Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Nepotism In Honey Bees, Computer Programs And Scientific Hypotheses, Benjamin P. Oldroyd, Thomas E. Rinderer

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

Page et al. (1989) attempted to show that bees on queen cells preferentially reared their super sisters as replacement queens rather than half sisters. In support of their contention, they used computer simulation to model the biological system. We argue that the simulation did not accurately reflect the biological system in several important respects. We show that random data will produce the same kinds of statistical significance as the actual data.

Using Response Surface Methodology With A Multivariate Response To Improve The Quality Of A Food Product, George A. Milliken, Tanya W. Maclaurin, Carole S. Setser

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

Nutrition in health is a major area of focus in our national health priorities as we move into the 21st century. The government, food industry, food scientists, health professionals, and all disciplines that can assist need to work together in the development of "healthful food products" and encourage Americans to make healthful food choices (Drishell, 1990). Experimentation science provides strategies for helping food scientists improve existing food products and develop new ones. This paper describes a process where design of experiments and response surface methodology were utilized in the formulation development to guide product development of a healthful muffin that …

A Simulation Study On The Relationship Between The Abundance And Spatial Distribution Of Insects And Selected Sampling Schemes, J. L. Willers, D. L. Boykin, J. M. Hardin, T. L. Wagner, R. L. Olson, M. R. Williams

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

During the development of a Bayesian approach to estimate insect population abundance, it was necessary to compare not only the reliability of Bayesian estimates, but to also compare these estimates to those obtained by traditional methods employed by entomologists. To facilitate these comparisons it was necessary to use simulated fields apportioned into quadrats where conditions representative of insect abundance and dispersion are modeled. Thus, a simulation model was developed using SAS to derive example insect populations from which samples could be drawn. The negative binomial distribution was used to simulate the proportion of infested plants (p) with various degrees of …

Composite Sampling Techniques For Determining Pesticide Concentrations, R. S. Parrish, G. O. Ware, C. N. Smith, P. A. Banks

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

Composite sampling techniques are compared with random sampling methods for determining pesticide concentrations in agricultural fields. Estimates of mean pesticide concentrations and associated standard errors are presented for different experimental conditions. Variance components defined in extended forms of the Brown-Fisher model are estimated. The method of nonlinear least squares was employed to obtain numerical estimates of variance components by equating observed mean squares to expected mean squares for appropriate sampling designs.

A Spatial View Of The Negative Binomial Parameter K When Describing Insect Populations, Linda J. Young, Jerry H. Young

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

Measures of aggregation as applied to insect populations are reviewed. When these measures indicate strong aggregation, an aggregated spatial pattern is often assumed. The literature noting that the measure of aggregation does not necessarily indicate spatial aggregation, or the lack of it, is reviewed. Field data from four insect species are presented. In each case, the measures of aggregation indicated strong aggregation, but the spatial pattern was not significantly different from random.

Analysis Of Repeated Measures Data, Ramon C. Littell

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

Data with repeated measures occur frequently in agricultural research. This paper is a brief overview of statistical methods for repeated measures data. Statistical analysis of repeated measures data requires special attention due to the correlation structure, which may render standard analysis of variance techniques invalid. For balanced data, multivariate analysis of variance methods can be employed and adjustments can be applied to univariate methods, as means of accounting for the correlation structure. But these analysis of variance methods do not apply readily with unbalanced data, and they overlook the regression on time. Regression curves for treatment groups can be obtained …

Editor's Preface, Table Of Contents, And List Of Attendees, George A. Milliken

Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture

These proceedings contain papers presented at the second annual Kansas State University Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture, held in Manhattan, Kansas, April 29 through May 1, 1990.

Kentucky Pride Hay Growers Association — After One Year, Mark Mattingly

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

High quality forages have been the "frontline" for successful horse and cattle operations for years. In Kentucky, we have grown, harvested and stored hay on the farm for as long as we have farmed. It is one of our principal forms of overwinter feed and has been grown primarily as an on-the-farm feed source.

Drying High Moisture Alfalfa Hay, Michael Collins, Blaine Frank Parker, George M. Turner

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

We all recognize the value of alfalfa in horse, dairy and beef rations. That's why we harvest over 17 million acres of this crop in the United States every year. Hay is a good way to harvest alfalfa because it stores well, provides long fiber in rations and we can market the surplus as a cash crop. Higher yields and higher quality mean more profit so we push to be sure we use the best management practices. All too often though, we lose part of all of a crop to rain damage. Some yield and quality is lost due to …

Hay Additive Review: "Where We've Been, Where We're Going", William C. Mahanna, Steve Soderlund

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The losses from harvest to feed bunk are undoubtedly greater with hay than any other crop grown by the American farmer. The economic implications of reducing losses through improved harvest technologies is staggering when one considers the 75-85 million tons of alfalfa harvested out of the total 140-145 million tons of hay produced annually in the United States.

