Agriculture Commons^™

2015–2016 Kentucky Agricultural Economic Situation And Outlook, Kenneth H. Burdine, Todd Davis, Timothy A. Woods, William M. Snell, Lee Meyer, Jeffrey W. Stringer

Agricultural Situation and Outlook

No abstract provided.

Abejas Silvestres (Himenóptera: Apoidea) En La Neblina: Análisis De La Diversidad, Interacciones, Y Potencial Para Miel En Un Remanente De Bosque Nublado, Jen Hayes

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Las abejas (Himenóptera: Apoidea) se encuentran en casi cada una de las bioregiones en el mundo. Su composición es muy diversa en los neotrópicos. Las abejas silvestres (no-Apis) representan casi el 90% de las especies de abejas en todo el mundo (Parra, 2005). Los objetivos principales de este estudio fueron realizar un inventario de las especies de abejas al final de la estación seca, observar sus interacciones intra-específicas, y determinar el potencial de producción de miel medicinal de las abejas sin aguijón (Apidae: Meliponini). El estudio fue realizado en la Reserva Inti Llacta, un remanente de bosque nublado …

Working With Locals To Restore Biodiversity To A Rubber Dominated Landscape, Francis Commercon

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Xishuangbanna, in Yunnan,China, contains the country’s highest concentration of biodiversity. Since the 1980s,rubber plantations have replaced a significant portion of the prefecture’s lowland Seasonal Tropical Rainforest, leading to wildlife habitat loss and other environmental issues.Monoculture farming practices also leave farmers economically vulnerable to market fluctuations. To learn the best solutions for increasing ecosystem services and income stability in rubber-dominated areas, the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) project Green Rubber engages smallholders directly in establishing and maintaining scientifically rigorous intercropping experiments in their villages.

Using Man’e village and the Green Rubber project as a case study, I asked to what degree and …

Collection Procedure For Submitting Pcr Samples To Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory For Avian Influenza Testing In Turkeys, Chickens, And Game Birds, David D. Frame, Arnaud Van Wettere

All Current Publications

This fact sheets gives information on collecting procedures for PCR samples to be sent to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, for avian influenza testing of turkeys, chickens, and game birds. It includes needed supplies, how to collect samples, and how to ship the samples.

Soil Moisture Measurement And Sensors For Irrigation Management, Tiffany Maughan, L. Niel Allen, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

This fact sheet introduces several soil water monitoring options that, when used correctly, can help growers avoid over and under watering.

Using A Rising Plate Meter To Determine Paddock Size For Rotational Grazing, Jennifer W. Macadam, Sara R. Hunt

All Current Publications

For rotational grazing of pastures to be most successful, it’s important to match pasture production to ruminant intake, because both can change during the grazing season. This publication shows how a rising plate meter can be used to calculate available pasture dry matter, allowing pasture managers to optimize pasture utilization and ruminant production on pasture.

Rainwater Harvesting For The Home And Farm, Matthew Palmer, Kohl Carter, Roslynn Brain, Shannon Cromwell

All Current Publications

This fact sheet covers the basic components of a rain harvesting system, Utah's laws for rain harvesting, how to estimate the volume of water storage you will need, ideas for increasing water pressure in your system, as well as tips and insights for building a rain harvesting system.

Livestock Grazing On The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument: The Historical And Cultural Importance To The Region, Kevin Heaton, Gil Miller

All Current Publications

The results of a survey of GSENM permit holders document that livestock grazing has influenced the history and culture of Kane and Garfield Counties of Utah, and any reduction or elimination of grazing would directly affect the history and culture of the GSENM region.

Livestock Grazing On The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument: Its Importance To The Local Economy, Gil Miller, Kevin Heaton

All Current Publications

Livestock grazing on the GSENM provides significant economic benefits to Garfield and Kane Counties. If all Active and Suspended AUMs were utilized, there would be increased economic benefit. If ranching on the GSENM were lost, the economic sustainability in the Garfield-Kane Economic Region would be greatly reduced.

Irrigated Alfalfa Variety Performance, 2011-2014; North Logan, Utah, Earl Creech, Thomas Griggs, Clark Israelsen, T J Bingham, Jason Clark, Mark Pieper

All Current Publications

Alfalfa is the most important crop in Utah, both in terms of acreage and revenue. Although often overlooked, one of the most critical decisions made in alfalfa production is determining which variety to plant. This fact sheet summarizes dry matter (DM) yields of alfalfa varieties during 4 years at the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Greenville Farm in North Logan (Cache Co.).

