Agriculture Commons^™

The Business Of Hemp In North Carolina: Where The Rubber Meets The Road, Obed Quaicoe, Fafanyo Asiseh, Omoanghe S. Isikhuemhen

Journal of Agricultural Hemp Research

Industrial hemp continues to receive a lot of attention in the United States of America with a projected annual revenue growth rate of 18.4 percent by 2022. The momentum industrial hemp has gathered in the past few years has made it the ‘new lucrative crop’ for people to grow. However, many farmers have jumped into hemp farming without first obtaining a realistic economic analysis of hemp farming. In this paper, we seek to review and explore the economic opportunities and challenges of hemp production as a useful guide for reducing risks and maintaining profitability for farmers in North Carolina. Our …

Germination And Early Seedling Growth Of Vegetables Under Various Salinity Stresses, Waqas Ahmad, Muhammad Haider Ali, Iin P. Handayani Dr., Brian Parr Dr.

Scholars Week

Vegetables are an important part of our daily diet. As salinity levels in soil and irrigation water have increased, biomass production of horticultural crops has been reduced during the past few years. The main objective of this study was to check the effect of different salinity levels (0mM, 25mM, 50mM, 100mM, 200mM NaCl) on the germination percentage and the growth rate of young seedlings of vegetables (tomato, turnip, onion, fenugreek and cauliflower) comprehensively. This experiment was designed through Factorial under Completely Randomize Design (CRD) and the results were analyzed through all Pair-wise comparison of means using Tukey test (P ≤ …

Incorporation Of Hempseed In The Broiler Chicken Diet, Mallorie Alexzandra Snider

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Hempseed has become a popular supplement alternative due to the confounding nutritional benefits it possesses; however, the legality of hempseed, and other hemp products, prevents the use in animal feeds. Particularly, broiler chickens that grow fairly quickly in a short amount of time. Evaluation of hempseed in the broiler chicken diet is needed to conclude if it is a possible replacement for other broiler nutrient sources, such as soybean meal (SBM). Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of hempseed (HS) on the growth, feed conversion and carcass yield of broilers. This study consisted of 48 …

Impact Of Teacher Training Programs In Georgia On The Self-Efficacy Of Agricultural Education Teachers In Their First Year, Catrina Pollard, Catrina Pollard

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Teacher self-efficacy is directly tied to teacher longevity. The researcher conducted a causal comparative study to determine self-efficacy in three domains: classroom, FFA, SAE and compared them with demographic characteristics, along with where teachers obtained their teacher training/certification. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between agricultural teacher self-efficacy and the teacher preparation programs that they completed. This surveyed first-year teachers within the state of Georgia that teach agricultural education. The Beginning Agriculture Teacher Assessment determined that there was no connection between teacher self-efficacy and the teacher preparation program. The Beginning Agriculture Teacher Assessment did conclude that …

What Regional Economic Factors Drive Feedstock Cost For Cannabinoid Hemp Processors In The United States?, Tanner Mccarty

Journal of Agricultural Hemp Research

This study measures the importance of various regional economic and agronomic factors on a grower’s decision to cultivate cannabinoid (CBD) hemp flower in the United States, and its subsequent effect on CBD processor feedstock cost. I use real options analysis to recover the price of hemp flower required to trigger land use change from commodity crop production to hemp flower production across various scenarios endemic to different hemp producing regions. Results suggest the most important factors in determining the price required to trigger CBD floral hemp production are the expected yield of floral hemp and CBD concentrations within it. CBD …

Hemp As A Livestock Feedstuff: A Review Of Current Literature, Sarah Mead, Alyx Shultz

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Hemp was removed from the list of controlled substances in the 2018 Farm Bill, making regulated hemp production legal in the United States. Kentucky agriculturalists and entrepreneurs are at the cutting edge of the United States hemp production and processing industries. Hemp production generally falls into one of three categories: grain, fiber, or floral (CBD extraction). Each production category also produces byproducts; one such byproduct is meal. In order to make hemp oil and fiber processing viable, markets for the remaining meal must be found. The high fiber, fat, and protein of hemp meal make it a potential feedstuff for …

Evaluating Opinions Of Kentucky’S Agri-Science Educators On Climate Change, Emily Cook

Scholars Week

Climate Change is the significant long term changes in the weather and temperatures on a large scale and is seen globally. Scientists have been studying the effects of Climate Change on the planet for decades; foreseeing problems of the future. Global Warming has been escalating over the past hundred years with the amount of Carbon Dioxide gases rising into to atmosphere at an alarming rate. Agri-Science Educators across Kentucky are teaching the topics of Climate Change and Global Warming and this research intends to find the truth and variances in their knowledge. Twenty educators from across the state of Kentucky …

