Agricultural Telecommunications 2001
Full Proposal 4.38 / 20614

Project Summary:

Title of Project:	Internet2 Applications to Enhance the Management of Natural and Agro-ecosystems
Project Director:	Dan C. Cotton
Applicant Organization:	University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Summary:

This project will demonstrate how wireless networking and Internet2 applications can combine to strengthen the ability of the agricultural community to conduct real-time research, education, and extension. Nebraska will collect content-specific research from key research sites throughout the state using wireless network services. Data will be collected, transported and input to Internet2 applications that will organize and archive data, interpret it, and prepare educational and informational products for use by audiences, each with unique needs and uses. We expect to effectively demonstrate how wireless networking can benefit the land grant community by taking raw data (the commodity) and producing a series of value-added visually enhanced educational products. This work will contribute significantly to the research agenda of the ADEC "Advanced Internet Satellite Extension Project (AIESP)." We expect to increase a researchers ability to interpret and present complex information to other researchers, students, and clientele. Audiences include agricultural and natural resource scientists; resource advisory personnel in state and federal agencies; institutions interested in the use of wireless Internet services and Internet2 applications; students with access to learning modules synchronized with real-time research; production agriculture; the National Science Foundation interested in wireless networking and the use of Internet2; and ADEC in learning applications.

Authorized Organizational Representative:

Name:	Darrell W Nelson Ph.D.
Email:	dnelson1@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-2045
FAX Number:	(402) 624-8010
Address:	207 Ag. Hall (0704)
	Lincoln, NE   68516

IRS Number:	47-0491233
Congressional District Number:	1
Period of Proposed Project Dates:	09/1/2001 to 08/31/2003

Principal Investigator/Project Director #1:

Name:	Dan C Cotton
Email:	dcotton1@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-2821
FAX Number:	(402) 472-0025
Address:	104 ACB, PO BOX 830918
	Lincoln, NE   68516-0918

Curriculum Vitae:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Director, Communications & Information Technology, 1996 to Present
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), University of Nebraska at Lincoln, NE
I provide leadership to Communications and Information Technology (CIT), a unit that provides professional leadership and support in communications, distance learning, computing, networking, and information technology for IANR academic departments, centers and units involved in teaching, research and extension. CIT employs 56 professional staff with an annual operating budget of over $3.6 million (FY99). The unit includes five sections.
1. The Distributed Environments for Active Learning Laboratory (DEAL) uses Internet-based technology to assist faculty and staff in the creation and maintenance of interactive, multimedia learning environments and organizational systems. The lab uses and provides access to courseware, video streaming, conferencing, database, software development tools and utilities (i.e., WebCT, CourseInfo, FirstClass, RealMedia, Macromedia and Adobe applications, Oracle, MySQL, Perl, Java, Javascript, Linux and NT servers).
2. Computing provides support to IANR faculty, staff and students. Services include Microsoft NT networking, hardware repair and maintenance, e-mail and listserv services, computer laboratory and classroom technology support, access to a self-help tutorial loan library. The section provides support for both campus and statewide facilities. Supported applications include MS Office, Word Perfect, Lotus Notes, Eudora, and NT networking.
3. Electronic Media assists faculty in the production and marketing of distance education offerings, produces radio and television educational programs, maintains IANRs satellite network with more than 50 downlink sites, supports audio and video production services, video conferencing, instructional design support, and maintains a video tape loan library.
4. News & Publishing develops and distributes news releases covering agricultural, natural resources, and family and consumer sciences to external mass media, advises faculty/staff on media relations and communications, creates educational and promotional publications, offers graphic design, editing, slide production, CD ROM recording, and exhibit production services.5. Marketing works to promote IANR programs to a variety of internal and external audiences.

Computer Coordinator, 1989 - 1996
Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
Manager of Personal Computer Operations, 1987 - 1989
Interim Director, Extension Computer Services, 1985-1986
Training & Development Coordinator, Extension Computer Services, 1984-1987
University Extension - University of Missouri at Columbia, Columbia, MO

EDUCATION
Graduate work, Educational Media, 1988, University of Missouri at Columbia, Columbia, MO
Associate in Applied Science in Data Processing, 1984, Parkland College, Champaign, IL
Graduate work in Music (D.M.A. program), 1980-1983, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
Master in Music, 1979 - University of Missouri at Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Bachelor of Music in Education, 1975, Central Methodist College, Fayette, MO 65248

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
- Satellite Networks for Field Activities Project, EPSCoR/NSF: Wireless - Satellite Hybrid Network Infrastructure: Projects of Opportunity Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2000
- The Digital Divide: A Country Western Technology Song (joint presentation with Janet Poley, ADEC, and Valorie McAlpin, University of Maryland), EDUCAUSE 2000, Nashville Tennessee, October 2000
- Interesting Approaches to Online Learning, All ADEC Conference, Washington D.C., March 2000
- Reaching Rural/Remote Americans (joint presentation with Ray Kimsey, North Carolina State University and Dr. Janet Poley, ADEC), EDUCAUSE99, Long Beach, CA, October 1999
- How Information Technologies are Changing the Way We Work (joint presentation with Dr. Kevin Gamble, North Carolina State University), Agricultural Communicators in Education National Conference, Asilomar, CA, July 1998

LEADERSHIP GIVEN TO SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Advanced Internet Satellite Extension Project, is a $4 million ADEC project funded by the National Science Foundation. Nebraska coordinated a pre-test of the system over the summer of 2000.

The Distributed Environments for Active Learning Laboratory (DEAL), provides faculty/staff, government and industry partners with access to resources intended to deliver "just in time" Internet-based learning.

PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES
- Research, Education & Economics Information System, National Steering Committee, CSREES-USDA, 1997 - Present
- Extended Education Task force, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1998
- Computer Directors Council - University of Nebraska System, 1996 - Present
- Teaching & Learning Technology Roundtable, University of Nebraska - Lincoln,
1996 - Present- A*DEC Program Panel, 1995 - Present
- CYFERNet - cyfar initiative (federal program managed by usda), 1995 - Present

HONORS AND AWARDS
- ADEC Bill Murphy Barrier Buster Award, 2001
- Exemplary service, A*DEC Distance Education Consortium, 1998
- Professional Staff Award for Excellence - Innovation and Creativity, College of Agricultural, - - - Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, 1996
- State Award of Visionary Leadership, Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Honorary Extension Fraternity, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, 1995
- Outstanding Campus Based Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Association, 1988

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- EDUCAUSE
- Gamma Sigma Delta
- Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Honorary Extension Fraternity
- Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Fraternity
- Agricultural Communications in Education - ace

Principal Investigator/Project Director #2:

Name:	Charles A Shapiro Ph.D.
Email:	cshapiro1@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 584-2803
FAX Number:	(402) 584-2859
Address:	Northeast Research & Extension Center, Haskell Ag. Lab, University of Nebraska
	Concord, NE   68728-2828

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION

PhD. Agronomy University of Nebraska-Lincoln 1982
M.S. Agronomy University of Nebraska-Lincoln 1978
B.S. General Agriculture Cornell University 1974

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1990-Present Associate Professor and Extension Soil Specialist, Northeast Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska
1984-1990 Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Specialist, Northeast Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska
1983-1984 Farm Real Estate Consultant, Department of Food & Agriculture, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1982-1983 Research Scientist, Castle & Cooke, Inc.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Design cropping systems that make effective use of materials used to improve crop nutrition and prevent environmental contamination.

