Oat Variety Test

Twenty-three varieties were included in the 2007 oat variety test at Lewis. Each variety was sown in three different plots to average out the effects of soil variability. The varieties were planted March 29 at a rate of 3 bushels/acre. The oat plots were harvested on July 17

Winter Wheat Variety Test

Twenty-three varieties were included in the 2007 winter wheat variety at Crawfordsville. Each variety was sown in three different plots to average the effects of soil variability. The varieties were planted October 2, 2006 at a rate of 1½ bushels/acre. The wheat plots were harvested on July 11

Barley Variety Test

Fourteen varieties were included in the 2007 barley variety test at Sutherland. Each variety was sown in three different plots to average the effects of soil variability. The varieties were planted April 16 at a rate of 2 bushels/acre. All barley plots were harvested on July 18

Development of dormancy breaking mechanisms in eastern gamagrass

Eastern gamagrass would be an excellent pasture grass, but producers have difficulty establishing a stand. Various techniques for solving the dormancy problems in eastern gamagrass were investigated and analyzed

Temperature and Drought Influence on Soybean Yield, Composition, and Seed Quality

Research studies indicate an optimum temperature for soybean photosynthesis and yield near 86°F (30°C). Although the Com Belt of the United States is one of the most productive soybean producing areas in the world, temperatures in this region are rarely centered on the ideal temperature at critical stages in soybean plant and yield development. Temperatures can vary widely within the region and fluctuate both diurnally and seasonally. The most critical stages of yield development in soybean occur when flowering is complete. Stress occurring anytime from R4 (full pod) to just after R6 (full seed), will reduce yields more than the same stress occurring at any other period of development. The period from R4.5 (late pod formation) to about R5.5 is especially critical because flowering becomes complete and cannot compensate, and because young pods and seeds are more prone to abort under stress than older pods and seeds. In addition, high temperatures during reproductive growth can alter soybean seed protein and oil composition and diminish the quality of seed used to plant the next season\u27s crop

Optimum Stand Density of Spring Triticale for Grain Yield and Alfalfa Establishment

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) has potential as a feed crop in the north central United States and could also function as a companion crop for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) establishment. The objectives of this research were to assess the suitability of a short-statured spring triticale as a companion crop and determine optimum triticale seeding rates for grain yield and alfalfa establishment. Spring triticale ‘Trimark 37812’ and alfalfa were grown in companion at Ames and Sioux Center, IA during 2004 and 2005. Triticale was seeded at 198, 297, 396, 495, and 594 pure live seeds (PLS) m−2 and alfalfa was seeded at 600 PLS m−2 The grain yield response to changes in stand density was quadratic with maximum yield occurring at 516 plants m−2 A plant density of 325 plants m−2 and a seeding rate of 374 seeds m−2 resulted in maximum profit. The grain yield at the stand density for maximum profit was 4.4 Mg ha−1 Increasing the triticale seeding rate had no effect on alfalfa stand density or dry matter yield. Alfalfa stand densities exceeded the 130 plants m−2threshold required for maximum long-term productivity suggesting the short-statured spring triticale cultivar used in this study was well suited for companion cropping with alfalfa

Effects of Triticale-Based Diets on Finishing Pig Performance and Pork Quality in Deep-Bedded Hoop Barns

Effects of triticale-based diets on finishing pig performance and pork quality in deep-bedded hoop barns were evaluated. Triticale is a synthetic small grain resulting from a cross between durum wheat and rye. The study consisted of four trials: two in winter (November 2003 through March 2004) and two in summer (May 2004 through September 2004) at the ISU Western Research and Demonstration Farm, Castana, IA. Each trial consisted of six pens of ten pigs (five barrows, five gilts) in three smallscale hoop barns (6.0 × 10.8 m). Pens were randomly assigned one dietary treatment: 1) corn-soybean meal control, 2) 40% Trical 815 triticale diet (by weight) or 3) 80% Trical 815 triticale diet (by weight). The 40 and 80% triticale diets had corn and soybean meal added. Animals had ad libitum access to feed and water during the study. Pigs were started on experiment at approximately 72 kg and fed for 49 d. At the end of each trial all pigs were scanned for backfat thickness and loin muscle area. Barrows from one winter and one summer trial were evaluated for meat and fat quality and sensory evaluation of pork. End weights and ADG were greater during the winter than summer (treatment × season interaction P \u3c 0.01) and decreased as triticale inclusion increased (P \u3c 0.001). Feed intake was similar. Pigs fed the control diet had the greatest G:F, those fed the 80% triticale diet had the least, with pigs fed the 40% triticale diet having intermediate G:F. During the summer, pigs fed the control diet had more BF (P \u3c 0.05) than those fed the triticale diets. Also during summer, pigs fed the control diet had the largest loin muscle area (LMA) (47.5 ± 1.72 cm2); pigs fed the 40% triticale diet had intermediate LMA (45.5 ± 1.72 cm2) and those fed the 80% triticale diet had the smallest LMA (43.4 ± 1.73 cm2). Dietary treatment had no effect on carcass weight, BF, LMA, percentage lean of barrows or sensory evaluation or fatty acid profile of loin chops. Ultimate pH was higher (P \u3c 0.001), percentage loin purge was less (P \u3c 0.05) and shear force (kg) was less (P \u3c 0.05) during summer than winter. Total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were greater (P \u3c 0.05) and total PUFA in loins were less (P \u3c 0.01) during the winter than summer. Replacing corn with triticale in finishing pig diets in hoops slightly decreased growth performance, but did not affect pork quality. Increasing the amount of triticale in finishing pig diets decreased dietary soybean meal and dicalcium phosphate levels. This may reduce dietary costs. However, pigs fed triticale had 10% less average daily gain and 13% poorer feed conversion at the greater inclusion rate (80% of the diet). This may offset the potentially lower dietary costs. Triticale can be fed to pigs without compromising pork or fat quality. There was no difference in pork eating quality from pigs fed corn-based or triticale-based diets, according to a trained sensory evaluation panel. Further research on triticale-based swine diets is warranted. Triticale-based diets in deep-bedded hoop barns should be evaluated when dietary fat is added, as finishing pig performance may be enhanced. An economic analysis should be conducted on utilization of triticale as a feedstuff in swine diets fed to finishing pigs in deep-bedded hoop barns. From the results of this study, triticale has potential as a feed grain crop in integrated crop and livestock enterprises in the Midwest U. S

Effects of Triticale-Based Diets fed in Deep-Bedded Hoop Barns on Finishing Pig Performance and Pork Quality

Triticale is a synthetic small grain that results from an intergeneric cross between durum wheat and rye. Triticale has shown potential as a feedstuff in swine diets. Producers who may find this to be an attractive crop may also raise swine in an alternative swine production system. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of triticale-based diets on pork quality and finishing pig performance of pigs reared in deep-bedded hoop barns