivoltaic setup options, summarize agrivoltaics' impacts on livestock and crop production, and discuss implementation economics.


Top 5 Tree Planting Mistakes, Miles Becker, Daniel Allen Oct 2026

Top 5 Tree Planting Mistakes, Miles Becker, Daniel Allen

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Planting mistakes can substantially shorten a tree’s life. The consequences of planting mistakes may show up within a year or two or remain hidden until a tree dies inexplicably years later. In many cases, these planting mistakes are easy to avoid, saving the tree owner substantial money and time. Homeowners can use this list of five common planting problems to check the quality of work by hired professionals, as instructions for gardeners or landscapers, or as a quick reminder for more experienced tree planters. By making a few simple changes to tree planting, we will all benefit from longer-lived, larger …


Do Soil Amendments Improve Crop Production And Poor Water Infiltration?, Matt Yost, Megan Baker, Tejinder Singh, Grant Cardon Oct 2026

Do Soil Amendments Improve Crop Production And Poor Water Infiltration?, Matt Yost, Megan Baker, Tejinder Singh, Grant Cardon

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Soil amendments are widely promoted as tools to improve aggregation, porosity, water holding capacity, nutrient availability, and water infiltration of soils. These benefits are possible, but they depend on the specific soil problem being treated, amendment type and rate, soil chemistry, soil texture and structure, and the time since application. Studies at Utah State University provide a useful short-term test of what growers can reasonably expect from a single surface application of these amendments.


Appraising The Monetary Value Of Trees, Miles Becker, Mark Malmstrom Oct 2026

Appraising The Monetary Value Of Trees, Miles Becker, Mark Malmstrom

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Trees have economic value like other property items. Permanently rooted in the ground, trees are considered real property, just as a house on a fixed foundation is real property. Damage or loss of a tree incurs a loss in value to its owner, who may be legally entitled to monetary compensation. This fact sheet discusses tree appraisals by a qualified professional to determine the cost to repair or replace a tree.


The Economics Of Calving Interval, David Secrist Oct 2026

The Economics Of Calving Interval, David Secrist

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This fact sheet provides information on cow reproductive efficiency to increase ranch profitability. It discusses monitoring the herd, heifers, mature cows, and calf prices.


Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Gardening Indoors, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle Oct 2026

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Gardening Indoors, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

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Extending your growing season is a great way to produce more food earlier in spring, later in fall, or even during winter. One of the best ways to do this is to use indoor gardening and greenhouse systems, which let you grow plants beyond what is possible outdoors or alongside outdoor growing. This guide focuses on soil-based indoor gardening.


Home On The Range: Where Deer And Antelope Compete With Feral Horses For Limited Resources, Katelyn Davies, Hannah B. Klugman, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, David C. Stoner Sep 2026

Home On The Range: Where Deer And Antelope Compete With Feral Horses For Limited Resources, Katelyn Davies, Hannah B. Klugman, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, David C. Stoner

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Given projections for continued drought conditions in the West, a better understanding of how native wildlife respond to competition with feral horses will be critical for developing effective conservation programs in the future. This fact sheet provides information on feral horses and presents study data comparing their use of water resources with that of native wildlife.


Organic Cherry Pest Management, Marion Murray, Ann Mull Sep 2026

Organic Cherry Pest Management, Marion Murray, Ann Mull

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Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) and sweet cherry (P. avium) are important commercial crops and popular backyard trees. Tart cherries are commonly processed into dried or canned products, while sweet cherries are generally eaten fresh. Organic cherry production in the Intermountain West can be challenging because of pests such as western cherry fruit fly and arid growing conditions. However, with careful planning and appropriate management practices, it is possible to produce a good crop using organic pest management strategies. This fact sheet outlines general, pest, and disease management options.


The Organic Production Interests Of Utah's Agricultural Producers, Kynda R. Curtis, Salma Shrity, Michele Schahczenski Sep 2026

The Organic Production Interests Of Utah's Agricultural Producers, Kynda R. Curtis, Salma Shrity, Michele Schahczenski

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This fact sheet provides an overview of survey respondents’ demographic characteristics and farming operation details, including acreage under production, annual gross sales, primary agricultural products, and marketing channels used. It also describes respondents’ organic production experiences, including years certified, certified acreage, and the primary motivations behind adopting organic production methods. The findings presented provide valuable insights into the characteristics, experiences, and needs of Utah producers related to organic agriculture. Extension educators, agricultural service providers, policymakers, and industry organizations can use this information to develop targeted educational programs, technical resources, and support services that address producer challenges, strengthen organic production capacity, …


The Impact Of Producer Attitudes And Concerns On Organic Adoption Decisions, Salma Shrity, Kynda R. Curtis Sep 2026

The Impact Of Producer Attitudes And Concerns On Organic Adoption Decisions, Salma Shrity, Kynda R. Curtis

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Researchers analyzed survey data to identify producer and operation characteristics, attitudes, and concerns that may influence decisions to adopt organic production methods. This fact sheet presents findings related to producer perceptions of organic production, market opportunities, and certification requirements, including factors that may encourage or discourage adoption of organic practices. The results provide insights to guide Extension educators, agricultural service providers, and organizations in developing targeted educational programs, technical assistance, and resources to support producers interested in organic agriculture.


