Life Sciences Commons^™

Implementing Bos Indicus-Influenced Cattle In Utah For Hybrid Vigor, Reganne K. Briggs, Matthew D. Garcia

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Crossbreeding is a tool that cattle producers have used for decades. Hybrid vigor is one of the products of crossing breeding. One way to maximize hybrid vigor is by introducing Bos indicus genetics in a herd. Santa Gertrudis cattle are a great option for introducing Bos indicus genetics.

Ranunculus Cut Flower Production In Utah, Shannon Rauter, Melanie Stock

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Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) is grown as a cool-season annual for cut flower production in Utah. Tuberous roots can be planted as early as November in a high tunnel for blooms beginning in April. For field production, plant in November with insulation or as early as possible in spring for blooms beginning in May. Flower production ceases when temperatures reach approximately 80°F, usually by early July in northern Utah. In North Logan, UT, high tunnels produced an average of 3 to 7 marketable stems per plant, compared to 1 to 2 stems per plant in the field. Profit potential …

Anemone Cut Flower Production In Utah, Shannon Rauter, Melanie Stock

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Anemone (Anemone coronaria) is grown as a cool-season annual for cut flower production in Utah. Tubers can be planted as early as November in a high tunnel for blooms beginning in March. For field production, plant in fall with insulation or as early as possible in spring (i.e., the soil is workable, approximately early March) for blooms beginning in May. Flower production ceases when temperatures reach approximately 80°F, usually by early July in northern Utah. In North Logan, UT, high tunnels produced an average of 2 to 7 marketable stems per plant, compared to 1 to 4 stems …

Maintaining Pig Temperatures In The Summer And Winter Seasons, Jacob Hadfield, Jessie Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Lorie Millward

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Utah often faces extreme temperatures in the summer and winter seasons. Due to the adverse weather, it can be difficult to raise pigs. This fact sheet discusses ways to help pigs adjust to hot and cold temperatures with facilities and management techniques.

Pasture Pig Basics, Jacob Hadfield, Jessie Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Lorie Millward

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With an increasing push for more sustainable agriculture practices, raising pigs on pasture has gained much attention over recent years. Although it is possible to raise pigs on pasture, and this production method may support some sustainability goals, there are some important considerations. This fact sheet provides insight and answers to aspiring pig farmers so that they can make better-informed decisions before purchasing their pigs.

Soil Sampling Guide For Crops, Matt Yost, Grant Cardon, Megan Baker, Jody Gale, Earl Creech, Michael Pace, Kalen Taylor, Cody Zesiger, Tiffany Evans, Rhonda Miller

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This fact sheet provides updated guidelines for soil sampling of various soil properties and includes why, how, what, and where to sample. It is a part of a series of updated sampling guidelines. Water, forage, plant tissue, and manure/compost will be forthcoming.

Carpenterworm, Dr. Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe, Ryan Davis

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The larval stage of the carpenterworm, Prionoxystus robiniae is a wood-boring insect that affects various ornamental trees. Unlike most other wood-boring pests of ornamentals, which are mostly beetle larvae, the carpenterworm is a caterpillar belonging to the moth family Cossidae.

Which Factors Influence Consumer Organic Specialty Bakery Product Taste Ratings?, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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In this fact sheet, we compare consumer taste ratings for organic and conventional specialty bakery products and analyze what factors explain the differences. These products are typically consumed for pleasure and are more expensive than mainstream baked goods. However, consumers have high quality expectations, including taste, which may be an issue if not satisfactory. Understanding factors that impact consumer taste rating for organic specialty bakery products can help identify what might be done to improve taste perceptions/expectations and the success of organic specialty bakery/pastry products.

Consumer Taste Beliefs Impact Organic Specialty Baked Good Pricing, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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In this fact sheet, we discuss how consumer taste beliefs related to organic specialty baked goods differ from their taste beliefs for conventional specialty baked goods, and whether this difference affects the amount consumers are willing to pay for organic-labeled specialty baked goods. In other words, we examine how an organic label on baked goods affects taste perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP). Further, we examine whether providing information about organic labeling standards changes consumer taste beliefs and impacts WTP for organic baked goods. Finally, we examine the impact of providing taste information to mimic scenarios where respondents know the …

Who Values Organic Specialty Bakery Products?, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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In this fact sheet, we examine differences in socio-demographics and lifestyle choices between those who view organic as important when purchasing specialty bakery products and those who don’t, with the aim to identify a target market of consumers who prefer organic specialty bakery products. Additionally, we evaluate other important product attributes to consumers seeking organic specialty bakery products. Consumer taste ratings for organic and conventional specialty bakery products are compared for those who value organics and those who don’t to evaluate the impact of taste beliefs on consumer demand for organic specialty bakery products.

