A study was conducted using 32 mature 22-kg West African Dwarf Goats to measure the effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on energy and nitrogen metabolism. Sixteen goats were infected intravenously with 14 X 10(6) T. vivax. Sixteen control goats were sham-injected. Digestibility and metabolizability of energy and N balance were measured for each goat. Heat production and energy balances were measured per treatment group from 1 wk before infection to 6 wk after infection. Goats were fed alfalfa pellets (10% above maintenance). Treated goats had a reduced (P less than .05) packed cell volume (38 to 40% before infection vs 20 to 25% 6 wk after infection) and an increased (P less than .05) rectal temperature. Log parasitemia/ml was about 6.0 to 6.2. Parasitized goats showed increased urine creatinine excretion at wk 2 postinfection. After infection, feed intake was reduced (about 15%; P less than .05) and greater variability in intake was noted. Treated and control goats had similar N output and energy output in urine. Metabolizability of energy intake was similar at 42.7 vs 42.1% in treated vs control goats, respectively. Heat production in infected goats was increased by about 15%. Treated goats lost more weight and had a lower N balance than control goats (P less than .05). The calculated maintenance energy requirement for infected goats (464 kJ ME/kg.75) was 25% greater than for control goats (375 kJ ME/kg.75).

Increasing production of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) could contribute to the sustainability of regional agricultural systems. This study in western Washington identified 24 distinct dry bean varieties grown in the region for 20-130 years; varieties originated from diverse geographic areas and were maintained because growers valued the culinary, visual, and agronomic traits as well as history and marketability. Primary barriers to increased production were access to scale-appropriate equipment and drying beans in the field prior to harvest. Locally conserved germplasm may have value in participatory plant breeding projects that recognize the contributions of regional farmers.

The rapid growth and co-option of the local agriculture movement highlights a need to deepen connections to placebased culture. Selection of plant varieties specifically adapted to regional production and end-use is an important component of building a resilient food system. Doing so will facilitate a defetishization of food systems by increasing the cultural connection to production and consumption. Today's dominant model of plant breeding relies on selection for centralized production and end-use, thereby limiting opportunity for regional differentiation. On the other hand, end-user-driven selection of heirloom varieties with strong cultural and culinary significance may limit productivity while failing to promote continued advances in end-use quality. Farmer-based selection may directly reflect local food culture; however, increasing genetic gains may require increased exchange of germplasm, and collaboration with trained plant breeders. Participatory farmer-breeder-chef collaborations are an emerging model for overcoming these limitations and adding the strength of culturally based plant breeding to the alternative food movement. These models of variety selection are examined within the context of small grain and dry bean production in Western Washington.

Craft malting companies are emerging in response to demand from the rapidly growing North American craft brewing industry, and creating a market for malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in production regions considered to be of minor importance for this crop. Growing malting barley in these under‐represented areas, such as western Washington, requires identification of cultivars with suitable agronomic and quality characteristics. Twelve two‐row spring barley cultivars were evaluated for 2 yr at four western Washington locations to assess suitability for craft malt production in the region. Standard North American malting cultivars had lower yield stability than locally adapted feed cultivars. Pre‐harvest sprouting reduced falling number and germination capacity resulting in a high proportion of samples unsuitable for malt quality evaluation. Cultivars with the highest levels of resistance to pre‐harvest sprouting did not meet malt quality standards when malted according to standard micro‐malting methods. However, craft maltsters have more flexibility to alter processing conditions to produce malt from cultivars previously deemed unacceptable for large‐scale malting and brewing. Craft brewer specifications for malt are also different from large‐scale industry. The current work suggests the need to adjust the malting process to work with locally adapted cultivars while expanding regional testing and breeding programs. Demand for barley for craft malt production outside of major production regions is increasing. Standard North American malting barley cultivars are susceptible to preharvest sprouting and foliar pathogens common in nontraditional growing regions such as western Washington. To meet demand for craft breweries the emerging craft malting industry will need to find ways to work with locally adapted cultivars while expanding regional testing and breeding programs.

Thirty-two mature dwarf goats weighing between 16 and 30 kg (22.7 +/- 3.7, SD) were used to study the effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on rectal temperature (RT), feed intake (DMI), and metabolic rate. Sixteen of the goats were infected intravenously with 14 X 10(6) T. vivax each; the 16 others served as controls. Animals were fed at about 1.1 times maintenance. Heat production was measured from 1 wk preinfection to 6 wk postinfection. From data on successive 9-min periods, heat production was calculated per 24-h period and separately for 0700 to 2000 (day period) and for 2000 to 0700 (night period). Rectal temperature was measured twice weekly. Compared with controls, animals infected with T. vivax developed and maintained a 1 degree C higher RT and a higher metabolic rate. After the prepatent period of 5 to 7 d, during which RT remained normal, all infected goats had a period of about 7 d with constant high temperatures. After that initial episode, RT fluctuated. Heat production of infected animals was increased by 15.6 kcal.d-1.kg-.75, or about 16%. This increase in heat production was greater during the night (22 kcal.d-1.kg-.75) than during the day (14 kcal.d-1.kg-.75). After T. vivax infection, large differences in DMI among animals were apparent. In four animals, a clear relation between DMI and RT was noted, but in 12 animals no such relationship was apparent.