Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Interdisciplinary Research: A Vehicle For Meeting The Information Needs Of Grassland Producers, Robert O. Burton Jr, K P. Coffey, J L. Moyer, L W. Lomas, P T. Berends

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Representing the major academic disciplines involved in grassland research • agronomy, animal science and agricultural economics the authors discuss the benefits and pitfalls of interdisciplinary research. Factors discouraging interdisciplinary research include: (1) discipline chauvinism, (2) the time and effort required for communications .and co-ordination, (3) inadequate credit for multiple authorship and (4) importance of disciplinary research. However, link among disciplines are necessary because clientele commercially producing forage need information integrating agronomy, animal science, economics and other disciplines. Benefits of interdisciplinary research are ( I) stimulating highly specialised scientists to plan, perform and interpret their research in the context of whole-farm …

Applied Scientific Concepts For Dairy Cows And Crops, J R. Rodgers

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Prom a rural town to a dairy farm, from the halls of ivy to the smooth beauty of contour strips on the land: this paper is a practical application of science and technology transferred, through the life of the author, from the textbook to the bottom line of a financial report at year end. How this transfer of technologies (i.e. alfalfa, manure pits, computers, etc.) was used to develop the workable plan for my dairy farm operation will be addressed in detail in this presentation.

Extension Through The Landcare Movement In Australia's Pastoral Zone, B R. Roberts

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The Landcare movement, presently based on over 1300 landholder committees nationwide, is potentially Australia's most significant popular movement ever. Its success largely depends on producers identifying with the movement and "owning" its objectives and programmes, Central to attainment of Landcare's goals is the support given by technical advisors, These advisors require a special understanding of group extension techniques, group dynamics and the subtleties of invisible leadership when appropriate. In the vast pastoral zone of Australia, where highly independent graziers operate very individualistically, the required group extension is a special challenge to committed advisory officers.

A Farmlet For Teaching Grazing Management, J T. Green, J P. Mueller, S P. Washburn

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The _objectives were to provide a practical production unit to train students and farm advisors and to maximise grazing, evaluate forage cultivars, document production data and utilise woodlot understorey. A year-round grazing unit was developed on a S.86 ha farmlec (70% temperate pasture; 24% subtropical pasture; 20% woods) for 22-30 ewes and their lambs, 6-8 dairy heifers, and 12-24 angora and meat goats. Farmlet N rate averaged 135 kg/ha/year with excess spring growth harvesced for winter feeding. Live-weight gain averaged 6S4 kg/ha/year. Lambs weaned/ewe exposed to ram, was 1,6 (mature) and 0.8 (yearling). Stocking rate for 3 years ranged from …

A Quality-Tested Hay Market Association In The South-Eastern Usa, Jimmy C. Henning, G D. Lacefield, B Sims

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A hay marketing association was formed in Kentucky in 1989 as a means of increasing farm income and ·10 hedge against the uncertain future of tobacco production. The Kentucky Pride Hay Grower's Association (KPHGA) was designed to work in concert· with a hay testing and inspection service operated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). This testing service used near• infrared reflectance (NIR) technology as well as a visual appraisal by trained hay inspectors. The association may sell hay only which had been tested and inspected by the KDA. The hay association is a non-profit organisation designed to market Kentucky …

Adopting New Technologies For Grazing Lands: The Role Of Decision Systems, John A. Ludwig, Steve Marsden

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The management of Australia's arid and semi-arid grazing lands involves the consideration of many complex and interconnected issues related to both ecological and economic factors. Climates are highly variable across these lands and markets fluctuate widely; decision making is . difficult at the best of times, As new grazing and land management technologies become available through research organisations, such as CSIRO, the adoption of these technologies is a prime concern, Traditionally, State extension services provide this information to grazing land managers, which has proven effeclive for transferring information about current short-term problems (e,g,, locust plagues) and easy to apply products …

Applying "Farmer-First Research" In New Zealand, A F. Mcrae, F M. Anderson, R Brazendale

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The disciplinary orientation and other characteristics of traditional agricultural research may result in farmers' research needs not being central to the research proces·s. A Farmer-First Research programme (FFR) has been initiated to complement the traditional research approach. This programme involves collaboration with hill country sheep and beef farmers chosen at random from across the fuff range of farmer circumstances. It sets out to diagnose and describe where scope· exists to Improve farmers' circumstances, and lo design and test relevant innovations on-farm. In addition to seeking to improve research output for far1ners, the· programme has the objective of evaluating the Farmer-First …

Technology Transfer Strategies For Products Of Environmental Research And Development Projects, N D. Macleod, J A. Taylor, P.G H. Van Beek, P N. Vance

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Potentially high net benefits from Research and Development on sustainable grazing systems will not be captured unless the outcomes are adopted. Adoption is a complex process, often requiring integration with other technologies, and specialised extension packages. Technology transfer strategies based on experiences with relatively simple innovations are unsuited to more complex environmental innovations, A 6-stage interactive process involving researchers, extension specialists and potential end-users is suggested.

