Influence of Habitat Type and Prescribed Burning on Feral Swine Depredation of Artificial Quail Nests

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) have increased both spatially and numerically in the Rolling Plains of northwest Texas. Resource managers have little information on the interrelationships between feral swine and native species such as the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Nest predation by feral swine could adversely affect bobwhite reproduction. Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii) are the dominant woody plants in northwestern Texas and prescribed burning is used to manage both species. Two experiments were conducted to determine the extent of feral swine depredation on artificial quail nests. In 1992-93, we monitored nest loss in mesquite and juniper habitats for six weeks. Total depredation reached 85 and 98% after three and six weeks respectively, during 1992, compared to 60 and 92% in 1993. Feral swine depredation of artificial bobwhite nests was 33% across years and was evenly distributed between vegetation types. During three-week periods in June and July 1994, depredation was greater (P\u3c0.001) in an unburned (90%) pasture than in unburned areas within a burned (32%) pasture. Decreased predator activity in the burned pasture was probably due to temporary prey displacement and less forage. Feral swine depredation of artificial bobwhite nests was 14% in 1994. Feral swine could potentially have negative impacts for northern bobwhites in mesquite and juniper habitats of northwest Texas

FERAL HOGS IN THE ROLLING PLAINS OF TEXAS: PERSPECTIVES, PROBLEMS, AND POTENTIAL

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) have expanded their territory in Texas and are now found in all but the extreme western portions of the state. Perhaps the most dramatic expansion has occurred in the Rolling Plains of northwest Texas. Perspectives on feral hogs range from definitely for to adamantly against. Problems encountered with feral hogs include: (1) damage to crops and livestock, or facilities and equipment, (2) transmission of disease to humans and livestock, or (3) interaction with native wildlife including competition for available resources, depredation and destruction of habitat. The feral hog is also an animal with economic potential. Revenue can be generated by selling or hunting them. Is the feral hog an ecological unknown, an economic liability, or an under-utilized asset? The answer remains to be determined and may depend upon one\u27s individual perspective

Solar radiation affects bloat potential of wheat forage

Frothy bloat is a serious digestive disorder in cattle (Bos taurus L.) grazing winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pastures in the Southern Great Plains of the USA. Wheat plant metabolism may be one of the factors involved in bloat occurrence. In a series of experiments conducted during 2004–2007, we evaluated the effects of solar radiation intensity (ambient, 100% vs. reduced, 25%), a short-time (24 h vs. 48 h) exposure to solar radiation, and forage allowance (high, 18 kg vs. low, 6 kg DM/100 kg body weight) on seasonal concentration of phenolic compounds and foam strength (a measure of bloat potential) of wheat forage ‘Cutter’. Reduced solar radiation decreased total phenolic concentration and increased foam strength when compared to ambient solar radiation. Forage allowance interacted with solar radiation and short-term exposure treatments in determining phenolic concentrations; however, the effects were inconsistent during and among growing seasons. Concentration of phenolic compounds responded rapidly to sudden changes in weather patterns (passing cold fronts) that were usually associated with significant decrease in solar radiation intensity and temperature. Solar radiation intensity was positively correlated with total phenolic concentration and explained 62% to 72% of the variation in total phenolic concentration. Correlation between temperature and total phenolic concentration varied among growing seasons and explained 9–17% of the variation in total phenolic concentration. Results suggest that phenolic concentration in wheat forage is correlated with solar radiation. The decrease in phenolic concentration and resulting increase of bloat potential are especially pronounced during sudden changes in weather patterns during winter

Microbial Fuel Cells and Microbial Ecology: Applications in Ruminant Health and Production Research

