Animal Sciences Commons^™

Wildlife Deterrence Method Test Device, Garrett Tietz, Adam Webb, Dane Knutson

Mechanical Engineering

The objective of the Deer Busters team is to design and build a device or system of devices that will be used to determine which method, or methods, are most effective at deer deterrence. JumpSport suspects that a method which gives the appearance of approach to the deer in an aggressive or startling manner but also changes the way it attacks so that the deer do not get used to the device will be most effective. Deer Busters is committed to the completion of the deer deterrent testing device by the end of the fall quarter of 2014.

Methane Production By A Packed-Bed Anaerobic Digester Fed Dairy Barn Flush Water, Sean Richard Thomson

Master's Theses

Packed-bed digesters are an alternative to covered lagoon digesters for methane production and anaerobic treatment of dilute wastewaters such as dairy barn flush water. The physical media of packed-beds retain biofilms, often allowing increased treatment rates. Previous studies have evaluated several types of media for digestion of dilute wastewaters, but cost and media fouling have setback commercial development. A major operational cost has been effluent recirculation pumping.

In the present effort, a novel approach to anaerobic digestion of flush dairy water was developed at pilot-scale: broken walnut shells were used as a low-cost packed-bed medium and effluent recirculation was replaced …

Mother Convict Cichlids Inflict More Bites Upon An Intruder In Hot Temperatures, Jesse L. Heckendorf

STAR Program Research Presentations

Convict cichlids (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) have developed to be extremely good parents by protecting their brood. Parental care leads to aggressive biting, chasing, and gill flaring to intimidate known predators. In this experiment, we show that environmental factors, such as the changing of temperature in this case, affect a female convict cichlid’s aggression toward caring for her offspring when an intruder is introduced. Females attack more in warmer water.

Assessment Of Salmon Habitat On The Feather River, Nathan Sweem

STAR Program Research Presentations

Human activity in central valley streams has had a significantly negative impact on salmon habitat (Williams 2006). The presence of dams impedes sediment transport which is critical to salmon spawning (Williams 2006; Kondolf 1997). As part of an effort to enhance salmon spawning, the California Department of Water Resources added 7000 ft³ of gravel to Cottonwood Hatchery, Upper Auditorium, and Auditorium riffles on the Lower Feather River below the Thermalito Dam Complex in July of 2014. Stream conditions at Cottonwood Hatchery riffle were assessed by conducting analysis of sediment grain size, water depth and velocity, gravel permeability, and dissolved …

Aquaponics And Basil Plant Density, Danika L. Macmaster, Brook Murphy, Dudley Burton

STAR Program Research Presentations

Aquaponics is the use of water from a fish tank to provide nutrients to plants in a soil-less environment. The rocks cultivate the bacteria that turns the ammonia into nitrates that the plants need, and the plant bed functions as a filter for the fish tank. In this study, with the guidance of Doctor Dudley Burton, Doctor Brook Murphy, we researched the optimal plant density for basil in an Aquaponics system. We attempted to control or measure all the other variables to consider, as to isolate the variable of distance between plants. The water flow was spread through the plant …

Lamb Bacon: How The Method Of Brine Distribution And Addition Of A Dry Rub Influences Yields, Morgan Metheny

Animal Science

This study was conducted to test the whether lamb breasts can substitute as the raw material in producing a bacon product. Due to the difference in fat saturation between pork and lamb, this research was used to test how successful lamb absorbs the brine in order to make bacon. The yield results of two different processing techniques, injection and tumbling, were compared along with comparing the affect of adding a dry rub of seasonings to the lamb surface. The 120 lambs breasts were split into four groups of 30. Each group received a different treatment: plain tumbled, plain injected, seasoned …

Characterization Of Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Biovar Equi Isolates Obtained From Cal Poly Horses And Review Of Application Of Transposons To Better Prevent Pigeon Fever In Horses, Irene Hasen

