THE STATE OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY: THE PARADOX OF HOW FAMILIES AND FAMILY VALUES ARE CHANGING WHILE STAYING THE SAME

How is the American family doing today? The answer depends upon whom you are talking with and the social/political/cultural lens you are looking through. This article is written by an American professor emeritus of family studies who has studied and taught about families for more than forty years. The author has been married to his wife Nikki for fifty years and they have raised three daughters and are now active in an extended family which included four grandchildren and three sons-in-law. In this article, the author avoids talking about families from a political perspective because in America this kind of talk usually generates more heat than light. Even though the American media tends to focus only on problems and give all of us the impression that families in particular and life on the planet in general are in grave danger, after studying strong families in the U.S. and around the world for more than forty years, the author personally believes that the majority of families in America are doing well and are satisfied with their life together. Some families are just doing okay. And some, of course, are in deep trouble. Truth be told, all American families have problems, just as all families around the world have problems. And, as it is true from a global perspective, not all families in the U.S. are strong families. But all families in the U.S. have strengths and they use these strengths in their efforts to meet the challenges their family inevitably faces. In this article, the author begins looking at American families today from the top-down perspective - the macro-level - and follows that with a discussion from the bottom-up perspective - the micro-level. These two perspectives complement each other and give us a reasonably good answer to the question of how the American family is doing today. And these two perspectives give us a better understanding of the paradox that families and family values are changing in some ways while we stay, deep-down, basically the same in our families

Effects of Cobalt Source on Rate and Extent of Dry Matter and Fiber Degradation in Vitro

Positive effects on fiber degradation have been observed when supplemental cobalt was fed to ruminants. This study tested the effects of cobalt carbonate (CoCarb) and cobalt glucoheptonate (CoGH) at different concentrations on in vitro fermentation rate, fermentation end-product concentrations, and degradation of feed dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. Compared to CoCarb, CoGH increased dry matter disappearance and neutral detergent fiber degradation when added at 1 part per million (ppm) cobalt or less. Furthermore, CoGH had limited effects on the biohydrogenation of long chain fatty acids, whereas CoCarb appeared to stimulate this process when added at more than 3 ppm cobalt. Cobalt is not only an important precursor for vitamin B12 synthesis, but it also influences ruminal fermentation, with effects that depend on its chemical form

Effects of Dietary Zinc Source and Level on Mammary Epithelia and Dairy Food Chemistry

Twelve lactating Holstein cows (132 ± 21 days in milk) were enrolled in a Latin square experiment to explore the extent to which source and amount of supplemental dietary Zn can impact barrier function of mammary epithelial tissue. Cows received either 970 mg supplemental Zn/day as ZnSO4 (LS), 1,640 mg supplemental Zn/day as ZnSO4 (HS), or 1,680 mg supplemental Zn/day as a mixture of ZnSO4 and Zn methionine complex (HC). Treatments lasted for 17 days followed by 4 days of sample collection. Blood and milk were collected and analyzed for markers of blood-milk leak including plasma lactose and α-lactalbumin and milk electrolytes. Total RNA was also isolated from milk cells and abundance of Zn transporter 2 (ZnT2) and clusterin, genes with potential impact on Zn-dependent apoptosis and cell survival, were measured. Finally, dairy food properties of milk (heat coagulation time, nonprotein nitrogen, and noncasein nitrogen) were also analyzed. Cows on the HS treatment tended to have higher feed intake than LS (P = 0.06), and milk fat percentage tended to increase for HC compared to LS (P = 0.08). No other effects on milk composition, yield, or production efficiency were observed. No effects were observed on markers of blood-milk leak, mRNA abundance of ZnT2 or clusterin, or dairy food chemistry properties. Concentration and source of dietary Zn did not impact mammary epithelial integrity in lactating cows during late lactation

Intake and performance of dairy cows fed wet corn gluten feed during the periparturient period

Eight primiparous and nine multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized block design to determine the effect of wet corn gluten feed in the diet during the last 21 days of gestation on dry matter intake and early postpartum performance. Multilactation cows fed wet corn gluten feed maintained a higher dry matter intake and intake as a percentage of body weight during the last week before calving than cows fed the control diet. First-lactation cows fed wet corn gluten feed consumed less dry matter, both total and as a percentage of body weight, across calving than first-lactation cows fed the control diet. Milk, milk components, and blood metabolites were not influenced by diet. Wet corn gluten feed may help alleviate the depression in intake typically observed during late gestation for multiparous but not primiparous cows.; Dairy Day, 2000, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2000

