Agriculture Commons^™

Management And Nutrition Factors That Impact Broiler Breeder Fertility, Jeanna Wilson

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

This article addresses the recent decline in broiler breeder hatchability.  Both managerial and nutritional solutions for mitigating the decline in hatchability are discussed.

Rethinking Macro And Micro Mineral Formulation In Modern Broilers, K. M. Venter, A. Herbst, P. W. Plumstead

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

These proceedings discuss factors that affects calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper availability in poultry diets. Furthermore, the role of phytate and phytase on availability of the nutrients and their dietary requirements is investigated.

Engineering Broiler Efficiency Through Modern Infrastructure Design And Precision Control, Chris Travers

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

These proceedings describe a modern, innovative broiler site in South Africa constructed with the following objectives in mind: Scale, Energy Efficiency, Precision Environmental Control with AI Integration, and Off-Grid Power Autonomy.

Renal And Gastrointestinal Disturbances That Cause Wet Manure And Litter In Poultry: Non-Nutritional And Nutritional Interventions To Prevent And Control The Issues, Fausto Solís

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

These proceedings represent a broad overview of wet litter causes and management.  Both the impact on bird health and fertilizer management are discussed.  In addition to nutritional factors that impact litter quality, these proceedings address poultry health from disease implications of wet litter.

Precision Broiler Nutrition: Bioeconomic Optimization Of Broiler Feeds With A Focus On Balanced Protein (Bp) And Metabolizable Energy (Me), Shivaram K. Rao, Rocky Latham, Phillip Smith, Hunter Walters, Malea Frank, Alejandro Corzo

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Key broiler performance indicators in live performance and yields are impacted by precision nutrition, and more specifically balanced protein and energy.  These proceedings deal with bioeconomic optimization of broiler performance using profit scenarios like income over feed costs.

Soybean Meal Quality: Key Quality Control Parameters And Current Recommended Thresholds For In Vitro Assessments, Benjamin Parsons

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

These proceedings review the anti-nutritional factors of soybean meal and its resultant quality.  Numerous in vitro assays are discussed herein.  Recommendations from data on the most robust assays to assess both under and overprocessing of soybean meal are discussed.

Does Phytase Change How We Feed Breeders?, Wenting Li

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Dietary evaluation of the use of exogenous phytase has received considerable attention in broilers, but not broiler breeders.  Moreover, the limited studies that have assessed phytase in broiler breeders are dated, which makes interpretation problematic because dated phytase enzymes are not as efficacious as current phytase enzymes.  The article addressed practical applications for dietary phytase in broiler breeder diets.

A Practical Approach To Sustainability In The Poultry Industry, Franco Mussini

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

This work highlights poultry industry advances in production, nutrition, and processing with less environmental impact. Specific sections address exogenous enzyme application on mineral nutrition and protein and feed-grade amino acid nutrition.  Finally, conclusions on precision feeding opportunities in the broiler industry and meat production comparison with other animal production industries are discussed.

Current State Of U.S. Soybean Industry, Gordon Denny

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

This presentation highlights the current state of U.S. soybean production and the subsequent industrial manufacturing of oil and soybean meal.  The former has been quoted as being in “the midst of the most dramatic and significant changes in history.”  Reasons for the former are discussed.

An Analysis Of Systemic And Contact Herbicide Usage Trends In Illinois Corn Production Systems, Paige E. Mckittrick

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Herbicide use is central to weed management in Illinois corn production; however, long-term changes in the balance between systemic and contact herbicides have not been well quantified at the statewide scale. This study analyzes herbicide trends in Illinois corn from 1982 to 2016 using secondary data from the USDA Agricultural Chemical Use Survey, paired with climate, regulatory, and herbicide resistance information. Herbicide active ingredients were classified into systemic and contact functional categories and grouped according to Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) mode-of-action (MOA) codes. For each survey year, total herbicide load (lb a.i./acre), functional proportions, MOA-specific contributions, and a …

Influences On Student College-Major Decision And Satisfaction Rate Among Students In The School Of Agriculture, Danielle Shafer

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence students to choose agriculture majors and agriculture careers and measure the level of satisfaction with their major based on these influences. There are many factors that influence students to choose a major in college and college-major satisfaction. These influences and satisfaction with major may have an impact on a student’s decision to choose a college career path. Some of the influences mentioned in studies are family, friends, educators, extension programs, clubs, financial, and recruitment efforts. The degree to which each of these influence students may depend on the …

Variable Temperature And Moisture Requirements For Germination Within Populations Of Kochia (Bassia Scoparia) In Field Margins, Brian Schutte, Rebecca Creamer

Entomology, Plant Pathology, & Weed Science: Datasets

No abstract provided.

