NACAA

July, 2008

2007 Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Program

Lawson, K.W.; Guiling, P.S.; Kelley, J.P.

The Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Program (CGSRVP) was conducted on five corn and three grain sorghum fields in 2007 by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Grain yields ranged from 171 to 218 bushels per acre for corn with an average of 200.39 bushels per acre, and 95 to 128 bushels per acre for grain sorghum with an average of 110.5 bushels per acre. Agronomic and economic data for specified operating costs were collected for each CGSRVP field to evaluate the effectiveness and profitability of production recommendations. The economic analysis show total direct expenses ranged from $304.43 to $409.83 per acre for corn with an average of $360.54 per acre, and $152.77 to $204.03 per acre for grain sorghum with an average of $188.51 per acre. The average break-even prices needed to cover total specified operating costs averaged $1.79 per bushel for corn and $1.58 per bushel for grain sorghum. Total direct and fixed costs averaged $441.47 and $268.35 per acre with a break-even price of $2.19 and $2.23 per bushel for corn and grain sorghum, respectively. The CGSRVP was used to demonstrate Extension's research-based recommendations to help corn and grain sorghum growers to produce a profitable, high yielding crop. The CGSRVP is funded by the Corn and Grain Sorghum Checkoff monies and administered through the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board.

Backyard Woodlot Owners: A Growing Issue and New Approach

Downing, A. K.; Kays, J. S.; Finley, J. C.

As populations expand into rural areas, the Eastern United States, particularly, is experiencing forest fragmentation and parcelization. This process creates major challenges for natural resource managers, as rural forest and agriculture land convert into suburban developments. Meeting the diverse ownership objectives on these smaller forestland parcels, which do not often focus on timber production, requires innovative and sophisticated methods of communication to convey both the benefits and responsibilities associated with land stewardship.
Landowners with less than 10 acres of forest own 59% of forest properties in the Eastern United States. While the overall acreage of this audience is still relatively small (8%), they represent a growing underserved audience and a significant political base that could provide support for forestry programs.
Forests in this changing landscape can provide myriad environmental benefits to society as well as raw materials for forest industry. Landowners who believe non-management is the best management practice do not think about their connection to natural resources, or they have insufficient information for making informed decisions about improving the ecological function of this evolving urban landscape. As a result, landowners do not understand the intrinsic benefits gained from managing their forestland, no matter how small. A new educational tool and approach entitled, "The Woods in Your Backyard" is available to encourage small acreage landowners to understand their role in conserving forest values and to lead them to more active involvement with their natural resources.

Barriers and Opportunities for Low Impact Development: Case Studies From Three Oregon Communities

Godwin, D.C.; Chan, S.A.; Burris, F.A.

Oregon State University Extension Service and Oregon Sea Grant conducted three needs-assessment workshops with local decision makers and residents in three Oregon communities of vastly different populations. The workshops identified (1) the biggest barriers to planning and implementing future development while minimizing impacts to water resources (that is, adopting LID practices); (2) their needs for education, training, or other resources on these issues; and (3) the audiences to which these efforts should be directed. Despite geographic and demographic differences in size and location, consistent themes emerged from these three Oregon communities: 1. Lack of basic understanding of planning and the impacts of growth; 2. Need for active leadership; 3. Need for technical information and assistance, and 4. Funding, economics and incentives. These workshops used a facilitation process which maximized input from all participants providing a wealth of information that will be used by Extension staff and partnering agencies to design and implement education practices, technical assistance and programs that remove barriers and provide incentives for conducting low impact development practices.

Developing a System to Track Nitrogen Cycling on Pasture-based Dairies

Downing, T.W.

Most animal waste management plans written for pastured based dairies use estimates for manure produced and yields removed to design the waste plan. Landowners theoretically have been required to apply nitrogen (N) in quantities equal to what they remove annually in a crop. As concerns for water quality have increased, so has the need to demonstrate that the nutrients applied are equal to what is removed. The objectives of this research were to develop a system to document nutrient application and removal on pasture based dairies. This challenge was fairly complex, because grazing animals are constantly harvesting forage and depositing manure. Additionally, grass growth over time is a factor. This work was conducted on a 200 head Holstein grazing dairy over two years. An animal waste management plan was written, manure handling equipment calibrated, and a detailed farm map developed. Daily forage measurements were recorded before and after grazing. Soils samples were taken at 12" deep at the end of each growing season and tested for nitrates to determine nitrogen application residues. Annual grass yields ranged from 3.9 to 9.2 tons of dry matter/acre with an average of 7.55 tons. Pasture protein levels varied some throughout the season, but were averaged to determine the approximate level on nitrogen removed. Total nitrogen removed per acre by grazing ranged from 201 up to 526 lbs. of N/acre removed. The cooperator found this increased level of management rewarding and profitable. Having good data gave him the confidence to add commercial fertilizer and recorded a 20.1% (1.45 tons/acre) increase in total dry matter produced in year two over year one. This project successfully demonstrated a new model of tracking nitrogen applications and removal in pasture-based dairies and has been adopted by others in our region.

