Department of Plant, Animal, & Soil Sciences
Project
Number: ALK-00-01 Hatch
REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN DOMESTIC RUMINANTS
Shipka, M. P.
Situation and purpose:
Producers of domestic ruminants experience economic loss associated with
inefficient reproductive managment practices. The purpose of this research
is to examine the effects of extreme temperature and extreme changes in
day length on a seasonal basis on high latitude domestic ruminants.
Impact:
Successful reproduction in herds of ruminant animals produced on farms
in Alaska is paramount for the establishment of livestock production in
the north and the economic viability and sustainability of Alaska livestock
production enterprises. Results of these studies demonstrate the effectiveness
of reproductive management technologies and techniques that can be used
to improve reproductive efficiency on Alaskan livestock farms and ranches.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of applying reproductive management techniques
to diversified livestock provides the farmer low-cost tools without risking
private stock. Not all technologies translate equally well from traditional
livestock to more exotic species and our ability to identify those that
are effective under Alaskan conditions enhances the producers ability
to maximize productivity, and hence profits. The market value of the offspring
(~$5000/muskox; $1500/reindeer) is a significant portion of the income
generated by the Alaskan diversified livestock industry. Synchronizing
and timing estrus results in highly synchronized, predictable calving,
reducing costly labor, and maximizing calf survival. Enhanced understanding
of reproductive biology and reproductive management of reindeer and musk
ox will enhance the productive capacity of these animals and the sustainability
of enterprises producing these northern latitude adapted species in Alaska.
Project Number: ALK-00-09 Hatch
Innovative use of natural and supplemental light for high latitude crop
production
Karlsson, M. G.
Situation and purpose:
Light varies naturally from sunrise to sunset. The amount, the type or
quality, and the length of light during a day are essential for plant
productivity and crop yield. The purpose of this project is to learn more
about the best light conditions for optimum plant growth.
Impact:
Technical, yet simple, modifications to traditional greenhouse and controlled
environment production systems can significantly improve and provide for
increased crop returns. Adding incandescent lamps to improve the spectral
distribution of high irradiance discharge lamps results in more rapid
production and increased profits. Opportunities for year-round controlled
environment production of perishable high quality produce and ornamentals
will be greatly increased if recommendations for optimal amount, daily
duration and quality of light are known and utilized.
Project Number: ALK-01-02 Hatch
Cultivar Selection, Production Methods, and Market Quality of Vegetables
in Alaska
Leiner, R.
Situation and purpose:
Cool season vegetables can be produced in abundance during Alaska's summer,
but production costs and changing markets continue to be a challenge to
local growers. The purpose of this research is to study cool season vegetables
and provide data on production methods that can be used to produce profitable
crops in northern latitudes.
Impact:
Salad vegetables are produced locally in cool soil and long day conditions,
and production methods can be tailored to the local climate. The potential
for high quality of leafy green vegetables is improved by the short time
in storage and transport. Residents and visitors can include local produce
in salads as part of a healthy diet.
Project Number: ALK-01-09 Hatch
PRODUCTION PRACTICES, CULTIVARS AND DISEASE OF POTATO AND OTHER HORTICULTURAL
CROPS
Leiner, R., Smeenk, P. J.
Situation and purpose:
Potato, well adapted to generally cool conditions, constitute an important
part of the commercial vegetable industry in Alaska. Oplopanax horridus
(devil's club), a medicinal plant indigenous to Alaska has potential for
economic development. To remain competitive, potato growers need to enhance
productivity and quality while maintaining or reducing the cost of production.
Cultivation of O. horridus would offer opportunities for existing or new
farmers, whereas management and harvest of natural stands would offer
opportunities for those living in more rural areas of the state.
Impact:
Data from field trials can provide local growers with information relevant
to selecting varieties and production practices that forecast good yields
in long cool days. Fresh market potatoes are produced locally and include
niche markets for red-skinned potatoes and larger markets for white and
russet skinned potatoes
Project Number: ALK-01-11 Hatch
HORTICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION FOR ALASKA
Holloway, P. S.
Situation and purpose:
Horticulture has been the largest agricultural industry in Alaska amounting
to more than 80 percent of cash receipts for all agricultural crops in
the state. The purpose of this study is to provide information on landscape
plant hardiness, wildflower seeds, and commercial lingonberry production
to satisfy consumer and commercial demand.
Impact:
The vegetable research is designed for small market gardeners and homeowners.
It provides comparative trial information that is useful in developing
regional truck farms and expanding produce choices as farmers markets.