EXTENSION INTERESTS
Promote the effective use of fertilizers, organic amendments and other cultural practices to optimize production and profit without causing contamination to the environment. Collaborate with Natural Resources Districts to provide targeted nutrient management programs designed to reduce nitrate contamination of groundwater.

RECENT ABSTRACTS
Knezevic, S.Z., S.P. Evans, C.A. Shapiro, and J. Lindquist. 2000. Effect of N on critical period of weed control in corn. Abstracts of the 3rd IWSS Meeting, Iguassu Falls, Brazil, 2000.
Shapiro, C.A., S.Z. Knezevic, S.P. Evans, and J.L. Lindquist. 2000. Effect of nitrogen on critical period of weed control in corn. Agron. Abs. P. 294.
Shapiro, C.A., D.R. Speidel, R.K. Koelsch, and M.J. Kucera. 2000. Nutrient management program in Nebraska. Agron. Abs. P. 332.
Benham, B.L., J.M. Blumenthal, R.B. Ferguson, G.W. Hergert, W.L. Kranz, C.A. Shapiro, W.B. Stevens, and C.D. Yonts. 2000. Crop response and nitrogen availability as a function of climate, variable-rate nitrogen application and every- and alternate furrow irrigation. Proceedings of the 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium. Phoenix, AZ.
Echavarria, F.G., C.A. Shapiro, and G.A. Hergert. 1999. Bromide movement under alternate irrigation and fertilization. Agron. Abs. P. 345.
Elmore, R.W., F.W. Roeth, L.A. Nelson, A.R. Martin, R.N. Klein, and C.A. Shapiro. 1999. Yield comparisons of Roundup-Ready and Conventional soybean cultivars. Agron. Abs. P. 109.
Nelson, L.A., D.D. Baltensperger, R.N. Klein, R.W. Elmore, C. Shapiro, and S. Knezevic. 1999. Crop variety and hybrid selection. Agron. Abs. P. 109.
Shapiro, C.A., J.M. Blumenthal, B.L. Benham, R.B. Ferguson, G.W. Hergert, W.L. Kranz, W.B. Stevens, C.D. Yonts. 1999. Site specific nitrogen and irrigation management across Nebraska agro-ecozones. Agron. Abs. P. 318.

REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Elmore, R.W., F.W. Roeth, L.A. Nelson, C.A. Shapiro, R.N. Klein, S.Z. Knezevic, and A. Martin. 2001. Glyphosate resistant soybean cultivar yields compared to sister lines. Agron. J. 93:408-412.
Elmore, R.W., F.W. Roeth, R.N. Klein, S.Z. Knezevic, A. Martin, L.A. Nelson, and C.A. Shapiro, 2001. Glyphosate-resistant soybean cultivar response to glyphosate. Agron. J. 93:404-407.
Shapiro, C.A., D.L. Holshouser, W.L. Kranz, D.P. Shelton, J.F. Witkowski, K.J. Jarvi, G.W. Echtenkamp, L.A. Lunz, R.D. Frerichs, R.L. Brentlinger, M.A. Lubberstedt, M. McVey McCluskey, and W.W. Stroup. 2001. Tillage and management alternatives for returning Conservation Reserve Program land to crops. Agron. J. (In press.)
Yamoah, C.F., D.T. Walters, C.A. Shapiro, C.A. Francis, and M.J. Hayes. 2000. Standardized precipitation index and nitrogen rate effects on yields and risk distribution of maize. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment. 80:113-120.
Shapiro, C.A. 1999. Using a chlorophyll meter to manage nitrogen applications to corn with high nitrate irrigation water. Comm. Soil Sci. And Plant Analysis. Vol. 30:(7):1037-1049.
Zerkoune, M.A., C.A. Shapiro and L. Post. 1998. A simple multisampler for hydraulic soil probes. Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. J. 62:1343-1245.
Weber, R.W., R.D. Grisso, C.A. Shapiro, W.C. Kranz, and J.L. Schinstock. 1995. Anhydrous ammonia application errors. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 11(2):211-217.
Brown, R.E., G.E. Varvel, and C.A. Shapiro. 1993. Residual effects of interseeded hairy vetch on soil nitrate-nitrogen levels. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 57:121-124.
Frerichs, R., R.L. Brentlinger, C.A. Shapiro, and R.S. Moomaw. 1993. One-Row machine for the harvest of corn stover. Agron. J. 85:1095-96.
Weber, R.W., R.D. Grisso, W.L. Kranz, C.A. Shapiro, and J.L. Schinstock. 1993. Instrumenting a nurse tank for monitoring anhydrous ammonia application. Comp. & Elec. in Ag. 9:133-142.

Principal Investigator/Project Director #3:

Name:	Patrick E Reece Ph.D.
Email:	preece@unlnotes.unl.edu
Phone Number:	(308) 632-1242
FAX Number:	(308) 632-1365
Address:	Panhandle Research & Extension Center, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 4502 Avenue I
	Scottsbluff, NE   69361-4939

Curriculum Vitae:

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION
Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, Range Management, B.S. 1972
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, Rangeland Ecology, M.S. 1975
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, Rangeland Ecology, Ph.D. 1978

APPOINTMENTS
2001 – present, Professor, Depart. of Agronomy & Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
1987 – 2001, Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1978 – 1987, Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