Development Of Environmental And Agricultural Professionalism, Robert F. Barnes, Thomas J. Hall

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The American Society of Agronomy {ASA) is' co-ordinating the development of a \ioluritary certification programme for the men and women who··make nutrient management strategies for farmers .• This paper examines the need, "history and obstacles in developing a crop advisor certification programme. Past arid proposed state and national legislative initiatives have indicated to some industry leaders that certification programmes' will be needed ·to operate in the coming regulat6ry environment. Other members· of industry· feel chat voluntary certification will bring on mandated programmes, The' differences in outlook, the diversity of the audience and the academic orientation of ASA ·have all created …

Grazier's Pattern Of Understanding Vegetation In The Semi-Arid Rangelands Of New South Wales, S.M M. Kersten, R L. Ison

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A matrix ranking (MR) technique was used by graziers in western New South Wales to rank rangeland plants according to preference. Graziers preferred a variety of plant species in their paddocks: "bushes" and "50f1 feed", perennials and annuals, winter-and summer­growing plants, on both stock-based and non-stock-based criteria, The criteria for evaluation were rarely independent of each other nor of different soil types on the grai:ier's property. Drought resistance was perceived as one of the more important criteria, followed by stock-based criteria such as "nutritious", "palatable" or "quick fattening" stock feed. The utility of MR for allowing graziers' knowledge to be …

Composition Of The Fractions Of Dry, Mature Subterranean Clover Digested In Vivo And In Vitro, L Klein, S K. Baker

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A modified pepsin-cellulase procedure was used to improve the prediction of in vivo digestibility of dry, mature subterranean clovers (Trifolium subterraneum). Feed, faeces, and the residues from this /11 vitro procedure and the i11 vitro procedure of Tilley & Terry were analysed for protein, ash and fibre fractions lo determine the composition of the cell-wall functions that were digested. The extent of digestion of the cell-wall fractions differed between the two in vitro procedures, but the cell-wall fraction that was digested contained similar proportions of cellulose, hemicellulose, protein and lignin. The cellulose and protein contents of the cell-wall digested …

Effect Of Plant Leaf Age On The Production Of Tannins, Phenols, Proanthocyanidins And Flavanols In Eulalia Villosa, M M. Wolfson, E W. Du Toit, P Chesselet

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Histochemical and biochemical analyses have confirmed the presence of condensed tannins in a number of southern African tropical grasses. The ability to precipitate proteins, total phenols, condensed tannin and proanthocyanidin levels were significantly higher in mature leaves of Eulalia villosa than in young leaves. The ratio of condensed tannin to Jlavan 3,4-diols indicated that the young leaf material contained more monomeric unpolymerised flavan 3,4-diol units than mature leaves. The trend is repeated in the ratio 'of proanthocyanidin to flavan-4-ols, These low molecular weight proanthocyanidin precursors probably do not have the ability to precipitate proteins, The histochemical tests can be used …

Effect Of Inoculants And Absorbents Incorporated In Grass Silage On Silage Quality, Effluent Production And Animal Performance, Raymond Jones

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Unwilled ryegrass crops (151 kg DM) were enslled in 70-t bunker silos. Crop analysis (g/kg/DM) was water-soluble carbohydrates 153, nitrogen 24.1 and predicted digestibility (DOMD) 0.67. Molassed sugar beet feed pellets were incorporated at a rate of 25 kg/t in the harvested crop with or without inoculant treatment ("Live Systems", MMB, UK), and compared with a control silage with no additive. Absorbent addition with or without inoculant significantly reduced silage pH and ammonia-N compared with the control. Inoculant treatment further increased lactic acid content. Silage effluent production was reduced by up to 33% by absorbent inclusion with effluent DM losses …

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis Of The Nutrient Content Of Dairy Pastures, R C. Kellaway, C Stimson, R J. Tassell

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Pasture samples from temperate and tropical species were collected before and after grazing, at regular intervals, on 3 dairy farms in New South Wales over a period of 3 years. All samples (n=693) were analysed on a near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer with a scanning monochromator. Subsets of samples selected for calibration and validation, were analysed by wet chemistry methods for estimated metabolisable energy (MID), crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, S, Cu, Mn and Zn. These data were used lo develop NIR equations using partial least squares analyses. Standard errors of laboratory analysis …

