Agriculture Commons^™

Waterbird-Perceived Damage, Control Measures, And Economic Implications For Rice Production In The Brazilian Cerrado, Demetrio Luis Guadagnin, Alexandre Afonso Meyer, João Augusto Rossi Borges, Fernanda Maia Justo

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Waterbirds have the potential to inflict economic damage to crops. However, is rice (Oryza sativa) production in the Brazilian Cerrado significantly affected by waterbirds? This study aimed to assess the extent of waterbird damage on irrigated rice production in Central Brazil. We conducted surveys of waterbird populations in rice agroecosystem habitats throughout the cultivation cycle and analyzed the expenses associated with waterbird-induced yield losses and the control measures employed by farmers. The 2 most prevalent waterbird species observed were Dendrocygna viduatta and D. autumnalis, comprising 68.6% of all recorded waterbirds. These species were more frequently encountered and …

Evaluation Of Winter Cereal Cover Crops Across Nitrogen Management Strategies In No-Till Corn Production, Robert Nalley

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is the most popular winter cereal cover crop utilized before corn, but wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) may provide a comparable value due to their similar fibrous root systems. Despite the benefits associated with winter cereal cover crops, drawbacks are possible for the subsequent corn crop. A field study was conducted with three site-years in Kentucky to measure the impact of the three winter cereals across nitrogen (N) management strategies. Wheat produced the most biomass compared with barley or rye cover crops. Wheat and rye needed approximately 100 more …

From Code To Crops: Harnessing Bioinformatics And Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Agricultural Omics, Lakshay Anand

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Global agricultural faces numerous challenges, such as climate change, resource limitations, novel pests and diseases, increasing costs, and the ever-increasing human population. To tackle these challenges, we need innovative strategies that combine new technologies and data analytics approaches to enhance agricultural output, promote sustainable methods, and optimize resource allocation. The key to this innovation lies in understanding the complex molecular web within plants that governs their growth, defense, and adaptability mechanisms. By mastering this molecular network, we can cultivate crops that are more resilient, sustainable, and suitable for different climatic terrains. Moreover, studying the symbiotic relationship between plants and microorganisms …

Identifying Physiological, Morphological, And Genetic Drivers Of Key Intermediary Phenotypic Traits Associated With Stalk Lodging Resistance Within Genetically Diverse Maize Germplasm And Sorghum, Norbert Bokros

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Maize stalk lodging reduces grain yields due to the permanent breakage or deformation of stalk tissue before grain harvest. To reveal new insights into the complex problem of maize stalk lodging, this dissertation will examine three primary objectives. First, the direct, diurnal influence of turgor pressure will be shown to have only marginal effects on stalk bending strength, a key trait associated with stalk lodging resistance. Up to a dozen individual stalks, grown to physiological maturity within the same field, were tested using a DARLING testing device. In parallel, stalk turgor status as measured by leaf water potential and turgor …

The Effect Of Spring And Winter Killed Cover Crops On Soil Physical Properties And Soil Organic Carbon, Danielle Doering

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) and healthy soil physical structure in agroecosystems is crucial to sustainable production. To assess medium term impacts of cover crops on soil health in the top 90 cm, we conducted a field experiment in central Kentucky with varying levels of winter cover: spring and winter kill cover crops, weedy and bare winter fallows. After eight years of cover crop use, some soil physical properties improved: 35% greater mean weight aggregate diameter at 0-30 cm with spring kill covers and 5.2% more C held within large aggregates for both cover crop treatments compared to winter fallow. …

Quantifying Resource Nexus: Virtual Water Flows, Water Stress Indices, And Unsustainable Import Fraction In South Korea's Grain Trade Landscape, Golden Odey, Bashir Adelodun, Qudus Adeyi, Akinsoji Adisa Hammed, Salau Rahmon Abiodun, Kyung Sook Choi

Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of South Korea’s grain production and trade, specifically scrutinizing water resource management and sustainability trends from 1991 to 2022. The primary objective was to assess the temporal evolution of South Korea’s agricultural virtual water trade in maize, soybeans and wheat. Employing the virtual water flows assessment method, water stress index, and an unsustainable import fraction (UIF) analysis, this research aimed to uncover key patterns and dynamics within the agricultural grain trade landscape. Utilizing comprehensive datasets encompassing grain trade, as well as water and land footprint data, this study assessed the intricate interplay between …

That’S Not In My Position Description: A Discourse Analysis Of Sbae Migratory Context, Becky Haddad, Jonathan Velez, Josh Stewart, Haden Botkin

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

While the choice to move to a new school is personal, many play a role in justifying that choice for the mobile teacher. These justifiers—or influencers—make up the socializing network for teachers (in this case, SBAE teachers) in new settings. Our study outlined how mobile SBAE teachers rationalize the choice to change schools and validate career moves. We used a positioning theory approach to discourse to give migrators (teachers who change schools) and influencers a voice. Positioning theory allowed us to situate migrators as they reflected on their choice to change school districts, and influencers as they recounted their …

Early Season Biomass And Weather Enable Robust Cereal Rye Cover Crop Biomass Predictions, Alexandra M. Huddell, Brian Needleman, Eugene P. Law, Victoria J. Ackroyd, Muthukumar V. Bagavathiannan, Kevin Bradley, Adam S. Davis, Jeffrey A. Evans, Wesley Jay Everman, Michael Flessner, Nicholas Jordan, Lauren M. Schwartz-Lazaro, Ramon G. Leon, John L. Lindquist, Jason K. Norsworthy, Lovreet S. Shergill, Mark Vangessel, Steven B. Mirsky

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Farmers need accurate estimates of winter cover crop biomass to make informed decisions on termination timing or to estimate potential release of nitrogen from cover crop residues to subsequent cash crops. Utilizing data from an extensive experiment across 11 states from 2016 to 2020, this study explores the most reliable predictors for determining cereal rye cover crop biomass at the time of termination. Our findings demonstrate a strong relationship between early-season and late-season cover crop biomass. Employing a random forest model, we predicted late-season cereal rye biomass with a margin of error of approximately 1,000 kg ha⁻¹ based on …

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #63 January 2024

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President's message, Paul E. Read

Gamma Sigma Delta committees 2024

2022 chapter awards: The Honor Society of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta

New members inducted

Annual dues notice, Robert J. Wright, membership Coordinator

Membership list

Membership renewal form

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Outstanding Graduate & Undergraduate Student Award Fund

In memoriam: Dennis Lee Kahl (February 8, 1950-August 12, 2020); Col. Warder L. Shires (March 23, 1932-March 6, 2021); Dr. Leland "Lee" Julius Albert Volker (October 24, 1942-March 11, 2022); Richard "Dick" Dam (September 17, 1929-September 17, 2022); John W. Doran (November 12, 1945-November 30, 2022); Donald H. Steinegger (January 1, …

Estimating South Dakota’S Capacity To Meet K-12 School Meal Fruit And Vegetable Requirements With State-Grown Produce, Bridgette Bienias

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Quantify South Dakota (SD)’s capacity to procure locally-sourced fruit and vegetables (FVs) for K-12 school meals.
Methods: Secondary analysis of 2017 SD agricultural census and school meal data. Yields were converted to edible cups of FVs using school meal guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Student enrollment and meal redemptions were used to estimate the number of FV cups needed.
Results: Estimated SD FV production met minimum total K-12 cup requirements, except for total fruit (66%) and dark green vegetables (80%). Legumes supplied 77% of the total cups of vegetables produced in 2017, whereas dark green vegetables …

