Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Do's And Don'ts Of Alfalfa Grazing, Ken Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

I usually start grazing in April when alfalfa is about 10 inches tall. I like to start with enough cattle to graze a paddock clean in two to five days, then move to another paddock, returning to re-graze in about 35 days. I usually need at least eight paddocks in the system. You must rotate cattle on Alfalfa for the stand to persist. It will take seven or eight head of 500 pound calves per acre to keep up with alfalfa growth in the spring. Part of the calves will need to be removed in June and maybe some more …

Grazing Alfalfa — County Perspective, Steve Osborne

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Often the difference between successful farming operations and others is the ability of the producers to manage the available resources to their advantage. The rolling topography and plentiful supply of livestock water in Monroe County is well suited to forage production. The purpose of this program is to introduce new forage species, improve forage production, and increase producer profits.

Grazing Alfalfa — An Overview, Garry D. Lacefield, W. Roy Burris

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is the most important forage legume grown in the United States. Grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions it has the highest yield potential and feeding value of all perennial forage legumes. This versatile crop can be used for hay, pasture, silage, green-chop, pellets, cubes and soil improvement. Because of its many merits, especially yield, quality and versatility, it can be used successfully in many animal feeding programs.

Grazing alfalfa has not been practiced to any great extent in the U.S., but has been done extensively in other countries. Research and producer experience has shown excellent …

Quality From The Seed To The Sale To The Animal, Jimmy C. Henning, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Forages in Kentucky have been valued at over $700 million annually. This figure combines receipts from cash hay sales to indirect value from the portion of beef, dairy, sheep, and horse receipts that are attributable to pasture and stored forages. However, the key to the maintaining and even increasing the value of forages to Kentucky lies in Quality: A) Quality of seed B) Quality as it relates to sales, and C) Quality as it relates to the animal.

New Developments In Hay Harvesting, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Hay and pasture crops are critical to Kentucky Agriculture and to that of the entire temperate region of the US. The sale of cattle, calves and dairy products provide 29% of Kentucky's farm income compared with 23% for tobacco. Beef cowcalf enterprises comprise the majority of cattle numbers in the state, however, dairy production is also significant. A substantial horse industry also exists in Kentucky which is an excellent market for high quality alfalfa hay. At present a substantial amount of alfalfa for feeding horses in the state is imported.

My Observations And Experiences With Alfalfa, Larry Jeffries

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

I was raised on a small dairy farm in Henry County, Kentucky. I'm the oldest of six children and wanted to leave the farm as soon as possible. Upon graduation from Transylvania College in 1956, I was quickly drafted into the U.S. Army. I was sent to El Paso, Texas, for training and remained in the southwest for 11 (eleven) years.

In 1958 I married Carolyn Billman. We have 4 (four) children: Rae Lynne, Janet, Keith, and Joy.

Upon returning home to Henry County to farm and teach school in 1967, I found a catastrophe had happened to the alfalfa …

An Alfalfa Management Program For Optimum Yields And Quality, Bill Griffith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa popularity is not surprising because it has the highest yield potential and the highest feeding value of all perennial hay crops. While the protein value of alfalfa is of major importance, its energy content is also high and should not be discounted. High yields of alfalfa harvested at the proper stage of maturity compare favorably with corn silage in production of energy.

Alfalfa Production And Trends In Kentucky, David D. Williamson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is often referred to as the "Queen of U.S. Forage Production". Looking at all hay production alfalfa should be called "The King". In 1991, 83.8 million tons were harvested in the United States -- 55 percent of all the hay harvested in the United States. This total does not include the many tons harvested as green chop, which is an especially common practice among dairy farmers. But, why shouldn't alfalfa be popular? This deep rooted leguminous plant is generally the forage leader in yield, protein, and TDN.

Foreword [1993], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Soil Testing: Field, Sample And Laboratory Variability, Lloyd W. Murdock, Dan Kirkland, Phil Gillespie, Tim Gray

Soil Science News and Views

Soil testing has advanced as a science and has become a tool widely used in making fertilizer recommendations. One of the basic components for ensuring reliability of recommendations is calibration of soil test results to determine the proper match of fertilizer recommendations with the soil test level for each nutrient and crop. Generally, calibration has been accomplished on small plot areas and is quite accurate. Even though there is nutrient variability within small areas, the potential for variability is much greater on a field basis. An important factor in making reliable fertilizer recommendations is the assumption that the soil sample …

Broiler Litter For Topdressing Tall Fescue, Monroe Rasnake, David Watson

Soil Science News and Views

A test was started in Princeton in 1991 to observe the response of tall fescue to applications of nitrogen fertilizer and broiler litter. Five treatments were used: two and four tons of litter per acre, 100 lbs nitrogen (half in May and half in July), 100 lbs nitrogen plus soil test recommended rates of phosphate and potash (only 55 lbs of Phosphate applied in 1991) and a check which had no nutrients applied. The treatments began in May 1991 on an established stand of tall fescue on a fragipan soil at the U.K. Research and Education Center in Princeton.