Influence Of Oxygen Leakage Through Stretch Film On Quality Of Round Bale Silage, P Lingvall, C M. Pettersson, P Wilhelmsson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The ensiling-process is based on anaerobic conditions. Therefore, it is important to get "air tight" parcels covering big-bale silage. Wrapping round bales wilh stretch film has improved silage quality, and reduced diy matter (OM) and energy losses. In this experiment we studied the influence of stretch film quality, film thickness, .storage temperature and storage place on fermentation, microbial growth/ and DM losses. Additionally, oxygen permeability of stretch film wrapped in 4 or 6 layers around artificial bales (metal) and DM losses was tested In a model. High storage temperature, low total film thickness and high film permeability to oxygen increased …

Struvite Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Flood- And Furrow-Irrigated Rice In The Greenhouse, Chandler Arel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over time, as the influences of climate-change and declining, mineable, global phosphorus (P) reserves begin to impact agricultural production systems, alternative fertilizer sources and management practices, such as struvite (MgNH4PO4 · 6H2O) and furrow-irrigation, will be necessary to accommodate nutrient and water demands. The precipitation and use of struvite as a fertilizer-P source could reduce environmental damages caused by nutrient-rich wastewater streams, supplement domestic P supply, and improve the sustainability of flood-, and furrow-irrigated rice production by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study of struvite from both chemical and electrochemical precipitation processes is well documented, but currently there is a …

Cover-Crop Effects On Near-Surface Soil Properties Over Time In The Lower Mississippi River Valley, Cooper Fanning

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human population growth and climate change are present stressors that continue to put pressure on current agricultural production systems, where typical row-crop agricultural practices can negatively impact soil health. Extensive use of cover crops (CC) to increase soil health remains widely unrealized. Soil health in Arkansas is a major concern for sustaining agricultural output, therefore research into CC implementation across Arkansas to maintain or improve soil health is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of CC (i.e., with and without CC) across various physical, hydraulic, biological, and chemical soil indicators in the Lower Mississippi River …

Integration Of Matlab And Machine Learning To Accelerate Evaluation Of Biological Activity In Agricultural Soils And Promote Soil Health Improvement Goals, Andrew Stiven Ortiz Balsero

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

Traditionally, assessments of soil biological activity have been confined to laboratory settings, creating a disconnect with practical in-field methods. To bridge this gap, cotton fabric degradation has been used to illustrate soil microbial activity under different management practices. While effective, these demonstrations are subjective and labor-intensive.

Researchers have explored using image processing software like ImageJ and Adobe Photoshop to streamline this process. Although these tools accurately quantified fabric degradation under varying soil conditions, the methods remained labor-intensive and complex. Consequently, these methods were still not ideal for on-farm use by agricultural practitioners.

To further address labor and complexity limitations, the …

Exploring Overbank Sediment Deposition Variation In Heavily Modified Floodplains Of The Lower Mississippi River: A Sedimentological And Geophysical Analysis, Seth Fradella

Master's Theses

Since the 1930s, the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) has experienced large-scale modifications to the channel profile and surrounding floodplains through dams, dikes, revetments, dredging, and channel cutoffs. Although these changes have improved navigation and reduced flood risk, unanticipated changes to the major flood return period, individual flood severity and duration, and sediment regime have become increasingly apparent and sometimes problematic, such as the 2011 and 2018-2020 floods. Flood control levees along the LMR have reduced the natural floodplain area by 70-90%, resulting in heavily restricted overbank storage capacity of water and sediment. For the same flood events in recent history, …

Assessing Soil Properties & Suitability For Optimized Irrigation Development In Sudan, Northern Africa, Suhib O. Hamid

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

In Chapter 1, soil properties essential for efficient irrigation are thoroughly assessed. Factors such as soil texture, infiltration rates, and nutrient content are analyzed to provide insights into the selection of modern irrigation systems. Utilizing data collected from 3,192 locations through GPS and laboratory analyses, alongside sophisticated ranking systems, the research determines the most suitable irrigation methods for specific soil series. Findings highlight the remarkable efficiency of drip irrigation across various soil types, contrasting with the consistently lower performance of surface irrigation. The chapter emphasizes the significance of considering soil variability, evapotranspiration, and investment factors in selecting irrigation methods for …

Soil Additives And Alternative Crops For Drought Defense In The Intermountain West, Tina M. Sullivan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Western U.S. looks for water optimization and conservation as agriculture is the largest water diverter, and resources are pressured by urban growth, winter snowpack instability, and drought persistence. Agricultural producers have several potential options to optimize water use with different investments associated with them. Options with varying levels of risks and known management practices include alternative crops, soil wetting agents, and crop biologicals.

