On a soil low in available phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), 14 combinations of N and P fertilizer rates and placement were compared for ‘Presto’ winter triticale (× Triticosecale rimpaui Wittm.) forage production and forage quality. Increasing broadcast N rates increased forage yield and crude protein percentage while lowering forage fiber components. Additional P fertilizer banded with the seed increased forage yield, but crude protein percentage declined and fiber concentrations increased with the additional P. The most efficient use of the fertilizer resource was experienced with small incremental levels of N or P both banded with seed. Seed‐banded N at 20 lb/acre produced as much quality forage as when 80 lb of N per acre was broadcast and incorporated. Fertilizing with P at 10 lb/acre banded with the seed produced as much or greater forage as N at 120 lb/acre broadcast and incorporated. Both N and P fertilizer, alone or in combination, can efficiently improve forage yield and quality of ‘Presto’ winter triticale, especially when banded with the seed.

Of 703 suspect K parahaemolyticus isolates from TCBS plates, representing oyster, water, and sediment samples, 319 (45%) were confirmed as V. parahaemolytiqu.The most common reason for suspect colonies to fail confnmation was their ability to grow in trypticase peptone broth with 10% NaCL When 922 confirmed isolates were tested serologically 72 (7.8%) were typable. The most predominant serotype was 05:K17. Of 2218 confirmed isolates from marine sources only 0.18% were Kanagawa positive.

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is a perennial grass capable of producing a large amount of forage for either hay or grazing. Information on harvest frequency and rate of N for bermudagrass production is scarce for southwest Kansas. The objectives of this research were to determine economically and environmentally justified N rates for bermudagrass grown under supplemental irrigation (161-222 mm yr -1 ) and to determine annual harvest frequency. A field study was conducted from 2004 to 2007 near Rolla, KS, with five N rate treatments (0, 168, 336, 672, and 1344 kg N ha -1 ). On five harvest dates per year, biomass yield, feed quality, soil nutrient content, and soil pH were measured. Biomass yield was relatively high in the second, third, and fourth harvest dates out of five harvest dates within a year. In each of these five harvest dates, biomass yield increased with increasing N rates from 0 to 672 kg N ha -1 . A quadratic curve explained 80% of the variation for the relationship between total annual biomass yield of bermudagrass and N rate. The maximum average total annual dry matter production of about 18.5 Mg ha -1 was possible with 900 kg N ha -1 . The economic N rate that confers profit, however, varied from about 120 to 600 kg ha -1 depended on value of bermudagrass forage and variable cost of production. An increase in N rate from 0 to 672 kg N ha -1 also increased protein content and biomass feed quality without adversely affecting soil quality.

Synopsis Water use efficiency of grain crops in Nebraska was increased an average 29% by optimum fertilizer treatment. This enhancement was especially associated with yield increase, and was accompanied by an approximate extra inch of water consumption by the crop. Corn and sorghum evidenced a greater capability for extracting deep subsoil moisture than small grains.

Selecting forage cultivars with consistent production is important to deliver an adequate supply of high quality forage through hay or grazing. Few long‐term comparisons using the same cultivars have been made in the Great Plains to show the variability or stability in small grain forage yield or quality. Annual precipitation can change greatly within the Great Plains, and a relative measures technique was successful in comparing long‐term yield and forage quality of six wheat, rye, and triticale varieties over eight drastically variable years. Yield variation was six times greater and quality variation was two to twenty‐eight times greater from the environment in which forage was grown compared to the variety selected. Relative measures showed that Presto and Trit 1 triticale had the most stable forage quality across years, both with relative crude protein and relative acid detergent fiber standard deviations of 9% and 6% respectively. Trit 1 triticale had the most stable yield across years, with a relative yield standard deviation of 11%. Pika triticale had the greatest relative yield (132% of average) and was above average each year, but had more variation than other varieties with a relative yield standard deviation of 29%. A strength of relative values analysis was the ability to assess stability of forage quality traits over highly variable environments.