Factors Affecting Color Of Cured Burley Leaf, J. L. Sims, Gary K. Palmer, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

Much interest has been shown by tobacco growers during recent months in fertilization and or other management practices that can be used to produce darker and redder cured leaf of burley tobacco. The purpose of this newsletter is to summarize what we know about some of the factors which affect color of cured leaf.

Quality Of Private Ground-Water Supplies In Kentucky, Daniel I. Carey, James S. Dinger, O. Barton Davidson, Richard E. Sergeant, Joseph L. Taraba, Thomas W. Ilvento, Steve Coleman, Rayetta Boone, Laura M. Knoth

Information Circular--KGS

About 3.7 million people live in Kentucky, of which 1.9 million (52 percent) live in urban areas (roughly defined as any community with 2,500 or more people) and 1.8 million (48 percent) live in rural areas (University of Kentucky, 1993). Figure 1 summarizes sources of drinking water for Kentucky residents. About 70 percent of Kentuckians get their daily supply of water from surface-water sources - lakes and streams; about 25 percent get their water from ground-water wells; and about 5 percent get their water from other sources - springs, cisterns, ponds, or hauled water.

Oil And Gas Maps Of The Pikeville 30 X 60 Minute Quadrangle, Kentucky, Dan Walker, Joseph F. Meglen, Brandon C. Nuttall, X. Mara Chen, Anna E. Watson

Map and Chart--KGS

The purpose of these oil and gas maps is to portray the distribution of types of wells in a manner useful to the oil and gas industry and geologists interested in subsurface research. The maps are designed to help geologists better evaluate acreage holdings and exploratory/development potential.

Available Coal Resoures Of The Handshoe 7.5–Minute Quadrangle, Knott County, Kentucky, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, Robert E. Andrews, John K. Hiett, Richard E. Sergeant

Information Circular--KGS

Coal resources available for mining have been estimated for the Handshoe Quadrangle within the Hazard Coal Reserve District of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. Twelve coal beds within the quadrangle are potentially mineable and comprise the basis of these resource estimates. Seven of these beds have been commercially developed, but only four have produced more than 1 million tons: the Tiptop, Hazard No. 8, Hazard No. 4, and Upper Elkhorn No. 3. A computerized Geographic Information System was used to calculate estimates of original, mined-out, and remaining resources, restrictions to mining, and available resources.

Flooding Of The Sinking Creek Karst Area In Jessamine And Woodford Counties, Kentucky, James C. Currens, C. Douglas R. Graham

Report of Investigations--KGS

Tashamingo Subdivision in Sinking Creek Karst Valley, a tributary of the Garretts Spring Drainage Basin in Jessamine and Woodford Counties, Kentucky, was flooded in February 1989. To determine the cause of flooding, the boundary of the ground-water basin was mapped, discharge data were measured to determine intake capacity of swallow holes, and hydrologic modeling of the basin was conducted. Swallow-hole capacity was determined to be limited by the hydraulic parameters of the conduit, rather than by obstruction by trash. Flooding from a precipitation event is more likely, and will be higher, when antecedent soil moisture conditions in the watershed are …

Gas Exploration In The Devonian Shales Of Kentucky, Terence Hamilton-Smith

Bulletin--KGS

Devonian black shales constitute a major economic resource in Kentucky. These shales, known variously as the Ohio, Chattanooga, and New Albany Shales, are between 50 and 1, 700 feet thick and occur both in outcrop and in the subsurface, buried as deep as 4,200 feet below sea level.

