ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION * I /; I 4.1 *, 4 ~aasinsass~ - 'uZkt~ Annual Report 1981 *#tr &*~tf Ptt~ 4vrt a * 44> I ' 1 '.4 a, f '2 4! & 4 i a I, ~ 4t The Cover Story An all-out research attack on the fescue toxicity prob- lem, being carried out by a research team from the departments of Agronomy and Soils, Animal and Dairy Sciences, and Botany, Plant Pathology, and Microbiology, is making progress toward solving that disorder which seriously limits cattle performance on tall fescue pastures. Early results established that a fungus is present in grass where the characteristic symptoms of fescue toxicity occur. Fungicides being tested show the potential for destroying the fungus in fescue seed and "cleaning up" infested pastures. A new fescue variety just released by the Ala- hama Agricultural Experiment Station, named Triumph, also promises to help overcome the problem. In the cover photo, members of the research team check condition of cattle on one of the infested plots at the Black Belt Sub- station, where the problem was identified. Condition of cattle in the photos on this page illustrates the signifi- cance of the problem. The brood cows and calves show the obvious poor condition that accompanies poor per- formance of cattle grazing fungus-infested fescue pastures. The steers shown have been grazing fescue that was not infested with the fungus, and their rate of gain has been about twice that of steers on fescue infested with the fungus. Back Cover Auburn research dealing with eggshell quality is providing information that should help the poultry industry over- come much of the multi-million dollar loss resulting from eggs with abnormal shells or without shells. r Director's Report to the people of Alabama Just as a corporation's annual report tells its stockholders about operation of the company during the previous year, this report is meant to inform the citizens of this State about work of their Alabama Agricultural Experi- ment Station. In a real sense, we con- sider this a stewardship report in which we account for how we used funds in carrying out responsibilities of the Experiment Station that were first mandated by the Alabama Legis- lature in 1883. Scientists, support personnel, and administrators take seriously their re- sponsibility to conduct research to support Alabama's agricultural and forestry industries and to aid in man- aging and protecting its natural re- sources. Although our efforts are focused on the agricultural and fores- try sectors for direct benefit to pro- ducers and agribusinesses, all facets of the State's economy and all citizens are served by our research. Any ad- vance in production, processing, or marketing of food, fiber, and wood products directly benefits the consum- ing public, and the importance of this overall effect cannot be overempha- sized. A review of our 1981 work illustrates a revealing picture of the philosophy and operation of our overall research program. While current, day-to-day problems of agriculture were ad- dressed, concentrated attention also was focused on the future. Such a forward-looking program is essential for agriculture to be ready for the problems and challenges that are sure to arise in the years ahead. Tough economic conditions-consis- tently low market prices, high interest rates, and escalating costs of produc- tion-have called for even greater at- tention to production systems that offer greatest efficiency. In response to such needs, 1981 research of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Sta- tion sought out better and more eco- nomical ways to minimize effects of drought, weeds, insects, diseases, soil fertility, and other factors that limit production. Other work was aimed at finding more energy- and labor-effi- cient systems of producing and mar- keting field and horticultural crops and forest products and more feed- efficient methods of producing live- stock, poultry, and fish. Available finances are the key factor in determining just how many types of projects can be undertaken, of course, but we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish with limited resources. Hard decisions had to be made in selecting problems that would be researched and those which would be delayed until more funds are avail- able. These choices were made on the basis of needs and importance of indi- vidual problems to the overall agricul- tural and forestry industries. Findings of a few of these research projects, re- ported on the following pages, give an indication of some of the successes of our research efforts. While the past 3 years have been difficult ones for most of our agricul- tural and forestry industries, I'm highly optimistic that we are moving in a positive direction. Quality re- search dealing with many facets of our agricultural and forestry programs will enable a more rapid recovery and a more desirable and economical level of productivity. We appreciate your