Field tomato trial information was requested by Territorial Seed Co.,
annual and perennial vegetable trial information as well as breeders seed
for Yukon Chief sweet corn, was requested by Denali Seed, Anchorage The
annual and perennial flower trial research is used by seed companies,
nurseries, growers, landscapers and home gardeners to identify hardy perennials,
disease resistant annual flowers for home and commercial production. Specific
trial information was requested by Johnnys Selected Seeds (ME), Territorial
Seeds (OR), Pan American and Ball Seed Co.(IL), and Goldsmith Seeds (CA).
Wildflower germination experiments were requested by Seeds of Alaska (Kenai)
and will benefit anyone interested in Alaska revegetation, wildflower
meadows and home landscapes.
Project Number: ALK-02-01 Hatch
Cicer Milkvetch, Forage Galega, and Lupinaster Clover as Potential Forage
Crops for Alaska
Sparrow, S. D.
Situation and purpose:
There are currently no perennial forage legume crops which are suitable
for use in Alaska. This project will test three potential new perennial
forage legume crops.
Impact:
This project will provide farmers in central Alaska with expanded options
by providing information about management of new forage crops.
Project Number: ALK-02-05 Hatch
Management Practices for Forage and Turfgrass
Mitchell, G. A.
Situation and purpose:
Forage grasses and legumes for animal feed and turfgrasses for recreation
have been tested over the years with comparatively few demonstrating survival
of the harsh arctic winters. New varieties and improved management strategies
must continue to be developed and tested to meet the requirements of this
subarctic region. Many perennial grasses grown at lower latitudes do not
perform well in most regions of Alaska. This project will identify grass
varieties and management that will enhance agricultural and recreational
uses.
Impact:
Extensive damage to golf course greens over most winters results in damages
in the six-figure range statewide most years. Results of this research
are of immediate use to golf courses in surrounding areas. We have taken
this research to an on-site demonstration of best performing cultivars
to a major golf course near Anchorage. Golf course superintendents have
this information, at their request, and the results of this years very
cold winter will be extremely important to future turfgrass selections.
Damage to fairways, other sports fields, and lawns were also very costly
in 2002 and results from these trials will be useful for assessing remediation
requirements.
Project Number: ALK-02-06 Hatch
Selection, Variety Testing, and Evaluation of Cultural Practices for Alternative
Agronomic Crops in Alaska
Zhang, M., Sparrow, S. D.
Situation and purpose:
Agricultural crop production in Alaska is limited by insufficient infrastructure
and transportation. Since farmers can't compete in world markets they
are interested in local niche markets. Reliable information on high value
agronomic niche crops such as hulless barleys and oats, grass seed, and
oilseeds as well as horticultural niche crops like flowers, vegetables
and nursery plants is important to local producers trying to fill and
sustain the demand from local markets for niche crops.
Impact:
This study is a continuing collection of information that provides yearly
updates on new and better adapted crop varieties, the response of agronomic
crops to dryland farming conditions, and provides a database for local
producers to determine the economic viability for those crops. Future
studies of the effects of irrigation on these agronomic crops will broaden
this information database.
Project Number: ALK-03-02 Hatch
Black spruce forest soils in boreal regions of Alaska: Their characterization,
organic carbon pool and relationship to forest management
Ping, C. L.
Situation and purpose:
The Arctic and Subarctic zones are expected to sustain the greatest impact
in the wake of global climate change. Because of the vast acreage in Alaska
and the potentially high C storage capacity in the boreal forest zone,
an understanding of black spruce dominated sites is important for both
ecological modeling and for land management. Very little information exists
regarding the characteristics of soils associated with black spruce and
a great need exists for a soils information baseline for modeling climate
change, boreal forest management, and future soil inventory.
Impact:
Soils associated with black spruce froest have never been fully characterized.
This study will provide the first data set of the soil properties in black
spruce forest. The soil properties will be used ti interpret the factors
affecting the forest growth and yield and also help to establish forest
management guidelines.
Project Number: ALK-03-03 Hatch
Spatially Modeling the Distribution of Beef Cattle and Reindeer on Ranges
at High Latitudes in Alaska
Harris, N. R.
Situation and purpose:
Alaska imports more than 90 percent of its food supply, including most
red meat. With the current market structure, imported food is generally
less expensive than Alaskan-grown food. This is principally caused by
a lack of marketing and distribution infrastructures since existing ranching
enterprises cannot support processing, distribution, and marketing investments.
Much effort and research is currently being devoted to increasing production
of meat animals, thereby stimulating economic development in Alaska.