Total gas in place for the Devonian shales in Kentucky is estimated to be between 63 and 112 trillion cubic feet; between 2 and 28 percent is recoverable. Known shale gas accumulations include the giant Big Sandy Field of eastern Kentucky and adjacent \/Vest Virginia, as well as a number of smaller …

Water Quality Impacts Of Natural Riparian Grasses Part 1: Empirical Studies, B. J. Barfield, R. L. Blevins, Alex W. Fogle, C. E. Madison, S. P. Inamdar, D. I. Carey, V. P. Evangelou

KWRRI Research Reports

Studies were conducted on the effectiveness of natural riparian grass buffer strips in removing sediment and ag chemicals from surface runoff. No till and conventional tillage erosion plots served as the sediment and chemical source area. Runoff from the plots was directed onto 15, 30, and 45 foot filter strips where the inflow and outflow concentrations and sediment size distributions. Trapping percentages for sediment and ag chemicals typically ranged near or above 90%. An evaluation was made of the distribution of trapped chemicals among infiltrated mass and mass stored in the surface layer and on plant surfaces. The analysis showed …

Water Quality Impacts Of Naturals Riparian Grasses Part 2: Modeling Effects Of Channelization On Sediment Trapping, S. P. Inamdar, B. J. Barfield, D. I. Carey, Alex W. Fogle

KWRRI Research Reports

A methodology is developed to determine expected sediment trapping in riparian vegetative filter strips considering channelization of flow. The framework consists of defining the channel network stochastically, with deposition/detachment in each channel being modeled deterministically. The two approaches were then combined to develop a model which could predict expected trapping efficiencies for vegetative filters under known field conditions. The model was then extended to include conditions such as rainfall on the filter so as to make it applicable to generic field situations.

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to collect and estimate data to develop and evaluate the model. sediment …

Kentucky Ust Field Manual, Lyle V.A. Sendlein, Wesley J. Birge, G. Blomquist, James S. Dinger, Ralph R. Huffsey, Robert D. Guthrie, Sanford W. Horstman, M. D. Kercher, Paul M. Mcginley, David C. Short, T. W. Struttmann, Larry C. Taylor, Thomas Tobin, David Dunn, Burl Naugle

KWRRI Research Reports

This study was undertaken to address the removal and closure of defective petroleum underground storage tanks in Kentucky. Goals for the study included:

• To address standards for levels of contamination requiring corrective action consistent with accepted scientific and technical principles.
• To recommend a matrix or scoring system to be used for (a) ranking sites as to actual or potential harm to human health and the environment caused by release of petroleum from a petroleum storage tank, and (2) establishing standards and procedures for corrective action that shall adequately protect human health and the environment.
• To address all compounds individually and …

Status Report: Identification Of Appropriate Standards For Corrective Action For A Release From Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks, Volume 1, Lyle V.A. Sendlein, Wesley J. Birge, G. Blomquist, James S. Dinger, Ralph R. Huffsey, Robert Guthries, Sanford W. Horstman, M. D. Kercher, Paul M. Mcginley, David C. Short, T. W. Struttmann, Larry Taylor, Thomas Tobin, David Dunn, Burl Naugle

KWRRI Research Reports

This study was undertaken to address the removal and closure of defective petroleum underground storage tanks in Kentucky:

• To address standards for levels of contamination requiring corrective action consistent with accepted scientific and technical principles.
• To recommend a matrix or scoring system to be used for (a) ranking sites as to actual or potential harm to human health and the environment caused by a release of petroleum from a petroleum storage tank, and (b) establishing standards and procedures for corrective action that shall adequately protect human health and the environment.
• To address all compounds individually and collectively known as petroleum. …

Channel, A Model Of Channel Erosion By Shear, Scour And Channel Headwall Propagation: Part 1. Model Development, Alex W. Fogle, Billy J. Barfield

KWRRI Research Reports

In the research conducted under this project, models were developed which predict channel erosion resulting from shear in gradually varied flow, shearing forces resulting from submerged jets and hydraulic jumps, and shearing forces resulting from free jets impinging a plunge pool. These models are linked with a runoff routing algorithm to develop the CHANNEL model. This model predicts general channel erosion resulting from time varying gradually varied now as well as predicts the development and propagation of channel headwalls. At this writing, the model still has some problems handling the transition from open channel now to a free jet within …

Modeling Sio Maser Emission From Late-Type Stars, Philip B. Lockett, Moshe Elitzur

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have performed a thorough study of both radiative and collisional pumping of the SiO masers around late-type stars, carefully considering the combined and separate actions of each type of pump in order to gauge its effectiveness. We find that collisional pumping is severely underestimated when the model calculations use a small number (less than about 18) of rotational levels in each vibrational state. We have developed a procedure that corrects this problem and gives results that are nearly independent of the number of levels utilized in the calculations. We recognize, but do not solve, an important problem that afflicts …

