2014 Annual Report Relevancy Statements

2014 Annual Report Relevancy Statements

UVM research scientists and outreach specialists ...

1 - AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

  • model an agricultural system for Chittenden county that is compatible with a stable climate
    Assessing the Potential for Carbon Neutral Food Systems for Chittenden County, Vermont
    FARLEY 1

  • determine and demonstrate the utility of subsurface plowing and bio-tillage to mitigate pasture compaction. determine the effect of compaction mitigation on field hydrology
    Northeast Pasture Consortium
    GORRES 1

  • evaluate the Growing Maine program implemented by the KVCC through a grant from the US Dept of Labor.
    Kennebec Valley Community College TACT 25 Evaluation Plan
    KOLODINSKY 1

  • develop a commercially viable value-added dairy product enriched in bioactive components (i.e., n-3 FA) to improve the healthful attributes of milk to promote human health and reduce risk of disease and to enhance the animal's health
    Feeding stearidonic acid-rich oils to enhance animal health and nutritional attributes of bovine milk
    KRAFT 1

  • develop a feeding strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of animal products (milk) for human consumption
    Enhancing the nutritional attributes of bovine milk to achieve a more desirable product tailored to provide health-promoting benefits
    KRAFT 1

  • used research results to develop responses to food insecurity with cooperative board of directors and communities in Chiapas, Mexico
    Confronting the Thin Months: Participatory Learning on Best Practices and Impacts of the GMCR Food Security Program
    MENDEZ 1

  • provided training to 39 farmers and service providers on how to assess impacts of climate change and promising best management practices to respond to it
    Vermont Agricultural Resilience in a Changing Climate
    MENDEZ 1

  • developing adequate training methods and materials on climate change adaptation for agricultural service providers in Vermont.
    On-Farm Best Management Practices and Service-Provider Professional Development
    MENDEZ 1

  • identify and test cost effective methods for organically managing Spotted Wing Drosophila (D. suzukii; SWD) for Northeastern growers of soft fruit.
    Spotted Wing Drosophila Exclusion Blueberries and Raspberries in Vermont
    MENDEZ 1

  • showed that seasonal food insecurity had decreased in coffee communities of Mexico, Nicaragua and Guatemala in the last 6 years. Key reasons were increased farm diversification and high coffee prices.
    To Revisit the CIAT Coffee Farmer Welfare Study (2007-2013)
    MENDEZ 1

  • work with farmers, agricultural service providers, researchers and community organizations to address the impacts of climate change in Vermont. evaluate and implement on-farm climate change mitigation and adaptation practices.
    Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in the Lake Champlain Basin (LCB) of Vermont
    MENDEZ 1

    11 projects

    1a - Dairy

  • assess stress and anxiety among Vermont Hispanic dairy workers. Track public opinion on migrant farmworkers
    Adjusting to Vermont:Stress Among Latino Farmworkers & State Policy Development
     BAKER 1a

  • determine the genetic and functional diversity of immune genes and proteins in Holstein cattle.
    Holstein Cattle Major Histocompatibilty (MHC) Gene Diversity and Tracking the Immune Response to an Adenoviral Vectored Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Using MHC Tetramer Technology
    BARLOW 1a

  • develop immunologic methods and tools that will be used to evaluate the T cell mediated immune responses of Holstein cattle.
    BREAD: A Modern Approach for the Development of Cattle Vaccines for Critical Bovine Diseases Impacting Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
    BARLOW 1a

  • determine the duration of protection for a new Foot and Mouth Disease Virus vaccine.
    Duration of Immunity to Vaccination of Cattle with Human Ad5FMDV Vaccine
    BARLOW 1a

  • describe pathogen virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance, and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in key sectors of the dairy industry in Vermont in order to improve mastitis control practices and food safety.
    Mastitis Resistance to Enhance Dairy Food Safety
    BARLOW 1a

  • determine food safety and extension gaps and opportunities for Vermont's artisanal cheese makers.
    Food Safety from Milking to Marketing for Vermont Artisanal Cheese Makers
    BARLOW 1a