High Potential, Uneven Uptake: Off-Grid Renewables In Agriculture Across The Global South, Muhamad Setyawan Bahari, Destia Mardhotillah

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Reliable energy access is widely recognized as essential for agricultural development, yet adoption of off-grid renewable energy technologies (RETs) in the Global South remains uneven despite their high potential. While RETs are increasingly promoted as solutions to food insecurity and energy poverty, evidence on what enables or constrains their uptake across agricultural contexts remains fragmented. This study systematically reviews 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2025 using the PRISMA framework and synthesizes findings through a PESTEL lens. The literature has expanded in recent years, reflecting growing policy attention to the energy–agriculture nexus, but remains concentrated in Asia and heavily …

Efficacy And Safety Of Semaglutide In Adults Without Diabetes Who Are Overweight Or Obese, Rebecca Petty

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

INTRODUCTION:

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and contributes to the leading cause of death in the US — heart disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) have recently emerged as a treatment option for obesity. The purpose of this clinical review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of semaglutide in adults without diabetes who are overweight or obese.

METHODS:

PubMed was searched using a precise search strategy and the key terms “semaglutide,” “weight loss,” and “without diabetes.” Results were filtered and narrowed using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four high-quality studies were …

Data And Analysis Code For Agricultural Risk Perceptions And Willingness To Change Farming Practices In The Rio Grande Valley Of Texas, Owen Temby, Dongkyu Kim, Anthony R. Lima

Datasets

This dataset supports research on farmers’ perceptions of agricultural risk and their stated willingness to use water-management and conservation practices in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Data were collected in 2024–2025 from farm owners in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. Mailed invitations directed recipients to a Qualtrics questionnaire, followed by telephone outreach through the UTRGV Center for Survey Research and Policy Analysis. Participants could respond online or answer the questionnaire orally during a telephone interview. The released dataset contains 93 records with recorded consent, including partial responses; 72 records support the core regression analyses. Survey measures cover …

United States Mainstream Meat Market Entry: An Analysis On Speciality Goat Meat Products, Madison Raye Schmitz

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Understanding consumers' perspectives and motivations is key when looking into making goat meat more accepted in the mainstream meat market. Previous research has shown there is a demand for goat meat from different populations in the US. Consumers also care more about the quality of the food they purchase. Understanding that goat meat has lower cholesterol and is leaner than other red meat is important to incorporating goat meat in niche consumer markets. Providing consumers with a product that is familiar to them is more acceptable than giving consumers a cut of meat they are unfamiliar with. Standard products like …

Element-Based Predictive Modeling Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Bioproducts Derived From Corn Stover, Isamu Umeda, Meicen Liu, Yi Zheng, Jiefu Wang, Zhiwu Wang, Sandeep Kumar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process offers an energetic advantage over pyrolysis because it does not require prior drying of the biomass feedstock. However, there are significant challenges in simultaneously estimating both the yields and characteristics of products from the HTL of biomass with theoretical support. This study developed a unique element-based kinetic model to predict the yields, higher heating values, and fuel characteristics of solid residue and heavy bio-oil, based on the temperature, residence time, solid loading, and elemental composition (C, H, N, and O) of corn stover. Furthermore, the model predicted the weights of dissolved carbon and nitrogen in …

Technical Skills And Their Roles In Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Education, Ryan Loy, Logan L. Britton, F. Bailey Norwood

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The integration of advanced technical skills and supply chain management (SCM) tools is critical for the evolving demands of agribusiness. This study identifies the technical competencies, software proficiencies, and educational strategies essential for preparing students to excel in modern SCM roles. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 SCM professionals across US agribusiness sectors, the study highlights the demand for expertise in tools such as SAP, Power BI, and SQL alongside capabilities in data-driven decision-making and adaptability. Despite theoretical preparation, graduates often lack practical experience with industry-standard technologies, underscoring a gap in academic curricula. The findings suggest that agribusiness programs should emphasize …

Success Criteria: Sustainable Efficacy In Australian Farmer Groups, David K. Mckenzie, Janine Joyce, Kerstin K. Zander, Penelope A.S. Wurm, Kim M. Caudwell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: To examine the factors and processes that sustain the efficacy of farmer groups as extension intermediaries for influencing collective innovation, and knowledge co-creation and exchange. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from farmer interviews, focus groups, and the published digital documents of five farmer groups across SE Australia. A grounded theory mixed-methods approach was used for data collection and analysis, aided by Atlas software in constructing concepts and a concept map representing group processes. Findings: The ability of groups to influence farm innovation, and farmer learning and knowledge co-creation, depends on the group efficacy. Group identity in advancing farmer interests and …