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems employ the catalytic activity of microbes to produce electricity from the oxidation of organic, and in some cases inorganic, substrates. MFC systems have been primarily explored for their use in bioremediation and bioenergy applications; however, these systems also offer a unique strategy for the cultivation of synergistic microbial communities. It has been hypothesized that the mechanism(s) of microbial electron transfer that enable electricity production in MFCs may be a cooperative strategy within mixed microbial consortia that is associated with, or is an alternative to, interspecies hydrogen (H2) transfer. Microbial fermentation processes and methanogenesis in ruminant animals are highly dependent on the consumption and production of H2in the rumen. Given the crucial role that H2 plays in ruminant digestion, it is desirable to understand the microbial relationships that control H2 partial pressures within the rumen; MFCs may serve as unique tools for studying this complex ecological system. Further, MFC systems offer a novel approach to studying biofilms that form under different redox conditions and may be applied to achieve a greater understanding of how microbial biofilms impact animal health. Here, we present a brief summary of the efforts made towards understanding rumen microbial ecology, microbial biofilms related to animal health, and how MFCs may be further applied in ruminant research

Hibiscus plant named '15353-2N'

15353-2N' is a new and distinct hardy herbaceous Hibiscus hybrid with novel characteristics that include upright branched stems, numerous, outward-facing, near deep pink, also referred to as folly red, flowers with dark red veins and a center eye that is between moderate brown and grayish brown, a prolonged blooming season, and hastate leaves with slightly indented margins.U

Liberismo e fascismo: il Cile di Pinochet, l’Italia di Mussolini, il sovranismo di oggi

Liberismo e fascism

Nitrate- and nitrite-reducing probiotic feed additive

The present invention concerns novel probiotic compositions that increase nitrate- and nitrite-reduction in animals such as ruminants. The present invention thus provides compositions and methods for reducing nitrate/nitrite toxicity in such animals, or prophylactically protecting such animals from the effects of toxicity, such as methemoglobinemia. A novel strain of an unspeciated bacterial strain related to Paenibacillus species with nitrate- and nitrite-reducing capabilities is described. In conjunction with nitrate-supplemented diets, the probiotics of the present invention can also be utilized to reduce methanogenesis in livestock. Furthermore, the probiotic compositions of the present invention can be used to reduce the number and kind of food-borne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni.U

Sideoats Grama Growth Responses to Seasonal Fires and Clipping

There is increased interest in the use of summer-season fires to limit woody plant encroachment on southern prairie grasslands, but collateral effects of these fires on grasses are poorly understood. We quantified effects of repeated winter fires, repeated summer fires, simulated grazing (clipping), and their interaction on yields of the C4 midgrass, sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) in northern Texas. Monoculture patches of sideoats grama were exposed to 1 of 3 fire treatments: 1) no burn, 2) 2 winter fires in 3 years, or 3) 2 summer fires in 3 years; and to 1 of 2 clip treatments (no clip or clip once each spring). Total yield (live + standing dead), live yield, percent live tissue, and foliar cover were measured in spring and late-growing season (late-season) over a 7-year period. In unclipped plots, late-season total yield did not fully recover until 2 growing seasons after winter fires and 3 growing seasons after summer fires. By 5 years postfire, total yield was greater in both fire treatments than in the no burn. Live yields recovered more quickly than total yields following summer fires but never exceeded the no burn. Percent live tissue was greater in both fire treatments than in the no burn for up to 2 years postfire. Clipping reduced total and live yields in the no burn and winter-fire treatments but not in the summer-fire treatment. By 5 years postfire, total and live yields were greater in the summer fire + clip than the no burn + clip or winter fire + clip treatments. Results suggest that 1) sideoats grama is tolerant of summer fires but full recovery may require at least 3 years, and 2) in the long-term, summer fire + clipping may stimulate sideoats grama production more than winter fire + clipping or clipping alone.  The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 2020Legacy DOIs that must be preserved: 10.2458/azu_jrm_v59i3_ansle

Hibiscus plant named '15734-1 GR'

15734-1 GR' is a new and distinct hardy herbaceous Hibiscus hybrid with novel characteristics that include upright branched stems, numerous, outward-facing, reddish purple flowers that have a center eye that is between dark red and deep purplish red, a prolonged blooming season, and hastate, trilobed leaves.U

Hibiscus plant named '15734-1 GR'

15734-1 GR' is a new and distinct hardy herbaceous Hibiscus hybrid with novel characteristics that include upright branched stems, numerous, outward-facing, reddish purple flowers that have a center eye that is between dark red and deep purplish red, a prolonged blooming season, and hastate, trilobed leaves.U