Sustainability Of Organic Soil Amendments On Soil Fertility And Earthworms, Mackenzie Hoffman

Scholars Week

One of the growing concerns of farmers is soil fertility which is defined as the ability of soil to grow and support plant life by minerals and nutrients needed for the plants. Healthy soil leads to better yields which lead to more food produced. Traditionally, soil fertility has been maintained with the use of chemical fertilizers. This research looked at an alternative method of increasing soil fertility: the addition of a soil amendment. Chemical fertilizers can lead to an oversupply of nitrogen which can make the plants more susceptible to diseases and pests and can also reduce the colonization of …

Effects Of Sowing Methods On Plant Survival, Michaela Hathaway

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Utilizing Municipal Compost And Equine Stall Waste As Potential Economic Alternatives In An In-Ground Pot-In-Pot Production System, Ashley Robert, Alyx Shultz

Posters-at-the-Capitol

For Western Kentucky farmers, one viable income source could be a pot-in-pot nursery production. One of the highest costs of production in this system was the planting media that the plants were grown in. Economical alternatives to high-priced, non-renewable peat-based mixes were important to consider. Unique to this region, were two renewable soil amendments that may help farmers to widen their profit margin in a pot-in-pot system. This research looked at the economic viability of locally sourced horse stall waste and municipal compost as soil amendments to a traditional bark and peat based mix. Initial cost projections were favorable for …

Soil Responses To 48 Years Of Continuous No Till And Conventional Till Corn In Central Kentucky, Usa, Emily Cook

Scholars Week

Cropping systems, fertilizer applications and tillage practices influence soil physical and chemical characteristics. In this study, the impact of long-term conventional and no-tillage systems on selected soil properties were evaluated in a continuous corn system on a Maury silt loam soil. This field for the study is located on the University of Kentucky's Research Farm (Spindletop Farm). The field was tilled in 1969 from bluegrass sod and the first year's data was in 1970. Each plot is 20 ft. by 40 ft. and for many years each plot was split with winter cover crop planted to rye or hairy vetch. …

The Effect Of Three Different Mulches On Weed Presence, Soil Characteristics, And Zinnia Growth, Anmar Muttaleb

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Organic and inorganic mulching helps to control weeds. Mulching helps cultivated plants to grow by inhibiting the growth of weeds, retaining soil moisture, and regulating the temperature of soil. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different organic mulches on weed presence, soil characteristics, and growth of Zinnia elegans. The mulches used in studying Zinnia elegans were wheat straw, non-shredded Miscanthus (M. × giganteus), and shredded Miscanthus (M. × giganteus) mulch. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in the study, with different quantitative methods were used to …

Production Of Industrial Hemp In Kentucky, Patrick J. Hooks

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Hemp, or Cannabis sativa, is a plant that can be used for many products, such as textiles, oils, and seeds. Currently, the four most important textiles in the United States’ manufacturing industry are cotton, wood, silk, and linen. In the 1950s, the United States Government banned the production of hemp, as it was legislated into the marijuana policy of this industry. Because of this, the hemp crop was pushed out of the textile industry and replaced by cloth, linens, and textiles. Section 7606 of the Agriculture Act of 2014 declares the State Department of Agriculture’s legalization of industrial hemp …

Case Study Of Skills Developed During Employment At Kentucky Ffa Summer Camp As A Young Adult, Kelly W. Rexroat

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide a qualitative case study analysis of the soft skill development of summer camp staff members at the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center and to look at whether or not the leadership development focus of the camp program had an increased impact on the development of the staff members’ leadership skills. For years, FFA summer camp programs have been developing the leadership qualities of FFA members and preparing them to take on leadership roles for the upcoming year. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with former Kentucky FFA summer camp staff members from 2008 to …

Evaluating The Impact Of Two Contrasting Tillage Practices On Soil Properties In Central Kentucky, Emily Cook

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Farming practices such as no tillage and plowing can institute change on soil physical and chemical characteristics. In this research, the effects of long-term conventional and no-tillage systems on the selected soil properties were determined in a continuous corn system on a farm with Maury silt loam soil. These samples were taken from University of Kentucky's Research Farm (Spindletop Farm). The field used was tilled in 1969 from bluegrass sod and the first time research was conduced was in 1970. Each plot is 20 ft. by 40 ft. and for many years each plot was split with winter cover crop …

Inside Research: Q&A With Katalin Tari, Rachel L. Wood

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

No abstract provided.