dedicated sup- port of our past research efforts and invite your critical review and sugges- tions for further improvement in our research programs. Gale A. Buchanan ~- a iR Zoology-Entomology bacterial arvacides are showing promise for providing control of mosquitoes in flood- water situations. and with short residual activity. Controlling Floodwater Mosquitoes Two commercial formulations of bacterial spores of Bacillus thuringien- sis var. israelensis were field evaluated for control of Aedes and Psorophora mosquito breeding in floodwater situa- tions. These species are among the most troublesome mosquitoes attack- ing man and livestock in Alabama, especially during the spring and sum- mer months following heavy rains. When applied as a spray to the sur- face of water, both Teknarg and Vectobacs killed virtually all mos- quito larvae within 24 hours. Upon ingestion by the larvae, the spores re- lease a toxin which destroys the cells of the mosquito midgut, leading to paralysis and death of the larvae with- in a few hours. Field tests conducted with a wide range of other aquatic organisms in- dicate the remarkable specificity of these materials for mosquitoes, vir- tually the only group affected under floodwater conditions. In addition, these bacterial larvicides exhibit little or no residual activity within 3 or 4 days after application. Coccidiosis of Baby Pigs Coccidiosis of baby pigs is now rec- ognized as a major disease problem of the swine industry. Clinical symp- toms of infected baby pigs typically include severe watery diarrhea, dehy- dration, weight loss, lethargy, and low to moderate mortality. Pigs which survive this disease usually require an additional 1 to 3 weeks to reach mar- ket weight. A major Auburn research effort con- cerned with the disease, which is al- most always attributed to infection by Isospora suis, is already providing in- formation that should help provide biological, management, and chemical control measures. Techniques have been developed which will enable vet- erinary diagnosticians to provide more rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease. Studies of the life cycle of I. suis reveal that asexual stages of the para- site multiply in epithelial cells of the small intestine. Sexual development of I. suis results in the production of unsporulated oocysts which are pres- ent in the feces of baby pigs 5 days after exposure. High temperature in the farrowing house provides an en- vironment in which oocysts can sporulate within 12 hours and initiate infections in other baby pigs. This points up the need to keep fecal con- tamination to a minimum. Preliminary studies indicate that a single clinical infection of I. suis ren- ders pigs resistant to reinfection by the same species. These early findings point up the possibility of developing immunity through vaccination as a control measure. Anti-hormones May Control Crickets The striped ground cricket is a seri- ous pest in Alabama's Black Belt. It feeds on clover seedlings, causing a reduction or complete loss of white clover stands in pastures of the area. Investigations now underway are di- rected toward developing a hormonally based insecticide which would reduce the reproductive potential of crickets and other insect pests in the State. This approach is based on the fact that many physiological and behav- ioral processes in insects require juve- nile hormone, an important regulator of insect growth and development. Good progress is being made by using the house cricket, which is more adaptable for laboratory use, as a model for the pest species. It has been found that the formation of egg yolk, which is necessary for egg matu- ration, is juvenile-hormone dependent in crickets. Certain plant-derived compounds called precocenes are known to selec- tively destroy the glands that produce juvenile hormone in insects. Thus, precocenes could be expected to pre- vent egg yolk formation and thereby greatly reduce the reproductive poten- tial of crickets. This has been con- firmed by recent experiments in which precocenes inhibited or delayed ova- rian development in both the house cricket and striped ground cricket. Ongoing work is designed to deter- mine the most effective treatment re- Studies with coc iaosis OT Dav, pigs a maor ,ant possibility of aeve oping immun ty througn vaccination. gime and the time in the life cycle when crickets are most susceptible to the antijuvenile hormone effects of precocenes. Cryptosporidiosis in Calves and Humans Most species of coccidia are quite host specific, infecting only one or closely related host species. This is not true for Crytosporidium, a small coccidium which is associated with diarrhea in young calves. Recent Au burn findings have implicated this parasite in human health problems also. In a survey of Cryptosporidtumn sp. in calves begun in July 1981, a tech- nique was developed which provided rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease in cattle. Since this develop- ment, 12 cases of human cryptosporid iosis have been diagnosed in healthy individuals who had direct contact with animals from three separate, un- related outbreaks of the disease in calves. Four of the infected individ- uals had clinical symptoms (diarrhea and abdominal cramping) for several days. Oocvsts of human and calf ori gin produced indistinguishable infec- tions in mice and rats, and oocysts of human origin produced cryptosporidi- osis in previously uninfected calves. aye prolem, tndicate the These findings demonstrate that Cryplosporidium is not host specific and that cryptosporidiosis should be considered a disease that can be trans- mitted from animals to man under natural conditions. Work is continuing on the biology and life cycle of the parasite, factors contributing to de- velopment of clinical disease in in- fected animals, and on treatment and control measures. Farmers, veterinar- ians, and others whose work brings them in close contact with young calves having diarrhea should take special precautions to prevent infec- tion. Auburn Entomological Museum The Auburn University Entomologi- cal Museum is part of the University's commitment to the science of system- atics, the scientific study of the kinds and diversity of organisms, and of any and all relationships among them. The approximately 166,00 specimens of insects and other arthropods preserved in the museum's collection constitute an irreplacable source of information about the diversity, distribution, ecol- ogy, and evolutionary relationships of the species they represent. The mu- seum lroject is first and foremost a research project, but it also makes ma- jor contributions to the teaching and extension functions of the University. The museum project has supported research leading to publications on the taxonomy and biology of aquatic bee- tles, mites, moths, scale insccts, stone- Ilies, weevils, and other species. These publications aid entomologists and others in identification of specimens. Recently a USDA Cooperative Re- search Review Committee singled out the museum project among Auburn's entomology research projects as being "highly productive." The museum has irovided a total of 515 names of in- -octs and other arthropods for Auburn qaff and students and for others with interests and requirements ranging from those of local pest control opera- tors to the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Or- ganization's Biological Control Unit. Habitat of the American Woodcock Since 1930, several million acres of former cropland have reverted to for- est in Alabama. About 65 p~ercent of these forest lands is structurally simi- lar to habitat preferred by American woodcock for resting, feeding, and nesting. Auburn wildlife researchers are currently involved in a statewide inventory and analysis of available woodcock habitat in Alabama. Data of this nature have not been gathered from southern wintering grounds of this migratory game bird. Information such as plant species com- position, density, size, and stratifica- ti(n, along with soil type, litter depth, and soil moisture of woodcock coverts, is being gathered from all physio- graphic subdivisions of the State. Total acreage of woodcock habitat in Alabama is being documented for use in future management schemes. Information being gathered from the current investigations will be essential to modern wildlife management efforts geared toward ensuring adequate win- tering areas for this popular species. Hunters, phbotographers, birdwatchers, and wildlife artists will have accurate descriptions of the most likely places to encounter this highly secretive bird. Its E ; Agronomy and Soils Legumes Replace Commercial N Winter legumes were widely used as a nitrogen source for summer grain crops in the early 1900's. But this changed following World War II when nitrogen production technology al- lowed the market to be flooded with large quantities of cheap nitrogen fer- tilizer. This change allowed farmers to drop the bothersome legume pro- duction and use economical nitrogen from fertilizers. The rapid increase in nitrogen ferti- lizer prices in the 1970's has once again created a need for winter le- gumes in cropping systems. Unfortu- nately, cropping systems used 50 years ago that included winter legumes for nitrogen sources are not suitable for modern methods. Row spacings are narrower, plant populations grown are higher, varieties and even crops grown have changed, optimum planting dates are much earlier for some crops but later for others, and, most of all, maxi- mum economical yields are essential. These changes, coupled with increased problems from nematodes, diseases, and insects, call for different systems of cropping than were used in years past. During the past 18 months, studies have been established across Alabama to determine the value and feasibility of incorporating various winter le- gumes into current cropping