tuesday, msrch 15, 1977
third dimension
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putting nature
to the test
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By Paul Bejot
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With spring coming maybe it is time to
get out of the city to see the University of
Nebraska Field Laboratory at Mead. The
experiment station could open your eyes
to the wonders of animal science, chemical
and botanical research.
There is something for everybody at the
field laboratory at Mead.
4There is even interest for the urban
ite," said Sahs, station supervisor. "Our
Horticultural Dept. has experiments pro
gressing on new turfs, chrysanthemums and
roses. The State Rose Show is held here
every other year." ........ . .
The Field Laboratory covers a 15 square
mile area. It is recognized as one of the
largest and most potentially promising
agricultural research and demonstration
laboratories in the United States.
The lab is open every day of the year,
and hosts up to 20,000 visitors annually.
The Mead lab was initiated in 1962
through a 20-year General Services Admini
stration grant.
Located over the rich alluvial soils of
the former Platte River Valey, it is an
excellent location for both the visitory and
the experimenter.
One of the most visually striking experi
ments is the forestry research.
"We are testing the effects of wind
breaks on crop production," said James
Brandle, Asst. Forestry Professor. "Rows
of pine and cedar, alternated with either
cottonwood or green ash, are planted in a
tic-tac-toe pattern. Crops are planted in be
tween. Last year certain windbreak systems
yielded from 16 to 60 bushels of corn per
acre over corn in unsheltered areas."
Seed Produced
Trees are also gathered from all parts of
the country to see how they do here. The
ones that thrive are used to produce seed
to distribute across the state.
The towering feed mill is the hub of the
beef and the swine research. The major
goal of both projects is to help keep the
meat price low for consumers.
The beef nutritional research concen
trates on finding economical means of
cattle feeding. Terry Klopfenstein, Animal
Science professor, explains: "Products such
as corn stalks and wheat straw which have
a limited value on the field, may have an
economical feed value for young growing
cattle."
Both the beef and swine operations are
concerned with comparing confinement
feeding. Continement is a recent develop
ment which allows feeders to fatten live
stock indoors.
Construction will begin soon on a new
$850,000 swine research unit, said Ernest
Peo, Jr., animal science professor. The in
door unit will be used for reproduction re
search on the 2,500 head operation.
Improving efficiency
4We are concerned with improving the
reproductive efficiency of swine. We are
selecting animals that reach puberty the
fastest for breeding stock. The Reproduct
ive Physiology Dept. looks at environ
mental factors that influence the ovulation
rate and sexual age in swine.
The swine building is not all that is new.
Testing new farm machinery and methods
is the role of the Agriculture engineering
Dept. Chairman William Splinter explains:
''Center pivot, skid-row, solid-set, and drip
irrigation systems are being tested . New
hay-bailers and stackers are being tested for
their capacity, hay loss, and spoilage
factors. Even a computer model grain dryer
is being tested. Acid is being tried as a
corn-drying substitute."
Plant breeders are busy developing
varieties of seed, Sahs said.
If new seed varieties are found to be
beneficial they are increased, named by the
Foundation Seed Division and released to
farmers for certified see, and to commer
cial seed growers.
Modernization has come for the dairy
farmer, said Phillip Cole, animal science
professor. "We are looking at the useful
ness of an automatic self-feeder which is
triggered by a magnet worn by the cow.
The magnet tells how much and what type
of feed it will get."
"Our major goal is reducing the costs of
raising replacement milk cows.
Replacement calves
"We are also looking at new ways of .
raising replacement calves more efficient
ly." They are learning how to save chole
strum (the first three days of milk) to feed
to calves, Cole said.
All of this research is important for the
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farmer, rancher, and consumer.
Agriculture research is expensive, said
Sahs. '
"New ideas and developments are put in
the field laboratory for two to four years,
tested, and checked out. If found bene
ficial they are accepted by farmers," he
said. . .
Sahs said they send a progress report
each year to the U.S. Dept. of Health Edu
cation and Welfare (HEW).
If you can 't see it in the spring, perhaps
the Tractor Power and Safety Field Day
July 28 is the time to tour the experiment
station.
Another attraction at the experimental
station is Behlen Observatory, operated by
the UNL Physics and Astronomy Dept.
which offers a night life at Mead. Visitors
can view celestial bodies through tele
scopes. Films and slides on astronomy are
shown.
These free presentations are often on
research in progress at the observatory.
At Behlen, precise measurements of the
brightness and colors of stars are taken and
the structure of interstellar clouds and
galaxies are studied. 3D
Above : Feed mill at Mead agricult
ural experiment station. Bottom: (1.
to r.) Cattle used in animal science
research; Warren Sahs, station super
visor; What to see at Mead.