Differences Of Soil Properties In Various Agricultural Practices In Western Kentucky, Bailey Webster

Scholars Week

Cropping systems in Kentucky are strongly dominated by corn, tobacco, soybeans and wheat. Various crop management practices affect soil properties resulting in different functional quality of the soil to support crop growth. Crop rotation and tillage practices influence soil properties, and understanding the effect of these practices is essential to maintaining optimal soil environment. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the differences of soil properties in various agricultural practices in western Kentucky on soil chemical and physical properties. In addition, soil samples from pasture, wood, and garden practices will be collected to use as a reference for …

Evaluating The Long Term Effects Of Continuous Broiler Litter Applications On Residual Soil Fertility And Yields Of Corn And Soybean Crops, And A Side Experiment Studying The Residual Copper Fertilization Effects On These Crops, Jesse Lee Gray Mr.

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The increasing cost of commercial fertilizers and the availability of animal waste that has high nutrient content have led to producers utilizing animal waste such as poultry litter in their fertility programs. This increased use has raised concerns as to what are the optimum rates to apply to meet crop needs and how will long term use at high rates of litter effect soil test levels of nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium. The objective of this study was to address these concerns. This study has been ongoing since 1997 with treatments of zero to seven tons of litter …

A Performance Study Of Apis Mellifera With Dietary And Forage Restrictions During Spring Colony Establishment In Lyon County, Kentucky, Dominique Wood

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

One-third of our worldwide fruit, nut and vegetable production is completely dependent on the existence of pollinators. Commercial honey bees, Apis mellifera, have an annual economic value of $15 billion in the U.S. Additionally, their honey is valued at $150 million annually. In Fall 2006, commercial beekeepers observed sudden mass disappearances of whole colonies. By Spring 2007, the condition, dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), raised environmental and fiscal concerns while the cause(s) continued to be sought. Forensic examinations of hive samples did not reveal a singular cause of CCD. The results pointed to a collection of detrimental factors affecting …

Soybean Cyst Nematode Populations As Influenced By A Non-Treated Soybean Crop, A Fluopyram-Treated Soybean Crop And A Non-Host Corn Crop, Margaret E. Lawrence

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Soybean cyst nematodes are the most significant plant pathogen to soybeans in all soybean producing areas in the United States. Rotating to non-host crops, and using resistant varieties have been the main ways of managing this plant pathogen throughout the history of soybeans in this country. Fluopyram is a seed treatment that is labelled for the control of early season plant parasitic nematodes in soybean. Up until this point, there has been little to no published research conducted on the effectiveness of fluopyram against soybean cyst nematode. For this study, the objective was to conduct research to determine whether fluopyram …

Comparison Of Two Hydroponic Tower Systems For Lettuce Production, Robert Cavasos

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Hydroponic vegetable production is increasing at a rate of 5.3% each year. Vertical farming has proven to use less land and water than traditional farming while reducing fossil-fuel emissions and fertilizer waste. This study evaluated the production of Black Seeded Simpson lettuce, Lactuca sativa, to test the performance of two hydroponic tower systems, a commercially available tower and a student-designed tower in an indoor farming system in Richmond, KY. Each tower contained 24 plant compartments. The commercial tower compartments were evenly spaced on an eight-inch diameter, four-foot-tall pipe; the student-designed tower compartments were dispersed on two four-inch-diameter pipes that …

Recycled Waste Increased Tomato Production Under Field Conditions, Lusekelo J. Nkuwi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

As more municipal sewage sludge (SS) treatment districts turn to composting as a means of sludge stabilization and because of the rapid growth in the poultry industry, significant chicken manure (CM) and municipal SS generation will become available in increasing quantities. A field trial area was established at the University of Kentucky South Farm. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Mountain spring) seedlings of 52 days old was planted in 30’ × 144’ beds of freshly tilled soil at eight inch row spacing on June, 2016. The entire study area contained 30 plots ( 3 replicates × 10 treatments). Each bed …

Land Management Effects On Selected Properties Of Silt Loam Soil In Tennessee, Usa, Kang-Chi Wu

Scholars Week

Land management practices greatly influence soil properties. However, the effects are different among soil properties. This study was conducted to determine the impact of various common land management systems on selected soil properties, include organicmatter content, the level of acidity, soil color and macro-aggregate content. During fall of 2015, soil samples were collected fromtopsoiland subsoil of silt loamatStewart County, TN. Soil samples were taken from six different land management systems, such as 30 years of tobacco field, 30 years of hardwood forest, 20 years of vegetable garden, 20 years of pasture, 35 years of lawn, and 6 years of corn …