Agriculture Commons^™

Impact Of Crop And Residue Management On The Physical And Chemical Stabilization Of Soil Organic Matter At Farm Level, Ana B. Wingeyer

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

This dissertation explores changes over time in soil organic matter (SOM) stabilization of two irrigated production fields: a continuous maize sequence that was converted from no-till to conservation deep tillage (Site 1), and a no-till maize-soybean rotation (Site 2). An integrated approach using humic acid extractions and density-based physical fractionation of SOM within aggregate size classes was developed to evaluate the changes in SOM stabilization (physical protection, organo-mineral associations and humification). At Site 1, loss of SOM in the surface layer was compensated for by increased SOM in deeper soil layers with no net change in C stocks. Whole field …

Enhancing Soybean Profitability Using Portfolio Theory, Osemenkhian Cynthia Onyechere

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of utilizing portfolio theory on producers' profitability in the production of soybeans in three test locations - Keiser, Marianna and Rohwer - in Arkansas. The study used empirical yield data, their variances and covariances over a nine year period (2002-2010) in selecting a portfolio of soybean varieties that maintains or increases yield while minimizing the yield risk. Furthermore, carbon emissions associated with soybean production was estimated by modeling the effect of a potential carbon tax as well as the potential benefit of carbon offset payments resulting from carbon sequestration. The …

Subcritical Water Hydrolysis Of Whey Proteins, Ashley Dawn Espinoza

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hydrolyzing food by-products is a unique approach to potentially increase by-product value and reduce waste. An abundant by-product of cheese production, whey, contains all essential amino acids and some distinctive peptides with functional and nutraceutical properties. Typically, proteins from whey are tailored for specific uses by chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis; however, subcritical water hydrolysis is a novel alternative used successfully to hydrolyze various substrates. Nevertheless, minimal research exists on: (1) the hydrolysis of whey protein; (2) the incorporation of additives; (3) the hydrolysis of whole whey; and (4) the production of volatiles when using subcritical water hydrolysis.

Therefore, whey protein …

Agricultural Productivity Growth In Central America And The Caribbean, Ayako Ebata

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

This thesis estimates total factor productivity (TFP) growth in the agricultural sector of fourteen regions in Central America and the Caribbean. First, TFP is measured parametrically and non-parametrically, using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method and the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method to estimate a translog production function and the Malmquist index approach. Secondly, the thesis incorporates an environmental bad, CO₂ emissions from expansion of agricultural land by sacrificing forest area and estimates environmentally adjusted productivity (EAP) growth rates using an output distance function in order to assess how the growth of TFP rates changes when such a bad is …

Management Zone Delineation Techniques On Irrigated Corn In Nebraska, Aaron M. Bereuter

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

Increased interest in site-specific management of irrigated corn in Nebraska has identified the need for a decision-making framework for zone delineation. Zones based on static soil and landscape properties provide a valuable foundation for variable rate management strategies. The purpose of this project was to identify the optimal soil and landscape attributes for generating management zones (MZ) of relative productivity potential. Three producer-managed cornfields across Nebraska with varying soil types, topographic characteristics, and climate regimes were identified as research sites during the 2010 growing season. Nine soil and landscape attributes were identified as potential properties for estimation of productivity potential. …

Factors Determining Media Coverage Of Meat And Poultry Recalls: Evidence From The Ap Newswire, Thais Fregonesi Carvalho

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food safety is an important public health issue. Product recalls are an important part of the overall food safety system and occur when potentially unsafe products enter the marketplace. However, it is important that information about the recall ultimately reaches the public. This research assesses the publicity that recalls receive by the popular media. The focus is specifically on recalls of meat and poultry products. Publicity is measured by coverage in the AP Newswire. Data were gathered from the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and cover meat and poultry recalls from 1982 to 2009. …

Crisis Communication Needs Assessment: A Delphi Study To Enhance Instruction For Agricultural Communicators And Other Stakeholders, Allyson Ceary Mcguire

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Agricultural communicators and industry stakeholders need to be able to develop, prepare and implement crisis communication plans to help assure the sustainability of the agriculture industry should a crisis event occur. A thorough exploration of possible options and needs for training crisis communicators is a needed study in the agriculture industry. Students learning to prepare for managing crises in real life situations are rarely taught in a hands-on, experiential manner. Students can read and analyze case studies pertaining to crises, but without having an actual crisis; little means exist for preparing students for real world situations. There is a need …

Development Of Novel Organic Nitrogen Nutrient Solutions With Unique Bioreactors For Precision Nutrient Fertigation, Brian Ward

All Dissertations

A fertility study conducted comparing organic nitrogen versus synthetic nitrogen on yield, quality, mineral and phyto-nutrient content of sweet corn under conventional cultural practices.