PUBLICATIONS (most closely related to the project)
Reece, P.E., J.S. Nixon, L.E. Moser, and S.S. Waller. Seasonal dynamics of prairie sandreed rhizome development. J. Range Manage. Accepted. 2001.
Reece, P.E., J.D. Volesky, and W.H. Schacht. Cover for wildlife after summer grazing on Sandhills rangeland. J. Range Manage. 54:126-131. 2001.
Hendrickson, J.R., L.E. Moser, and P.E. Reece. Tiller recruitment patterns and biennial tiller production in prairie sandreed. J. Range Manage. 53:537-543. 2000.
Reece, P.E., T.L. Holman, and K.J. Moore. Late-summer forage on prairie sandreed dominated rangeland after spring defoliation. J. Range Manage. 52:228-234. 1999.
Miller-Goodman, M.S., L.E. Moser, S.S. Waller, J.E. Brummer, and P.E. Reece. Canopy analysis as a technique to characterize defoliation intensity on Sandhills range. J. Range Manage. 52:357-362. 1999.
Cullan, A.P., P.E. Reece, and W.H. Schacht. Early-summer grazing effects on defoliation and tiller demography of prairie sandreed. J. Range Manage. 52:447-453. 1999.
Volesky, J.D., W.H. Schacht, and P.E. Reece. Leaf area index, visual obstruction, and standing crop relationships on Nebraska Sandhills rangeland. J. Range Manage. 52:494-499. 1999.
Reece, P.E., J.E. Brummer, R.K. Engel, B.K. Northup, and J.T. Nichols. 1996. Total organic reserves in prairie sandreed and sand bluestem after four years of grazing treatments. J. Range Manage. 49:112-116. 1996.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Norton, N.A., R.T. Clark, P.E. Reece, and K.M. Eskridge. Incorporating the quality of hay into the optimal choice of fertilization and harvest date: A method and application. J. Prod. Agric. 10:551-557. 1997.
Vogel, K.P., P.E. Reece, and J.T. Nichols. Genotype and genotype x environment interaction effects on forage yield and quality of intermediate wheatgrass in swards. Crop Sci. 33:37-41. 1993

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES
- Developed and annually conduct the Nebraska Ranch Practicum with a small multi-disciplinary team to empower participants with monitoring and decision making skills needed to efficiently manage plant and animal cycles. The 7-day practicum emphasizes hands-on-training at GSL during June to January.
- Working with animal scientists, economists, entomologists, wildlife biologists, and other range and forage scientists providing a year-round ecological and livestock data base needed to develop decision support systems for managing sandhills ecosystems.
- Organized and presented a series of satellite classes with a forage plant physiologist and an animal scientist on the integration of plant physiology, grassland ecology, and livestock production to sites throughout the Great Plains.
- Organized a multi-state team of faculty and practitioners and published "Drought management on range and pastureland: A handbook for Nebraska and South Dakota".

COLLABORATORS
Don Adams , University of Nebraska
Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska
Tala Awada, University of Nebraska
Joe Brummer, Colorado State University
John Campbell, University of Nebraska
Richard Clark, University of Nebraska
Andrew Cullan, City of Fort Collins, CO
Kent Eskridge, University of Nebraska
Gary Hein, University of Nebraska
John Hendrickson, USDA, ARS, Mandan, ND
Tom Holman, University of Nebraska
Randy Lawson, Chadron State College
Mary Miller-Goodman, Auburn University
Kenneth Moore, Iowa State University
Lowell Moser, University of Nebraska
Jenny Nixon, University of Nebraska
Jim Nichols, University of Nebraska
Brian Northup, USDA, ARS, Stillwater, OK
Nancy Norton, University of Nebraska
Walter Schacht, University of Nebraska
Alan Steuter, The Nature Conservancy
Jerry Volesky, University of Nebraska
Steve Waller, University of Nebraska

GRADUATE ADVISORS
Larry Rittenhouse, Colorado State University
Charles Bonham, Colorado State University

THESIS ADVISOR
I currently advise 2 graduate students and have graduated 2 other graduate students during the past five years. Andrew Cullan (City of Fort Collins); Jenny Nixon (University of Nebraska)

Principal Investigator/Project Director #4:

Name:	Dennis L McCallister Ph.D.
Email:	dmccallister2@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-6312
FAX Number:	(402) 472-7904
Address:	109 Keim Hall, EC 0915
	Lincoln, NE   68583-0915

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., Soil Science (1981), Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
M.S., Soil Science (1977), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
B.S., Chemistry (1972), University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana

ACADEMIC RANK:
Associate Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1988-present
Appointment: College 60%, Station 40% (5/87-present)

Teaching includes Soil Resources (SOIL/AGRO 153), Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy (SOIL/AGRO 455-855), Soil Chemical Analysis (SOIL/AGRO 457-857), and Soil Physical Chemistry (AGRO 958). All courses make extensive use of active learning approaches. Research areas include: accumulation and qualitative aspects of soil organic matter as affected by management; and chemistry of biological materials (sludges and manures) in soils, particularly phosphorus cycling and availability.

Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1980-1988
Appointment: College 70%, Station 30% (through 5/87) Tenure, 1986

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

American Society of Agronomy
Soil Science Society of America
Clay Minerals Society
National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
Sigma Xi
Gamma Sigma Delta

AWARDS AND HONORS IN TEACHING:

National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Fellow,1989
UNL Recognition Award for Contributions to Students, 1990, 1991, 1992
E.B. Knight NACTA Journal Award, 1993
Nominee, Association of Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (ASUN) Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, 1996
Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award, 1997
UNL Distinguished Teaching Award, 1998

PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE:
Department:
Soil and Water Sciences Panel Chair
Member, Teaching Committee
Co-chair, Scholarship Committee
Contact person, high school student recruiting visits

CASNR:
Member and Chair, Natural Resources Advisory Committee
Member, Teaching Community
National:
Council of Soil Science Examiners (oversight group for development and administration of Soil Science professional examination).
Chair, American Society of Agronomy div. A-1a (Student Activities). Term from 11/97 through 11/99.

PUBLICATIONS:

McCallister, Dennis L., and Terry J. Logan. 1978. Phosphate adsorption-desorption characteristics of soils and bottom sediments in the Maumee River Basin of Ohio. J. Environ. Qual. 7:87-92.

McCallister, D. L. 1986. Microwave drying of clays for X-ray diffraction analysis. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 50:807-809.

Skopp, J., and D. McCallister. 1986. Chemical kinetics from a thin disc flow system: Theory. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 50:617-623.

McCallister, D. L. 1987. Distribution and extractability of K in size fractions of sandy, feldspathic soils. Soil Science. 144:274-280.

McCallister, D. L., C. A. Shapiro, W. R. Raun, F. N. Anderson, G. W. Rehm, O. P. Englestad, M. P. Russelle, and R. A. Olson. 1987. Rate of phosphorus and potassium buildup/decline with fertilization for corn and wheat on Nebraska Mollisols. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 51:1646-1652.

McCallister, D. L., R. A. Wiese, and N. J. Soleman. 1989. Effect of potassium salts on alleviation of lime-induced chlorosis in soybeans. J. Pl. Nutr. 12:1153-1174.

Seybold, C. A., and D. L. McCallister. 1990. Plant growth response to applied K on coarse-textured feldspathic soils. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 21:531-545.

Sorensen, R.C., J.P. Lunde, B.K. Dierberger, and D.L. McCallister. 1992. Cooperative learning in an introductory course. NACTA J. XXXVI (1): 30-34.

Stolpe, N. B., P. J. Shea, D. T. Lewis, and D. L. McCallister. 1992. Chromatographic columns to assess the mobility of synthetic organic compounds. Soil Science. 154:145-150.

Stolpe, N. B., D. L. McCallister, P. J. Shea, D. T. Lewis, and R. Dam. 1993. Mobility of aniline, benzoic acid, and toluene in four soils and correlation with soil properties. Environ. Pollut. 81:287-295.

