Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Are We Making Progress With Hay Quality In Kentucky?, Buddy Sims

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

During the Kentucky State Fair, Garry Lacefield asked if I would be on the XVI Kentucky Alfalfa Conference program. Certainly I never miss an opportunity to talk, especially about testing forages. Then in October we communicated again and it was decided that my topic would be "Are We Making Progress With Hay Quality in Kentucky?" Seems like a simple yes or no question! Well ... l elected to think about this under the middle of December. Of course, during this time, the people of the Commonwealth elected a new Commissioner of Agriculture. Your selection was Billy Ray Smith, who throughout …

Role Of Alfalfa In Our Farming Operation, Larry Jeffries

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Our farming operation consists of 214 acres. We raise 14,000 pounds of tobacco, have a purebred beef cattle herd, and sell hay. Alfalfa is the only one of the three sources of income that we can project an increase for 1996.

Our alfalfa cash hay sales have increased for several years due to the increase of suburban horse owners in the Louisville area.

I think it is important to have a written plan for 1996. We wouldn't think of making a long trip without a map, especially into strange territory - we farmers are in strange territory. If you don't …

Utilizing Alfalfa Hay In Horse Diets, Laurie Lawrence

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

All horses need fiber in their diets. Forages, usually as pasture or hay, are the primary sources of fiber in most rations. The exact amount of hay that a horse will eat on a daily or yearly basis will depend on the size of the horse, the class of the horse (pregnant, working, etc) and the type of hay being fed. The type and amount of other feeds in the ration will also impact the amount of hay consumed, but in general, horse owners/managers should try to maximize forage intake and then supplement with grain or other feeds to meet …

Advances In Harvesting And Storing High Quality Alfalfa, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

On suitable soils, alfalfa produces the highest yields of dry matter and nutrients possible under Kentucky conditions. Limitations to achievement of this potential are often related to losses that occur during alfalfa harvest and storage. We have conducted a number of studies addressing technologies designed to minimize the extent of these losses.

Fencing And Watering Systems For Grazing Alfalfa, Larry Turner

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Controlled or rotational grazing can result in better utilization of the forage resources on your farm. By better forage management through controlled grazing, you can increase profitability of cattle/forage systems. To effectively develop a controlled grazing system, however, fencing must be used to subdivide the pasture into sub-fields or paddocks. The animals may then be rotated among the paddocks to optimize forage and beef or dairy production from the system. Alfalfa grazing can play an important part in such a system. By using alfalfa, additional grazing management options are available, including avoiding high-endophyte fescue in hot summer periods thereby gaining …

Opportunities For Alfalfa As A Grazing Crop In Kentucky, Ken Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

As we think about the possibilities of alfalfa as a grazing crop, maybe we need to look at some of the limitations and where alfalfa may fit into Kentucky producers programs.

When looking at Kentucky's land area of 25 million acres we see that nearly half is in woodland. Of the 12 million acres remaining; about 3 million is in row crops, 2 million in hay, 2 million in non farm uses, and the rest is pasture. That is about 5 million acres in pasture or at least available to the pastured. With at least 7 million acres in hay …

Grazing Alfalfa: Putting The Puzzle Together, Garry D. Lacefield, Jimmy C. Henning, David Stalion

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Interest in alfalfa as a grazing crop has increased dramatically over the past decade. There are many research and demonstrations being conducted in Kentucky and across the U.S. as we continue to investigate and learn more about alfalfa's role in forage-based livestock production.

Listed below are some of the reasons farmers, researchers and agribusiness personnel are excited about the opportunity for alfalfa as a grazing crop.

Foreword [1996], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Extirpation Of A Recently Established Feral Pig Population In Kansas, Chad D. Richardson, Philip S. Gipson, David P. Jones, James C. Luchsinger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Most feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are descendants of domestic swine that have gone wild and their reproduction is uncontrolled by man. A few populations may be descendants of European wild boar or crosses between wild boar and domestic swine. Disease control officials report that 23 states have established populations of feral pigs and the total feral pig population in the United States is probably in excess of 2 million animals. A population of feral pigs was documented in the fall of 1993 on the Fort Riley Military Installation in northeastern Kansas. Biologists from the Fort Riley Natural Resources …

The Professional Evolution Of Wildlife Damage Management, James E. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The term -- wildlife damage management, in lieu of animal damage control, vertebrate pest control, or nuisance animal control -- has become the currently recognized term for an area of wildlife management that a growing number of professionals spend a significant part of their time and/or career working in. The acceptance of this terminology is, however, a part of the continuing evolution of the profession and not simply a name change for political correctness. Admittedly, my purpose is not to validate or beg acceptance of this terminology. Rather, what I hope to do is to justify the underlying premise of …