Utah Agricultural Producer Barriers To Adopting Organic Production Methods, Salma Shrity, Kynda R. Curtis, Michele Schahczenski Sep 2026

Utah Agricultural Producer Barriers To Adopting Organic Production Methods, Salma Shrity, Kynda R. Curtis, Michele Schahczenski

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This fact sheet discusses the study results from Utah State University researchers that identified the primary barriers Utah producers perceive in adopting organic production methods. The study findings will help guide the development of educational programs, technical assistance, and outreach efforts by the Utah Transition to Organic Production Program (TOPP), Extension, and partner organizations to address producer needs and support the successful adoption of organic production systems in Utah.


The Role Of Producer And Operation Characteristics In Organic Production Adoption Decisions, Salma Shrity, Kynda R. Curtis Sep 2026

The Role Of Producer And Operation Characteristics In Organic Production Adoption Decisions, Salma Shrity, Kynda R. Curtis

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Survey data were used to examine producer and farm or operation characteristics, as well as producer attitudes and concerns related to producing and selling organic products that may affect decisions to use organic production methods. This fact sheet discusses the study results related to the producer and operation characteristics that may or may not impact the adoption of organic production methods. The study findings provide valuable information for designing targeted Extension programming, educational resources, and technical assistance that address the needs of different producer groups. By understanding which producer and operation characteristics are associated with organic adoption, organizations can better …


The Organic Educational And Resource Needs Of Utah's Agricultural Producers, Kynda R. Curtis, Salma Shrity, Michele Schahczenski Sep 2026

The Organic Educational And Resource Needs Of Utah's Agricultural Producers, Kynda R. Curtis, Salma Shrity, Michele Schahczenski

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The findings presented in this fact sheet identify producer priorities for educational content, resources, and support services. This information can guide the development of targeted educational and outreach programs, technical resources, and tools that address producer challenges and support informed decision-making about organic production opportunities in Utah.


Temporary Cattle Identification: Benefits Of Marking With Hair Bleach, Melanie Heaton, Reganne K. Briggs, Rebekah Iverson, Brooke Holgate, David Secrist Sep 2026

Temporary Cattle Identification: Benefits Of Marking With Hair Bleach, Melanie Heaton, Reganne K. Briggs, Rebekah Iverson, Brooke Holgate, David Secrist

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Temporary identification is an important management tool for beef producers. Animals are routinely marked following breeding, pregnancy diagnosis, vaccination, treatment, sorting, shipping, and marketing so they can be quickly identified without repeated handling. Effective temporary identification improves labor efficiency, reduces animal stress, and helps ensure management decisions are applied to the correct animals. This fact sheet provides information on temporary cattle marking using hair bleach.


Aspen Health On Cedar Mountain: What Landowners Should Know, Justin Derose, Darren Mcavoy Sep 2026

Aspen Health On Cedar Mountain: What Landowners Should Know, Justin Derose, Darren Mcavoy

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Aspen forests are among the most valuable parts of the Cedar Mountain area in southwest Utah and of Utah's landscapes. They provide wildlife habitat, improve scenery, help slow wildfire spread, and support healthy watersheds and grazing lands. Cedar Mountain’s aspen forests are changing. The landscape still supports significant aspen acreage, but many stands are aging and losing mature trees faster than they are being replaced. Researchers studied the area to assess the health of the aspen forest over many years, beginning in 2008; this fact sheet discusses the results. It also provides management considerations.


Guide To Automated Surge Irrigation In Utah, Ngoni Mufute, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker, Clay Carter, Jonathan A. Holt, Grant Cardon Sep 2026

Guide To Automated Surge Irrigation In Utah, Ngoni Mufute, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker, Clay Carter, Jonathan A. Holt, Grant Cardon

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This guide discusses the benefits and drawbacks of automated surge irrigation and the equipment needed for setup to make it beneficial to irrigators.