Mapping Potential Crp Land And Determining Crp Profitability In Lancaster County, Jamie Pesek

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Annually 17 tons of soil is lost due to the erosion of agriculture land. A majority of the soil lost is fertile topsoil, which can render the land unproductive. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was enacted to reduce the high erosion rates on agriculture land by giving landowners a monetary incentive to let their land lay idle and allow the soil to regenerate. Although there is awareness of the benefits of CRP, little effort has been put toward delineating CRP eligible land. In this project, Geographical Information Systems were used to map CRP eligible land in Lancaster County, Nebraska based …

Selecting And Using Inorganic Fertilizers, Rich Koenig, Larry Rupp

All Current Publications

This publication analyzes the selection and use of inorganic fertilizers.

The Influence Of Chilling And Heat Accumulation On Bloom Timing, Bloom Length And Crop Yield In Almonds (Prunus Dulcis (Mill.)), Melanie M. Covert

Master's Theses

Almonds are one of the first commercial nut trees to bloom in early spring and thus are susceptible to temperature patterns prior to and during bloom which affect bloom timing, bloom length, pollination and nut set. Data used in this project include yearly dates of 90% bloom from 1996-2006, bloom length in days and final crop yields in pounds per tree for Nonpareil and Mission varieties. Data were collected from the University of California Cooperative Extension reports on the 1993-2006 Regional Almond Variety Trials in Butte, San Joaquin and Kern Counties. Temperature pattern models in the form of Chill Hours …

Selecting And Using Organic Fertilizers, Mike Johnson, Rich Koenig

All Current Publications

This publication gives insight into organic fertilizer types and their nutrient values.

A Review Of Agronomic Management Strategies For Fusarium Head Blight. (Pre Print Version), Jasmine R. Hoover

Library Research and Publications

Develop a literature review and annotated bibliography of agronomic management practices that address FHB in wheat, barley and oats. Literature will focus on existing and emerging strategies that may have application in Western Canada. The review will summarize results according to topic and will include recommendations for future research and management approaches in Canada in addition to the annotated bibliography. The report will include an executive summary, introduction and sections on crop residue research, fungicide control research, bio-control research and any emerging management strategies. Additionally, the report will include a summary section and recommendations for applications in Canada and future …

Improvement Of Farmers' Incomes Through Improved Processing Of Sorghum And Millets In West Africa, Ababacar Sadikh N'Doye, Bruce Hamaker, Roy L. Whistler

INTSORMIL Presentations

Purdue University and ITA are very active in the USAID INTSORMIL CRSP Program for promoting the production and the consumption of millet and sorghum in West Africa. Countries involved in this program are : Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Sénégal.

Market-oriented objectives of the INTSORMIL Program on millet and sorghum in West Africa:

Objective 1: Increase the supply of high quality grain through the introduction of new production technologies at the farmer level in West Africa.

Objective 2: Contribute to the development of the processing sector through technologies improvement , more effective technology transfer to processors, and better links …

Nebline, November/December 2011

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Avoid Guessing About Holiday Food Safety

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Integration Of Plant-Based Canopy Sensors For Site-Specific Nitrogen Management, Luciano S. Shiratsuchi

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

The soil’s nitrogen (N) supply can vary drastically in the field, spatially as well as temporally making any soil prediction difficult even with very detailed mapping. Consequently, a plant-based approach wherein the measured canopy can indicate the N needs in a reactive and spatially-variable way can be a better approach than mapping, because integrate the soil N supply and translate the crop need on-the-go. The first experiment evaluated the performance of various spectral indices for sensing N status of corn, where spectral variability might be confounded by water-induced variations in crop reflectance. We found that water and previous crops effects …

Heritable Epigenetic Variation Among Maize Inbreds, Steve R. Eichten, Ruth A. Swanson, James C. Schnable, Amanda J. Waters, Peter J. Hermanson, Sanzhen Liu, Cheng-Ting Yeh, Yi Jia, Karla Gendler, Michael Freeling, Patrick S. Schnable, Matthew W. Vaughn, Nathan M. Springer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Epigenetic variation describes heritable differences that are not attributable to changes in DNA sequence. There is the potential for pure epigenetic variation that occurs in the absence of any genetic change or for more complex situations that involve both genetic and epigenetic differences. Methylation of cytosine residues provides one mechanism for the inheritance of epigenetic information. A genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation in two different genotypes of Zea mays (ssp. mays), an organism with a complex genome of interspersed genes and repetitive elements, allowed the identification and characterization of examples of natural epigenetic variation. The distribution of DNA methylation …

Winterizing Your Horse's Feet, Scott Mckendrick, James Keyes, Karmella Dolecheck

All Current Publications

This publication gives tips and instructions on winterizing horse's feet in order to keep them safe and healthy.

Procedure And Checklist For Water Vaccination Of Meat Turkey Flocks, David D. Frame

All Current Publications

Vaccination for certain diseases is an important component of the health management program for commercial meat turkey production. Because of logistical challenges almost all routine vaccination of meat turkey flocks is administered through the drinking water.

Buying And Feeding The Family Milk Cow, Allen Young

All Current Publications

This publication lists characteristics of cow breeds, how to choose the right breed for your needs, how to maintain the animal, and how to control and monitor milk production.