Use Of High-Energy Radiation For Degradation Of Environmental Pollutants, Robert D. Guthrie, Manjiri Patwardhan

KWRRI Research Reports

The purpose of this project was to explore the advantages and/or limitations of high-energy radiation treatment as a method for degrading organic pollutants, particularly aryl halides, in an aqueous medium. We have done analyses of ⁶⁰Co-irradiated samples and kinetic studies using pulsed electron beams. For aryl halides containing no more than two fused rings, the main products detected are those of simple halogen replacement by hydrogen, although the amount of aryl halide destroyed was always greater than the total amount of products detected. To accomplish halogen replacement by H, the reaction solvent may not be pure water but must …

Field Calibration Of A Transient Model For Broiler Misting, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Robert W. Bottcher, Shu Hui Zhang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A transient model to predict temperature within a tunnel ventilated broiler house during misting is developed. The model is calibrated with field data to obtain steady-state constants; transient predictions are compared to measured temperatures during cyclic misting for two different size birds. Measured temperatures during cyclic misting are shown to swing between steady-state asymptotes predicted from the model. Transient response of the model was faster than measured temperature data, in part due to temperature sensor dynamic response. The model predicts the length-wise temperature profile within the building during misting, and can be used to investigate alternate misting strategies and designs. …

Development Of A Decision Support System For Drought Characterization And Management: Application To Lexington, Kentucky, Lindell E. Ormsbee, Ashu Jain

KWRRI Research Reports

This report presents the results of an investigation into the potential use of expert system technology as an effective tool for drought forecasting and management. Historical data derived from the Kentucky River Basin was used to test the resulting decision support system. This study has demonstrated that expert system technology can serve as an effective platform for use in assisting the decision maker in both characterizing the nature of an existing drought and in selecting and implementing the required management policy.

The success of any decision making process will of course be dependent upon the quality of the data upon …

Biomonitoring Study Of A Constructed Wetland Site Treating Acid Mine Drainage, Barbara A. Ramey, Howard G. Halverson, Linda A. Taylor

KWRRI Research Reports

Acid mine drainage (AMD) from an underground coal mine in the Jones Branch watershed in McCreary County, KY, substantially reduced water quality in Jones Branch. Downstream from the mine seeps, the pH was routinely below 4.5 and concentrations of most heavy metals, especially iron, were elevated. A cattail wetland (1,022 m²) was constructed on Jones Branch in 1989 to obviate the effects of the AMD. Monthly chemical monitoring was performed on the water from above, from below, and from the 26 cells within the wetland. Based on chemical monitoring, the wetland initially improved water quality, increasing the pH …

Development Of Membrane Film Fiber Optic Based Sensors For The Remote Monitoring Of The Quality Of Surface And Groundwater, Leonidas G. Bachas

KWRRI Research Reports

The objective of this study was the development of chromo- and fluoroionophores and their subsequent use in sensors capable of surface and groundwater monitoring. Several reagents (modified crown ethers and porphyrins) were synthesized based on principles of chemical recognition and used for metal and pH sensing. The modified crown ether reagents include a chromogenic or fluorogenic group. The selectivity of these reagents is controlled by the size of the crown ether ring and the type of the chromogenic or fluorogenic side-arm. In addition, a fluorogenic crown ether was synthesized that incorporates a fluorogenic side-arm and a perfluorinated carbon chain. The …

Planar H2O Masers In Star-Forming Regions, Moshe Elitzur, David J. Hollenbach, Christopher F. Mckee

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The planar geometry of shocked material is the key property in enabling the high brightness temperatures of H20 masars in star-forming regions. We solve for the brightness temperature, the beaming angle, and the maser spot size for thin, saturated planar masers under the assumption that the velocity change across the maser due to ordered motions is small compared with the thermal or microturbulent line width. For a given set of physical parameters, the brightness temperature is essentially fully determined by the length of the velocity-coherent region in the shocked plane along the line of sight. The geometry in the transverse …

Mechanical Backup Systems For Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A series of mechanical backup systems for electronic environmental controllers is presented for a typical finishing swine barn and a typical tunnel ventilated broiler house. The systems consist of mechanical thermostats and timers used in parallel with the electronic controller, designed to ensure animal survival in the event of controller or related hardware failure. For swine housing, three distinct mechanical backup functions are identified; for broiler housing, four distinct mechanical backup functions are identified. Schematic diagrams of the mechanical backup functions are provided and their implementation is described.