News Release
June 2, 2009

Horn fly research claims top buzz in UW College of Agriculture research magazine

Finding ways to defeat the horn fly and what part economics plays in landowners utilizing conservation easements received top awards in the University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) research magazine Reflections.

An anonymous committee of College of Agriculture faculty members selected the recipients. Reflections is published through the AES and is designed to showcase the College of Agriculture’s teaching, research and outreach programs.

“Conquering the unconquerable horn fly” by Bryan Stevens, an entomology doctoral student in the Department of Renewable Resources, received first place and $750.

“Can conservation easements help keep the ‘rural’ in rural communities?” by graduate student Graham McGaffin of Sioux City, Iowa, Assistant Professor Donald McLeod and Assistant Professor Christopher Bastian, all of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, received second place and a $500 award. This is the second consecutive year a submission from the department received second place.

Stephens, of Laramie, conducted horn fly research at an eastern Wyoming ranch and designed special traps to capture insects and pupae. His research examined whether pesticides that control grasshoppers might also help control horn flies, which suck blood from cattle. Normal seasonal infestation rates range from 500 to 1,500 flies per animal. In attempts to relieve some of the irritation, the cattle use costly energy meant for growth to rid themselves of the flies. 

Researchers in the agricultural and applied economics department conducted focus group interviews with agricultural landowners and land trusts over a two-year period, meeting with more than 100 people to discuss relevant issues and topics before conducting survey research. The outcomes identified a number of issues that were used to develop a survey mailed to nearly 5,000 landowners in Wyoming and Colorado. The results were analyzed to determine what prompts some landowners to implement conservation easements and others to not.

Other stories include:

* The One Health Initiative embraces the complex interrelationships between the environment, animal health, and human health.  What are the challenges facing Wyoming?

* High resolution, infrared aerial images map crops and pastures at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle.

* The agroecology internship program is among the most active in the College of Agriculture. Every agroecology graduate has a job after graduation.

* A professor on a joint trip with Colorado State University discovers the curiosities, delights of Bhutan.

* Animal science researchers find maternal hormone environment influences development of male sexual behavior.

* Evaluation of greater sage-grouse population persistence in south-central Wyoming.

* Research with nine wheat farmers in the Slater and Albin areas of southeastern Wyoming and five sugar beet producers near Powell tracks the long-term effects of using different copping and tillage systems on the soil properties, soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics, emission of greenhouse gasses, and carbon sequestration.

* Entomologists search for a fungus to control grasshopper numbers.

* Potential disturbances to greater sage-grouse lek persistence in the Big Horn Basin.

* Researcher in the Department of Plant Sciences studies sugar beet-broadleaf weed scuffles in the Big Horn Basin.

* Which genes in swine are affected by aflatoxin-contaminated feed is studied by Department of Animal Science researcher.

* Whether fall calving is viable – and profitable – in Wyoming is studied by scientists in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

* Water quality guidelines for livestock and wildlife were dated. Researchers examine the literature to develop new guidelines.

* Studying overseas can have dramatic effects on students. A professor outlines the study abroad program and what students learn outside the classroom door.

The magazine will be available this summer at UW research and extension centers near Powell, Sheridan and Lingle and UW Cooperative Extension Service offices. Copies can also be obtained via mail by calling the AES office at (307) 766-3667.

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Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

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