The Potential For Reducing N Fertilizer Inputs For Corn Production In The First Year Following Alfalfa, Earl Creech, Grant Cardon, James Barnhill, Jody Gale, Clark Israelsen, Boyd Kitchen, Mark Nelson, Mike Pace

All Current Publications

The objectives of the project reported in this fact sheet were to 1) examine current post-alfalfa N fertilizer credit guidelines and investigate the potential to further reduce N fertilizer rates (if possible) on first year corn after alfalfa across Utah, and 2) accordingly update the USU Extension corn management recommendations and promote grower awareness and adoption of the new guidelines.

On-Ranch Application Of Dna Technology, Kevin Heaton, Katelyn Christensen

All Current Publications

Genetic analysis provides producers with another tool to identify individuals in a herd which have the greatest potential to be most productive or least productive, thus improving ranch sustainability. This project reported in this fact sheet demonstrated that on each ranch there were both genetically inferior and superior livestock for the production traits analyzed. Participating ranchers are using the results to select replacements and are cautioned to avoid single trait selection. This project also created a baseline for genetic quality which individual ranches could compare with future DNA test results.

Zebra Chip Disease Of Potato, Claudie Nischwitz, Shawn Olsen, Ron Patterson

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes Zebra Chip disease of potatoes, including symptoms, disease cycle, and how to manage it.

Irrigation Of Safflower In Northern Utah, L. Niel Allen, J. Earl Creech, Michael G. Pace, Clark E. Israelsen

All Current Publications

Most safflower in northern Utah and southern Idaho is grown under dryland conditions; however, irrigated safflower can provide higher yields and increase net returns. Two perceived concerns with irrigated safflower are an increase the severity of Alternaria leaf spot disease and delayed maturity in the fall. The results of studies to determine impact of irrigation on safflower yield and Alternaria leaf spot disease are presented in this fact sheet..

Farm Newsletter, Usu Student Organic Farm

USU Student Organic Farm Newsletter

As we warm up from the cold season, expect the variety in the shares in increase. For the first few weeks there will be cold hardy plants such as leafy greens and some herbs. By next spring you will be craving our thick dark green spinach! Check out the recipe for ideas of how to use all these fabulous greens in your meals!

Disinfectants Against Avian Influenza Viruses, David D. Frame

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes disinfectants that can be used to fight against Avian influenza viruses, including the advantages, disadvantages and how to use.

Accessing Chilling Conditions For Perennial Fruit Crop Production In Kentucky, Yao Xue

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Temperate Region fruit and nut trees, and many other perennial plants, require cool winter temperatures (chilling hours) to ensure leaf and flower bud production in the following season. Temperate Regions are characterized by variable winter and spring temperatures. Failure of meeting sufficient chilling requirement results in deformed fruits, unequal maturation, and other plant deformities, thereby reducing quality and yields. Chilling requirements are expressed as number of accumulated hours within a range of approximately 32º to 45ºF or 0º to 7.2ºC. These requirements are specific for level of temperature, length of temperature period, and species and cultivar of plants. Information on …

Branching Out: How Virginia Can Strategically Use Trees To Combat Biodiversity Loss, Taylor Pfeiffer

Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects

Biodiversity loss is a particularly concerning effect of climate change because as greenhouse gas emissions increase global temperatures, decreases in the abundance and diversity of species has reduced ecosystem resiliency to these changes (Verchot et al. 2007). Weakened ecosystems and threatened species decrease the environment’s capacity to provide humans with services like safe drinking water, fuel, and protection from natural disasters, just to name a few (US EPA 2013). The agricultural industry plays a unique role in this environmental conversation, as farmland both contributes to climate change and is jeopardized by the negative effects created by the issue in a …

Evaluating Animal Agriculture Impacts On Water Quality: Data Gaps In West Central Minnesota Case Study, Ed Brands

Environmental Studies Publications

Balancing the economic and food system contributions of animal agriculture with negative impacts such as water quality degradation has been a recurring question in Minnesota and other agricultural states (e.g., Iowa and North Carolina). Over the past 15 years significant federal- and state-level changes in the regulation of animal feeding operations (AFOs) and associated practices have attempted to improve water quality. The impacts of these changes are unclear; therefore, the main purpose of this project was to evaluate policies designed to protect water quality from manure runoff and spills within the context of a manageable geographic area. Project work was …

