The biology interns are continuing their survey of small mammals in the terraces and adjoining fields. So far they have captured over 230 animals composed of six different species. Tiny transponder tags have been inserted into the animals to document recaptures, obtain habitat preference and monitor movement of the animals. Currently they are turning their efforts to monitor mammal activity in the corn field as the maturing plants offer protection for a potentially new habitat.
Beginning next week the Tennessee sampler will be undergoing its first simulated events of the summer. The sampler is a low cost device that can extract a known portion of surface water runoff during a heavy storm event or large snow melt. The Tennessee sampler has been collecting data for multiple years at Pioneer Farm and shows signs of being a very effective and low cost alternative to current sampling methods. "I have been hearing a lot about the [Tennessee] sampler and am excited to see it in action!"
In the last couple of weeks, a push has been made to get the eight new research sites in the pasture equipped and functioning. The flumes have all been installed and leveled, which required the fabricating of a support that allowed for the flumes to be leveled while maximizing workspace within the calf hutches. One site is completely operational and is ready for a runoff event. The other seven sites just need the electrical components, and then they will be ready as well.
In May, the dairy at The Pioneer Farm switched from milking two times a day to milking three times a day. This was done as an attempt to lower somatic cell count and to reduce the amount of cows with mastitis. The results have been terrific for the dairy. We have lowered our cell count to around 200,000 and have seen a large decrease in cases of mastitis. We have also seen an increase in milk production of about 7 pounds per cow. Overall the change has been a great thing for the farm. We have increased production and reduced the need for treating mastitis, and that is a thing that every dairy strives for.
Here at UWP Farms we have an 80 sow farrow to finish operation. The east side of the barn can hold 600 finishing pigs and on the west side we have the gestation and farrowing rooms. We breed, farrow, and market our animals monthly. Currently we are doing three research trials with our commercial hogs in conjunction with Hormel Foods. This study currently includes one nursery trial and two finishing trials and we will be starting another finishing trial in the next month. Our feeder pig sale in April was successful and we now have some show pigs that will be shown around this summer in our area. With the success of our feeder pig sale this spring, we will be having our first bred gilt sale this winter, more information will follow!
From July 18-20, 5 Pioneer Farm and UWP staff and 2 producers attended the Soil and Water Conservation Society annual meeting in St. Louis, MO. Dennis Busch, Jeff Huebschman and Philip Younger each presented a poster related to the Narrow Based Terrace studies in place at Pioneer Farm during a poster session at the conference. Mark Riechers, Darlington, and Joe Bragger, Independence, presented on producer decision making. The focus of their presentation was to share what goes into making decisions on the farm related to the environmental impact it might have. Justin Daugherty and Gretchen Kamps also attended the conference to learn more about research that is going on across the country that relates to our programs.