Effects Of Compost Incorporated Versus Surface Applied On Soybean Yield And Soil Health, Maheshwari Kuchanapally

Theses and Dissertations

Compost application is increasingly recognized as a sustainable soil management practice that enhances soil health and crop production. However, the method of application, incorporated versus surface applied, may influence its effectiveness in improving soil properties and crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of compost application method on soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) yield and soil health at Illinois State University Research Farm in Lexington, Illinois, across two growing seasons, 2024 and 2025. The 2024 experiment used a Completely Randomized Design comparing incorporated versus surface-applied compost (n = 4; 8 plots). The 2025 experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design …

Influence Of Rice Hull Biochar And Cedar Bark Media On Strawberry Productivity And Carbon Sequestration Potential In Hydroponic Systems, Sakalya Rajapakse, Munehiro Tanaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study evaluated the influence of rice hull biochar (RHB) and cedar bark media (CBM) as sustainable substrates for hydroponic strawberry cultivation. The total yield from virgin CBM was 413 g/plant and that from virgin RHB was 354 g/plant. Used CBM increased the yield by 4 % (429 g/plant) while used RHB increased yield by 18 % (419 g/plant) compared to the virgin, with no significant substrate differences. Fruit yields and physical properties were strongly correlated, particularly with particle density (R2 = 0.573). After 7 years of cultivation, plant residues had accumulated in both substrates. Uncarbonized carbohydrates in RHB indicated …

The Role Of Agricultural Biomass In Supply Chain Decarbonization, Ruxia Lyu, Sobhan Arisian, Zhitang Li, Mohammad S. Taskhiri, Reza Kiani Mavi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To achieve supply chain decarbonization, environmentally conscious manufacturers are transforming their energy infrastructure. While certain manufacturers are adopting a pure bioenergy strategy in their production processes, others are opting for a hybrid energy approach that combines traditional energy with bioenergy. This choice is often influenced by limitations in land capacity and the developmental stage of biomass conversion technologies. This paper introduces a game-theoretic model that explores the optimal approach to achieving supply chain decarbonization by strategically selecting energy portfolios. Our findings reveal that in scenarios where the market size is small, manufacturers tend to adopt a hybrid energy strategy, particularly …

Does Diverse Seeding Adoption Reduce Production Costs? The Case Of Diverse Forage Seeding Strategies In West Virginia., Ivan Andres Wong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Feed and harvested forage represent a major share of production costs in Appalachian cow-calf systems, where a pronounced summer forage gap forces producers to rely on purchased hay. This thesis evaluates whether adopting diverse forage seeding strategies reduces production costs relative to the existing pasture management practice, accounting for the spatial heterogeneity of West Virginia’s production environments. The analysis proceeds in two steps. First, an unsupervised K-means clustering of 14 farms enrolled in the NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant field trial groups the farms into two agroclimatic clusters, Highland-Cool and LowlandWarm, using elevation, growing-season Growing Degree Days, growing-season precipitation, and soil …

Hydroponics In The Classroom: Cultivating Plants, Captivating Young People, Stacy A. Adams, Christian Stephenson, Theresa James, Kim Todd

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Few students take the initiative to pursue coursework beyond that required for progression to graduation. Limited are opportunities that connect educational content to industry application, potentially inspiring young people towards impactful careers. The United States government has emphasized the importance of STEM education to ensure national security and to maintain economic competitiveness globally. STEM education is not a defined discipline but an approach for building knowledge through application and engagement. Developing and managing a hydroponics prototype provides numerous opportunities for embedding STEM content into a fun and interactive project. This poster provides inspiration for constructing a simple deep water culture …

Comparing Individual Vs Mixed Treatments Of Chicken Bone Meal And Crab Shell Meal On The Growth Of Capsicum Annuum (Bell Pepper), Allthur Rudy R. Arroyo, John Rafael V. Capinia, Ethan Jude R. Reyes, Elnathan Jethro B. Sumalbag, Karl Benedict E. Viri, John Ray Cordova Estrellado, Kerry P. Cabral