Parasitoid Wasps Of The Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug In Utah, Zachary R. Schumm, Kate V. Richardson, Mark Cody Holthouse, Yota Mizuno, Diane G. Alston, Lori R. Spears

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The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys Stål), an invasive insect from eastern Asia, is causing nuisance problems and agricultural damage in northern Utah. Insecticide applications to control this pest are not sustainable, and therefore the focus is on biological control through the use of parasitoid wasps that sting and kill stink bug eggs. Surveys are underway in Utah to search for Samurai wasp (Trissolcus Japonicus [Ashmead]), a parasitoid wasp native to BMSB’s home range that has been found in 12 U.S. States, and is highly effective at killing BMSB eggs. While Samurai wasp has not been found, …

2022 Costs And Returns For Non-Irrigated Flax In Utah, Michael Pace, Jacob Hadfield, Ryan Feuz

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Enterprise budgets are the building blocks of a farm or ranch. They represent estimates of income and expenses for a specific time period using a set of production practices and inputs for that enterprise. This fact sheet provides a budget with sample costs and returns to establish and produce non-irrigated flax in Utah. It is intended to be a guide used to estimate income and expenses, list inputs and production practices, and provide a framework for the whole farm plan. The sample budget lists production practices, inputs, and services for field operations.

Agriculture Water Use And Economic Value In The Great Salt Lake Basin, Cody Zesiger, Burdette Barker, Sarah Null, Earl Creech, Matt Yost, Ryan Larsen, Joshua Dallin

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This fact sheet briefly describes human impacts on GSL water volume, human population growth, surface water withdrawals, and agricultural water use from 1985 and 2015 in the GSL Basin. Finally, agriculture’s economic impact and food production in the GSL Basin are summarized.

Dwarf Bunt In Winter Wheat, Justin Clawson, Claudia Nischwitz, Margaret Krause, Will Krause

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Dwarf bunt or stinking smut is a disease that impacted Utah winter wheat production in the 1930s, resulting in fields with 95% infections. Breeding and selection of resistant varieties has irradiated the disease. As organic production of winter wheat increases, selecting resistant varieties will become of utmost importance to prevent crop loss.

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis [Fairmaire]), Emily A. Parent, Lori R. Spears, Ryan S. Davis, Ricardo Ramirez

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Emerald ash borer (Order: Coleoptera: Family Buprestidae) (EAB) is an invasive wood-boring insect that infects the true ash species (Fraxinus spp.). EAB is native to parts of China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and small areas of Russia and Mongolia. EAB was first discovered in North America in June 2002 near Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and is thought to have arrived to North America via infested wood packing material. EAB is generally established in an area for several years before it is detected and can spread over large areas through active flight and human-mediated dispersal.

Water Recommendations For Vegetables, Sheriden M. Hansen, Taun Beddes, Burdette Barker, Ashley Butler

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Traditionally, we irrigate using overhead sprinklers and/or flood irrigation. However, these methods can be wasteful, and so a way to conserve and still have a healthy garden is to use drip irrigation. It can reduce water use by up to about 50%. This fact sheet reviews water recommendations for growing vegetables.

Ranunculus Cut Flower Production Budget, One Field, Northern Utah, 2022, Shannon Rauter, Melanie Stock, Ruby Ward

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This budget contains costs (preplant and site preparation, establishment and maintenance, and harvest and processing) and returns for the production and sale of ranunculus cut flowers that were grown in a field (14 feet by 40 feet). Production methods, yield, costs, and pricing were determined from Utah State University (USU) research trials, as well as feedback from Northern Utah producers. Typical production in Northern Utah is highly variable, with net returns influenced by labor costs, management practices, yield, stem length, and marketing success. Based on USU research trials, ranunculus results in an economic loss of $0.95 per square foot when …

Anemone Cut Flower Production Budget, One Field, Northern Utah, 2022, Shannon Rauter, Melanie Stock, Ruby Ward

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This budget contains costs (preplant and site preparation, establishment and maintenance, and harvest and processing) and returns for the production and sale of anemone cut flowers that were grown in a field (14 feet by 40 feet). Production methods, yield, costs, and pricing were determined from Utah State University (USU) research trials, as well as feedback from Northern Utah producers. Typical production in Northern Utah is highly variable, with net returns influenced by labor costs, management practices, yield, stem length, and marketing success. Based on USU research trials, anemone has a low profit potential ($0.50 per square foot) when grown …

Moab Local Food Guide 2023, Roslynn Mccann, Shiree Duncan

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Thank you for picking up this Moab Utah Local Food Guide, last updated in May 2023. Those growing and producing food within a 100 mile radius from Moab have been included in this guide to help YOU make locally sourced purchasing decisions!

