An assessment of nitrogen fixation in 'organically managed' spring-sown lupins and leaching under a following winter cereal

Three spring-sown species of lupins (Bora, Prima and Wodjil) and peas were compared in terms of N fixation and subsequent leaching under a following winter cereal crop. Although peas out-yielded lupins (5.4 t compared with ca 3.5 t grain, respectively), the yellow lupin (Wodjil) fixed more N than peas (180 compared with 120 kg N ha-1) and all three lupins contained more protein (> 30%) than the peas (22%). Wodjil was the most effective at suppressing weeds, carrying only 12% of the weed burden found in fallow plots, followed by peas (19%). Winter leaching amounted to > 50 kg nitrate-N ha-1 from under the winter cereal, regardless of whether the previous treatment was a legume crop or was left fallow. There were no significant differences in leaching between the three species of lupin. Leachate in the first 350 mm of drainage under the winter cereal exceeded the EU limit on nitrate in drinking water in all treatments. This work is part of a wider collaborative study supported by Defra which covers a range of UK sites

Perineal Abscess Secondary to Gas Gangrene - Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen as a Therapeutic Adjunct in a Case

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of perineal abcess in human male with acute urinary tract difficult

AN APPLICATION OF SAFETY-FIRST PROBABILITY LIMITS IN A DISCRETE STOCHASTIC FARM MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMING MODEL

A sequential decision-making model was developed, and data from farm-raised catfish production were used to demonstrate its use. Outcomes of sequences of decisions which satisfied chance constraints on ending cash balances were traced through a specified time period. Discrete choice variables were specified due to the fixed nature of pond facilities. Recourse actions specified were sale of production in excess of endogenously determined transfer levels or purchase of inputs to supplement needs of the next production stage. Production activities cannot be changed during the planning period. Only yield variability was considered due to its impact on relative competitiveness among growth stages. Deviations were calculated from endogenously determined target levels based on goal and probability limits.Farm Management,

EFFECT OF THE 1985 FARM BILL PROVISIONS ON FARMERS' SOIL CONSERVATION DECISIONS

Conservation initiatives in the 1985 Farm Bill affected farmers' decisions regarding soil conservation. A farmer survey was conducted and a multiperiod mixed-integer programming model was developed to determine an optimal farm plan with choice of crop-tillage combinations and land retirement. Results indicate that farmers' incentives to reduce soil loss in the Sand Mountain region in Alabama are not substantially affected by provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill. The bid price for the Conservation Reserve Program will have to be considerably higher than 1988 levels to provide an incentive to remove land from production.Agricultural and Food Policy,

An Exploration of Common Domain Skills Necessary for Intraschool and Classroom Success

The focus of this study is on teachers\u27 perceptions of those classroom skills and intraschool skills needed for success in schools currently engaged in the implementation of a model of school reform. An instrument was developed based on the skills identified by the Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (1992) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (1989). Faculty in schools currently engaged with a model of reform responded to survey items based on two scenarios: one describing a classroom environment; the other describing an intraschool environment. Data were collected from 495 faculty members in 22 schools in the Memphis City Schools system. The schools represented eight models of school reform including Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, Paideia, Accelerated Schools, ATLAS Schools, Audrey Cohen College model, Co-NECT Schools, Success For All/Roots and Wings, and Modern Red Schoolhouse. The data were analyzed to determine if a perceived set of skills existed that served both the intraschool and classroom environments. Further, the impact of teacher engagement, teacher experience, level of educational attainment, and school models on teacher perceptions were explored. Results indicated that a common domain set of skills exists. This set of skills was found to be impacted by levels of teacher engagement, years of experience, and model of reform. Results of the study were sent to the Memphis City Schools. The research into the perceptions of teachers demonstrates that teachers operate from a common set of skills. The skills in this set vary according to teacher experience, levels of engagement in the implementation of the model, and the model being implemented. The study identifies a set of skills from which teachers work. These include teachers\u27 abilities to discriminate among a variety of skills and skill sets to customize an approach to a task or objective create a mandate for educators. Teachers must learn to use the skill set as a tool matching skills to pathways of success in schools.The research into the perceptions of teachers demonstrates that teachers operate from a common set of skills. The skills in this set vary according to teacher experience, levels of engagement in the implementation of the model, and the model being implemented. The study identifies a set of skills from which teachers work. These include teachers\u27 abilities to discriminate among a variety of skills and skill sets to customize an approach to a task or objective create a mandate for educators. Teachers must learn to use the skill set as a tool matching skills to pathways of success in schools