Developing Beef Quality Assurance Materials for Youth

Holmgren, L.N.; Zobell, D.; Chapman, C. K.

4-H and FFA livestock programs provide a unique educational experience for youth development. In Utah, 4-H and FFA youth livestock projects produce livestock including beef, pork and lamb with a commercial market value of more than $1 million per year. Youth must realize that they are not just raising a project for the county fair; they are in the business of producing a food product for the consumer. This program focuses on the beef aspect of youth market livestock projects and how beef quality assurance principles can be applied to beef projects. Economic and production data on live animals and corresponding carcass information were collected. Digital photographs and video footage of live beef animals and carcasses were taken to provide FFA instructors, county agents and youth leaders with visual teaching aids. This project focuses on three objectives. 1) Help youth understand and have an increased awareness of the commercial livestock industry; 2) teach principles of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and how these principles relate to youth livestock projects; and 3) provide 4-H and FFA leaders and teachers with materials to enable them to teach Beef Quality Assurance. 4-H and FFA beef project leaders and parents can use these materials to teach their youth about live animal and carcass evaluation and BQA and how they can produce a better beef product for the consumer.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Tree Growth of Selected Nursery and Landscape Trees.

Gill, S.A.; Schuster, C.F.

Nursery managers, arborist and landscape managers play an important role in creating and maintaining a healthy environment in urban and community forests. Determining the correct amount of nitrogen fertilizer to be applied to maintain the health of the trees and be environmentally conscious is the question most nursery managers, arborist and landscape managers are asking. Ongoing research being completed in Maryland is starting to provide answers to these questions. A 2-year field trail was conducted at Ruppert Nursery, Laytonsville, Maryland on nursery plants to determine optimum fertilization rates for Acer rubrum (American red maple). A manager'''s goal is to increase caliper size rapidly and sell the plants into the market place. The quicker the plant material reaches a specified trunk caliper (usually 2"-6" caliper is the market goal) the production field can be turned to another crop. The primary objective of this trial is to determine the appropriate nitrogen fertilizer rate to optimize tree growth and not increase the potential of nutrient loss and pollution.

Factors Contributing to Employee Resignation (Perceived & Actual) Among Georgia Cooperative Extension Agents

Skaggs, W. D.

Agent retention has been a problem within the Cooperative Extension System for many years. In Georgia, the turnover rate among Extension agents has been as high as 40% in recent years. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors contributing to employee resignation (perceived and actual) among Cooperative Extension Agents in Georgia. This study began in the fall of 2005 and was completed in the summer of 2006. The study was qualitative in nature, utilizing in-depth interviews with five former Extension Agents and five currently employed Extension Agents. Significant factors leading to employee resignation among those in the study were time demand / time away from family, salary, lack of leadership and support, and unrealistic job expectations.

Fiber Digestibility in Ryegrasses

Downing, T.W.; French, P.

Dairy nutritionists have known for years that forages with the exact same laboratory analysis could have significantly different performance in lactating cows. It has been speculated that the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDFD) may explain much of this variation. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate digestibility variation between varieties and season and use this information as the basis of an extension education program. Eleven ryegrasses that were commonly grown in Oregon were selected and planted in September 2004 in Tillamook, OR. Plots were 5' x 20', replicated three times and all planted at the same time. Plots were fertilized in four separate applications of nitrogen annually of approximately 75 lbs/acre/year or 300 lbs N annually. For two years, the plots were mechanically harvested six times a year at approximately 28 day intervals beginning in March and continuing through August. Yield data was recorded and samples were dried in a 550C in a forced-air oven for 48 hour. Samples were ground and analyzed for neutral detergent fiber and NDFD. Fiber digestibility was determined using a Daisy II Incubator. Total dry matter produced ranged from 6.5 tons down to 5.8 tons of dry matter per acre. The fiber digestibility data indicated there was around a 10% difference between the highest variety Elgon and the lowest Flanker. When digestibility and total dry matter yield were combined, this analysis showed a 32% variation in digestible fiber per acre from the highest (Elgon) to the lowest (Tonga). It is estimated the amount of extra energy produced in the form of digestible fiber from our highest ryegrass over our lowest is enough to produce an extra 28 cwt of milk per acre per year. While there was some variation from year to year, most varieties were very consistent from one year to another. This project has been used as the basis of an extension educational program. This information has been used to change the way livestock rations are balanced and hopefully alter the types of grasses being developed in the future.