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

Biodiversity: A Guide To Agricultural Wildlife, Rebecca Ozeran, Elaina Cromer

Animal Science

We have compiled a list of the birds and mammals that we documented at selected locations on campus. Through this document we aim to offer an easily accessible resource that students, faculty, and visitors can utilize to not just satisfy their curiosity but also spark further contemplation. For each species and for each location, we have also summarized the possible implications of our observations from a holistic perspective. The purpose of this is to get people to think about the way land is managed and what may indicate that it is being mismanaged or that the certain aspects of current …

The Effects Of Different Cryopreservation Techniques On The Survival Rate Of In Vitro Produced (Ivp) And Biopsied Bovine Blastocysts, Diana J. Gumber

Animal Science

This study’s objectives were to determine if the biopsy of expanded blastocysts prior to cryopreservation affected the survival rates and determine if there is a difference between slow-freezing in 10% glycerol, slow freezing in ethylene glycol, and vitrification in terms of survival rate of the embryos. Blastocoeles were reduced prior to cryopreservation by means of biopsy. Embryos for slow freezing were exposed to ethylene glycol (SynGRO Ethylene Glycol with Sucrose, BIONICHE, Pullman, WA, USA) or 10% glycerol (SynGRO 10% Glycerol, BIONICHE, Pullman, WA, USA) as cryoprotectants. Vitrified embryos were exposed to 10% and 40% ethylene glycol. Survival rate of biopsied …

Incorporation Of Equine Assisted Therapy In University Curriculum, Shelby Y. Sabati

Animal Science

Equine-assisted activity and therapy incorporates physical, mental and language treatments through equine movement to remediate medical conditions or impairments in clients. For all the opportunities that equine-assisted therapy provides there is little education on the practice. The focus of this project is to present the process, benefits and limitations of adopting an equine-assisted therapy course at California Polytechnic State University so it may be used as a reference for future course proposal.

Objective: The aim of this proposal is to offer insight into Equine-assisted therapy, understanding how to integrate the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International curriculum into the …

Beef Cattle Lesson Plans: For Use In The Education Of School-Age Children In The Beef Cattle Industry, Katherine M. Halloran, Cheyenne H. Love

Animal Science

This project was initially created for use at Fort Hope in Arroyo Grande, California. It designs lesson plans created to teach children about the beef cattle industry. The project consists of lesson plans for three age groups: 7-9, 10-12, and 13-15. Each age group will learn various aspects about beef cattle, and lessons will increase in complexity as the children advance age groups. The groups will spend six days in lecture completing worksheets and activities, and on the seventh day, after completion of a review game, the children receive certificates. While the project was created specifically for the Fort Hope …

Assessing Rodent Species Counts And Diversity In The Not-Grazed Montana De Oro State Park And The Rotationally Grazed Pecho Ranch, Nancy Marie Lemos

Master's Theses

The available data examining the influence of rotational grazing on rodent responses are limited. This study investigated how rotational livestock grazing practices influence small mammal rodent abundances and species diversity. We looked for evidence of variation in the occurrence and/or numbers of certain rodent species among three plant community types (grassland, shrubland, grass-shrub mix), managed with or without grazing. We used Sherman live traps over a total of eight trapping sessions. We totaled 486 trapnights for each of the six plant community and grazing management combinations. The three plant community types were identified by visual cover.

Out of the eight …

A Comparison Of The Standard 5-Day Co-Synch With Cidr Protocol And A 14-Day Co-Synch With Cidr Protocol In Primiparous And Multiparous Beef Cattle, Taylor Anne Dericco

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Covering System, Sealing Time, And Packing On Fermentation, Nutritional Quality, And Organic Matter Loss Of Corn Silage In A Drive-Over Pile, Katie Rose Nutcher

Dairy Science

This project involved an experiment conducted using a 550-ton capacity drive-over pile of whole-plant corn silage. The main effects compared were: packing the final forage surface with a loader or crawler, delay or immediate sealing, and covering with standard plastic or an oxygen barrier film.