Increasing Soy Products Inclusion In Swine Diets To Improve Growth Performance, Health, And Pork Quality, Ashir Foreman Atoo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite its excellent nutritional profile, soybean meal (SBM) is limited in nursery pig diets due to its anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), which young pigs tolerate poorly. In the first study, strategies to mitigate these effects included supplementation with enzymes, alone or with acidifiers. A total of 240 weaned pigs (5.9 ± 0.8 kg average body weight [BW]) were assigned in randomized complete block design to five dietary treatments: low, medium, or high SBM diets, high SBM with multienzyme, and high SBM with multienzyme plus acidifier. Diets were fed in three phases: phase 1 (0–1 weeks), phase 2 (1–3 weeks), and phase …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2024), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 3 Continuing a Leadership Journey
/="/">[Page] 5 CAFES Leadership Team Grows
/="/">[Page] 7 Award-Winning Faculty & Staff
/="/">[Page] 9 New Endowment Holders Recognized
/="/">[Page] 10 Inaugural Precision Livestock Field School Offered at SDSU Cottonwood Field Station
/="/">[Page] 11 SDSU Celebrates Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine Students [Page] 13 Clay Carlson, SDSU Meat Science Graduate Student Approaches School and Life with Winning Mindset
/="/">[Page] 15 SDSU Alumni has been selected as the Head Coach of the South Dakota State University Livestock Judging Team
/="/">[Page] 16 Livestock Units Promote Hands-On Learning & Premier Research …

Review Of Detection Limits For Various Techniques For Bacterial Detection In Food Samples, Xinyi Zhao Nanolab Research Centre, Abhijnan Bhat, Christine O’Connor School Of Food Science And Environmental Health, James Curtin Faculty Of Engineering And Built Environment, Baljit Singh, Micra Biodiagnostics Technology Gateway And Health, Engineering & Materials Sciences (Hems) Research Hub, Furong Tian Nanolab Research Centre

Articles

Foodborne illnesses can be infectious and dangerous, and most of them are caused by bacteria. Some common food-related bacteria species exist widely in nature and pose a serious threat to both humans and animals; they can cause poisoning, diseases, disabilities and even death. Rapid, reliable and cost-effective methods for bacterial detection are of paramount importance in food safety and environmental monitoring. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) and electrochemical methods have been widely used in food safety and environmental monitoring. In this paper, the recent developments (2013–2023) covering PCR, LFIA and electrochemical methods for various bacterial species …

From The Ground Up: A Complex Systems Approach To Climate Change Adaptation In Agriculture, Karen Buchsbaum

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Climate change presents an unprecedented challenge to global agriculture and food security. Small farms are especially vulnerable to the local impacts of large-scale drivers of change. Effective adaptation in agriculture requires working across scales, and geographic, political, and disciplinary boundaries to address barriers. I use elements of case study, agent-based modeling and serious games, to design a model of farmer decision-making using the sociocognitive framework of climate change adaptation. I examine how adaptation functions as a process, how complex dynamics influence farmer behavior, and how individual decisions influence collective behavior in response to climate change. This novel approach to adaptation …

Inservice Needs Of Selected Arkansas Agriculture Teachers Related To Precision Agriculture, Henry O. Akwah, Donald M, Johnson, George W. Wardlow, Cengiz Koparan, Aurelie Poncet

Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this study was to determine selected Arkansas school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers’ perceptions of the importance, ability to teach, inservice needs, and barriers relative to incorporating precision agriculture (PA) into their programs. A non-probability sample (n = 44) of teachers participating in an introductory PA workshop completed the survey. Teachers rated each of the  PA competencies as being above average or high importance but rated their ability to teach each competency as being none or below average. When competencies were grouped into seven PA topics, teachers had inservice needs for each topic with mean weighted discrepancy …

Assessment Of Open Top Chambers To Simulate Effects Of Climate Change On Soil Temperature And Cover Crop Response In Agricultural Systems, Gretchen Bahmueller

Honors Theses and Capstones

Climate change is expected to yield warmer winters that have the potential to place additional stress on our already stressed agricultural systems. Understanding how agricultural systems may respond to these changes is essential to creating crop and land management plans that ensure food security for future generations. To better understand how warming winters can/will affect air and soil temperatures and cover crop performance, open top chambers (OTCs) were deployed post cover crop seeding in a field experiment at the UNH Kingman Research Farm in Madbury, NH. The experiment consisted of four cover crop treatments sown into or after corn: an …