Alfalfa Producers: Do You Really Know How Good Your Alfalfa Is? Forage Analysis: Importance And Interpretation, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Forages make up over 75% of the diet of all cattle and are the basis of cow-calf industry in the midwest. However, a recent survey of over 1000 livestock producers in Missouri revealed that only 5.6 % had ever had their hay tested. They gave several reasons for why they had not tested hay (Table 1). By a large margin, the greatest reason for not testing was that they did not see a need. This fact highlights the purpose of this paper and presentation at the 10th Annual Kentucky Alfalfa Conference. This paper will explain the terms used in …

Alfalfa Cutting Management, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa "Queen of the Forage Crops" is the most important forage legume grown in the united States. It is grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and the highest feeding values of all adapted perennial forage legumes. It is a versatile crop which can be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, soil improvements and human consumption. As a result of this crops many merits; especially yield, quality and versatile use, it can be used successfully in many animal feeding programs.

Developing Alfalfa Varieties For The 21st Century, Jim Moutray

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

As we approach the end of the 20th century, alfalfa improvement is happening at a very rapid pace, New varieties are being released at the rate of more than 30 per year. During the past 30 years, the roles of public and private research have changed significantly. Emphasis in public efforts has changed from variety development to basic research accompanied by an overall reduction in funding. Private industry, which released less than 20% of the new varieties prior to 1960, has released over 95% of the varieties since 1981. Funding of private research has increased dramatically during this period.

Foreword [1990], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Resolution 90-12-F - Excused Absences For Earthquake Prediction, Wku Student Government Association

Student Government Association

Resolution requesting that student absences related to Iben Browning's predicted New Madrid Fault earthquake be excused.

Effects Of Free-Ranging Cats On Wildlife: A Progress Report, J. S. Coleman, S. A. Temple

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We have embarked upon a three-year study to determine the density and distribution of free-ranging cats (Felis catus) and their effects on prey populations in rural Wisconsin. The effects of predation by free-ranging cats on wildlife populations are potentially great and have not been adequately accounted for in wildlife management programs. In rural Illinois there was an average of 5.6 free ranging cats per farm (Warner 1985). If densities elsewhere are similar, then a state such as Wisconsin, with over 200,000 active and retired farms, could have over 1 million free-ranging cats on farms. In other studies (Bradt …

Survey Of Mississippi Catfish Farmers On Means, Effort, And Costs To Repel Fish-Eating Birds From Ponds, A. R. Stickley, K. J. Andrews

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Eighty-seven percent of 281 Mississippi catfish farmers felt that fish-eating birds were enough of a problem to warrant harassment. Farmers estimated that they spent an average of 2.6 man-hours per day harassing birds at an average annual cost of $7400. Sixty percent of the farmers who harassed birds did so by driving around the ponds and firing at birds to repel them. Propane exploders and pyrotechnics were also used. Pyrotechnics were judged the most effective repellent technique. The cost of bird harassment according to these farmers is $2.1 million. The value of fish loss to cormorants alone is roughly estimated …

An Automatic Trigger For Bird Frightening Devices, Steve Price, John Adams

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

This triggering unit for animal frightening devices was developed because of an expressed need for a more effective method of breaking up starling and grackle roosts. The USDA, Animal Damage Control (ADC) office in Louisville, KY suggested that a device which detected the presence of the birds before activating and then emitted different sounds would be much more effective than single functioning devices on timers. Existing frightening devices have limited effectiveness because the birds become accustom to the repeated and periodic actuations of the same thing over and over again. In November of 1986, Mr. Bernice Constantin, District Supervisor for …

The Effectiveness Of Orco Mole Bait In Controlling Mole Damage, Dale K. Elshoff, Glenn R. Dudderar

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The tunneling damage caused by eastern moles (Scalopus aguaticus) and starnosed moles (Condylura cristata) is well known to professionals in lawn care, golfcourse maintenance, and turfgrass production, as well as many private landowners. Present damage control methods, including trapping, gas and smoke fumigants, and insecticide applications have a wide variety of limitations and prove impractical in some situations. An easily applied mole damage control method is needed that professional and nonprofessional applicators can use in a variety of environmental and physical conditions.

This study tested the effectiveness of Orco Mole Bait, a chlorophacinone pellet placed in …

Depredation Permits For Migratory Birds, Larry L. Hood

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

All of the native species of birds in the United States are protected by either federal or state laws. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the federal government has formulated regulations that assist in controlling protected species that cause economic damage or health hazards. These regulations are in Subpoint D of Part 21, Title SO Code of Federal Regulations, and may take the form of standing depredation orders or permits issued to kill those species that cause problems.

