Agriculture Commons^™

Improving Nitrogen Management And Corn Productivity Through Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer And Cover Crop Integration In Nebraska Cropping Systems, Madhusudhan Adhikari

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Effective nitrogen (N) management is vital for sustaining corn yield and reducing environmental impacts in Nebraska cropping systems. Three field studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of 1) fertilizer type (anhydrous ammonia [AA] with nitrification inhibitor: enhanced efficiency fertilizer [EEF] or AA without EEF) and N application timing (pre-plant vs. split with side-dress UAN) on in-season soil N availability, crop response, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, residual soil N and N use efficiencies (NUEs); 2) winter cover crop (CC) species and crop rotation variability on CC biomass production, N uptake, soil N dynamics, and cash crop performance in …

Extending Cover Crop Growing Window To Improve The Health Of Environmentally Sensitive Soils, Noshin Ara Tunazzina

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sloping and sandy soils are highly susceptible to degradation. The health of these soils could be improved with cover crops (CCs). However, CC effectiveness in improving soil health mainly depends on CC biomass production, which is often low in temperate regions. The question is: how can we increase CC biomass production? Lengthening the CC growing window can be a potential strategy. This study assessed how 1) interseeded and terminated early (2-3 weeks before crop planting) CC, 2) interseeded and terminated late (at crop planting) CC, 3) drilled (after harvest) and terminated early CC, 4) drilled and terminated late CC, and …

Maximizing Crop Production And Profitability Through Double Cropping Corn And Soybean Systems In South Carolina, Bennett Harrelson

All Dissertations

Profitability is critical for farm sustainability, efficiency, and longevity. Over the last decade, corn and soybean commodity prices have fluctuated considerably, and more recently, extreme increases in input prices have narrowed profit margins. Non-traditional cropping systems that can boost profit are becoming of interest to farmers in South Carolina, specifically double cropping soybean behind corn. In this scenario, corn is harvested at high moisture contents and followed by ultra-late planted soybean. However, prior research related to the agronomic production practices of double cropping corn and soybean is minimal. To develop best management practices for growers interested in double cropping corn …

What’S The Best Way To Store Toxic 1080 Baits?, Heather M. Crawford, Ricarda Fenske, Gerard Smith, Teen Ryan, Jamie (Frog) Taylor, Daniel Carlisle, Debbie Dowden, Dean Butcher, Tracey L. Kreplins, James Miller, Malcolm S. Kennedy, Patricia A. Fleming

Biosecurity Research Articles

Being able to store toxic baits could allow livestock producers to target ‘hot spots’ of predator activity, supplementing or even replacing broadscale baiting, therefore avoiding potential risk of bait-resistant populations. We compared 1080 dose recovered from dried meat baits (DMB; camel, horse and kangaroo) and sausage baits stored by different methods (shed, locked transport box, freezer, cryo-vacuumed) to identify whether they were still lethal, and address concern that freezing/thawing could result in loss of the water-soluble 1080 toxicant. We developed a bait collection method to halt microbial activity (preserving 1080 dose), al-lowing collection of baits manufactured under field conditions by …

Evaluating The Economic Viability Of Feeding Hydroponic Barley Fodder To Growing Wethers, Fallon Johnson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

As the livestock industry combats challenges including rising feed costs and ensuring sustainable production practices, some attention is being given to hydroponic fodder as a feed source. Hydroponic fodder offers a potential alternative to traditional feed sources. Research has demonstrated hydroponic fodder production has increased water efficiency while providing a sustainable green feed source throughout the year. This study seeks to understand how using hydroponically produced barley fodder in a total mixed ration for growing wethers compares economically to feeding traditional feed sources. A stochastic simulation model is used to determine the expected total feed costs, costs of gain, and …

Evaluation Of Fluridone In Rice, Maria Carolina De Carvalho Rocha Souza

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The increasing pressure of Palmer amaranth [Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Watson] in rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields demands new chemical control options to manage this weed. The recent labeling of fluridone on this crop from the three-leaf rice stage offers an additional residual herbicide for battling Palmer amaranth; however, research is needed to evaluate its effectiveness and rice tolerance. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate Palmer amaranth control and rice tolerance to fluridone across different locations in Arkansas in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Preemergence (PRE) applications of fluridone at 168 g ai ha^⁻1; (1× label rate) and 336 …

Consultation Summary For Proposed Declared Pest Rates 2025/2026, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) the State raises a Declared Pest Rate (DPR) from land or leaseholders (hereafter landholders) in prescribed areas (DPR Areas) and matches the funds raised from the rate dollar-for-dollar.