Efficacy Of Shooting Permits For Deer Damage Abatement In Wisconsin, Rick R. Horton, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The efficacy of out-of-season shooting permits for deer damage abatement in Wisconsin has not been critically evaluated. We used deer damage shooting permits to remove 21 antlerless deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 7 heavily damaged alfalfa fields to evaluate subsequent impact on crop damage. Volunteer shooters, using permits issued to the landowners, hunted a minimum of 3 nights/week throughout the growth of the third alfalfa crop (Aug. 1 - late Sept.). We calculated the difference between the assessed damage to the second crop (untreated) and the third crop (treated) on treatment and control farms. We found no significant difference …

A Historical Perspective Of Catfish Production In The Southeast In Relation To Avian Predation, Donald F. Mott, Martin W. Brunson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Production of aquaculture species, especially catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in the Mississippi Delta, is a relatively new and expanding industry. Catfish production represents the largest dollar value of the aquaculture industry, accounting for approximately 50% of the entire industry. Mississippi is responsible for 82% of the total U.S. catfish production. Fish-eating bird populations have capitalized on this new food source. Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), and great egrets (Casmerodius albus) are the primary predators on catfish. Cormorant caused losses in excess of $2 million per year have been reported in …

Pesticide Use By The Federal/Cooperative Animal Damage Control (Adc) Program, 1988-1991, Gus Connolly

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

ADC personnel use many wildlife damage control methods including pesticide products. This paper presents a national overview of the kinds and amounts of chemical pesticides used by ADC in direct control activities during Fiscal Years (FY) 1988-1991. The pesticides used by ADC included aluminwn phosphide, 4-aminopyridine, bone tar oil, brodifacoum, carbon, alpha-chloralose, cholecalciferol, DRC-1339, fenthion, glyphosate, immobilizing & euthanizing drugs, mineral oil, PA-14, phosphorus, polybutene, sodium cyanide, sodium fluoroacetate, sodium nitrate, strychnine, sulfur, and zinc phosphide. This summary shows that ADC personnel used remarkably small amounts of chemicals during FY 1988- 1991. Overall amounts of pesticides used by ADC …

Relationships Between Wild Turkeys And Raccoons In Central Mississippi, Charles D. Lovell, Darren A. Miller, George A. Hurst, Bruce D. Leopold

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Reduced trapping and hunting of predators has led to concerns that increased predator densities may affect game species populations. Therefore, we investigated effects of predation on the wild turkey population on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area (TWMA), Mississippi, from 1984-94. We also determined trends in raccoon trapping and hunter harvest in Mississippi. Predation of nests (eggs), nesting hens, and poults caused a population decline on TWMA. Most (88%) nest failures were caused by predation from 1984-94; raccoons were the dominant predator. Declining raccoon hunter harvest from 1980-94 was correlated with declining hunter effort. Trapping license sales and trapping harvest also declined. …

From Deer Problem To People Solution: A Case Study From Montgomery County, Maryland, Jonathan S. Kays, Douglas Tregoning

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Montgomery County, Maryland, a 495 square-mile area adjacent to Washington, D.C., is a rapidly developing, highly educated suburban community with one of the highest per capita incomes in the nation. There is increasing concern for the growth and impact of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations by agricultural interests, resource professionals and residential landowners. The Montgomery County Council assembled a task force of stakeholders to examine relevant information and propose deer management options. The task force report provided detailed information on the county deer situation, 11 management alternatives, and 9 final recommendations. The county parks administrator appointed a staff …

The Effectiveness Of A New Mole Repellent For Preventing Damage To Lawns By Eastern Moles, Glenn R. Dudderar, Stacey Tellman, Dale K. Elshoff

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A new product containing 65% castor oil with the trade name Mole-Med was evaluated for its effectiveness in repelling eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) from lawns. Seven lawns in southern Michigan during September, 1993 were selected as preliminary test sites, and the ridges over mole tunnels in the lawns were flattened each day for 3 days. If some existing and new ridges were raised each day, the site was classified as having mole activity and continuing damage. The repellent was then applied according to label directions, and ridges above mole tunnels were flattened as described previously. If no tunnels …

Evaluation Of The Yard Gard Ultrasonic Yard Protector For Repelling White-Tailed Deer, Paul D. Curtis, Christopher Fitzgerald, Milo E. Richmond