Impact:
We expect that Alaskan livestock managers will be able to use the final
animal distribution model to more effectively and efficiently manage their
livestock. Through this increased efficiency, livestock producers will
be able to develop strategies to allow animals to more effectively use
landscape thermal patterns, thereby increasing animal weight gain and
decreasing feed costs especially during the winter. The Alaskan livestock
industry should prosper from this effect and grow to better provide for
the needs of the growing state population. Through the use of the Alaskan
animal distribution modeler, livestock impacts induced grazing and trampling
will be mitigated and transferred to areas of the landscape that can better
recover from their effects. This will protect the land base from degradation
and decreased yields in the future thus leading to a more sustainable
livestock production system. Management efforts to control erosion and
point source pollution of waterways and riparian corridors caused by livestock
can be model to predict the effects from these actions, thereby, allowing
livestock managers to devote more energy and their limited funds to management
techniques that have the prospect of being more successful. This will
lead to reduce environmental liability and lessen the chances of litigation
by citizens concerned with the ecological health of the watersheds.
Project Number: ALK-94-01 Hatch
MANAGING PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS IN SOIL TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
McBeath, J. H.
Situation and purpose:
In agriculture too many pesticides are being used and are detrimental
to the environment and human health. To provide environmentally safe alternative
means of disease control.
Impact:
The expectation of our research is to reduce the dependency of chemical
fungicides in the control of plant diseases through the development of
superior biological control agents and disease resistant varieties. T.
atroviride is environmentally benign and safe to humans and animals.
Project Number: ALK-98-07 Hatch
FEASIBILITY OF INTENSIVELY RAISED REINDEER UTILIZING GRAZED FORAGES AND
ALASKAN PRODUCED FEED INGRED
Shipka, M. P., Finstad, G. L.
Situation and purpose:
(not available)
Impact:
A palatable, digestible, and relatively inexpensive reindeer diet was
developed using barley, brome hay and fish meal, feedstuffs readily available
in Alaska. Female reindeer readily consumed this diet while exhibiting
good weight gain and reproduction. Using barley as the main energy source
in a diet for reindeer in Alaska is desirable due to its relatively low
cost and availability ($153 US/metric ton; Delta Farmers Co-operative,
2003). Smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis) is successfully grown on rotational
croplands in Alaska and was used as a fiber source in the reindeer diet.
In Alaska, fish meal can often be priced competitively with soybean meal
on a unit-protein basis ($0.71 per unit protein of soybean meal compared
to $0.70 per unit protein of whitefish meal purchased in Fairbanks, AK).
All components necessary to manufacture a balanced reindeer ration could
be purchased from local producers and feed stores at a cost of $266.84US/metric
ton for a maintenance diet and $283.29US/metric ton for a growth diet.
Comparatively, a reindeer ration using components shipped into Alaska
was available commercially in Anchorage, AK at a cost of $ 445.85 US/metric
ton. Feed costs for reindeer can be greatly reduced if producers can mix
their own rations using locally available feedstuffs. Reindeer fed a diet
made from locally grown components exhibited good production. A local
reindeer producer reduced his feed costs in half by using the diet formulations
developed by this project.
Project Number: ALK-03-07 Animal Health
Mineral flux in Reindeer Animal Health
Finstad, G. L.
Situation and purpose:
Herd health is an important component of a productive and profitable reindeer
operation in Alaska. Mineral nutrition, particularly Cu and Zn, has been
shown to have profound affects on the functioning of ruminant immune systems
and subsequent health. This information will benefit producers by establishing
baseline seasonal mineral requirements in the diet of reindeer, reduce
costs through least cost ration formulation, improve the energy balance
of reindeer in winter and promote herd health through a proper functioning
immune system.
Impact:
Reindeer typically lose weight during winter even if fed ad lib. The initial
results of this study suggest reindeer are excreting more Cu and Zn than
absorbing from a fed diet. The concentrations of trace minerals, Cu and
Zn, required in the winter diet of reindeer may be well below that recommended
by the NRC for ruminants. Supplemental trace minerals are added to the
reindeer ration at a cost to the producer. Reducing the concentration
of unnecessary minerals in the winter diet of reindeer will reduce feeding
costs for the producer.
Project Number: ALK-00-07 Special Grant
New Crops Opportunity
Lewis, C. E., Knight, C. W.
Situation and purpose:
New markets appear feasible for crops that are in the experimental phase
of production or can be wild-harvested in Alaska. Value-added processing
of agricultural crops in Alaska will contribute to the state's economic
diversity.