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The recycling of nutrient-rich food waste reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, enhances soil quality, and improves plant growth. Existing studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of food waste, such as bone meal (B) and crab shell meal (S), as fertilizers; however, their combined use has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effect of varying proportions of B and S fertilizers on the growth of Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) employing a random complete block design with 10 treatments (pure B, pure S, and a 50:50 BS mix, each at 7 g, 14 g, and 21 g) plus a control …

Temperature Variability And Its Effect On Seasonal Yield Of Rice In Bangladesh: A Long-Term Trend Assessment, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Md. Abdur Rouf Sarkar, Mou Rani Sarker, Andrew M. Mckenzie, Sheikh Arafat Islam Nihad, Akbar Hossain

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bangladesh, an agriculturally reliant and climate-vulnerable country, requires real-time quantification of climatic variables, such as temperature, to sustain food security. However, the effects of spatial and temporal temperature variations on rice productivity across seasons remain underexplored. Our study addresses this gap by analyzing temperature data from 35 meteorological stations (1970-2020) using parametric and nonparametric methods. The Mann-Kendall test revealed a pronounced increase in minimum temperatures compared to maximum temperatures, particularly during the monsoon season. K-means clustering identified four seasonal station clusters, revealing that rising minimum temperatures positively influenced Aus rice yields in seven regions, while temperatures above 35 degrees C …

The Effect Of Withering Methods On Physicochemical And Sensory Properties Of Liberica Coffee Leaf Tea (Coffea Liberica), Surhaini Surhaini, Indriyani Indriyani, Rahayu Suseno, Rinaldi Rinaldi, Ferry Jie, Huda Wazzan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different withering methods on physicochemical and organoleptic properties of Liberica coffee leaf tea (Coffea liberica) and to identify the optimal treatment. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five withering treatments, including no withering, room temperature withering for 10 h, air withering for 10 h, oven withering at 60°C for 30 min, and steaming for 2 min, each with four replications. The observed parameters included powder moisture content, pH, color (L*, a*, b*), antioxidant activity, total phenols, total tannins, flavonoids, and sensory attributes, namely color, aroma, acidity, taste, …

Impact Of Optimized Irrigation Scheduling On Wheat Growth, Yield And Water Use Efficiency Under Arid Conditions, Muhammad Arshad Khan, Ashiq Saleem, Muhammad Mansoor, Abdul Fatah Soomro, Haroon Shahzad

Journal of Bioresource Management

Improving water use efficiency is crucial since, in Pakistan, water is the main resource that limits crop productivity. A field study was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates at the research farm of the Arid Zone Research Centre, Dera Ismail Khan, to determine the effects of altered irrigation schedules on wheat growth, yield and water use efficiency (WUE). LI₁ and LI₂ (90 and 60 mm irrigation) at crown root, tillering and milking stages, LI₃ (60 mm irrigation) at crown root and tillering stages and (90 mm irrigation) at milking stage, and LI …

Utilization Of Phytogenic Silver Nanoparticles And Bacterial Agents For The Management Of Citrus Canker Disease, Zainab Jamil, Tariq Mukhtar, Muhammad Usman Raja, Muhammad Shahbaz, Jaya Seelan S. Seelan, Muhammed Tatar, Amjad Ali, Noor Fatima, Rahma Bejaoui, Ayşe Usanmaz Bozhüyük

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Citrus is one of the most important and widely cultivated fruit crops globally. However, its productivity is increasingly threatened by various diseases, with bacterial infections being particularly the most destructive. Among these, citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac), poses a significant challenge, requiring effective management strategies. Traditional approaches have shown limited success, but nanotechnology has emerged as a promising alternative for disease control. In this study, Xanthomonas spp. was isolated from two locations: Koont Farm and the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) citrus orchards in Islamabad, Pakistan. The isolates were identified through morpho-biochemical methods. Moreover, three Bacillus …

Optimizing Cultivated Land Productivity Through Integrated Fertilization Strategies And Uav-Assisted Management, Kejun Wang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study investigates the impact of long-term fertilization modes on crop health and productivity using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted monitoring and a Q-learning-based approach for optimized fertilization strategies. An approximate state-matching Q-learning algorithm was developed to improve the efficiency of agricultural UAVs in fertilization tasks. The spatiotemporal patterns of cultivated land productivity under different fertilization regimes were analyzed in a long-term experiment. An evaluation system for cultivated land health productivity was established. The results indicated that the Q-learning algorithm enabled UAVs to achieve efficient task completion. QLASM outperformed traditional methods on all metrics. QLASM achieved a 92% task completion rate …