systems. Crimson clover (right) and rye (left) turned under ahead of grain sorghum compared effects of legume and nonlegume cover crops. Maximum yields resulted on plots follow- ing a legume where no nitrogen fertilizer was applied. This work centers primarily around the use of high nitrogen-producing crimson clovers and common vetches recently developed by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, USDA, and the Alabama Ag- ricultural Experiment Station. Some of the older legumes are also being evaluated at some locations. Data from five locations in 1981 (Headland, Monroeville, Camden, Camp Hill, and Crossville) indicate that several winter legumes will pro- duce more nitrogen than sorghum will need for optimum yield. The follow- ing table reports amount of nitrogen produced by different legumes, along with yield of following crops of grain sorghum with various N rates, and compares this with production without legumes. Winter crop Clover ........ Vetch ........ Peas .......... Rye ............ Fallow ........ Amount of nitrogen produced by the legumes and grain sorghum yield varied with location. At all locations, however, maximum sorghum yields were obtained without nitrogen ferti- lizer when the sorghum followed a winter legume. At most locations, yields were lower when sorghum fol- lowed winter fallow even with high rates of N. Legumes were heavily grazed during winter at Headland, which reduced the amount of nitrogen furnished to the following crop. In this case, 30 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per acre resulted in optimum sorghum yield. Cutting the legumes for hay (Head- land, Camden, and Crossville) in- creased the nitrogen requirements of sorghum to levels between 30 and 60 pounds per acre. N pro- Grain sorghum yield/acre with different N rates, bu. duced/ Conventional tillage No tillage acre, lb. ON 30N 60N 90N ON 30N 60N 90N 155 78 80 76 74 84 82 78 76 178 93 84 78 65 90 95 81 85 276 95 84 87 87 87 87 87 90 - 53 66 65 70 48 68 71 78 - 57 66 73 69 51 62 65 73 1 ~ . ri Oasis phalaris, being grazed by dairy cow at the Black Belt Substation (above), is a new cool-season perennial recently released by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. The major advantage of the newly released Triumph tall fescue, its greater winter production, is illustrated at right above-Kentucky 31 variety (left) had much less growth on March 31 than Triumph (right). No-tilling sorghum into the legumes adversely affected sorghum yield at Headland and Camden, but not at the other locations. This was probably a result of delayed maturity, which re- sulted in the grain fill period occur- ring during a period of low rainfall. Several of the studies with grain sorghum involve growing reseeding winter legumes. This type system re- sults in essentially free N supplies after the establishment year. Cotton was no-tilled into vetch and clover in Macon County. Too much nitrogen was probably produced by these legumes for optimum cotton pro- duction, but yields were higher than from cotton following a winter fallow system, as shown by the following data: N pro- Winter duced crop per acre, lb. Clover .... 124 Vetch ..... 166 Fallow .... - Lint yield/acre with different N rates, lb. ON 30 N 60 N Cotton planted into vetch developed root rot during the early growth stage, but survived without severe stand loss. The cotton was planted in late May after the legumes had matured and re- seeded. Since the legumes were al- lowed to reseed, nitrogen produced by the 1981-82 legume crop will be free. Unfortunately, winter legumes gen- erally do not produce sufficient nitro- gen early enough to supply the needs of early planted corn. But different cropping systems using reseeding le- gumes are being tried in efforts to overcome this problem so that legumes may be used with this crop. During the first winter, low rates of legume seed are planted with wheat to pro- vide a source of seed for the following fall. Sorghum or soybeans are no-till planted into the stubble after wheat harvest. Legume seed in the no-till mulch germinate in August, which al- lows time for heavy growth before cold temperatures begin in December. The first cycle of these studies has been completed with success. 