McCallister, D.L., R.P. Waldren, L.E. Moser, and R.C. Sorensen, 1993. A teacher-initiated course review process. NACTA J. XXXVII (1):25-28.

Mielke, Lloyd N., Bahman Eghball, Dennis L. McCallister, and John W. Doran. 1994. Organic carbon, nitrate, and ammonium distribution in a soil under various tillage methods and crop sequences. J. Soil Water Cons. 49:201-205.

Verstraeten, Ingrid M., D.T. Lewis, D.L. McCallister, Anne Parkhurst, and E.M. Thurman. 1996. Relation of landscape position and irrigation to concentrations of alachlor, atrazine, and selected degradates in regolith in northeastern Nebraska. In. M.T. Meyer and E.M. Thurman (ed.). Herbicide metabolites in surface water and groundwater. American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.

McCallister, D.L., L.A. Jawson, and M.D. Jawson. 1997. Soil temperature and fumigation effects on plant phosphorus uptake and related microbial properties. J. Pl. Nutr. 20:485-497.

Duffy, C.A., D.L. McCallister, and R.R. Renken. 1997. Carbon tetrachloride retention by modern and buried soil A horizons. J. Environ. Qual. 26:1123-1127.

Brian M. Jenks, Fred W. Roeth, Alex R. Martin, and Dennis L. McCallister. 1998. Influence of surface and subsurface soil properties on atrazine sorption and degradation. Weed Science. 46:132-138.

D.L. McCallister and W.L. Chien. 2000. Organic carbon quantity and forms as influenced by tillage and cropping sequence. Comm. Soil Sci. Pl. Anal. 31:465-479

Principal Investigator/Project Director #5:

Name:	Martha Mamo Ph.D.
Email:	mmamo3@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-8493
FAX Number:	(402) 472-7904
Address:	242 Keim Hall, EC 0915
	Lincoln, NE   68583-0915

Curriculum Vitae:

Assistant Professor, Soil Chemistry/Biochemistry
75% Teaching/25% Research
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources
University of Nebraska, Lincoln

EDUCATION:
Ph.D., Soil Chemistry/fertility, Univ. of Minnesota, St Paul (1997)
M.S., Soil Science, Alabama A&M Univ., Normal (1992)
B.S., Chemistry, Alabama A&M Univ.,Normal (1989)

COURSES TAUGHT
AGRO 153 Soil Resources
AGRO 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Mamo, M., J.F. Moncrief, C.J. Rosen, and T.R. Halbach. 2000. The effect of municipal solid waste compost application on soil water and water stress in corn. J. Compost Science and Utilization: 236-246.

Mamo, M., C.J. Rosen, and T.R. Halbach. 1999. Nitrogen availability and leaching from soil amended with Municipal solid waste compost. J. Environ. Qual. 28: 1074-1082.

Mamo, M., J.A.E. Molina, C.J. Rosen, and T.R. Halbach. 1999. Nitrogen and carbon mineralization in soil amended with municipal solid waste compost. Can. J. Soil Sci. 79: 535-542.

Mamo, M., C.J. Rosen, T.R. Halbach, and J.F. Moncrief. 1998. Corn yield, nitrogen uptake, and nitrate leaching in soil amended with municipal solid waste compost. J. Prod. Agr. 11: 469-475.

Mamo, M., T.R. Halbach, and C.J. Rosen. 1998. Utilization of municipal solid waste compost for crop production. University of Minnesota Extension Service Publication. St Paul, MN. FO-7083-D.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Mamo, M., C.J. Rosen, S.C. Gupta, P. Conklin, and U. Singh. 1999. Leaching of nutrients in a sandy soil irrigated with wastewater. American Society of Agronomy National meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 17-22.

Mamo, M., C.J. Rosen, S.C. Gupta, P. Conklin, and U. Singh. 1998. The impact of wastewater winter irrigation on N and P leaching. American Society of Agronomy National meeting, Baltimore, Maryland. October 17-22.

Mamo, M., C.J. Rosen, T.R. Halbach, and J.A. Molina. 1995. Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in soil amended with Municipal Solid Waste Compost. American Society of Agronomy National meeting, St Louis, Missouri. October 29-November 2.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
Certified Associate Professional Soil Scientist (ARCPACS)
National Association of College Teachers in Agriculture (NACTA)
American Society of Agronomy
Soil Science Society of America
Sigma Xi Professional Society

FUNDED TEACHING PROPOSAL
M. Mamo, T. Kettler, D. Namuth, and D. McCallister. 2001. Creation of Interactive Computer Learning Modules for Soil Science Education. Teaching Learning Round Table ($4,725).

Rosen, C.J. and M. Mamo. 1998. Nitrogen mineralization of sugarbeet processing by-products. American Crystal Sugar Co. and Wenck Associates ($15,600)

Rosen, C.J, and M. Mamo. 1998. Nitrogen mineralization of sugarbeet processing by-products. Southern Minnesota Sugarbeet Coop. ($9,600)

Rosen, C.J., J.F. Moncrief, T.R. Halbach, and M. Mamo. 1998. Nitrogen mineralization of biosolids. Seneca Food Inc. ($9,000)

Rosen, C.J., S.C. Gupta, C. C. Sheaffer, M. Mamo, and P. Conklin. 1998. Wastewater irrigation. RDO/Lamb Weston Inc. (Funded $36,800)

Principal Investigator/Project Director #6:

Name:	Walter H Schacht Ph.D.
Email:	wschacht1@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-0205
FAX Number:	(402) 472-7904
Address:	University of Nebraska-Lincoln, PO Box 830915
	Lincoln, NE   68583-0915

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION
Dana College, Blair, Nebraska, Environmental Sciences and Biology, B.S., 1975
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, Agronomy/Range Management, M.S., 1981
Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Range Science, Ph.D., 1987

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1998 - present Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 1994-1998 Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1989-1993 Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture, Angelo State University
1986-1989 Adjunct Research Assistant Professor Department of Range Science, Utah State University

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Grassland ecology and management, drought and defoliation effects on perennial grasses, ingestive behavioral responses of cattle to environmental and management variables, and pasture and rangeland vegetation response to management strategies.

EDUCATION INTERESTS
Teaching resident and distance courses in grazing management, plant-animal interactions, range livestock management, and grazing research methodology. Developing innovative tools and methodology for teaching university courses. Developing and implementing a university major in grazing livestock systems.