The combined funds are made available to Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) who provide support to landholders to fulfil their obligations under the BAM Act to manage widespread and established declared pests on their land. A community-led and coordinated approach is considered the most effective way to support landholders to manage these types of pests.

Each year, the Minister for Agriculture and Food …

Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme 2023-24 Annual Report, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

I am pleased to present the 2023-24 annual report for the Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme (Sheep and Goat IFS) to our participants, key stakeholders in the Western Australian (WA) sheep and goat industry, and the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

The WA sheep and goat industry has faced a challenging year. After a period of relative stability between 2010 and 2019, the WA flock has continued to decline since 2020, reaching its lowest point since 1952. This downward trend is expected to continue due to local factors such as increased turn-off and seasonal conditions, further compounded by political …

Ghrelin And Decision-Making: Exploring Its Role In Food Reward, Novelty-Seeking, And Cost Valuation, Serina A. Batson

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

When low energy levels are detected, Ghrelin, a peptide hormone, is produced in the fundus of the stomach. Referred to as the "hunger hormone", Ghrelin is traditionally associated with increased food intake and blood sugar levels. A key modulator in the gut-brain interaction, Ghrelin's growth hormone secretagogue receptor can be found widely across the cortico-striosomal circuit. Critical for decision-making, Ghrelin-based manipulation of this circuit can directly affect reward and cost valuation. While Ghrelin is uniformly considered to increase the valuation of food-based rewards, little research has explored its impact on non-food-based rewards or its effects on cost valuation. Therefore, to …

Pastoral Land Condition: Kimberley Land Condition Standards, Robert Sudmeyer, Rick Fletcher, Kathryn Ryan, Matthew Fletcher, Charles Martin, Philip Thomas, Karen Holmes, Karyn Reeves, Wayne Fletcher

Natural resources published reports

This report outlines the conceptual basis and quantitative land condition standards that define acceptable pastoral land condition for the Kimberley, Western Australia (WA), to meet the regulatory requirements of the Land Administration Act 1997 and the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) develops regional-level pastoral land condition standards for WA to implement the Framework for sustainable pastoral management – Revised edition, which is designed to address the Office of the Auditor General’s recommendations to improve the management of pastoral lands in WA. The application of these standards is expected to …

An Empirical Study On The Economic And Policy Drivers Of Livestock Risk Protection Utilization, Milan Chauhan

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Federally supported risk management programs for livestock producers have existed for the last twenty years. Among these, Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) is a federally subsidized insurance tool available for cattle producers to manage downside price risk. In recent years, participation in LRP has surged. This paper examines the key economic and policy variables that partially drive LRP utilization and analyzes the role of risk management educational efforts in the decision to participate and the intensity of the insurance utilization using unique state-level panel data from 2003 through 2023.

The study analyzes three complementary metrics of insurance utilization: market volume (policies …

Evaluating Risk And Return Of Corn And Soybean Marketing Strategies Using Monte Carlo Simulation Methods, Johanna Ilves

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study evaluates the performance of pre-harvest marketing strategies for corn and soybeans, using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Given the increasing volatility in commodity prices and the evolving landscape of agricultural markets, producers face growing challenges in developing effective marketing plans that manage risk and enhance profitability. This thesis examines thirteen marketing strategies from 2008 to 2024, including benchmark harvest-only sales and various pre-harvest futures contract approaches. Historical futures price data for December corn and November soybean contracts were used to simulate 1,000 marketing outcomes per strategy per year, capturing a broad range of market conditions. Key performance indicators such …

A Case Study On Readiness Of Engineers In Agricultural Technology Start-Ups, Katie Marie Mowat

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores the perceptions of practicing engineers regarding the skills necessary to be workforce-ready at agricultural technology (ag-tech) start-ups in the Midwestern United States. A qualitative case study methodology is leveraged, combining both interview and job description data. Given their uniqueness, the study divides the ag-tech start-up industry into two subcases: livestock and cropping systems. The Work Readiness Integrated Competence Model (WRICM) is used as the theoretical framework for this study and informs the conceptual framework and analysis processes. The study identified skills that fit into thirteen distinct categories, which are further grouped into four overarching resource groups. Skills …

The Product Of Property Tax: How Property Tax Affects Agricultural Production In Nebraska, James L. Kriz