  • determine whether feeding byproducts (grape marc or coffee grounds) to dairy cattle can alter the comprehensive bovine milk protein and fatty acid profiles produced
    Feeding Dairy Cows to Produce Healthy Milk
    GREENWOOD 1a

  • determine whether inclusion of alternative forages in diets fed to lactating dairy cattle can alter the comprehensive bovine milk protein profile produced
    Creating a healthier bovine milk proteome using alternative forages
    GREENWOOD 1a

  • documenting how an animal's genetic potential can be permanently altered by epigenetic mechanisms.
    Effects of Variation in Pathogen Detection and Signaling Pathways on Resistance to Bovine Mastitis
    KERR 1a

  • develop and apply novel tools to advance our understanding of innate and adaptive immunity and disease resistance in cattle.
    Genetic and Epigenetic Contribution to Variation between Animals in Strength of Response to Vaccination
    KERR 1a

  • determine genetic and epigenetic basis for differences between cows in how their cells respond to infection
    Mastitis Resistance to Enhance Dairy Food Safety
    KERR 1a

  • characterize quantitative relationships between host genetics, dietary regime, rumen microbiota and their membrane lipids/fatty acids contributing to the fatty acids in milk
    Characterizing the Rumen Microbiome in Dairy Cows as a Tool to Improve Health Attributes of Bovine Milk Fat
    KRAFT 1a

  • determine biosecurity needs on dairy farms and demonstrate effective practices to prevent disease outbreaks
    Costs and Challenges Associated with Developing and Implementing a Community-Wide Biosecurity Plan
    SMITH 1a

  • evaluate the relationship among dairy calf housing characteristics and respiratory disease incidence
    Relationship between early calf feeding and ecology of the gut
    SMITH 1a

  • a transdisciplinary mixed- methods investigation of sensory perception and evaluation of Vermont artisan cheese focusing on extrinsic and intrinsic properties
    Artisan Cheese, Sensory Embeddedness, and the Working Landscape
    TRUBEK 1a

  • a transdisciplinary mixed- methods investigation of sensory perception and evaluation of Vermont artisan cheese and the artisan cheese supply chain and the development of sensory preference by consumers
    Consumer sensory perception of Vermont artisan cheese: a mixed-methods approach
    TRUBEK 1a

  • examine the molecular diversity of bacteria and methane-producing archaea within on-farm anaerobic digesters
    Characterization of Methane-Producing Microorganisms in Dairy Cow Waste Anaerobic Digesters
    WRIGHT 1a

  • study the mechanisms of methane production in farm based anaerobic digesters by analyzing microbial community gene expression
    Study of the Mechanisms of Methane Production in Farm Based Anaerobic Digesters by Analyzing Microbial Community Gene Expression
    WRIGHT 1a

  • provide scientific evidence toward the development of an IRT based screening tool to detect suspected FMDV infected cattle
    development of an Infrared Thermogram (IRT) Based Screening Tool for Cattle
    WRIGHT 1a

  • identify and quantify SRB in raw manure and in anaerobic manure digesters and compare digester effluent versus manure for the production of H2S and SRB abundance
    Investigation of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Production of Hydrogen Sulfide in Anaerobic Manure Digesters
    WRIGHT 1a

  • identify and assess the diversity and structure of the methanogen population in Holsteins, Jerseys, Holstein-Jersey crosses, and Guernseys.
    Examination of the methanogen microbiome in five breeds of lactating dairy cows
    WRIGHT 1a

  • potentially develop the SNPs of bovine glucose transporter 1 as breed selection markers and may thus have a direct impact on dairy breeding program for improving milk productivity and efficiency.
    Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Glucose Transporters as Breed Selection Markers for Milk Productivity in Dairy Cattle
    ZHAO 1a

  • provide mechanistic insights into metabolic adaptation to lactation in dairy cows, which will lead to improvement in milk production efficiency while maintaining whole body glucose homeostasis.
    Regulation of glucose production and utilization in dairy cattle
    ZHAO 1a