PUBLICATIONS (Most closely related to project)
Schacht, W.H., A.J. Smart, and E.M. Mousel. 2001. Using artificial swards to demonstrate plant-grazing animal interactions. J. Nat. Res. Life Sci. Educ. Accepted.
Reece, P.E., J.D. Volesky, and W.H. Schacht. 2001. Cover for wildlife after summer grazing on Sandhills rangeland. J. Range Manage. 54:126-131.
Broweleit, R.C., W.H. Schacht, B.E. Anderson, and A.J. Smart. 2000. Effects of adapting cattle to small paddocks on forage removal and grazing time. J. Range Manage. 53:284-288.
Schacht, W.H., J.D. Volesky, D. Bauer, A.J. Smart, and E. Mousel. 2000. Plant community patterns on upland range in the eastern Sandhills. Prairie Naturalist 32:43-58.
Adams, D.C., M.K. Nielsen, and W.H. Schacht. 2000. Designing and conducting experiments for range beef cows. Proceed. of Am. Soc. of Anim. Sci. Available at: http://www.asas.org/jas/symposia/proceedings/.
Volesky, J.D., W.H. Schacht, and P.E. Reece. 1999. Leaf area index, visual obstruction, and standing crop relationships on Nebraska Sandhills rangeland. J. Range Manage. 52:494-499.
Cullan, A.P., P.E. Reece, and W.H. Schacht. 1999. Early-summer grazing effects on defoliation and tiller demography of prairie sandreed. J. Range Manage. 52:447-453.
Vaughn, D.R., A.D. Watson, L.E. Moser, and W.H. Schacht. 1997. Nebraska range shortcourse: a successful approach to continuing education. Rangelands 18:24-26.

Principal Investigator/Project Director #7:

Name:	Elizabeth A Walter-Shea Ph.D.
Email:	ewalter-shea1@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-1553
FAX Number:	(402) 472-6614
Address:	242 L. W. Chase Hall, School of Natural Resource Sciences, University of Nebraska
	Lincoln, NE   68583-0728

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION:

B.S. - University of Central Arkansas 1978
M.S. - Texas A&M University 1981
Ph.D. - University of Nebraska 1987

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Associate Professor, School of Natural Resource Sciences, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, August 1, 1997 to present.
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Meteorology, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, July 1, 1995 to July 31, 1997.
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Meteorology, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, January 9, 1989 to June 30, 1995Assistant Professor (Special Appointment), Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, April 13, 1987 to January 8, 1989

TEACHING ACTIVITIES:

Supervision of Graduate Student Research
AMET 408/808; Microclimate: The Biological Environment, (team-taught) (Undergraduate/Graduate)
AMET 908; Solar Radiation Interactions at the Earths Surface, (Graduate)

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:

Relationships between remotely-sensed spectral properties of vegetated surfaces and biophysical properties; ultraviolet radiation interactions in a vegetative canopy.
Occasional Reviewer for Agronomy Journal, Remote Sensing of Environment, NASA Research Projects, NASA Research Proposals, UNL Agricultural Research Division Research Projects

RESEARCH GRANTS (past 5 years):

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1993-1996. $350,000. Radiation and Gas Exchange of Canopy Elements in a Boreal Forest, NOAA Climate and Global Change Program. Co-Investigator.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 1994-1996. $7,329. Laboratory Equipment for the BOREAS Southern Study Area. Principal Investigator.
University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division Interdisciplinary Research Grant. 1996-1998. $39,800. Ultraviolet Dosimetry in Crop Canopies. Co-Investigator.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 1996-1998. $60,800. Radiation and Gas Exchange of Understory Species at BOREAS. Co-Investigator.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 1997-1999. $1,066,878 (@ UNL $185,146). Analysis of the effect of changing climate variability on crop production in the southeast: an integration of stochastic modeling, regional climate modeling, crop modeling and remote sensing techniques. Co-Investigator.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 1997. $30,000 (@ UNL $6500). Determining vegetation structural parameters amenable to remote sensing and ecological modeling of Complex 3-D surfaces. Co-Investigator.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration EOS Validation Program. 1998-2001. $505,000. Characterization and improvement of EOS land products using measurements at AmeriFlux grassland and wheat sites in the ARM/CART region. Principal-Investigator.
Department of Energy - EPSCoR. 2000-2002. $840,000. Carbon Sequestration and Global Climate Change. Co-Investigator

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

Member, American Meteorological Society
Member, American Society of Agronomy
Member, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (Associate Member)
Ecological Society of AmericaGamma Sigma Delta
Graduate Faculty Fellow, University of Nebraska

PUBLICATIONS (past 5 years):

Walter-Shea, E.A., J.L. Privette, D. Cornell, M.A. Mesarch and C.J. Hays. 1997. Relations between directional spectral vegetation indices and leaf area and absorbed radiation in alfalfa. Remote Sensing of Environment 61(1):162-177.
Walter-Shea, E.A., B.L. Blad, M.A. Mesarch, C.J. Hays, D.W. Deering and T.F. Eck. 1998. Absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and sun-view geometry effects on remote sensing relationships, Remote Sensing Reviews 17:89-102.
Middleton, E.M., E.A. Walter-Shea, M. A. Mesarch, S.S. Chan and R.J. Rusin. 1998.Optical Properties of Canopy Elements in Black Spruce, Jack Pine and Aspen Stands at BOREAS Sites in Saskatchewan, Canada, Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing 24:169-186.
Privette, J.L., G.P. Asner, J. Conel, K.F. Huemmrich, R. Olson, A. Rango, A.F. Rahman, K. Thome and E.A. Walter-Shea. 2000. The EOS Prototype Validation Exercise (PROVE) at the Jornada: Overview and lessons learned, Remote Sensing of Environment 74:1-12.
Weiss, A., T.J. Arkebauer and E.A. Walter-Shea. 2001. Predicting albedo in two heliotropic crops Agricultural Systems 68:137-150.

Principal Investigator/Project Director #8:

Name:	Shashi B Verma Ph.D.
Email:	sverma1@unl.edu
Phone Number:	(402) 472-6702
FAX Number:	(402) 472-6614
Address:	243 L. W. Chase Hall, School of Natural Resource Sciences, University of Nebraska
	Lincoln, NE   68583-0728

Curriculum Vitae:

Education:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ranchi University, Ranchi, India, 1965
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 1967
Ph.D. Atmospheric Fluid Dynamics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1971

Experience:
Professor, School of Natural Resource Sciences (formerly, Department of Agricultural Meteorology), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1984-date. Tenured 1981.
Director, Great Plains Regional Center of NIGEC (National Institute for Global Environmental Change), August 1997-date.
Director, Center for Laser-Analytical Studies of Trace Gas Dynamics, July 1996-date. (Co-Director, April 1988-June 1996).
Associate Professor, Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1978-84.
Assistant Professor, Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology and Department of Agricultural
Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1974-78.
Staff Meteorologist, Dames and Moore, San Francisco, California, 1974.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Agricultural Meteorology Section, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1972-74.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 1971-72.

Research activity:
Trace gas fluxes. Micrometeorology. Atmosphere-biosphere interactions. Eddy covariance instrumentation.