Garden Tillage and Soil Compaction

Mitchell, C.C.; Pinkston, C.B.; Caylor, A.; and Elkins, C.B.

Farmers on sandy, Coastal Plain soils of the southeastern U.S. are aware that tillage can create traffic pans or plow pans. These compacted soil layers can prevent deep rooting of crops. Tillage may also destroy soil structure in soils low in organic matter. The objective of this study was to determine if garden tillage techniques would create similar problems in small vegetable gardens. A series of replicated experiments were conducted over several years at 3 Alabama locations. Master Gardener volunteers in Lee County and Cullman County, Alabama, did most of the work. On sandy, Coastal Plain soils of Central Alabama. intensive soil tillage such as disking, rototilling with a tractor or a garden-type rototiller either created severe traffic pans and/or destroyed soil aggregates which led to surface soil crusting. These techniques resulted in greatly reduced yields of all vegetable crops. Techniques that disrupted or cut through plow pans such as subsoiling, double-digging, or slit tillage increased yields on Coastal Plain soils. On a deep, loamy soil of the Appalachian Plateau in Cullman County (Hartsells loam), we found no differences in vegetable yields due to tillage. No plow pans were detected in these soils.

Managing Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth in Roundup Ready Soybeans

Kichler, J.M.; Prostko, E.P.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth was confirmed in Macon County, Georgia in 2005. It has been estimated that 87 percent of the soybeans planted in the U.S. during 2005 were herbicide tolerant varieties (NASS, 2007). Soybean producers utilize Roundup Ready systems because of low costs and simplicity. In 2006, two on-farm field trials were conducted in Macon County to evaluate preemergence and postemergence herbicides for the control of GR-Palmer amaranth in soybeans. Preemergence herbicides that showed potential to be used by Georgia soybean growers included Valor, Reflex, Intrro, and Boundary. Glyphosate + Cobra, Reflex, or Ultra Blazer tank-mixes applied postemergence were not effective in controlling GR-Palmer amaranth. The results of both trials suggest that GR-Palmer amaranth will only be controlled using a combination of both preemergence and postemergence herbicides.

Monitoring the Natural Fall of Varroa Mites in Honeybee Colonies with the Use of Sticky Boards in Clay County, West Virginia

D. P. Friend and M.D. Shamblin

The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is one of the most destructive pests of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) in the United States. Because varroa mites have developed resistance to chemical treatments, producers need to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to manage varroa mites successfully. Five beekeepers monitored their hives monthly for varroa mites by assessing the natural mite fall using sticky boards. Sticky boards were placed in hives and removed 24 hours later. The boards were analyzed for number of varroa mites. As expected, varroa mites were detected in each hive in at least one of the months that hives were monitored. The average number of mites increased as summer progressed (R2 = .84). There was tremendous variation in the rate at which individual colonies developed mite populations. Further education and research on the identification of threshold levels of varroa mites in honey bee colonies will encourage producers to adopt an IPM program that will monitor varroa mite populations and treat only those hives that reach a threshold level thereby reducing honeybee losses, resistance to miticides and production costs.

Nitrate and Water Use Efficiency in Onion Production Under Drip and Furrow Irrigation

Reddy, Steven; Neufeld, Jerry; Klauzer, Jim

An applied research and demonstration project was installed in onion fields that used furrow or drip irrigation. Fields were not replicated but were installed for five consecutive years to reveal seasonal influences. Production inputs, based on Southern Idaho Fertilizer Guide for Onions (CIS 1081) and Nutrient Management for Onions in the Pacific Northwest (PNW 546) were measured, and soil, water, and onion tissues were sampled for nitrogen (N). Onion yields and bulb sizes were recorded and the fields then compared for water and N use efficiency (WUE and NUE). Beginning in 2005, a Furrow Treatment was introduced into the project that allowed for N fertilizer applications based on the soil sample recommendations in CIS 1081 and PNW 546. This treatment continued through 2007. WUE and NUE were calculated and compared for all fields. Yields were high throughout the project and were often very close among the fields within a season. The Furrow Treatment fields used approximately 40% less N fertilizer than the Furrow Control and produced yields that were only 4.1% to 5.2% less than the control. The Drip field produced the best WUE and NUE when compared to the Furrow Control. Furrow Treatment yield for 2007 fit close to the high range of the Preplant Yield Response Curve in PNW 546 indicating sufficient N availability. The project showed that high onion yields can be produced with reduced N fertilizer applications. Demonstration of efficiency through this project can help growers keep production costs down, maintain high yields, and minimize N leaching into water supply.

