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Collaboration and Learning: Reflections on Participation in “Empowering Global Futures” International School Social Work Conferences in Essex, UK
Get PDFSchool social work continues to grow and make an impact across global contexts. The authors share their experiences and reflections after participation in the international school social work conference, “Empowering Global Futures: Strategies for School Social Work” held at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford Campus, Essex, UK. The authors highlight speakers, global perspectives, practical applications, and emerging trends. Lastly, the authors make a “call to action” to advocate for increased and intentional efforts to reach across national boundaries to learn from each other and advance the knowledge base needed to address the needs of youth in schools in a global context
Assessment of Nutrient Content of Kansas Grasslands Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program
Get PDFObjective: The objective of this collaborative field study was to evaluate the quality of standing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) forages throughout the year and compare samples collected from different regions across the state.
Study Description: Monthly forage samples (n = 206) were collected from 19 counties in Kansas by Extension personnel. Regions were assigned east or west based on the sample\u27s location. The samples were analyzed based on percent crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, total digestible nutrients, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium (dry matter basis) with precipitation being a random variable. Regions were analyzed based on the nutrient quality for each month.
The Bottom Line: Understanding the nutrient quality of CRP lands that are released for haying or grazing is critical for making informed supplementation and feeding decisions with producers. These data will contribute and add to the existing body of research on the nutrient content of forages for grazing
Post-Weaning Feed Intake and Performance of Bulls Developed in an Automated Feed Intake Management System
Get PDFObjective: Our objectives were to compare expected and observed dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) of beef bull calves fed in an automated feed intake system using modeled nutrient requirement equations.
Study Description: Feed intake and performance data from purebred Angus, Hereford, and Simmental bull calves across three calf crops (birth years 2021 [n = 40], 2022 [n = 37], and 2023 [n = 41]) were utilized for this analysis. Projected DMI and ADG were calculated for each group of bulls by year on an individual basis using the Growing Bull module of the Excel-based Beef Ration and Nutrition Decision Software (BRaNDS) formulation program. These predicted figures were compared to the Insentec intake data and analyzed via SAS.
The Bottom Line: While significant individual variation in intake exists, the BRaNDS program more accurately predicts DMI than ADG for growing bulls. The model consistently underestimated actual ADG, highlighting the need for refinement in predicting growth outcomes, even though its predictions for intake aligned reasonably well with observed values
Individual Sweet Bran Components in High-Forage Rations Fed to Holstein Steers Contribute to Changes in Nutrient Digestibility
Get PDFObjective: The ruminal and total tract digestibility of high-forage diets containing individual components of Sweet Bran (corn germ meal, corn bran, and corn steep liquor) fed to Holstein steers were evaluated.
Study Description: Sweet Bran (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) is a wet corn gluten feed product that consists of a proprietary blend of corn bran, corn germ meal, and corn steep liquor. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the individual components of Sweet Bran on digestion. Twelve cannulated Holstein steers were housed at the Kansas State University Feed Intake Facility with continuous access diets presented in automated feed bunks and were divided into four groups with different diets: 1) Control (no Sweet Bran components); and diets containing 2) corn germ meal (germ); 3) corn bran (bran); or 4) corn steep liquor (steep). The study had four periods, each lasting 23 days. The first 18 days were for diet adaptation, and ruminal, duodenal, and fecal samples were collected from days 19 to 23.
The Bottom Line: Corn steep liquor contributed to greater digestibility percentages, while corn germ meal and corn bran treatments were similar with respect to digestibility of most nutrients
Effects on Stocker Steer Performance While Consuming Essential Oil or Ionophore Minerals
Get PDFObjective: To determine if essential oils produce the same performance for stocker steers as consuming an ionophore.
Study Description: Steers (n = 281 head; 641 ± 10.3 lb) were assigned to one of two mineral treatments and grazed on tallgrass native range on eight pastures. Treatments consisted of the positive control of ionophore (lasalocid at 3.6 lb/ton) and essential oil (garlic oil at 3 lb/ton and essential oil blend at 6 lb/ton) in free-choice mineral. Steers were weighed at the beginning and end of the 92-day grazing period. Pasture biomass production and mineral intake were monitored weekly.