Numerous studies have shown that the absence of oxygen in silage stored in a bunker silo or pile is crucial for proper fermentation and to ensure the highest quality silage at feed out. When oxygen is allowed to permeate through the covering material, it leads to visible spoilage. This trial showed that the oxygen barrier …

Improving Cow Comfort To Reduce Health Issues And Increase Milk Yield On Dairy Farms, Shonlyn Ferrari

Dairy Science

In recent years the dairy industry has been looking more and more into cow comfort. This is because there are many benefits to ensuring cows are in some of the best new facilities. I looked into some of the major issues relating to cow comfort which include how to improve your own dairy, what health problems are common with inadequate cow comfort, and how these issues relate back to milk yield. First cow comfort is outlined and explained, then health problems are shown to be caused by improper cow care and lastly how cow comfort can improve milk yield. In …

Setting Up A Safety Program For California Dairies., Shelby Locke

Dairy Science

The purpose of this project was to take the best research for dairy safety in California and combine it in everyday terminology that the average dairy producer could understand. In today’s dairy industry, money is tight and decreasing costs is very important. By implementing a safety program that is in compliance with CAL/OSHA’s standards, injuries will decrease, saving the dairy producer money. This paper has highlighted the major topics for a new dairy to start their safety training program. It includes descriptions of the hazards, responsibilities for employers and employees and ways to prevent accidents from occurring. By summarizing the …

Effects Of Alternative Protein Milk Replacer Versus All-Milk Protein Milk Replacer On Weight Gain And Grain Intake In Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves, Kayla Sandoval

Dairy Science

The objective of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in weight gain and grain intake between Holstein calves fed milk replacer with an alternative protein source and an all-milk replacer. The study took place on a large commercial calf operation in the Central Valley of California. All calves on trial were Holstein bull calves and started the trial within three to ten days of birth. Calves on trial were weighed a total of four times. The 236 treatments did not start until the second weight was measured at about 30 days of age and was …

A Recommendation For The California Dairy System Reform Based On A Comparative Study Of Dairy Market Structuring And Pricing Systems Of Seven Leading Dairy Industries In 2014., Meredith Frisius

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.

Best Management Practices For Raising Dairy Calves From Birth To Weaning, Alexa Cabral

Dairy Science

There are many different ways to raise calves on dairy farms in the United States. The way calves are raised can depend on the resources, natural environment and operation of the farm. There is no right or wrong way to raise calves. However, the aim of raising calves is to find the best way to raise a healthy calf so that she will become a productive cow. The objective of this literature review was to determine the ideal management practices for raising a healthy calf from birth to weaning. This literature analyzed numerous articles that covered all aspects of calf …

Preparing Samples Of Rancid Milk For Milk Judging Contests, Danielle Li

Dairy Science

Due to the growing concern of raw milk, there is a growing need for other methods of preparing rancid milk for milk judging. The origin of rancidity in milk is due to lipolysis caused the lipase enzyme. However, with pasteurization, the lipase enzyme is inactivated. The purpose of this experiment was to compare the effect of using lipase powder to other current methods of preparing rancid milk, such as utilizing raw milk. Result showed that all treatments caused desired rancidity. The second purpose was to compare the rancidity between Method A, two to three hour incubation at room temperature, and …

Haccp-Based Program For Central Coast Creamery: A Small-Scale Artisan Cheese Production Facility, Catherine Machado

Dairy Science

This project was designed to outline a HACCP-based program that could be used for the start-up of Central Coast Creameries personal plan. The goal was to first provide a layout to more easily distinguish the hazards that the plant might face. After doing so the HACCP plan was made to eliminate those hazards both efficiently and successfully.