North Georgia Apple Integrated Pest Management Program Improves Producers' Confidence

Wheeler, M.J.

Apple production in north Georgia has a long and productive history. Many of today’s apple producers are second and third generation farmers. Their knowledge about producing high quality fruit is almost second nature. Over the years, as the apple industry in north Georgia has transitioned from an early, wholesale market to a roadside, retail market, the number of producers has reduced by 90%. Another factor that has caused this sharp reduction in apple producers has been the switch from easy-to-use pesticides to more environmentally friendly, species specific pesticides. In general, these pesticides require extensive knowledge of how and when to apply them. Beginning in 2003, the Gilmer and Fannin County Cooperative Extension offices developed an intensive integrated pest management (IPM) program for the apple producers in this two county region. The North Georgia Apple IPM program provides information to the producers about fire blight, Erwinia amylovora, prediction and tracking the life stages of three different moth insects throughout the growing season using degree-day models (Smith, 2002; Steiner and Lightner, 1996; NCSU AG-572). The three moth species targeted by the IPM program are Oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta Busck, codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella (L), and tufted apple budmoth, Platynoda idaeusalis. In a recent evaluation of the IPM program, all of the growers said the program is worth the effort because of the data and other information they gain from the program.

Ohio Vineyard Labor and Management Survey

Marrison, D. L.; Brown, M.V.

Ashtabula County is Ohio’s top grape production area raising 68% of the state’s 2,000 acres of grape. This survey was developed in response to two community needs. The Northeast Ohio Grape Committee determined there was a need for a more skilled vineyard workforce. At the same time, the Horticulture Department of the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School was conducting a program review, and determined that more viticulture classes should be offered in their secondary horticulture program. Both groups requested that OSU Extension develop a survey to determine what the desired labor and management needs were for the Ohio grape industry.
A survey instrument was developed in the spring of 2005 utilizing input from the Ohio grape industry. In collaboration with Dr. Bruce Bordelon from Purdue University, Indiana grape growers helped to test pilot the survey in the summer of 2005. Recommendations for improving the survey were considered and changes were made accordingly. This project was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board at The Ohio State University and the human subjects were deemed exempt from providing signed release agreements.

Phosphorus for Blooming Plants

Mitchell, C.C.; Pinkston, C.B.; and Wheeler, E.J.

Garden centers and retail fertilizer companies often promote high P fertilizers for blooming plants with no regard to soil test P levels. Master Gardeners in Cullman and Marshall Counties in northern Alabama wanted to determine if applying a high P fertilizer to a soil that was high in P would actually improve flowering for summer annual flowers. Identical experiments were conducted in 2006 at two locations in North Alabama. Soil test prior to establishment indicated that both sites tested very high in extractable P; no additional P was recommended. Ten treatments replicated 4 times were applied that included various N:P ratios, two commercial fertilizers for blooming plants and poultry broiler litter (a 3-3-2 grade fertilizer). The highest N and P rate applied was equivalent to 120 lb. N and 120 lb. P2O5 per acre applied twice during the growing season. Annual blooming plants were planted in each plot and monitored during the growing season. Additional P fertilization had no effect on number of blooms, bloom quality or vegetative quality. Nitrogen fertilization alone up to 120 lb. N per acre produced healthier plants and more blooms at both locations. This applied research activity provided local Master Gardeners with a opportunity to contribute to agricultural experiment station research.

Relative Feed Value and Crude Protein of Selected Cool and Warm Season Forages in Response to Varying Rates of Nitrogen

Angima, S.D.; Kallenbach, R.L.