An Investigation Of Animal Damage Associated With Maple Syrup Production, J. Alan May, Dennis Slate

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

An increase in the use of plastic tubing systems to collect sap from sugar maples (Acer saccharum) has allowed syrup producers to boost production in recent years, but not without cost. Rodents gnawing on tubing, spouts, and fittings may cause damage in excess of $300,000 annually in Vermont, the largest maple producing state. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), and chipmunks (Tamias striatus) appear to be responsible for the majority of damage. Other species including flying squirrels (Glaucomvs sabrinus), white-footed mice (Peromvscus leucopus), porcupines (Erethizon …

Revolution In Bird Control, Air Birdstrike Prevention Inc.

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Over 90% of all civil bird strikes in the U.S. occur at altitudes up to 3,000 feet above the ground and in the close vicinity of the airport. Many species of birds are involved, but almost 50% of all strikes involve gulls.

A Review Of The Status Of Bird Management Products And Devices In The United States, Charles W. Areson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Commercial urban /industrial structural pest bird control is approaching a time of crisis. Several long-standing toxicants that have been used as a major part of pest bird control programs are either suspended, at risk of suspension, or have had their production terminated by the manufacturer. "Environmental groups" are up in arms about the use and misuse of pesticides. Lawsuits have been filed to stop the use of some products, and political pressure has brought about reviews of some pesticide products on both the state and federal levels. EPA has seemed to have a "get tough" policy in its reregistration guidelines, …

Laughing Gulls At Jfk Airport: Safety Hazard Or Wildlife Resource?, R. A. Dolbeer, M. Chevalier, P. P. Woronecki, E. B. Butler

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

John F. Kennedy International Airport is adjacent to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge administered by the National Park Service. In 1979, 15 pairs of laughing gulls (Larus atricilla) nested on the refuge, the first recolonization of Long Island by this species since the gulls' disappearance from New York around 1900. The colony, with nests as close as 0.4 km to 1 runway, has subsequently increased to about 3,000 pairs. From 1970 to 1978, only 1 laughing gull strike by an aircraft was recorded at JFK. From 1979 through August 1989, 800 strikes were recorded, including 179 in 1989, in spite of …

Evaluation Of A Canada Goose Call-Activated Switch For Crop Damage Abatement, James W. Heinrich, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Damage and nuisance problems caused by Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are difficult to control with current abatement technology. We tested the efficacy of a goose call-activated switch as a modification for propane exploders (gas cannons), using recorded Canada goose calls and live goose trials. We recorded a 30 m range for the switch and found that it was activated by a range of non-target sounds. The development of this device and the technology involved are discussed. The call-activated switch is not a useful tool in reducing Canada goose damage in crop fields.

Canada geese frequently feed on agricultural …

Economic Impact And Control Of Wading Birds At Arkanas Minnow Ponds, Michael D. Hoy, Jeffery W. Jones, Albert E. Bivings

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Esophageal/stomach contents of 172 little blue herons (Egretta caerulea), great egrets (Casmerodius albus), snowy egrets (Egretta thula), and great blue herons (Ardea herodias) were analyzed to estimate their consumption of golden shiners. Mean and maximum number of golden shiners consumed/bird, as well as the mean total length of golden shiners consumed by each wading bird species was determined. Loss estimates varied by wading bird species and ranged from $0.10 - $1.12/bird/feeding. Loss estimates reflect the severity of problems with wading birds on minnow ponds and the need to reduce losses by use …

The Usda-Aphis-Adc Program In The United States, Bobby R. Acord

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The ADC program was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in 1986. Shortly after the transfer, the Secretary of Agriculture established the National Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee (NADCAC). Current and future issues facing ADC are discussed in the context of NADCAC recommendations.

Epa Update On Vertebrate Pesticides, William W. Jacobs

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates pesticides under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Vertebrate pesticides are subsumed under the heading "rodenticides" and, under FIFRA, are regulated similarly to other pesticides.

Wildlife Damage To Crops: Perceptions Of Agricultural And Wildlife Professionals In 1957 And 1987, Michael R. Conover, Daniel J. Decker

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We surveyed state wildlife agencies, state agricultural departments, Wildlife Extension Specialists, U.S.D.A. Animal Damage Control agents, and state Farm Bureau officials to develop a national perspective of wildlife damage to agricultural crops in the U.S. A broad consensus existed that wildlife damage was a major problem, although groups often differed in their perceptions of the seriousness of specific problems. The complexity of the wildlife damage problem was apparent in that 27 different wildlife species were cited as causing the greatest problem to a state's farmers. Nevertheless, 38-80% of the respondents from every group surveyed stated that deer were their worst …

Wildlife Damage In Electric Substations In New York, Jody W. Enck

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wildlife managers have long been concerned with the damage wildlife can cause, especially to agricultural crops. However, one area which has received little research is the damage caused by wildlife to electric substations. Such research is needed because damage to electric substations increases operating costs of utilities and reduces reliability of service to customers.

Six member utilities of the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation (ESEERCO) were surveyed to identify classes of substations experiencing animal-caused faults (i.e., short circuits), and to determine the impacts of those faults. Records of more than 200 animal-caused faults occurring from 1970-88 were examined. The …