An alternative crop that grew incredibly fast in popularity was industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) despite limited agronomic knowledge for best management practices. Field trials occurred (2020-2022) near Logan, UT to test a total of …

Advancing Thermal Property Measurements And Water Management For Controlled Environment Agriculture On Earth And Beyond, Chihiro Dixon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Space exploration stands as one of humanity's most profound endeavors, and plant growth in space is essential for sustaining astronauts during long-duration missions. However, operating plant growth systems under reduced gravity conditions presents challenges, particularly in ensuring uniform water distribution in the root zone. Non-uniform water distribution such as excess water and/or insufficient water in the root zone can significantly impact plant yield, necessitating the need to accurately estimate water status in the root zone and understand the dynamics of water flow in plant growth media under reduced gravity conditions. The objectives of this research were to enhance the accuracy …

Interactions Between Nano/Micro-Sized Particles And Microbes For Agricultural And Environmental Applications, Li-Ting Yen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Among the challenges posed by a growing global population, diminishing arable land and water resources affected by climate change are critical for enhancing crop yields, ensuring food security, and maintaining water quality and environmental health.

Iron (Fe), an essential micronutrient, is vital to plant growth. The partially oxidized form of vivianite, metavivianite (metaVT), is reported to be a promising alternative Fe fertilizer. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of bulk metaVT on plants grown on calcareous soil for mitigating Fe efficiency and the extremely low solubility of bulk metaVT (Ksp=10^-36) in electrolyte solutions, such as CaCl₂. …

Economics - The Neglected Dimension Of Pasture Disease R&D, N D. Macleod

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Pasture utilisation underpins a significant contribution of livestock industries to Australia’s economic well-being. Pasture disease represents a direct threat to these enterprises but the economic magnitude of this threat remains largely unknown as the contribution of agricultural economics to pasture disease R&D, management and policy making has been minimal to date. Some insights to explain this apparent neglect are highlighted and a suggestion is made for a multiple disciplinary approach to R&D.

The 'Pendulum Paradigm' - Trends In Nitrogen Fertilizer Use On Temperate Grass/ Clover Pastures, R J. Eckard, F R. Mckenzie, P A. Lane

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Nitrogen fertiliser responses, on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) / white clover (Trifolium repens) dominant pastures, are compared between sub-tropical South Africa and temperate Australia. The data highlight the similarity in inflection point of the response curve, while emphasising the influence of high residual soil N at lower N application rates. The propensity of communities to oscillate between extremes in terms of N fertiliser use on intensive pasture, or the ‘Pendulum Paradigm’ is discussed. Particular reference is made to the dramatic increase in N fertiliser use in dairy pasture of temperate Australia and New Zealand. Emphasis is …

Linking Grassland And Range National Goals With The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative For National Benefit, David B. Hannaway, Walter F. Wedin, Gerald W. Evers

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Grassland and Range National Goals (GRNGs) were developed to identify national research and education needs for these resources, both public and private. The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) developed within the NRCS to address the need for technical assistance for the management of privately held grazing lands. These activities are complimentary and, when combined, will address the national need for research, education, and technical assistance leading to better management of grassland and range resources.

The Effect Of Grazing On Etiolated Regrowth In Eight Grass Species, H A. Lardner, S.B M. Wright, R.D H. Cohen

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Grazing by herbivores affects grass species both morphologically and physiologically. A grazing study was conducted on an irrigated pasture near Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada during the summers of 1991 and 1992 to determine etiolated regrowth after grazing of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners subsp. trachycaulus), intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey subsp. intermedium), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow bromegrass (Bromus beibersteinii Roem. & Schult.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) Wimm.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) in …

A Vison Of The Future World Food Production And Implications For The Environment And Grasslands, Per Pinstrup Andersen, Rajul Pandya Lorch

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Increases in world population, projected to rise to 8 billion by 2020, and the resultant demand for food places great pressure on our agricultural and aquacultural resources. Anxiety about the future is exacerbated by decreasing grain stocks. Production increases of many commodities are projected to be between 1 and 2% per annum and will generally be higher in developing than in developed countries. Cultivatable land area will increase in some areas of the world but not in others. To cope with these challenges, yield increases will be essential and the application of existing knowledge and technologies will not suffice. Accelerated …

Canada's Forage Resources, D Mccartney, P R. Horton

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Canada is the second largest country in the world and stretches 5,500 km east to west and 4,600 km north to south. About 90% of Canada is uninhabited with 90% percent of the population living within 500 km of the Canadian-American border. About 60% of Canadians live in southern Ontario and Quebec. The grazing industry is located primarily in western Canada with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba having 84% of the national beef herd. Ontario and Quebec have 73% of the national dairy herd. The majority of harvested forage, dehydrated alfalfa and forage seed crops are grown in western …

Opening Ceremony Address By Chairman Of The Continuing Committee, T Nolan

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board ofDirectors of the XVIII International Grassland Congress, Your Honour, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba, Minister of Agriculture of the Province of Manitoba, Distinguished guests, members of the International Rangeland Congress, members of the International Grassland Congress, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Continuing Committee, I am privileged to welcome you to the XVIII International Grassland Congress. What we will witness is the culmination of about six years of preparatory work by the Canadian Organising Committee and on your behalf! sincerely congratulate them for setting the basis for most interesting scientific and …