Financial Considerations For U.S. Equine Rescues: A Comparison Of Adoption-Based Vs. Sanctuary-Based Organizations, Carolyn V. Frank

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Potential Effects Of Abiotic Stresses On Ziziphus And Acacia Species Grown Under Uae Climate Condition, Almaha Abdulla Alneyadi

Theses

This comprehensive thesis delves into a comparative analysis of two prominent desert plant species, namely Acacia and Ziziphus, shedding light on their distinct adaptive features in response to challenging environmental conditions. The exploration spans various facets, including the germination process, tap root development, and their reactions to water stress, ultimately revealing the superior hardiness and adaptability of Acacia over Ziziphus. In the realm of germination, Acacia stands out with its swift and efficient initiation, indicating a robust mechanism for establishing its presence in arid landscapes. The examination of tap root development further underscores the resilience of Acacia, as it demonstrates …

Perceptions Of Professionals, Faculty, And Students Regarding The Implementation Of An Agricultural Communications Degree Program In The United Kingdom, Jefferson D. Miller, Abby Davis, Kobina Danful Fanyinkah, Alex Mcleod, Cassandra Cox, Jill Rucker

Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of professionals, faculty, and students regarding the implementation of an agricultural communications degree program in the United Kingdom (U.K). It aimed to gather detailed opinions to aid in the planning of future agricultural communications curricula in the U.K., where no formal academic programs in this discipline exist in higher education. This study used a qualitative approach in the form of interviews to gain in-depth opinions on four different research objectives. Participants were pooled from three different demographic groups in the U.K: industry professionals, faculty, and students. These stakeholder expressed that …

Perceptions Of Available Funding Opportunities For West Tennessee’S Young And Beginning Row Crop Farmers, Logan Meeks

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research quickly identified many different avenues of funding available to new and beginning traditional row-crop farmers in Tennessee, but questions surrounding local farmers’ knowledge of these opportunities are in question. Many programs specific to the New and Beginning Farmer demographic boasted the potential benefits of using these programs as well as the good work these programs are accomplishing. The current increase in cost of traditional row-crop funding continues to drive the need for more funding resources with New and Beginning Farmers. Providing resources of where farmers can find the best available funds for their operation will expand the level of …

Leds For Controlled Environment Agriculture: Leveraging Light To Optimize Crops, Tristan D. Sanders

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Indoor agriculture is a growing industry with many of its benefits being recognized. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) reduce production costs compared to traditional light sources. LEDs emit narrow bandwidths of light that allow growers to easily change the wavelengths plants are being grown under by using different combinations of wavelengths. Manipulating the light that plants are grown under is a method to change their physiology which is the basis of this thesis. The goal of the first two studies was to investigate how different light spectra can be used to enhance the nutrition content, growth, and morphology of kale and …

Burnout Of Women In Agriculture, Ashley Rivers

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Agriculture is considered one of the foundations of the United States. Women have played an important but often overlooked role in the history of agriculture. Despite many significant contributions, women have been left out of the history and advancements of agriculture. This research examined the lived experiences of 56 women who are involved in production agriculture and the factors that can contribute to stress and burnout in this area. By identifying how females view their roles and various aspects of their work, valuable insights can be gained into the experiences women face. Financial challenges and gender bias were identified as …

Skipresnet: Crop And Weed Recognition Based On The Improved Resnet, Wenyi Hu, Tian Chen, Chunjie Lan, Shan Liu, Lirong Yin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Weeds have a detrimental effect on crop yield. However, the prevailing chemical weed control methods cause pollution of the ecosystem and land. Therefore, it has become a trend to reduce dependence on herbicides; realize a sustainable, intelligent weed control method; and protect the land. In order to realize intelligent weeding, efficient and accurate crop and weed recognition is necessary. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are widely applied for weed and crop recognition due to their high speed and efficiency. In this paper, a multi-path input skip-residual network (SkipResNet) was put forward to upgrade the classification function of weeds and crops. It …

