Browsing by Author "Wildeus, Stephan"
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- Benefits of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on Nutrient Cycling and Forage Growth in Alpaca PasturesArnaudin, Mary Elin (Virginia Tech, 2012-02-28)Alpacas have been gaining prominence in the U.S. since the early 1980s. In pastures, dung beetle activity has been shown to enhance the degradation and incorporation of dung into the soil. The benefits of this activity have been quantified for cattle, but not for alpacas. The objectives of this study were to document the dung beetle species present in alpaca pastures, and to evaluate the impact of dung beetle activity on the growth of a common summer annual grass. In 2010 and 2011, dung beetle species present in alpaca pastures located at Virginia State University (VSU), were evaluated weekly from late May until late August. Eleven species of dung beetles were found, with Onthophagus taurus Schreber being the most dominant. In 2011, a greenhouse study was conducted at Virginia Tech's Southern Piedmont Research Station. Treatments included a control (no dung, no beetles), dung only, dung with five pairs of O. taurus, and dung that was allowed to be colonized in alpaca pastures at VSU. The addition of O. taurus and the field colonization both significantly increased total yield over the no dung control by 10% and 14%, respectively. These results indicate that healthy and diverse dung beetle communities occur in alpaca pastures in the mid-Atlantic region, and that the presence of these beetles would likely enhance nutrient cycling and pasture growth. However, it is important to remember that dung beetles are just one component of many found in a healthy grassland ecosystem, and the functions of these components are interrelated.
- Enhancing reproduction performance in small ruminants. Part III. Breeding and management systemsO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)Comparison of different kinds of breeding programs for ruminants
- Enhancing reproductive performance in small ruminants part II: Puberty and estrous cyclesO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)Puberty and estrous cycles in ruminants. Reproductive success and failure in male and female ruminants
- Enhancing reproductive performance in small ruminants. Part IV. Breed/SelectionO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)Sheep and goat breeds are diverse in their reproductive traits, and so to optimize reproductive efficiency it is important to consider breed seriously before starting a flock or herd
- Enhancing reproductive performance in small ruminants: Part 1. Biology of reproductionO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)This has been designed to assist producers in enhancing reproductive performance in their herd so that overall production can be optimized to promote profitability.
- Enhancing reproductive performance in small ruminants: Part V. Nutrition and healthO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)Small ruminant nutrition when reproducing. Best health practices including diet and vaccinations
- Enhancing reproductive performance in small ruminants: Part VI. Reproductive management techniquesO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)Different methods for causing small ruminants to synchronize estrus
- Influence of Breed and Supplementation on Consumer Ratings of Pasture-raised Ground LambNartea, Theresa J.; Wildeus, Stephan; O'Brien, Dahlia (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2017-12-11)Discusses consumer ratings of pasture-raised ground lamb.
- Preparing for the breeding season in meat goats and hair sheepO'Brien, Dahlia; Wildeus, Stephan (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2018-02-20)Discusses health checks and other issues before the breeding season of goats and sheep.