7 New Pasture Varieties Released Two new pasture crop varieties, Triumph tall fescue and Oasis phalaris, have been released by the Agricultural Experiment Station. Both show prom- ise of providing badly-needed forage for Alabama cattlemen. Triumph is apparently one of the first fescue varieties to be bred spe- cifically for the Southeastern United States. Developed from Mediterra- nean introductions, it is tolerant to low fertility and acid soils, tolerant to many pests, persists well even when overgrazed, and is less competitive with clover than Kentucky 31. Its greatest attribute, however, is higher winter production than made by Ken- tucky 31. Triumph has been shown to produce over 80 percent more forage during the winter months, when forage is critically needed, than Kentucky 31. The new variety of Phalaris aquat- ica, named Oasis, offers a perennial alternative to annual small grain pas- tures, especially in the Black Belt por- tion of the Southeastern States. Where adapted, Oasis will provide excellent fall and winter forage (63-74 percent digestibility). Oasis exhibits good seedling vigor, is drought tolerant, and forms a firm sod that resists plug- ging by cattle during the wet winter months. It is not highly tolerant of cold temperatures or nematode infes- tations, so should be used primarily on clay soils or wetlands in southern por- tions of the region. Seed production of both Triumph fescue and Oasis phalaris is being done exclusively by International Seed Co., Halsey, Oregon. Seed should be available to Alabama farmers in 1983. Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures a. - ,,,L '4~~V- 'a'~lJ Better bass fishing in ponds was found to result from nearly continuous sumn of prey species, such as bluegill. Ponds, Reservoirs, Streams Studied Continuing study of factors that de- termine quality of fishing in Alabama's farm ponds, reservoirs, and streams is providing information needed for man- agement of these valuable resources. Structure of the largemouth bass population in farm ponds, community lakes, and large reservoirs was found to be related to the spawning success of certain prey species, such as the bluegill sunfish. Better bass fishing populations are found in bodies of water where the prey spawns more or less continuously throughout the sum- mer. Under these conditions, survival and growth of young-of-the-year bass fingerlings are much better. Subse- quent development of a year class of bass appears to be largely dependent on how many survive and how well they grow during their first summer of life. A survey of macroinvertebrates has been conducted in the Conecuh-Es- cambia River in the vicinity of Brew- ton for 10 years. Results indicate no measurable changes in population in this period. Catfish Production Emph Catfish production pro tinued to get major atte studies designed to support important catfish industry. included projects on breedi water quality, and off-flavo Pond feeding experiments revealed that fishmeal is n in the diet of channel catfis fish are fed to satiation. Wi is restricted, however, diets tain at least 6 percent fishm port maximum growth. Dissolved oxygen con measured in early mornin afternoon, were closely relat solar radiation. Solar rad oxygen concentrations we correlated that catfish pond probably could use weathe to good advantage in predi problems with low oxygen a occur. Paddlewheel water blend reduce thermal stratificati useful in catfish ponds. Alt production was similar with out the blenders, twice as m r .~ gency aeration (78.5 vs. 39.5 hours) was required in ponds without them. Hybrid catfish were found to be more tolerant of low oxygen concen- trations than channel catfish. In a pond where 50 percent of the channel catfish died from low oxygen, only 10 percent of the hybrids (female chan- nel catfish X male blue catfish) were lost. The channel X blue hybrids also were 2.5 times easier to catch in corral- _ seine traps. Another problem identified was ni- trite poisoning in catfish production ponds. In laboratory experiments, methemoglobin (brown blood) levels in catfish were directly related to ni- trite concentrations in water. Several other blood changes also were associ- ated with nitrite toxicity. In another study, selection appeared to be a useful method of increasing ier spawning productivity of catfish. Response to selection for body weight in one gen- eration was 17, 18, and 12 percent, asized respectively, for Rio Grande, Marion blems con- (Alabama), and Kansas strains. ntion, with Catfish were periodically removed Alabama's from 42 commercial catfish ponds in This work west central Alabama for 1981 taste ng, feeding, panel tests for off-flavor. The trained r problems. taste panel found that off-flavor occurs frequently in catfish ponds of that s in 1980-81 area, but the intensity is not severe. not required The study also determined the amount h when the of geosmin, the primary chemical hen feeding causing catfish off-flavor, necessary to must con- cause the problem. neal to sup- centrations, Paddlefish for Caviar g and late Research on production of paddle- ted to daily fish (Polyodon spathula) was begun iation and in 1981. Eggs of this fish bring a high re so well price when sold for use as caviar. d managers Brood fish of the species were captured r forecasts in the Alabama River and spawned cting when at Auburn. The fish were induced to re likely to spawn by injecting them with pituitary glands from the common carp and ers used to other paddlefish. When the recently- on proved hatched fry were stocked in hatchery though fish ponds, approximately 58 percent sur- and with- vived to a size suitable for stocking