Effects Of Habitat Selection And Individual Quality On The Reproductive Success Of Barn Owls (Tyto Furcata), Jaime E. Carlino

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The hypothesis of adaptive breeding habitat selection proposes congruence between the evolved selection of habitats and fitness components such as reproductive success. However, mismatches between habitat selection and observed fitness outcomes are not unusual and can arise for multiple reasons. Variation in individual qualities of animals has also been found to affect reproduction and survival. I examined associations between barn owl nest box selection, reproductive output, and plumage characteristics previously shown to correspond to individual quality. I found that barn owls selected tall nest boxes made of wood, mounted high off the ground, and with increased proportions of grassland around …

Barn Owls Exert Top-Down Effects On The Abundance And Behavior Of Rodent Pests, Katherine C. Larson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Predators can exert top-down effects on their prey by direct consumption, by imposing risk of predation, or a combination of both. However, empirical evidence for these effects is mixed and inconsistent. Barn owls in agriculture present a system with attributes that should, according to theory, lead to strong top-down effects, but research is limited and the distinction between effects on prey abundance and behavior remains unresolved. Understanding the top-down effect of predators on pests is a cornerstone of integrated pest management and important where barn owls may contribute to the control of rodents on farms. Vegetation can mediate the top-down …

Usu Extension Sustainability Permaculture Initiative: 2024 Impact Report, Sydney Fisk, Roslynn Brain Mccann, Jake Powell

Extension Research

2024 Impact Report includes information about Harvest Donations, Tomato Reallocation Project, Ivory Prize, Online Engagement, Garden Events, and Workshops, Webinars, & Tours.

Flashtags: Evaluating A Novel Deterrent To Reduce Livestock Depredation, C. Aaron Bott, Stewart W. Breck, Tom W. Murphy, Brad A. Freking, Carlos A. López González, David Prause, Corey Peavey, Albert Sommers, Coke Landers, Julie K. Young

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Social tolerance of carnivores can be improved by preventing conflicts through nonlethal predator deterrents (e.g., livestock protection dogs [Canis lupus familiaris] and human presence) that have been used for centuries. However, many livestock producers feel the existing preventative methods are inadequate for extensive production systems where livestock can be spread widely and have less human supervision. To address this issue, we developed and tested a new nonlethal tool called FlashTags to reduce livestock predation. FlashTags are ear tags worn by livestock that flash a random-light pattern at night when motion-triggered. In the first year, we tested the devices …

Adding Value To Crop Production Systems By Integrating Forage Cover Crop Grazing, Robert B. Mitchell, Daren D. Redfearn, Kenneth P. Vogel, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen Erickson, P. Steven Baenziger, Bruce E. Anderson, Mary E. Drewnoski, Jay Parsons, Steven D. Masterson, Marty R. Schmer, Virginia L. Jin

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

In addition to their value as cereal grains, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) are important cool-season annual forages and cover crops. Yearling steer (Bos taurus) performance was compared in the spring following autumn establishment as for age cover crops after soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grain harvest. Replicated pastures (0.4 ha) were no-till seeded in three consecutive years into soybean stubble in autumn, fertilized, and grazed the following spring near Ithaca, Nebraska, USA. Each pasture (n = 3) was continuously stocked in spring with four yearling steers (380 ± 38 kg) for …

Hop Cone Drying For The Small Grower: Temperature And Airflow Considerations, Stacy A. Adams, David M. Mabie, Michael F. Kocher, David Jones

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Small hop growers without nearby processors for cone stripping and drying must attempt to do so on their own farm. Challenges exist for self-built drying systems, including drying capacity, processing speed, airflow direction, and maintaining quality during drying. Research-based recommendations are given for optimal temperature, sizing of drying vessel, maximum cone depth, and influences associated with airflow on processing uniformity and cone quality are presented.

A Tale Of Two Working Landscapes, Sage C. Sutcliffe

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.