Cool season forages produce most of their biomass during spring and early summer and early winter, while warm season forages are productive during hot summers therefore filling in the slump left by cool season grasses. To most livestock farmers, crude protein (CP) and relative feed values (RFV) are the basis for buying or making hay for livestock. Our objective was to determine crude protein and relative feed values from a range of cool and warm season forages harvested as hay when grown under four different rates of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, & 150 lb/acre). Cool season forages included Fescue K-31, Max QTM fescue, CowPro fescue, Timothy, Smooth Bromegrass, and Orchard grass, and warm season forages Bermudagrass, Switchgrass, Eastern gamagrass, Indiangrass, Little bluestem, and Big bluestem. Forages were harvested once each growing season near LaDue Missouri. Percentage CP levels ranged from 6.4% to 9.2% and 3.4% to 7.1% for cool and warm season forages respectively and generally increased with increasing nitrogen rates. There were no significant differences in CP levels for all the nitrogen rates except for CowPro fescue, Bermuda grass, and Indian grass forages. Relative feed values ranged from 93 to 104 and 84 to 98 for cool and warm season forages, respectively. There were no significant differences in RFV for both cool and warm season forages under all levels of nitrogen used. Nitrogen did influence CP and RFV but not as much as it has been shown to influence yield.

Soil Quality Comparison of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems in Northwest

Sundermeier, A.P.

In 2001, a replicated farming system experiment was established in Northwest Ohio to gain a better understanding of what occurs with crop production and soil changes when farmers transition from one management system to another. The treatments chosen for this experiment represent a range of conditions experienced by farmers transitioning either to organic or other more diversified crop management systems. Overall, the experiment is addressing ways to maintain production and economic viability while building soil quality. Five replicate blocks were established of each of five farming systems: #1 – No-till conventional corn, soybean, wheat rotation; #2 – Integrated reduced input tilled corn, soybean, wheat rotation; #3 – Organic corn, soybean, wheat rotation; #4 – Organic forage and grain rotation; #5 – Organic multi-crop rotation. Five years of multiple site soil sampling were analyzed for soil quality properties. Soil pH measurements in the 1-6 inch deep #1 No-till system was 5.36 which was significantly lower than the Organic #3 system at pH 6.15. Active carbon sampled in the 6-12 inch deep #1 No-till system was 1047 lb/acre which was significantly less than the Organic #3 system at 1224 lb/acre active carbon. Soil microbial biomass was not significantly different among all systems at the surface 1-6 inch depth, however #1 No-till at 6-12 inch depth was 114 lb/ac, significantly less than Organic #3 at 220 lb/acre. Soil data indicate that the organic systems are shifting to greater biological activity compared to no-till.

Strategies for Developing Sound Value-Added Enterprises for Small Farmers

Tubene, S.L.

The competitive nature of the U.S. agriculture coupled with the concentration of large agribusiness firms, have pressured small farmers to explore innovative agricultural business ventures. Innovative enterprises could include high-value crops, dried flowers, processed dried herbs, goat cheese, and smoked fish. In addition to supplying fresh and high-quality produce to the market, adding value to agricultural commodities could increase farm income by improving product differentiation. These strategies for developing value-added enterprises are discussed in this paper. Strategies are mostly determined by the market structure in which the firm operates as well as the goal and objectives of the firm. To be successful in developing sound innovative enterprises, small farmers should develop a business plan, acquire an appropriate technology, secure financial and human resources, and develop products with consumers in mind. In addition, farmers should consistently test current strategies, and establish criteria for changing strategies in the future.

Street Tree Resource Evaluation and Education Trust (STREET)

Prochaska, Steven, C.; Hoffman, Melinda

Inappropriate selection, planting and care of municipal street trees can be a source of significant property damage, a threat to human health and result in added property maintenance expense. An educational and applied research project, Street Tree Resource Evaluation and Education Trust (STREET), was conducted to train Master Gardener volunteers to identify, and inventory Bucyrus street trees; educate city government on need for an innovative street tree program; to secure funding for citizen tree planting; to educate citizens on street tree planting and to compare citizen tree planting to landscape contractor planting by tree survival and tree planting depth. Educational outcomes of STREET included: strong city government support for innovative tree program (including the transfer of $4000 dollars to tree acquisition); identification, evaluation, and inventory of Bucyrus street trees by Master Gardener volunteers; grant written and funded at $5000 for street trees; and education of citizens on appropriate street tree placement and planting. Trees planted by citizens and contractors were analyzed for new growth, depth of planting and survival. Applied research outcomes included: citizen planted trees were higher above grade than the landscape contractor, and citizen tree survival was equivalent to the professional contractor. This study suggests citizens are able, after education, to plant trees with survival rates equivalent to landscape contractors.