Teaching Activity:
NRES 954, Turbulent Transfer in the Atmospheric Surface Layer
NRES 408/808, Microclimate: The Biological Environment

Direction of Graduate Students:
Major Professor & Dissertation Advisor: Twelve Ph.D. and six M.S. completed. One Ph.D. in progress.

Research Grants:
National Science Foundation, Atmospheric Sciences Section. l975-78. $266,000.
National Science Foundation, Division of Atmospheric Sciences. l978-79. $59,600.
U.S.D.A., Science and Education Administration. l979-83. $l06,800.
National Science Foundation, Division of Atmospheric Sciences. l979-83. $279,000.
National Science Foundation, Division of Atmospheric Sciences. 1983-86. $399,300.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center. 1985-86. $40,000.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center. 1986-87. $90,000.
National Science Foundation, Division of Atmospheric Sciences. 1986-90. $391,750.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center. 1987-90. $327,000.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center. 1990-92. $175,995.
National Science Foundation, Atmospheric Chemistry Program. 1990-93. $493,800.
National Institute for Global Environmental Change. 1992-93. $139,110.
National Science Foundation, Atmospheric Chemistry Program. 1993-97. $705,000.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 1994-96. $61,000.
National Institute for Global Environmental Change. 1993-96. $427,467.
National Institute for Global Environmental Change. 1996-99. $504,800.
National Institute for Global Environmental Change. 1999-01. $350,000.National Aeronautics & Space Administration. 1998-01. $505,000.
Department of Energy: EPSCoR. 2000-03. $280,000 per year.
Department of Energy. 2000-03. $300,000 per year.

Five Most Significant Publications:
Suyker, A. E., S. B. Verma and T. J. Arkebauer. 1997. Season-long measurement of carbon dioxide exchange in a boreal fen. J. Geophys. Res. 102:29,021-29,028.
Kim, J., S.B. Verma, and D.P. Billesbach. 1998. Seasonal variation in methane emission from a temperate Phragmites-dominated marsh: effect of growth stage and plant-mediated transport. Global Change Biology 5:433-440.
Shurpali, N. J. and S. B. Verma. 1998. Micrometeorological measurements of methane flux in a Minnesota peatland during two growing seasons. Biogeochem. 40:1-15.
Burba, G.G., S.B. Verma and J. Kim. 1999. A Comparative Study of Surface Energy Fluxes of Three Communities (Phragmites australis, Scirpus acutus and Open Water) in a Prairie Wetland Ecosystem. Wetlands 19:451-457.
Suyker, A.E. and S.B. Verma. 2001. Year-round observations of the net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide in a native tallgrass prairie. Global Change Biology. 7:279-289.
Five Additional Refereed Publications:
Verma, S.B. and N.J. Rosenberg. 1976. Carbon dioxide concentration and flux in a large agricultural region of the Great Plains of North America. J. Geophys. Res. 81:399-405.
Verma, S.B., D.D. Baldocchi, D.E. Anderson, D.R. Matt and R.J. Clement. 1986. Eddy fluxes of CO2, water vapor and sensible heat over a deciduous forest. Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 36:71-91.
Verma, S.B., J. Kim and R.J. Clement. 1992. Momentum, water vapor and carbon dioxide exchange at a centrally located prairie site FIFE. J. Geophys. Res. 97:18,629-18,640.
Verma, S.B., P.J. Sellers, C.L. Walthall, F.G. Hall, J. Kim and S.J. Goetz. 1993. Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance related to reflectance on the canopy scale. Remote Sens. of Environ. 44:103-116.
Verma, S.B., J. Kim, R.J. Clement, N.J. Shurpali and D.P. Billesbach. 1995. Trace gas and energy fluxes: micrometeorological perspectives. pp. 361-376, In: R. Lal, J. Kimble, E. Levine and B.A. Stewart (eds.), Soils and Global Change, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, MI.

Collaborators and Other Affiliations:
Collaborators: Tim Arkebauer, Joseph A. Berry, Kenneth Cassman, Achim Dobermann, Niall Hanan, Johannes Knops, Daniel Walters, Elizabeth Walter-Shea
Thesis Advisor and Post-graduate Scholar Sponsors: Georgi Burba, Andrew Suyker
Graduate and Postdoctoral Advisors:
Dr. Jack E. Cermak, Colorado State UniversityFort Collins, CO
Dr. Norman J. Rosenberg, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Washington, DC

June 25, 2001

Description of the Agricultural Communication Network Project:

1. Project Objectives:

·    To improve agricultural research underlying agricultural telecommunications.

·    Make optimal use of available resources for agricultural extension, resident education, and research by sharing resources between participating institutions.

·    Train students for careers in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, human sciences and the food industries.



Explain how the project relates to the Program Objective(s) and how the Project will contribute to achieving these.

The use of wireless data collection and control technologies, wireless IP services located at the field, and development of Internet2 applications will strengthen agricultural telecommunications, and agricultural research. The project will enhance learning through access to real-time educational modules for use in teaching and extension programs. The agriculture community will 1) benefit from research findings and observations related to important environmental areas, 2) discover new collaboration opportunities among research, teaching and extension, 3) and surface new opportunities in agricultural telecommunications per the testing of wireless technologies and IP networking.

This project is directly associated with the ADEC "Advanced Internet Satellite Extension Project" (AISEP). The University of Nebraska is the lead institution for the AISEP project which is being funded by the National Science Foundation. AISEP will explore 1) use of satellite technology to deliver Internet services and determine compatibility with Internet2 project services and applications, and 2) deployment and integration of distance education applications with centers that have previously been unable to access such technologies. ADEC wishes to "develop and deploy a new generation of applications for research and education that will incorporate the new protocols and technologies being developed for delivery in high-performance network environments." The applications/learning modules will be developed as "open source" products. Consequently, they will be available to other institutions that offer related agriculture and natural resource programs.

The modules will be incorporated in specific undergraduate and graduate courses offered by the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Several modules will be placed in Cooperative Extension programs, as well.

2. Description of Agricultural Communication Network to be Developed or Utilized.

This project will collect data from three University of Nebraska field research projects, transport the data to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using wireless IP technology, and input the data into custom-built "real-time" Internet2 applications/learning modules. The proposed applications/learning modules will help learners better understand research and related concepts and processes.

The three research projects and associated applications/learning modules include:

A. Improved Efficiencies of Nitrogen and Irrigation Management
- Compare calculated predictions of downward water movement in soil with actual measurements
- Use soil temperature and moisture data to predict mineralization of soil organic matter and nitrification of applied anhydrous ammonia. Compare these predictions with on-site measurements

B. Grazing Behavior of Cattle in the Nebraska Sandhills
- Grazing distribution and harvest efficiency
- Grazing research methodology

C. Carbon Sequestration and Global Climate Change
- Microclimatic parameters
- Field level crop water use (evapotranspiration)

This project is associated with the ADEC "Advanced Internet Satellite Extension Project" (AISEP). The University of Nebraska is the lead institution for the AISEP project which is being funded by the National Science Foundation. AISEP will explore 1) use of satellite technology to deliver Internet services and determine compatibility with Internet2 project services and applications, and 2) deployment and integration of distance education applications with centers that have previously been unable to access such technologies. ADEC wishes to "develop and deploy a new generation of applications for research and education that will incorporate the new protocols and technologies being developed for delivery in high-performance network environments."