Drinking water requirements for lactating dairy cows

A study to determine the amount and location of water consumption in dairy freestall barns located in northeastern Kansas was conducted during the summer of 2000. Three farms, two Holstein farms with either 2-row or 4-row freestall barns and one Jersey farm with 4-row freestall buildings, were used. Summer water usage averaged 30 to 40 gallons per Holstein cow/day and 20 to 40 gallons/cow/day for Jersey cows depending on age and stage of lactation. The farms with Holstein cows had a water usage ratio of 4 to 4.5 lb of water per lb of milk produced and Jersey cows required 3.1 lb of water per lb of milk production. However, at the Holstein dairies, only about 85% of this water was consumed and the other 15% was utilized to refill the tanks after tipping twice daily to clean cross-overs and water troughs. In addition, 35 to 45% of the water consumed is from a water station in the center crossover of each pen. Cattle also drank the least amount of water from the trough located in the crossover furthest from the pen entrance. When given access to a water trough on the milking parlor exit, cattle consumed 10% (3.5 gallons/cow/day) of the daily water intake at this location. Water usage for drinking increased as milk production increased. Adequate water system capacity and water rights are needed to make allowances for future increases in milk production. Water consumption was greater at the center alleys. Therefore, engineers should consider additional space and/or water troughs at these watering stations.; Dairy Day, 2001, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2001

NF05-644 Relationships: The Heart of Language and Literacy

Infants and toddlers learn early language and literacy skills in the context of their relationships with the adults around them as if they are putting together a puzzle. Most of the puzzle pieces involve taking turns with the baby — your turn, my turn, your turn, my turn. The turns might be with actions or with talking. The turns might be very quick or rather slow. This NebFact discusses turn-taking; what it involves and the strategies used

NF05-637 The Power of Family Literacy

Virtually all families want their children to learn to read and write, and to succeed in school, and are eager to provide any support necessary. Family involvement in everyday language- and literacy-related activities has a significant impact on children\u27s language dvevelopment acquisition of early literacy skills. Early language and literacy activities at home contribute to differences when children enter school

NF05-645 Infants and Toddlers — Developing More Than One Language

When infants and toddlers are developing more than one language, the goal is that they will learn English and develop fluency in their home language. Children can become truly bilingual and be able to use two or more languages with fequal fluency. Children, families, schools, and communities all benefit when children keep their connection to their language and heritage

Effect of headlocks on milk production and feed intake of dairy cattle

Cows previously trained with headlocks did not increase milk production or feed intake when headlocks were removed. Twoyear- old and older cows did not differ in response to headlocks and neckrails. Prudent use of headlocks increases labor efficiency of a commercial dairy. Managing a dairy without headlocks is a challenge because cows must be sorted and worked off the milking parlor flow. In the case of large milking parlors, it may be necessary to process 50-200 cows per hour. Depending upon the treatment facilities, this number of cows may create a bottleneck in the dairy. For many routine procedures, headlocks offer the simplest and most cost-effective alternative. It is important to note that headlocks can be mismanaged. This is especially true during summer months. Locking up cows for extended periods without access to water or shade may have adverse effects during summer heat stress. It is important to minimize lock-up time. Consideration should also be given to training heifers to headlocks prior to calving. It is very likely that untrained heifers may be reluctant to be placed in headlocks. If this occurs, intake could be limited during their first exposure to headlocks. If heifers are not trained to headlocks prior to calving, one should determine if they should be locked-up each day during the first week of lactation. Headlocks can be successfully used on a dairy. The critical question is how will they be managed. Successful managers of headlocks minimize restraint time, push-up or feed pens often (6- 8 times per day), and avoid use of headlocks during late morning and afternoon hours during the summer months

NF05-644 Relationships: The Heart of Language and Literacy

Infants and toddlers learn early language and literacy skills in the context of their relationships with the adults around them as if they are putting together a puzzle. Most of the puzzle pieces involve taking turns with the baby — your turn, my turn, your turn, my turn. The turns might be with actions or with talking. The turns might be very quick or rather slow. This NebFact discusses turn-taking; what it involves and the strategies used