Department of Political Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The question of what level of property tax is acceptable has become an increasingly prominent question within agriculture, which is shown by the rise of interest groups and bill introduction in Nebraska. As such, this paper examines how property taxes affect Nebraska's agricultural output. The study employs a quantitative analysis of all Nebraska counties over 21 years from 2000 to 2020. This study hypothesizes that as property tax rates increase, farm outputs will decrease. The study offers a new analysis in an understudied subsection of the agriculture policy literature and points towards a new direction in which the field can …

Sustainable Agriculture Through Data-Driven Land And Soil Management For Rural Farming Communities, Peggy Clareece Discenza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis aims to investigate sustainable farming practices by utilizing a database containing soil, weather, and water data. Additionally, it evaluates cropping strategies using a system that incorporates nutrient dynamics and environmental values. The objective is to monitor, develop predictive models, and assess the impact of both controlled and uncontrolled nutrient variables. This is achieved through the development of an algorithm that provides information on soil health based on datasets and land use, with a particular focus on residual values after harvesting for deeper analytical insights and interpretation. This study focuses on key nutrients, including pH levels, water availability, and …

Ndp 54 V1 - National Diagnostic Protocol For Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus Spumarius), Melinda Moir

Biosecurity research reports

National Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) are diagnostic protocols for the unambiguous taxonomic identification of plant pests. NDPs:

• are a verified information resource for plant health diagnosticians
• are consistent with ISPM No. 27 – Diagnostic Protocols for Regulated Pests
• provide a nationally consistent approach to the identification of plant pests enabling transparency when comparing diagnostic results between laboratories; and,
• are endorsed by regulatory jurisdictions for use (either within their own facilities or when commissioning from others) in a pest incursion.

Where an International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) diagnostic protocol exists it should be used in preference to NDPs, unless it is shown …

Cover Crop-Induced Improvements To Soil Hydraulic Properties And The Role Of Termination Time In Mitigating Negative Soil Moisture Impacts, Fabrizio Javier Pilco

Theses and Dissertations

In the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, water scarcity and drought pose ongoing challenges for farmers. Although cover crops are promoted for improving soil health and moisture, their effects on soil hydraulic properties in this region remain understudied. This thesis addresses both long-term (Chapter 2) and short-term (Chapter 3) impacts of cover crops on soil hydraulic properties and soil moisture. Long-term effects were evaluated through a three-year participatory field trial across four farms using a BACI design, while short terms were evaluated using a complete randomized block design. Soil hydraulic properties (residual water content θr, saturated water content …

Climate Resilience In Texas Assessing The Impact Of Extreme Weather On Energy Poverty And The Mitigating Role Of Tree Canopy Coverage, Yongwen Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Extreme weather events, including severe heat and cold waves —increasingly threaten public health, economic stability, and energy equity. This two-part study examines the interplay between extreme weather, energy poverty, and green infrastructure (tree canopy coverage) in Texas, a state characterized by climatic extremes and socioeconomic diversity.

This study consists of four chapters. The first chapter in the Introduction includes the research background, existing research, research gaps, research questions, and potential contributions. Followed by two core chapters. Chapter II aims to assess the impact of extreme weather on energy poverty at the household level. Chapter III aims to identify whether tree …

Survival, Biofilm Formation, And Control Of Foodborne Pathogens In Hydroponic Systems, Sai Rithin Reddy Kothur Thirupathi

Theses and Dissertations

The growing global population and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns have intensified the demand for sustainable food production methods. Hydroponics, a form of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), has gained attention as a viable solution due to its efficient use of resources such as land and water. Although hydroponic systems are perceived as safer alternatives to conventional farming, recent foodborne outbreaks associated with these systems have raised significant public health concerns. This thesis research investigated the food safety risk in hydroponic, particularly the survival and persistence of foodborne pathogens. Chapters I and II provide a comprehensive overview of hydroponics and the microbial …

Estimation Of Nitrates In Southern California Water Resources, Sarath Babu, Sarath Babu

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The research examines the water quality of Southern California, focusing on nitrate (NO₃) levels. The study aims to provide insights into potential health disparities stemming from disproportionate exposure to these contaminants, particularly in underserved communities. Utilizing advanced analytical tools such as the UV spectrophotometer AquaMate Plus, water samples (n=40) were analyzed to assess nitrate levels compared to previous data (n=70 Approx.). The UV spectrophotometer operates based on measuring the absorbance of light intensity by the analyzed samples, providing valuable data for water quality assessment. Preliminary findings suggest varying levels of nitrate presence across the studied regions (0.4-43 ppm), …