Technologies being used in each research project include:

A. Improved Efficiencies of Nitrogen and Irrigation Management: field sensors and a digital camera to determine soil and crop properties; a wireless 802.11B network to collect and transmit data from the field; computers to manage data flow, control irrigation and chemigation; and a Tachyon Access Point (TAP) providing Internet2 service via the ADEC wireless network (AISEP).

B. Grazing Behavior of Cattle in the Nebraska Sandhills: VHF/GPS (global positioning) monitoring collar technology with ambient-air temperature and multiple-axis animal activity sensors used to estimate grazing, resting and traveling time; computers to collect and mange data; and a Tachyon Access Point (TAP) providing Internet2 service via the ADEC wireless network (AISEP).

C. Carbon Sequestration and Global Climate Change: environmental field sensors; computers to collect and manage data; and a wireless 802.11B network to collect and transmit data from the field to a T1 land-based Internet service located at the University of Nebraska Research & Development Center near Ithaca, Neb.

The Tachyon Access Point (TAP) includes a small satellite dish (<1 meter) and integrated transmit/receive electronics that send and receive satellite data; a network server consisting of a PC enclosure with a custom satellite modem connected to local LAN equipment via a 10/100BaseT Ethernet interface. The Tachyon network server connects to the satellite dish via a coaxial cable. The ADEC wireless network hub, which provides Internet1 and Internet2 services, is located and managed at Tachyon.Net and the San Diego Supercomputer Center in San Diego, California. This network has been made possible through AISEP with National Science Foundation (NSF) funding.

The Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources (IANR) Distributed Environments for Active Learning Laboratory (DEAL) will build the Internet2 applications using spacial and time variable databases, Java 3D for simulation and presentation, JINI networking technology to communicate among applications, GIS software, and other suitable tools.

It will take up to two years to install field-based IP networking services, conduct initial research and design, develop, evaluate, test, disseminate and assess the applications/learning modules. We believe this project will serve as an example to the land-grant community in how to extend the "edges" of the network to include research projects, how to construct Internet2 applications using real-time data, how to extend new learning opportunities to students and extension clientele and impact the academic community through interesting collaborations among research, extension and teaching faculty. The project addresses time and collaboration issues.

With regard to cost benefit, much of agricultural research is characterized by sampling and observation limitations. The greater the number and frequency of observations/samples in an experiment, the more useful the data and the research becomes. These observations are often expensive to acquire due to the need to collect data over a wider geographic area in order to make regional inferences. A number of tradeoffs are made with the statistical design due to the expense of collecting data from many experiments. Being able to use field-based data collection technologies and the Internet allows in-depth observations in agricultural experiments that once would have been considered impractical or prohibitively expensive. The applications/learning modules will improve the quality of learning by providing students more efficient and effective tools for learning concepts, processes and procedures, while considering the relationships among many research variables. The ability to integrate research, teaching and extension in "real-time" speeds up the flow of information to the classroom and to production agriculture. The benefits to that community during the growing season are worth noting. Another interesting cost/benefit that may prove itself is related to the collaboration among the projects, especially between the "Improved Efficiencies of Nitrogen and Irrigation Management" and "Carbon Sequestration and Global Climate Change" projects. The nature of the research and several of the variables being measured are the same, (water, soil, plants, environment, etc.). This could lead to efficiencies in module development, packaging and integration within the resident courses.

Note: The University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources research, teaching and extension faculty serving as "collaborators" (not Principal Investigators / Project Directors) on this project include: Charles A. Shapiro, Ph.D.; Dennis Lee McCallister, Ph.D.; Martha Mamo, Ph.D.; Patrick E. Reece, Ph.D.; Walter H. Schacht, Ph.D;, Elizabeth Walter-Shea, Ph.D.; and Shashi B. Verma, Ph.D. A vitae for each collaborator has been submitted using the Principal Investigator/Project Director fields contained in this full proposal submission form.

Describe the Cost/Benefit Analysis for purchasing (or leasing) different types of facilities, equipment, components, hardware and software, or other items. (complete only if applicable to your project).

This is a Type 2 project.

3. Agricultural Communication Network Programming:

Agibusiness

Agricultural Communications and Education

Agricultural Economics

Agricultural Engineering/Bioresource Engineering

Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability

Agronomy

Animal Science

Applied Statistics

Entomological Science

Environmental and Natural Resources

Plant Science

Rural Sociology

Veterinary Medicine


Describe the Programming and how it will contribute to achieving the Objective(s):

Following are descriptions of the three research projects and proposed applications/learning modules to be developed.

Improved Efficiencies of Nitrogen and Irrigation Management
Collaborators: Dr. Charles Shapiro, associate professor Agronomy & Horticulture, lead research investigator; Dr. Dennis McCallister, associate professor Agronomy & Horticulture, learning module development; Martha Mamo, assistant professor Agronomy & Horticulture, learning module development

Research Description: Using a combination of 802.11B wireless networking, crop and environmental sensors, dataloggers, and ADEC wireless Internet services located at a research field in northeast Nebraska, Dr. Charles Shapiro will lead a research group whose goal is profitable crop production and preventing contamination of the groundwater with nitrogen. This networked configuration will allow researchers to control equipment in response to soil moisture, irrigation and rainfall quantity, soil temperature, solar radiation, and electrical conductivity. Indications are that advances in nitrogen use efficiency in corn will come from the use of real-time information that will indicate crop need for additional nitrogen. It is unknown whether soil or plant factors will be more useful in decision making. The complicating factor in nitrogen management is that soil organic matter supplies nitrogen (mineralization) to the crop, but the time and extent of nitrogen availability cannot be predicted accurately. Predictive mineralization models are not sufficiently verified to be of use in production. Coarse textured soils necessitate precise water management. Water movement through the soil needs to be monitored, as well as how it interacts with the soil nitrogen supply. The research being conducted compares nitrogen application timing based on predetermined timing schedules to a dynamic application that is triggered when a need is determined by plant indicators. At this time these links are experimental, but in the future, collaboration among consultants, producers and agricultural supply companies could result in more timely and efficient crop production practices.

