Browsing by Subject "Redberry juniper"
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Item Economic feasibility of redberry juniper control using individual tree treatments(Texas Tech University, 2000-05) Sorelle, Jeffrey A.Redberry juniper is one of the most common undesirable plants on Texas rangelands. Redberry juniper is an evergreen conifer found mainly in westem Texas. Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona (Smith, Wright, and Schuster, 1975). Redberry juniper grows to about 7.6 m tall with lower branches occurring close to the ground (Correll and Johnston, 1970). According to Scifres (1980), redberry juniper occurs most frequently on rough rangeland on shallow soils in the Rolling Plains and Edwards Plateau Region of Texas. Cedar (redberry juniper) is a resprouter, with its bud zone often located beneath the soil surface (Dye, Ueckert, and Whisenant, 1995). Redberry juniper infestations have plagued rangelands since the early twentieth century because of overgrazing, periodic droughts, climatic conditions and atmospheric CO2 concentration more favorable for woody plants, and the absence of natural fires. In the last 50 years, however, infestations have increased. Redberry juniper infestations have increased from 2.5 million ha in 1948 to 4.1 million ha in 1982 in a 65-county area in northwestem Texas (Ansley, Pinchak, and Ueckert, 1995). The National Resources Inventory estimated in 1987 that moderate-to-dense infestations of cedar in northwest Texas had increased by 16% from 1982 to 1987 (USDA, 1990). This increase in redberry juniper poses threats to the economic potential of rangeland in the Rolling Plains and Edwards Plateau regions of Texas. Although much research has been conducted on techniques and approaches to control redberry juniper, limited research has been done to evaluate the economic feasibility of the various control practices. This study evaluated the economic feasibility of individual tree hexazinone applications as an initial method of redberry juniper control and as a maintenance treatment following mechanical methods.Item Feeding specific amino acids to increase redberry juniper consumption by goats(2012-05-12) Steele, Diana; Steele, Diana Kay; Scott, Cody B.; Salisbury, Micheal W.; Whitney, Travis R.; Russell, Connie; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.Redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.) is a chemically defended, invasive brush species in western states. Previous research has demonstrated that goats supplemented with escape protein sources will consume a higher volume of juniper. In this study I attempted to increase the intake of juniper by recently weaned, Boer-Spanish cross goats (n = 30) by randomly placing them into four treatments and a control, and supplementing each treatment group with one of the following amino acids: arginine, proline, leucine, and glutamine. Treatments did not have a significant effect on juniper intake (P > 0.05). All goats increased intake over time (P > 0.05). Goats exhibited significant weight gain over the course of the study (P < 0.05). Blood serum metabolites were within normal limits. Future studies on escape protein supplementation may provide a better understanding of small ruminant physiology in relationship to intake of juniper.Item Seasonal dynamics of nutritional quality during a drought of four browse species preferred by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus viginianus) in the Rolling Plains of Texas.(2012-08) Mitchell, Scott; Villalobos, Carlos; Dabbert, Charles B.; Wester, David B.; Galyean, Michael L.Woody plant encroachment is a constant issue that must be addressed by ranchers and landowners on the Rolling Plains of Texas. While many consider any type of woody vegetation on rangeland to be noxious, certain species provide a valuable and dependable source of quality forage for wildlife such as white-tailed deer. The purpose of this research was to identify four species of browse preferred by white-tailed deer and test certain nutritional parameters throughout each season during a drought. Application of fertilizer was added as one of the treatments to evaluate forage quality. The four browse species selected for evaluation were: fourwing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursh.) Nutt.], ephedra (Ephedra antisyphilitica Berl. ex.C.A. Mey.), netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata) and redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.). Each species were divided into a control or fertilizer treatment group. Crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility were evaluated for forage quality. Netleaf hackberry and redberry juniper were analyzed for condensed tannins. Fourwing saltbush and redberry juniper did not show a response to the addition of fertilizer. The response from ephedra between control and fertilizer was significant in all seasons for crude protein content (spring +1.66%, summer +3.14%, fall +2.09% and winter +1.63%). Netleaf hackberry showed a statistically significant increase in crude protein for summer (+1.05%) and fall (+0.35%). Dry matter digestibility was generally the same between control and treatment for all species. There was no significant difference between control and treatment for condensed tannin concentrations. Redberry juniper exhibited high levels concentrations of condensed tannins throughout the year (spring 36.20 mg CE/gDM, summer 50.59 mg CE/gDM, fall 61.27 mg CE/gDM and winter 60.36 mg CE/gDM). Netleaf hackberry contained smaller amounts of condensed tannins (spring 6.06 mg CE/gDM, summer 15.31 mg CE/gDM and fall 3.51 mg CE/gDM).Item Will super juniper-eating sires produce super juniper-eating offspring?(2011-03-03) Tidwell, Kendall W.; Tidwell, Kendall; Scott, Cody B.; Simpson, Warren K.; Walker, John W.; Salisbury, Micheal W.; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.When preconditioned in pens, goats develop a preference for juniper on pasture. The objective of this study was to see if sires selectively bred for high juniper consumption produce offspring that consume more juniper than offspring from sires chosen for production characteristics. Five sires chosen for high juniper consumption and five sires chosen for production characteristics were bred to 7 does each (n= 70). Kids were weaned at 90 days of age and placed in individual pens for feeding trials. Consumption of juniper was measured and compared among sire groups. Body condition scores and weights were taken and compared among sire groups after goats were on feed for 30 days following each feeding trial. There were no differences in juniper consumption, body condition scores, and weights among treatments. Goats increased juniper consumption daily in individual pens.