Easy Calibration For Backpack And Canister (Handheld) Sprayers, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Corey Ransom, Earl Creech, Matt Yost

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When applying pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals, the applicator should know the amount of chemical applied to the treated area. Calibration is a method an applicator can use to measure and set the application rate. If sprayers are not properly calibrated, it can result in over or under application of chemicals, causing damage, reduced pest control, and potential safety concerns. Making the effort to properly mix chemicals and calibrate sprayers can save money and increase treatment effectiveness. This fact sheet provides simple guidelines for calibrating backpack and canister sprayers.

Easy Calibration For Boom Sprayers, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Corey Ransom, Earl Creech, Matt Yost

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Calibrating spray equipment is an important first step when applying pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. If nozzles are not properly calibrated, it can result in over or under application of chemicals, causing crop damage, reduced pest control, and potential safety concerns. Making the effort to properly mix chemicals and calibrate sprayers can save money and headaches in the long run. This fact sheet provides simple guidelines for calibrating boom sprayers.

Pests Of Hemp In Utah, Marion Murray, Macahl Evans, Claudia Nischwitz, Austin Taylor, Cody Zesiger

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This guide includes information on insect and disease pests of hemp, organized by pest group. Much of the content is a result of a two-year arthropod and plant disease survey of field-grown hemp operations in northern Utah. Some pests included in this guide were not found in that survey but may be likely to occur in the future. Beneficials and natural enemies are also covered, and information on pesticides is included.

Greenhouse Biocontrol In Utah: Beneficial Insects And The Pests They Target, Marion Murray

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This guide provides information on biocontrol in Utah and pests that are targeted by beneficial pests, such as aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, scales, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies. Symptoms, monitoring, lifecycles, and biocontrol options are included.

Invasive Fruit Pest Guide For Utah: Insect & Disease Identification, Monitoring & Management, Claudia Nischwitz, Diane G. Alston, Lori R. Spears, Clint Burfitt

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This invasive fruit pest guide covers insects and diseases affecting fruit in Utah and reviews monitoring and management.

Pavement Ants (Tetramorium Immigrans Santschi), Ryan S. Davis, Lori R. Spears, Austin Taylor

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This fact sheet describes pavement ants. It covers identification, biology and habits, and management.

Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa Mandarinia Smith), Lori R. Spears, Carson Wise, Ryan Davis

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This fact sheet describes Asian giant hornet and reviews similar-looking insects, its life cycle, predatory strategies, monitoring and management, and the related public health concerns.

Invasive Pests Of Landscape Trees In Utah, Lori R. Spears, Ann Mull, Anna Fabiszak, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis, Diane G. Alston, Ricardo Ramirez

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This guide provides an overview of the Utah First Detector Program and how to submit samples. The guide reviews the diseases and insects that affect landscape trees in Utah.

Invasive Species Handbook: A Resource For Educators - Grades 3-8, Natalie D'Souza, Marion Murray, Lori R. Spears

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This handbook includes six chapters that discuss invasive species and their environmental, economic, and health impacts. It also reviews pathways of invasive species spread and prevention, monitoring, and control. The handbook is a resource for educators teaching children in grades 3 through 8. Learning objectives, activities, and vocabulary are also included.

Japanese Beetle (Popillia Japonica Newman), Lori R. Spears, Diane G. Alston, Joey Caputo, Erin Hodgson, Cory Stanley, Kristopher Watson

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This fact sheet describes Japanese beetles and reviews damage symptoms, life cycle, monitoring, and management.

Ten Considerations For Solar-Powered Irrigation In Utah, Ngonidzashe Mufute, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker, Kalen Taylor, Mark Nelson, Randall Violett, Jody Gale

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This fact sheet outlines considerations for using solar-powered irrigation in Utah:

• Solar powered irrigation (SPI) is becoming more cost effective and practical to consider on the farm as the cost of alternative sources of energy are rising.
• Irrigators can now benefit from incentives such as tax credits to help offset costs.
• Investing in solar provides more independence from price fluctuations and energy shortages.
• Considerations for SPI systems include energy demand of the irrigation system, type and value of crops grown, available incentives and support, cost and accessibility of alternative energy sources, and multiple uses of the …