nuch emer- into production ponds. Natural Control of Nematodes A survey of fungi associated with populations of the cyst nematode, Ileterodera glycines, from soybean field soils in Alabama and four other Southern States indicates a diverse mycoflora that includes a number of highly destructive endoparasites of nematode eggs. Certain species of Codinaea, Exophiala, Pseudospiropes, and Stagonospora are capable of in- vading healthy eggs and ultimately destroying larvae. Other fungi have been found to be active in degrading nematode cysts. Evidence is accumu- lating that a number are effectively operative, at least to some degree, as biological control agents of nematodes in soybean field soils. By providing an understanding of conditions under which these parasites of nematodes develop, these findings may lead to specific recommendations for soybean growers to follow to en- hance parasitism against nematodes. When biological control of this type is successful, it can virtually eliminate the target nematode from a field on a permanent basis. Auburn research has documented the disappearance of the soybean cyst nematode in several fields in Florida and Alabama where the pest formerly caused severe damage. In each of the ': ' '7 test fields, the cyst nematode was sub- jected to severe parasitism by one of the fungi that act as parasites of nem- atode eggs. As a result, it is now diffi- cult to find the nematode in soils of the fields. Because of the potential for develop- ment of economical methods for con- trolling nematodes, these findings represent an exciting application of basic research to the solution of prob- lems faced by growers. Solving the Fescue Toxicity Syndrome Examination of fescue pastures re- sponsible for poor weight gain in cattle has regularly revealed the presence of a fungus inside the plant tissue. Pas- tures free of this fungus have typi- cally given substantially greater daily weight gains by grazing cattle than pastures with infested fescue. This so-called "summer syndrome" has been a high priority goal for sev- eral departments in the Agricultural Experiment Station. Results to date offer encouragement that the problem, which is seriously limiting returns to Alabama cattlemen, may be solved in the future. An important development during 1981 was identification of the fungus associated with infested fescue. It has }, "k-< . f s : ,. t ;,..:tf Research on various problems associated with commercial catfish production pro- vided information on such things as feed- ing requirements, water quality, breeding and selection for fast growth, and preven- tion of off-flavor of pond-raised catfish. A new project begun in 1981 is seeking methods of raising paddlefish (bottom photo) for commercial production of caviar. Potential for biological control of the cyst nematode is illustrated by these photos of nematode eggs: Left, healthy egg; right, egg parasitized by one of the nematode-destroy- ing fungi being tried. been identified as a previously un- described species of Acremonium, for which the name Acremonium coeno- phialum has been proposed. Although its role in summer syndrome has not been established, the fungus has been found regularly in affected grass. Treatment of fescue seed with fun- gicides has been successful in elimi- nating the fungus from seed, affording farmers the opportunity to plant clean fescue pastures. Additional research has indicated that the same fungicides can eliminate the fungus from estab- lished plants. Continued research will be needed to find the best time for fungicidal treatment, to determine proper application rates, and to mini mize costs of control. Converting Cellulose to Fuel Chemical pretreatment of wood chips is part of a newly developed microbial process for degrading ligno- cellulose into energy compounds. Wood chips that had been ozonated proved to be more susceptible in con- version to soluble intermediates by en- zymes from the bacterium Polyangium. This work, in cooperation with the Department of Chemistry, will con- tinue with the purpose of determin- ing the suitability of converting the solubilized product to alcohols and methane. ;, , , . '- . I. :?? Cattle grazing wheat-ryegrass- leaf clover gained rapidly and and were essentially finished a 183-day grazing period. Storing Restructured Steaks Work on storage of restructured steaks is the latest phase of the meats project at Auburn. The Auburn- developed technique for making re- structured steaks and chops offers the meat industry an opportunity to effec- tively merchandise meat from lower price wholesale cuts. Improvement of storage qualities would help to gain - t industry acceptance of the system. In the new phase, restructured beef steaks were manufactured from bone- less cow rounds and frozen under three different storage conditions. When frozen with carbon dioxide snow, meat color improved and cooking losses were decreased. Carbon dioxide gas had a detrimental effect