Field Guide To Common Plant Species Of Uinta Mountain Fens, Samantha Kurkowski, Blake Wellard, Karin M. Kettenring Sep 2026

Field Guide To Common Plant Species Of Uinta Mountain Fens, Samantha Kurkowski, Blake Wellard, Karin M. Kettenring

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Fens are a unique class of wetland that host many specialized plant species globally and, in Utah, occur primarily in the Uinta Mountains. This guide provides an easy-to-use resource for amateurs and professionals who want to identify plants in fens. This guide includes key characteristics for identifying species, details on similar species and how to tell them apart, and information on habitat and frequency of occurrence. Species range from wetland obligates to upland plants that occasionally make their way into fens, with the purpose of including most species that may be encountered in a fen.


High Tunnel Pollinators, Miranda L. Jones, Sheriden Hansen, Kelsey Graham, Robert Nelson Schaeffer, Brent Black Sep 2026

High Tunnel Pollinators, Miranda L. Jones, Sheriden Hansen, Kelsey Graham, Robert Nelson Schaeffer, Brent Black

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High tunnels are used to extend the growing season. Unlike greenhouses, high tunnels are semi-permanent and not heated or cooled by a climate-control system. Instead, they use plastic sheeting to trap solar heat, allowing for season extension in temperate climates around spring and fall. Bee pollination can improve yields for several valuable crop species grown in high tunnels. Because high tunnels are largely enclosed, bees are typically released and managed within the structure. This fact sheet provides information on how to obtain and manage bee pollinators in high tunnels.


A Brief History Of Irrigation In Utah, Burdette Barker, Reagan Wytsalucy Sep 2026

A Brief History Of Irrigation In Utah, Burdette Barker, Reagan Wytsalucy

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Irrigation is essential for most crop production in Utah. With an ever-increasing population, regular drought cycles, and environmental concerns, there is a public discourse about agricultural irrigation water use. This fact sheet is an effort to step back in time to consider the heritage of irrigated agriculture in Utah, from prehistory to the present, and the modernization of irrigation driven by global industrialization and the information age.


Organic Pesticides: A General Overview, Marion Murray, Ann Mull Sep 2026

Organic Pesticides: A General Overview, Marion Murray, Ann Mull

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Organic pesticides are naturally occurring, nonsynthetic, or minimally processed substances that control unwanted organisms in the environment. Categories include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and miticides.


American Plum Borer In Utah Orchards (Euzophera Semifuneralis), Emilie Demard, Marion Murray, Claudia Nischwitz Aug 2026

American Plum Borer In Utah Orchards (Euzophera Semifuneralis), Emilie Demard, Marion Murray, Claudia Nischwitz

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This fact sheet provides information on American plum borer in Utah orchards, also known as APB. This pest primarily damages fruit trees. APB moths were detected in traps in 2026, but to date, no tree damage has been found. This fact sheet discusses hosts, identification, and management methods.


Utah Vegetable Production Guide (5th Edition), Nick Volesky, Marion Murray, Amelia Olds, Bridger Carey Aug 2026

Utah Vegetable Production Guide (5th Edition), Nick Volesky, Marion Murray, Amelia Olds, Bridger Carey

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This guide, written by a collection of Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty and specialists, provides information on general Utah vegetable production, soil, nutrient, and water management, integrated pest management practices, and pesticides. The included chapters cover various vegetable crops, including brassicas, cucurbits, leafy greens, potatoes, legumes, onions, root crops, sweet corn, and solanaceous crops.


Technologies To Remoisturize Alfalfa In The Windrow For Baling, Earl Creech, Ryan Larsen, Matt Yost, Mark Nelson, Mckenna Barney Aug 2026

Technologies To Remoisturize Alfalfa In The Windrow For Baling, Earl Creech, Ryan Larsen, Matt Yost, Mark Nelson, Mckenna Barney

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Having the correct moisture at the time of baling is critical to maximizing economic return. In 2020 and 2021, researchers at Utah State University studied moisturization technologies to determine their impact on alfalfa yield, quality, and economic return. This fact sheet provides a research overview and study results on bale moisture and weight, yield, quality, and visual appearance. An economic analysis is also included.


Vines In The Landscape: Japanese Wisteria, Saroj Burlakoti, Youping Sun, Shital Poudyal Jul 2026

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

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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.


Lameness In Dairy Cattle: A Practical Overview, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson Jul 2026

Lameness In Dairy Cattle: A Practical Overview, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson

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This fact sheet provides an overview of lameness in dairy cattle, including what it is, why it matters, and how to recognize and manage it. Information is geared toward producers, consultants, and educators.


Three Common Hoof Problems In Dairy Cows: What To Look For And How To Prevent Them, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson Jul 2026

Three Common Hoof Problems In Dairy Cows: What To Look For And How To Prevent Them, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson

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This fact sheet covers the three most common hoof lesions in dairy cows and explains why they matter and how to prevent them on your farm.