    23 projects

    1b - Maple

  • assess Acer mono trees as a sentinel tree system for early detection of the Asian longhorned beetle in coldhardiness zones 3, 4 and 5.
    Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds
     PARKER 1b

  • determine the effect of carbohydrate removal in the process of maple sap collection on the long-term health and growth of trees
    Long-Term Effects of Sap Extraction on Sugar Maple Growth and Health
    PERKINS 1b

  • identify the maple tubing cleaning practice that results in the best impacts on sap yields and net annual revenues
    Identification of Effective Maple Tubing Cleaning Practices
    VAN DEN BERG 1b

  • identify a maple crop management system which optimizes productivity and that will enable maple producers to increase profitability of maple production operations
    Investigation of a new paradigm in maple syrup production
    VOGELMANN 1b

    4 projects

    1c - Livestock (other than dairy cows) and Poultry

  • characterizing epigenetic differences in bovine brains as it pertains to extreme measures of docility
    National Animal Genome Research Program
     MCKAY 1c

    1 project

    1d - Fruits and Vegetables

  • evaluate five commercially-important apple cultivars in two production systems in Vermont from 2006-2013 for horticultural, fruit yield and quality, pest management, and economic characteristics.
    Using ""New"" Alternatives to Enhance Adoption of Organic Apple Production Through Integrated Research and Extension
     BERKETT 1d

  • assess horticultural, fruit quality, and pest incidence characteristics of winegrape cultivars in Vermont to support new, expanding grape and wine industry.
    Northern Grapes: Integrating Viticulture, Winemaking, and Marketing of New Cold-Hardy Cultivars Supporting New and Growing Wineries
    BERKETT 1d

  • assess horticultural, fruit quality, and pest incidence characteristics of winegrape cultivars in Vermont to support new, expanding grape and wine industry.
    Multi-State Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivars and Clones
    BERKETT 1d

  • develop a multidisciplinary electronic outreach platform to distribute horticulture, pest management, and risk management information to Vermont fruit growers.
    Improved Technical Support Programming for Vermont Apple Growers
    BRADSHAW 1d

  • develop a current Strawberry Pest Management Strategic plan for the northeast to review and update pest management info for day neutral and June bearing strawberries to decrease the unnecessary use of pesticides.
    NE IPM Small Fruit Working Group
    HAZELRIGG 1d

    5 projects

    1e - Ornamental Horticulture

  • evaluate the effectiveness of releasing predatory mites for management of root aphids in Christmas tree plantations.
    An Emerging Problem for Vermont Christmas Tree Growers: Root Aphids
     PARKER 1e

  • determine whether native species are more attractive and useful to pollinators than their cultivars
    Optimizing the Ecological Value of Ornamental Perennials: An Evaluation of Nectar and Pollen Production in Open-Pollinated Native Flowers versus Native Cultivars
    PERRY 1e

  • determine winter survival and subsequent growth of herbaceous perennials after exposure to winter freezing treatments
    Herbaceous Perennial Hardiness
    PERRY 1e

  • evaluate the effectiveness of a plant-mediated system combining marigolds, Beauveria bassiana, predatory mites and a pheromone lure to manage thrips in greenhouse ornamentals.
    Granular Formulations of Insect-Killing Fungi with Plant-Medicated IPM Systems for Thrips
    SKINNER 1e

  • evaluate novel methods to increase energy conservation in plastic greenhouses.
    Innovative Technologies for Energy Conservation in Vermont Greenhouses
    SKINNER 1e

  • assess the research and educational needs of the Vermont landscape industry in terms of integrated pest management.
    IPM for Vermont?s Landscape Industry: A Longterm Investment to Ensure Success
    SKINNER 1e

  • evaluate factors associated with the effectiveness of a marigold guardian plant combining insect-killing fungi and predatory mites to manage thrips in greenhouse ornamentals.
    The Working Group on Improving Microbial Control of Arthropod Pests
    SKINNER 1e

    7 projects