Learning Module #1: Compare calculated predictions of downward water movement in soil with actual measurements. Actual weather data (rainfall, solar radiation, wind speed, humidity) will be used to calculate potential evapotranspiration. Irrigation quantity will be monitored with soil moisture content at four stations throughout the field. Pump flow rate will be recorded. Calculated soil water extraction will be displayed graphically on a daily basis. Actual soil water extraction also will be shown. Variation from each site will be displayed when requested, as will individual monitoring sites. Predicted leaching will be calculated. The module will allow incomplete data to be shown and users to make calculations that will graph their predictions. Comparisons between the module predictions and the user predictions will be made as numbers are entered. Depending on the place in the process, preplanned questions and comments will give feedback and probe the learner to determine their understanding. Technical areas not understood will trigger small teaching modules to explain the principle. Historical data in the archive will be retrieved as needed to illustrate situations such as extended drought, rainfall after an irrigation event, or extremely hot conditions. Students will learn to predict effect of irrigation on soil moisture, timing of when irrigation is needed to cover the complete field (not just a point), and how to determine if water drains below the rooting depth. Rooting depth will change as the crop grows through the season. In addition, irrigation practices need to take into account the need to finish the season with a partially empty profile to provide water storage for the winter.

Learning Module #1 Use: The module will be used in Soil Resources (SOIL/AGRO 153) in units on erosion, water movement, pollutants in soils. Other use of the learning module or an enhanced version of it may be in Irrigation Systems Management (MSYM/HORT 452/852; WATS 452); and Soil Physics (AGRO/GEOL/NRES 461/861; WATS 461). These two courses use similar data and more intensive soil knowledge to predict water movement. Grid samples from the research site will be used to determine variability of soil moisture and drainage in various areas of the field. Users will be asked to determine an irrigation scheme that is suitable for the variable water holding capacity of soils across the field. Micro climates and theoretical growth differences could be calculated to change evapotranspiration numbers at these locations. Cooperative Extension will use the module in a three-day basic soils school as a lab exercise, and include it in the Soils Home Study and Irrigation Home Study Courses, both of which are available on the Web. The module would bring the power of the Web to what is currently a copy of the paper version.

Learning Module #2: Use soil temperature and moisture data to predict mineralization of soil organic matter and nitrification of applied anhydrous ammonia. Compare these predictions with on-site measurements. Using the soil moisture and climate information from the first module, nitrogen transformations will be predicted using several soil nitrogen dynamic models. Periodic soil testing and electrical conductivity measurements will be available for users to compare predictions to actual nitrate levels. Similar step-by- step calculations will be made, as above, to determine understanding by the user. Areas of strength and weakness will be identified and teaching modules will be presented based on knowledge level. Graphical renditions of soil nitrogen levels will be presented. The distribution of soil nitrogen by organic nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen is important to calculate nitrate leaching.

Learning Module #2 Use: The module will be used in Soil Nutrient Relationships (SOIL/AGRO 366) in units on nutrient efficiency and nutrient movement. Other possible use of the learning module or an enhanced version of it may be in Site-specific Crop Management MSYM/AGRO/AGEN 431. Variability of nitrogen transformations will parallel the variability of soil water content determined in the advanced first module. Changes in soil nitrogen levels will affect leaching of nitrogen and crop nitrogen needs. Advanced modules will challenge the user to think spatially and not consider the field as one point, but a collection of points that can be managed separately. Cooperative Extension will use the module in a three-day basic soils school as a lab exercise, and include it in the Soils Home Study Course which is available on the Web. The module would bring the power of the Web to what is currently a copy of the paper version.

Grazing Behavior of Cattle in the Nebraska Sandhills
Collaborators: Patrick E. Reece, associate professor of Agronomy & Horticulture, lead research investigator; Walter Schacht, associate professor Agronomy & Horticulture, learning module development

Research Description: Land stewardship in the Nebraska Sandhills (north central Nebraska) is excellent to support beef production; however, if global changes reduce the quantity and/or alter the seasonal distribution of forage resources, management paradigms of the past may not be efficient. This project will monitor spatial analysis of cattle grazing behavior over the wide range of landscape and vegetation characteristics that occur at the 5,200-ha University of Nebraska Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL). The project will provide critical information needed for optimizing harvest efficiency, maintaining relatively high levels of plant vigor, and meeting nutritional requirements of livestock. The combination of spatial, plant and animal data will enhance the economic and ecological sustainability of the range livestock industry in the Sandhills and similar ecosystems. VHF/GPS (global positioning) monitoring collar technology, computers, and local ADEC wireless Internet services will combine to collect and transport animal- related information for this project. Collars will be equipped with ambient-air temperature and multiple-axis animal activity sensors used to estimate grazing, resting and traveling time. GPS technology will provide a location resolution of +1 m. This research will run year long and will capture information on seasonal effects of grazing management variables such as grazing systems, stocking density and cumulative grazing pressure.

Learning Module #1: Grazing distribution and harvest efficiency. On rangeland, environmental and management variables influence livestock grazing distribution and the efficiency with which the livestock harvest available forage. Harvest efficiency increases with improved grazing distribution; therefore, grazing distribution is a major factor affecting range livestock production per unit area. Grazing distribution is influenced by such variables as grazing pressure, distance from water, topography, and types and arrangement of plant communities. Managers of range livestock can affect grazing distribution by manipulating such things as pasture conditions (e.g., pasture size and shape) and grazing practices (e.g., stocking rates and intensity of management). Graphical displays will be used to demonstrate to the student the influence of these various factors on grazing distribution at different times of the day and year. The relationships between grazing distribution, harvest efficiency, livestock production, and economic returns will be generated to demonstrate the significance of these variables in directing management decisions and production from grazing land. Students will construct various pasture scenarios and estimate the response, in terms of grazing distribution and harvest efficiency, based on the measured values.

Learning Module #1 Use: The module will be used in Range Management and Improvement (AGRO/RNGE 340) in units on grazing distribution, harvest efficiency, and grazing systems. Students are expected to gain competency in critical thinking and synthesis as related to evaluating forage resources on rangeland, developing appropriate grazing strategies, and making and evaluating management decisions. The module will be used in the laboratory section and provide the students with the opportunity (a) to follow animal grazing response to environmental and management variables and (b) to test animal and production responses to management strategies that they will construct. The module also will be used in Forage Evaluation (ANSC 924/AGRO 940) in lecture and laboratory units focusing on forage plant-grazing animal interactions. These units identify the relationship between individual plant and stand characteristics and ingestive behavior (e.g., intake rate and grazing time) of grazing livestock. In extension, much of what goes on in agriculture today is done by "trial and error" and the selection of management practices assessed by landowners are often influenced by testimonials. Because this project involves real-time viewing of animal responses to controlled conditions, the range livestock industry will be able to view the actual impact of different grazing management variables. We expect to use this module in related extension programs.

Learning Module #2: Grazing research methodology. Grazing research generally is expensive because it requires large inputs of land, infrastructure, animals, labor, and management and it usually involves a long-term commitment because treatment responses develop slowly over years. Developing highly efficient and effective experiment designs and educating new scientists in grazing research design and implementation is critical. Problem identification and hypothesis development will be stressed and related to envi