Numbered Publications: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
AEN-158: Raised Wicking Bed
Steve Higgins | Jan. 8, 2021 (New)
A raised bed is an excellent addition to many backyard gardens. A modification of this design may be of interest to gardeners. A raised wicking bed is a self-contained method for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. The bed provides a built-in water reservoir that allows plants to water themselves. The design is ideal for individuals who are new to gardening, but experienced gardeners will find it helpful as well. The greatest benefit of this system is that it provides control of the water supply to the plants within the defined area.
AEN-157: Self-Watering Wicking Container
Steve Higgins | Oct. 28, 2020 (New)
A wicking container is a self-contained method for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. This container provides a built-in water reservoir that allows a plant to self-irrigate. The design is ideal for individuals who are new to gardening or have limited space, but is also used by seasoned gardeners. The greatest benefit of the system is that it provides the plant with control of its water supply, which helps free up more of the gardener's time.
ID-267: Riding Arena Maintenance: Equipment Guide
Claire Burnham, Bob Coleman, Morgan Hayes, Staci McGill | Oct. 26, 2020 (New)
This guide gives a basic overview of drags, their component parts, and other arena maintenance equipment. Selecting the proper equipment and maintenance protocol is essential for keeping a usable and well-maintained arena. Because there is variation in the terminology used between manufacturers, this compilation of basic terms, descriptions, and pictures will improve the arena manager's understanding of common terms.
ID-265: Riding Arena Footing: Materials and Characteristics
Claire Burnham, Bob Coleman, Morgan Hayes, Staci McGill | Oct. 26, 2020 (New)
This publication provides an overview of riding arena characteristics, and in particular, footing. Many different factors must be considered when planning to build an arena or determining how to care for an existing arena. This basic guide explains how arenas are structured, describes the components that generally make up arena surfaces, and discusses various considerations that all arenas need.
ID-266: Riding Arena Maintenance: Dragging and Watering
Claire Burnham, Bob Coleman, Morgan Hayes, Staci McGill | Oct. 26, 2020 (New)
Maintenance is a key aspect to extend an arena's lifespan, and it is extremely important for the horses and riders who use the surface. Arena maintenance is essential for the casual recreational rider up to the high-performance athlete. The surface the horse encounters during work has a profound impact on the horse's biomechanics, which can affect the horse's soundness over time. Having a well-maintained surface increases your horse's performance capabilities and enhances training.
AEN-156: Using a Kit to Set up a Cattle Scale System under a Squeeze Chute
Joshua Jackson | Oct. 23, 2020 (New)
On cattle operations, the use of a scale system to weigh animals is vital to the proper administration of health products such as dewormers and antibiotics, and for making management decisions. A scale system mounted to a chute allows animals to be securely restrained for measuring weights accurately and minimally impacts cattle flow through the working facilities. Excitable animals can be properly restrained and, with their movement limited, cattle can be weighed accurately.
AEN-155: The Importance of Water Source Layout in Farm Infrastructure
Steve Higgins | Aug. 28, 2020 (New)
Water source layout is a critical infrastructure component for cattle and cattle producers. Strategic water resource layout is a part of a farmstead plan that does not always get adequate attention, despite its critical importance. Nonetheless, when farm infrastructure planning incorporates the latest practices, rules, and knowledge, the resulting design can satisfy generations of users.
AEN-153: How Understanding and Managing Soil Organic Matter Can Improve Beef Cattle Production
Morgan Hayes, Steve Higgins | Aug. 6, 2020 (New)
Beef cattle production is directly affected by soils, but active soil management is limited. Most producers' soil management decisions are limited to submitting a soil sample, getting the analysis back, and then applying the tons of fertilizer or lime recommended at the bottom of the sheet. Meanwhile, producers request assistance to reduce or eliminate mud, weeds, gully erosion, and compaction (if they have identified compacted ground). Occasionally, producers don't have enough forage or hay to get cattle through drought or winter because of low forage production. These issues may have little to do with soil fertility but instead be directly related to soil properties.
AEN-154: Land and Water Use Planning Applied to a Pasture-based Beef Operation
Steve Higgins | Aug. 6, 2020 (New)
A typical cow-calf grazing operation needs to feed and water cattle on a daily basis. Ideally, this is accomplished by rotating cattle from field to field and providing them with a convenient source of water to drink. Cattle operations can better manage cattle when facilities are designed to meet the needs of cattle and the producer. Land use-planning can increase production and reduce production costs.
AEN-152: Building a Hoop Barn
Morgan Hayes, Joshua Jackson | Jul. 15, 2020 (New)
Hoop barns are a cost-effective alternative to pole barns. For example, a farmer might choose a hoop barn when deciding to expand hay sales, or for providing cover for costly equipment. Hoop barns have the additional benefit of being a construction project that can be done by the farmer (and a group of friends), which can provide an additional cost savings. This publication goes through the steps involved by following the construction of two hoop barns built by a local farmer. In this case, hoop barns were built to increase the farm's hay storage capacity.