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Ultrasonic devices are marketed for pest control because some manufacturers believe they possess properties aversive to animals. However, there is little evidence that ultrasound is more aversive to animals than is audible sound. In this study, we examined the efficacy of the Yard Gard ultrasonic device for deterring deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from feeding on apples. Four deer feeding stations were established at private residential properties with a history of deer damage to ornamental plants, so that control (A1 and B1) and experimental (A2 and B2) stations existed at each site. Apples were placed at each feeding station and …

Ecology And Control Of Wildlife Damage To Electric Substations, Glenn R. Dudderar, Scott R. Winterstein, Wendy H. Sangster

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

This study addresses several aspects of the ecology and control of wildlife damage to electric substations because the amount of existing research is not sufficient to make informed decisions about how best to minimize that damage. Records of 121 incidents of animal-caused faults showed that 78% of the faults were caused by squirrels and raccoons and an average of 2,511 customers lost service during the outage caused by such a fault. Animal damage control measures were evaluated by observing challenges to control measures by raccoons and squirrels at a substation. The control measures were breached twice because they had not …

American White Pelicans: The Latest Avian Problem For Catfish Producers, D. Tommy King

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Animal Damage Control offices in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi began receiving complaints concerning American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) foraging in commercial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds in 1990. Because of the relatively shallow pond depth and high fish stocking rates used by most producers, commercial catfish ponds provide a near perfect foraging environment for American white pelicans. Since 1993, pelicans seem to have become more persistent in their foraging efforts and therefore, more difficult to disperse from catfish farms. Damage abatement recommendations have consisted of harassment measures similar to those used for other piscivorous birds, issuance of …

Black Bear Damage In The Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Thomas H. White Jr., Catherine C. Shropshire, Mike Staten

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We surveyed 62 hunting clubs in the batture of the Mississippi River in Arkansas and Mississippi to determine the extent and severity of black bear (Ursus americanus) damage. Bear damage was more prevalent in Arkansas (70.6%) than in Mississippi (11.8%). Damage to deer stands was most common (43.8%), followed by damage to buildings (22.9%), getting in garbage (12.5%) and damage to wildlife food plots (10.4%). Cost estimates of bear damage averaged approximately $40 per incident over the past 5 years. Most (90.9%) clubs rated bear damage as either a slight nuisance or not important at this time, and …

Survey Of Black Bear Depredation In Agriculture In Massachusetts, Sandra A. Jonker, James A. Parkhurst

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Black bear (Ursus americanus) depredation in agriculture has become an increasing concern in Massachusetts. Complaints from apiarists, corn growers, and livestock producers have increased 167% during the period 1980 to 1990, but whether this increase truly represents more depredation, response of bears to other factors, or simply better reporting/record keeping has not been determined. The bear population in Massachusetts from 1984 to 1989 increased 50% to approximately 700-750 animals statewide. Subsequent estimates (1995) have placed the bear population around 1,200 animals. Concurrent encroachment of human development into prime bear habitat also increased contact between bears and humans. During …

Apple Production, Vole Control, And Wild Turkeys: Finding A Balance In Vermont, Richard B. Chipman, Dennis Slate, Abigal J. Duke, Lorraine Berkett, Douglas Blodgett

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) cause extensive damage to apple trees by gnawing and girdling trunk and root systems. In 1991, approximately 70% of Vermont's 90 commercial apple producers were using zinc phosphide (ZP) treated cracked corn to manage vole damage. From November 1991 through January 1992, 36 confirmed wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) deaths were attributed to the broadcast application of ZP treated cracked com in Vermont orchards. As a result of public concern regarding impacts to nontarget wild turkeys, a working group was formed with representation of various state …

Ecosystem Management And Wildlife Management: Compatible Or Conflicting?, David C. Guynn Jr., Greg K. Yarrow

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Examples of wildlife-human conflicts include deer-automobile collisions, disease transmission concerns, and damage to various commodities (e.g. agricultural crops, timber production). The extent of these problems is increasing at a time when American's attitudes are shifting emphasis from commodity production to concern for the environment. Ecosystem management has been proposed as a strategy to balance concerns for commodity production and the environment. Ecosystem management, unlike traditional natural resource management, will require management over large areas for long periods of time. This new philosophy of land management requires that the natural resource base be viewed in its entirety, and not as separate …

Black Bear Damage Management In Washington State, Georg J. Ziegltrum, Dale L. Nolte

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Black bears (Ursus americanus) foraging on trees can be extremely detrimental to the health and economic value of a timber stand. A supplemental feeding program to reduce bear damage is coordinated by the Washington Forest Protection Association's Animal Damage Control Program (ADCP). A brief overview of the ADCP is provided along with a description of bear damage and the supplemental feeding program. Success of the feeding program is demonstrated by an increasing participation and its general acceptance by the public. Timber producers placed over 400 thousand pounds of pellets in 700 feeding stations this past year.