Development Of Applied Standard Operating Procedures And Monitoring Practices, Nick Southfield

Dairy Science

Development of a standard operating procedure program for Southfield Dairy was chosen in order to improve the work environment and animal health with an underlying goal to improve profitability. Critical control points for the milk barns, maternity barn and calf barn on the dairy, were identified as being critical to the production of quality milk, both for sale and calf feed. Data recording implementation through identification of recordable data, equipment purchases, and log sheet production, was done so to increase relevant information available for veterinary services and specialty consultants. Implementation of procedural documents and training programs are discussed to see …

A Literature Review On Injection-Site Lesions In Dairy Cows And Culling Decisions, Eric B. Parsons

Dairy Science

Currently dairy producers face particular problems concerning their culled cows and bulls, these problems must be addressed so dairy producers have the opportunity to improve the quality of beef produced from their cull dairy cows. At the moment, not much is known about culling decisions outside “break-even” numbers and poor cow conditioning. This literature review outlines the strategy behind culling decisions and looks into potential plans to develop progressive body conditioning and quality of meat sent to auction. Currently the dairy industry is not placing much demand into providing the livestock auctions and harvest plants with higher quality meat. This …

The Effects Of Implementing Cow Cooling For Oostdam Dairy: Benefits From Milk Production, Feed Intake, And Reproduction, Mark Oostdam

Dairy Science

Heat stress has a major effect on management decisions for a dairy operation because of the decrease in the cows productivity. Dairy cattle loose efficiency of economic production due to lower milk yields and decreased pregnancy rates. Milk loss due to heat stressed cows in California averages a loss of 293 kg of milk/cow/year(St.-Pierre et al., 2003), and with milk prices reaching record highs, dairies are losing out on increased revenue opportunity. Increases in reproductive infertility from heat stress also affect revenue for a dairy operation by reducing conception rates (Hansen 1997) and pregnancy rates, which causes the average days …

The Implications Of Global Warming Upon United States Dairy Herds: Effects On The Economics Of Dairying And Stability Of Herds With Low Genetic Diversity, Lauren Lusby

Dairy Science

Global warming (GW) is of real concern for the current U.S. agricultural industry. The agricultural industry has had a hand in emitting into the atmosphere. Severe heat spells seen nationwide and volatile climate shifts have pushed states such as California to implement governmental support to high impact areas due to dwindling water sources. Motivated dairy industry members have created plans to reduce dairy GHE contribution. Some research has suggested a benefit in GHG emissions from fewer cow-higher production approaches to dairy farmers. Most U.S. dairy cattle are specialized due to high inbreeding values created by selecting for few production traits …

The Analysis Of Solar Photovoltaic Power System On A Large Central Valley Dairy Farm, Brogan Rose Fernandes

Dairy Science

The objective of this paper was to determine the financial benefits of installing a PV solar system on a dairy farm in California to create a more efficient and profitable business. The data used was based off Fernoak Farms electrical bills from Southern California Edison before and after solar installation. The background knowledge of how PV solar systems work and their design was incorporated, along with the research of the past, present, and future solar markets. The characteristics of energy consumption on an average dairy farm is given to show the amount of electricity needed to keep the dairy facility …

Updated Ethography For European Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris) In Central Coast Vineyards, Vic A. Guerrero

Wine and Viticulture

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Substituting True Protein With Non-Protein Nitrogen In Holstein Dairy Heifers Precision-Fed Different Forage To Concentrate Ratios, Noe Alberto Gomez

Animal Science

Understanding the efficiency and digestibility of dietary nutrients in dairy heifers is essential for minimizing costs and environmental impacts of the dairy industry. The objective of this study was to interpret the effects of manipulating rumen-degradable protein (RDP) in a precision feeding system. Eight Holstein ruminally cannulated heifers (14.6 ± 0.1 mo of age, and 386 ± 9.1 kg of weight) were randomly assigned to 2 forage levels: HC (25% forage) and LC (75% forage) and to a degradable protein sequence [0% degradable protein from urea U, 100% casein C (no urea treatment U0); 33% U, 67% C …

Using Progesterone As An Indicator Of Ovarian Response To Stimulation In Cattle, Kayla Mariah Kauffman

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

Culturally Speaking: The Time Is Right For Drinkable Yogurts To Take Off In The United States, Phillip Tong

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.