on steak color, but did not affect palatibility traits. Oxygen gas also improved the steak color, but had no effect on cooking losses or taste panel judging. A major deterrent to acceptability of restructured fresh meat steaks is a rancidity problem. This problem was prevented in the research. Antioxi- dants prevented this problem, when used with techniques developed in the study. Yuchi arrow- at low cost, at the end of Animal and Dairy Sciences Fescue Toxicity Solution Nearer Performance of a new tall fescue variety and results of overseeding fes- cue with clover to overcome fescue toxicity provided encouraging results during 1981. Although cattle perform- ance was above average on all fescue during the year, pastures infested with the fungus showed seriously reduced gains by grazing steers. Three-year average data show that steers on fes- cue pastures not infested with the fungus gained 1.8 pounds per day, as compared with only 1.0 pound for those grazing fungus-infested fescue. Body temperatures averaged 2?F higher for steers on infested pastures (104 ? vs. 102?F), which indicates health effect of the fungus. Triumph, the new Auburn-devel- oped variety, appears to be fungus free. Grazing gains during the favor- able 1981 season averaged 2.1 pounds per day. This variety makes more forage per acre than Kentucky 31, which resulted in 60 pounds per acre more beef gain than on fungus-free Kentucky 31. Overseeding clover into infested fes- cue greatly improved daily gains of grazing steers. With clover making up 6 percent or more of the total forage, steer gains were doubled over what was made by infested fescue alone. Red clover seemed slightly superior to ladino clover. Understanding Animal Growth The process of growth is intimately tied to the production of protein. The major protein in animals is collagen, a component of the cell membrane which is one of the first structural elements in the development of all tissue. A major component of connective tissue is hydroxyproline, and the levels of hydroxyproline in the urine are highly related to the physiological ma- turity and, therefore, the body compo- sition of animals. This work was conducted with rats, and will be applied to meat producing animals in 1982. It has great potential for improving genetic selection for muscle deposition in cattle and swine. Hogs Make Poor Use of Digestor Effluent Effluent from anaerobic digestors used for methane production had only limited value as a feedstuff for swine in 1981 Auburn research. Digestor temperature had no effect on effluent solids or total nitrogen content, but Milking cows in tne research nerd at the E. V. Smith Researcn ,enter were aDle to uliize 18.5 percent whole cottonseed in their rations. increasing the temperature decreased the amount of organic nitrogenous compounds in the effluent. A similar effect was noted for the amino acid content. Broiler litter was also tried in feed for finishing swine, but it was not an economical feed ingredient. Adding 20-24 percent broiler litter to a corn- soybean meal diet severely decreased gain and efficiency. Economical Pasture Finishing Cattle grazing wheat-ryegrass-Yuchi clover gained rapidly and were essen- tially finished for slaughter at the end of a 183-day grazing period (Novem- ber 20 to May 22). Cost of the pas- ture was just slightly above 120 per pound of gain. Digestible dry matter of the forage varied from 75 to 81 percent. The lower value occurred in late February and the high value in mid-December. Summer Annual Creep Grazing for Calves Tifloaf-1 pearlmillet proved to be valuable as a summer pasture for creep grazing of nursing calves. Each acre of Tifleaf-1 grazed by calves re- sulted in 431 pounds extra gain, which amounted to $200 income over feed costs per acre. An added benefit of the creep grazing was a net gain of 23 pounds per cow nursing the creep- grazed calves. Without creep grazing for nursing calves, the brood cows lost 46 pounds each. Whole Cottonseed for Dairy Cows Whole gin-run cottonseed is a high energy, high fiber, high protein feed that can be used for lactating dairy cows. Often this feed is an inexpensive source of nutrients for dairy rations, particularly in states where cotton is produced. Research at the E. V. Smith Re- search Center indicates that milking cows can utilize 18.5 percent whole cottonseed in their rations. Careful management is required, however. If early signs of gossypol toxicity are ob- served, cottonseed should be removed from the ration or the amount re- duced. Forestry Herbicidal Treatments Show Promise Pine release studies have concen- trated on the use of Velpar- (hexazi- none) formulations, which show good promise. Small pellets have given best hardwood control with only minimal pine injury. Liquid Velpar has given promising results, but it is not regis- tered for use in pine. Higher rates are needed for liquid than for granular Velpar, results show. Site preparation work in 1981 was