Blackbirds And Starling Killed At Winter Roosts From Pa-14 Applications, 1974-1992: Implications For Regional Population Management, Richard A. Dolbeer, Donald F. Mott, Jerrold L. Belant

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The surfactant PA-14, registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1973 by the federal Animal Damage Control (ADC) program, was used for 19 years (1974-1992) for lethal control of roosting blackbirds (Icterinae) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in the United States. In 1992, the ADC program withdrew the registration of PA-14 because of costs required to provide additional EPA-requested data. There were 83 roosts encompassing 178 ha treated with 33,300 L of PA-14 from 1974-1992. An estimated 38.2 million birds (48% common grackles [Ouiscalus quiscula], 30% European starlings, 13% red-winged blackbirds [ …

Prey Availability And Selection By Mountain Lions In The Aravaipa-Klondyke Area Of Arizona, Stan C. Cunningham

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Prey selection by mountain lions (Felis concolor) in the Aravaipa-Klondyke area (2,000 km²) in southeastern Arizona was studied from February 1991 through September 1993. Overall diet from frequency of occurrence as determined from 370 scats was: 48% deer (white-tailed and mule deer combined), 34% cattle, 17% javelina, 6% rabbit (cottontail and jackrabbit), 4% rodent, and 2% desert bighorn. Using a correction factor developed by Ackerman et al. (1984), we also estimated percent biomass and proportion of individuals killed. With respect to biomass consumed, cattle was 44%, deer 40%, javelina 10.9%, rabbits 2.9%, and rodents 0.02%. Based …

Can Predator Trapping Improve Waterfowl Recruitment In The Prairie Pothole Region?, Frank C. Rohwer, Pamela R. Garrettson, Ben J. Mense

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We contrasted nest success for control areas and experimental areas in eastern North Dakota where we employed professionals to trap mammalian nest predators from late March to late July. In 1995, dabbling ducks averaged 53% nest success on four treatment blocks of 4,150 ha each; whereas on four control areas upland nesting ducks averaged 24% success. Diving duck nest success averaged 57% on experimental areas and 29% on control areas. American coot (Fulica americana) nest success also improved on experimental areas, but blackbird nesting and fledging success were not affected by the treatment In 1994, nest success of …

Mississippi's Beaver Control Assistance Program, 1989-1994, Philip Mastrangelo

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Responding to landowner requests, the 1989 Mississippi Legislature created the Beaver Control Advisory Board and mandated it to develop a program which would ensure the control of beaver damage throughout Mississippi. The Advisory Board is comprised of the administrative heads of five state agencies: the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (chairperson), the Department of Transportation, the Cooperative Extension Service, the Forestry Commission, and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) program, the Advisory Board developed the Beaver Control Assistance Program (BCAP). BCAP …

Beaver Impacts On Timber On The Chauga River Drainage In South Carolina, J. Rickie Davis, Judy A. Barnes, George E. Ward, David Van Lear, David C. Guynn Jr., C. Andy Dolloff, Mark Hudy

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Even though beavers (Castor canadensis carolinensis) occur over most of the southeastern United States, the impacts of increasing beaver populations on riparian forests within the southern Appalachian mountains are not been well documented. Long-term browsing and inundation by beaver may alter the composition and structure of riparian forests. A survey of 62 streams (74 mi) within the Chauga River drainage in the mountains of South Carolina was conducted during 1991- 1992 to determine the level of beaver activity within the drainage and the amount of timber damaged by beaver activities. Thirty-six streams had evidence of significant beaver activity …

Rodent Damage Control In No-Till Corn And Soybean Production, Ron Hines

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In recent years the primary cause of reduced plant stands in no-till crops planted into heavy residue has been small eared rodents called voles (Microtus spp.). Past research has indicated that severe stand reductions (80 to 100 percent) can occur if vole populations in the field exceed 75 per hectare (30 per acre) at planting time. This vole population should be considered intense. If field scouting about 30 days prior to planting reveals at least 12 active vole colonies per hectare (five per acre) an intense population can develop, and damage control measures should be planned. Of all …