Impact:
Thirteen new crop opportunity projects were funded. Valuable data was
collected in all projects, with new crop potential for Alaska clearly
identified in the Peony, Devils Club, Baby Green and Oilseed projects.
New greenhouse and turfgrass grower information and valuable new data
on black spruce has been made available. We have developed baseline data,
which is moving us into competitive grants, providing direction for: our
delegation in investments in UA research; federal and state policy regulation;
and individual entrepreneurs. Other very valuable impacts of the New Crops
Opportunities to our program include the synergy that has developed among
researchers, new research directions, and the opportunities that have
become available to students.
Project Number: ALK-01-06 Special Grant
New Crops Opportunities
Lewis, C. E.
Situation and purpose:
New markets appear feasible for agricultural crops and crop derivatives,
animal production, and products from the forest that are in the experimental
phase of production or can be wild-harvested in Alaska. Value-added processing
of agricultural crops in Alaska will contribute to the state's economic
diversity.
Impact:
This research gives new direction for Alaska agricultural research and
industry, enabling the state to compete in the global marketplace. The
new products being developed will fill niche markets, both national and
international. Controlled environment research is providing information
for successful flower and fruit production to greenhouse growers. Information
is now available which can assist state land managers determining wood
refinery feasibility for small diameter wood and slash and commercial
birch bark harvest. Baseline information for revegetation specialists
working along roadsides and airports is now available. As this research
continues, we expect to provide information on antioxidant levels in Alaska
berries, vegetables and native plants, revegetation, livestock reproduction,
commercial birch sap production, and suitable plant species for Alaska.
Project Number: ALK-02-09 Special Grant
New Crops for New Markets
Lewis, C. E.
Situation and purpose:
Value-added processing of the new and traditional raw materials from Alaska's
farms and forests will contribute to the state's economy. There are a
number of new agricultural and forestry products produced in Alaska that
show promise in traditional consumer markets, niche markets, and emerging
markets.
Impact:
The baby greens project provides market-based information on production,
demand, and consumer preferences, which can be used by growers to develop
niche markets. The reindeer study focuses on management tools that can
assist farmers in maintaining adequate stock of healthy, reproductively
sound, males. Rutting males are extremely dangerous to both humans and
other male reindeer and very destructive to property. Use of MGA may offer
a means to control rutting behavior in males without interfering with
future breeding use of that male. This project was initiated at the request
of Moose Creek Farms and will provide an environmental protocol for the
production of lingonberries by tissue culture that will lead to the development
of a cultivated crop. This project will provide growers and users of Alaska
wheat with information with regard to appropriate uses of Alaska Grown
Ingal Wheat. While baking tests may have proven that Ingal Wheat is not
well suited for food, the feed tests show that it may be a valuable alternative
feed source for animals. The boreal forest region as a whole generates
a global benefit in the form of carbon. Forest scientists and managers
can obtain a net transfer of benefits (payments or offset credits) into
the region if they can identify where the uptake occurs, how much occurs,
and how forest management actions can sustain or enhance carbon uptake.
Project Number: ALK-03-10 Special Grant
New Crops Opportunities IV
Lewis, C. E.
Situation and purpose:
The goal of the "New Crop Opportunities" sequence of projects
is to investigate new opportunities in crops and livestock, value-added
processing, and markets for Alaskan agricultural products including those
from the forests of Alaska. The thread that connects these seemingly diverse
projects is the economic viability of products that have potential to
provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to enter markets that would not
be available to them without the applied research information that the
proposed projects provide. These opportunities vary from very specialized
products that may remain at the small business level, to those that could
provide opportunities on a large scale in national and international markets.
Project Number: ALK-03-13 Special Grant
Controlled Environment Production of Small Fruits, Berries, Floral Crops
and Greenhouse Adapted Food Crops
Karlsson, M. G.
Situation and purpose:
The short growing season for traditional production and crop systems puts
severe challenges and limitations on time frames, experimental setup and
repeatability for research and training activities. A controlled environment
facility will enable year-round work, establishment of quantitative procedures
and the testing of hypothesis that may be difficult or impossible in natural
ecosystems.
Impact:
Controlled environment production systems provide exceptional opportunities
in areas with inclement climatic conditions to meet year-round local demand
for perishable high quality fresh market berries, vegetable and floral
crops. Recommendations tailored to northern conditions, infrastructure
and climate are indispensable to the successful management and operation
of controlled environment enterprises. To properly plan, market and schedule
production, economical analyses and specifics of local market demand,
consumer preferences and profit margins are needed for various crops suited
to controlled environment production systems.
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