The Bottom Line: Growth performance produced by essential oils in mineral and ionophores are similar when fed to growing stocker steers grazing tallgrass native range
Liebe Schwester \u27Dear Sister\u27: Luise Rinser\u27s Unique Relationship with Her Readers
Get PDFThe life of German author Luise Rinser (1911-2002) spanned almost an entire century. During this time, she witnessed and chronicled two world wars as well as many political and cultural changes in her novels, short stories, essays, and biographical writings. Rinser is a problematic figure as she has retrospectively cleansed and embellished her life story when writing her autobiographical texts. However, the focus of this article is Rinser’s unique relationship to her readers in her autobiographical writing. I argue readers perceived their relationship with the author as a friendship and, even if Rinser did not return that friendship directly, there is a reciprocity between this author and her readers that is rare in the literary world
Cultivating Conversation: Exploring Mentorship Perspectives and Experiences of Agricultural Communications Alumnae
Get PDFThe growth of the agricultural communications field, combined with the predicted increase in young professionals pursuing careers within agriculture, creates a need to explore how to support these professionals. This study sought to explore and describe mentorship perspectives and experiences of alumnae from [UNIVERSITY]’s agricultural communications program. It was framed by social capital theory and data collection consisted of two phases.
First, a prescreening Qualtrics form was distributed via Facebook. Respondents (n = 85) provided demographic data and answered questions related to their involvement, experiences, and the extent to which they received mentorship. A non-probabilistic, purposive sampling approach was then used to select participants eligible to participate in a follow-up interview (n = 71). Ten females from this pool were interviewed to examine their pursuit of mentorship, the nature of their mentoring relationships and experiences, outcomes they received from being mentored, and how they see mentorship being discussed and facilitated.
Findings imply agricultural communications alumnae are being mentored primarily through informal and natural relationships. The structure of their company or organization either positively or negatively affected their ability to receive mentorship. Agricultural communications alumnae are more likely to seek mentors they perceive as similar in terms of life stages, interests, and experiences. To spark further discussion, agricultural communications alumnae recognized a need to continue showcasing the range of mentorship-related opportunities available
An Overview of the Delphi Method’s Origin, Modifications, and Use to Augment Instrument Development and Data Collection: A Research Note
Get PDFThe Delphi method is well-established in agricultural and Extension education. It has been adapted to address specific research needs and is sometimes used in conjunction with other research methods to produce more robust analyses and deeper understandings of phenomena. Developed in the 1950s by the RAND Corporation, the method involves iterative rounds of questionnaires to gather experts’ opinions and reach group consensus regarding an issue or topic. Its key features include anonymity, controlled feedback, and statistical group response, which help mitigate group think. The method\u27s adaptability has led to numerous procedural modifications, such as changes in mode of delivery, number of iterations or data collection rounds, and criteria for reaching consensus. These modifications enhanced its applicability to diverse research contexts. Despite these strengths, issues of accuracy, validity, and reliability may arise due to mistaken applications of the method. This research note aimed to clarify the Delphi method\u27s origin and procedural standards for proper use, its evolution over time, and its service in developing instruments for additional data collection and analysis. By applying the Borich (1980) model to findings derived from a Delphi study, as described in this note, gaps in urban Extension educators’ competencies were not only identified but also prioritized for professional development offerings. This underscores the method\u27s versatility and potential as a foundational step in conducting social science research that prizes the input of experts. Future research should explore other data collection approaches the Delphi method could complement as researchers pursue more robust, reliable, and actionable results
Diversity of Community College Trustees: Expanding Opportunities
Get PDFThe goal of the study was to explore how a diverse community college board might effectively influence the college mission by focusing on the greater impact of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as well as the environment that may result from these policy discussions. The researchers explored if and how the establishment of diverse boards of trustee candidates can influence the number of African American faculty, administrators, and senior leaders who join their colleges, with the eventual goal of influencing student success itself when the environment is determined to be equitable to student and community demographics
Inquiry and Change Work for Equitable Post-Graduation Success: Customized Labor Market Data as a Leadership Tool
Get PDFThis article explores utilizing a post-graduation success lens to help community college leaders frame the challenges of achieving equitable improvement for their students. Specifically, it posits that providing and exploring customized labor market data presented in an accessible format can help institutional leaders provide a “true north” to college change efforts and serve as a departure point for future highly impactful change work. The article makes the case for exploring post-graduation success data as critical for community college leaders and their teams; briefly introduces available tools to engage in such exploration; provides three key data exploration illustrations using real labor market data; and, explores potential avenues for addressing challenges illuminated by the post-graduation success data