Rural China In Transition: Changes And Transformations In China’S Agriculture And Rural Sector, John A. Donaldson, Forrest Q. Zhang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Agribusiness companies operating in China are transacting in various forms with small agricultural producers, and in doing so, transforming the household-based agriculture in rural China. We argue that the presence of these distinct forms and the diverging relations between agribusiness and producers show the central importance of China’s collective land rights. China’s unique system of land rights – featuring collective ownership but individualized usage rights – has acted as a powerful force in shaping interactions between agribusiness and direct producers. It provides farmers a source of economic income as well as political bargaining power – albeit to various degrees – …

Forward Not Back: Young People's Search For Community And Farming In Maine, Danielle Walczak

Honors College

In Maine there is a growing body of statistics pointing to the growth of agriculture in the state. Yet with one of the oldest populations in the country, Maine is always asking: how do we bring young people to the state? Farming may be a start. The number of farmers age 34 and under increased 40 percent between 2007 and 2012. Maine is bucking the trend. While most of the country’s farms are decreasing in number and getting bigger in size, Maine farms are increasing in number while staying small. Behind each of these statistics there is a person, a …

Signs Of Kidding And Care During And After Kids Are Born, C. Kim Chapman, Justen Smith

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the various parts of the parturition (kidding) process and the basic signals which does usually exhibit for each three stages of the process.

The Role Of Agriculture And Food Consumption In Tropical Conservation, Brian Machovina

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A growing human population, shifting human dietary habits, and climate change are negatively affecting global ecosystems on a massive scale. Expanding agricultural areas to feed a growing population drives extensive habitat loss, and climate change compounds stresses on both food security and ecosystems. Understanding the negative effects of human diet and climate change on agricultural and natural ecosystems provides a context within which potential technological and behavioral solutions can be proposed to help maximize conservation. The purpose of this research was to (1) examine the potential effects of climate change on the suitability of areas for commercial banana plantations in …

Intermountain Meat Goat Production Calendar, C. Kim Chapman, Justin Smith

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is calendar based and contains the recommended and industry-accepted husbandry techniques that will help create a successful production environment for meat goats.

Farming In The Heat With Chronic Health Conditions, Rhonda Miller, Anne Brown-Reither

All Current Publications

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very serious illnesses that can impact anyone, but people with certain chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable. However, unlike many other illnesses, heat-related illnesses are almost completely preventable. By following simple common sense practices, you can protect yourself and fellow farm workers from experiencing heat-related health problems.

2015 Costs And Returns For A 200 Cow, Cow-Calf Operation, Northern Utah, Lyle Holmgren, Dillon Feuz

All Current Publications

The budget presented in this fact sheet contains sample costs and returns for a typical cow-calf ranching operation in Northern Utah. It is intended to be a guide used to estimate income and expenses as well as list inputs such as feed, veterinary costs and production practices. The budget also provides a framework for the whole ranch/farm plan.

The Optimal Cow Size For Intermountain Cow-Calf Operations, Jesse Russell, Dillon Feuz

All Current Publications

Research has shown that as a cow’s mature weight increases, feed efficiency decreases, as well as reproductive efficiency and other production factors. The purpose of this fact sheet is to illustrate the differences economically between three different cow weights (1,000 lbs., 1,200 lbs. and 1,400 lbs.) on three different resource bases.

Air Quality And Agriculture, Rhonda Miller

All Current Publications

There are many human factors that contribute to poor air quality, and agriculture is no exception. Best management practices such as the immediate incorporation of manure, nutrient conservation,reduced fertilizer use, reduced tillage, keeping silage covered, covers on manure storage structures,and alternatives to burning can help minimize emissions of air pollutants. Although livestock production is a significant contributor of greenhouse gases, long-term cropping systems can sequester carbon which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Dryland Safflower Response To Dormant Seeding In Utah, C. E. Israelsen, M. G. Pace, E. Creech, N. Allen

All Current Publications

The dormant seeding of safflower on dryfarms has shown great potential in northern Utah and southern Idaho, but acceptable weed control is a major concern before this practice can be recommended on a larger commercial scale.

2015 Costs And Returns For Flood Irrigated Alfalfa, Box Elder County, Lyle Holmgren, Mike Pace

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.