RSS 1.0Cooperative Extension Publications
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Arizona Cooperative Extension is an outreach arm of The University of Arizona and the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES). The repository collection includes current and historical Extension publications on these topics: Animal Systems; Consumer Education; Farm Management and Safety; Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; Gardening/Home Horticulture; Insects and Pest Management; Marketing and Retailing; Natural Resources and Environment; Plant Diseases; Plant Production/Crops; Water; and Youth and Family. Current publications are also available from the Cooperative Extension Publications website.
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Contact College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Publications at pubs@cals.arizona.edu.
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Perfiles de Economía Agrícola de los Condados de ArizonaEsta serie de perfiles de condados presenta la producción agrícola, el uso del agua y los datos económicos regionales en un formato estandarizado, integrado y fácil de leer para brindar contexto sobre el papel de la agricultura dentro de las economías estatales y de los condados, así como su papel como administrador de tierras y recursos naturales. Los perfiles están disponibles en Inglés y Español. El Programa de Extensión de Análisis Económico Regional (EREAP, por sus siglas en inglés) lleva a cabo investigaciones aplicadas y análisis económicos que abordan temas de desarrollo económico alrededor de Arizona. Trabajamos para satisfacer las necesidades del sistema de Extensión Cooperativa y de las personas beneficiarias del mismo, tales como personas pertenecientes a las industrias agrícolas y agroindustriales de Arizona, los usuarios y organizaciones relacionadas al uso de recursos naturales, y grupos de economía regional, para proporcionar análisis especializados e información específica.
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ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION & IMPACTS OF ARIZONA’S STATE PARKS (FY2020)This study presents an analysis of the importance of Arizona State Parks to the state’s economy and to the 13 county economies where state parks are located. The study measures two types of economic effects: county economic impacts and state economic contributions. Both measures are rooted in visitor spending. State parks attract visitors, often from outside the local area, that spend money on such things as lodging, meals, and incidental expenditures. This spending is important to local economies, supporting businesses and jobs, and creating additional rounds of spending in the local economy, known as economic multiplier effects. Spending by non-local visitors, attracted to state parks from outside the local area, represents net new money circulating in the local economy, and therefore is considered as an economic impact. This study presents county-level economic impact estimates for all counties in Arizona with state parks. We also consider all (local and non-local) visitor spending in and around state parks in estimating the economic contribution of state parks to Arizona’s economy. An economic contribution analysis presents a snapshot of existing economic activity surrounding a particular industry or attraction; however, it does not differentiate where spending is coming from. In other words, spending by local residents is simply money being recirculated within the local economy and does not generate net new economic activity within the region’s economy. Finally, we present a brief analysis of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on visits to Arizona State Parks to provide context on the level of visits observed during fiscal year 2020.
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Arizona County Agricultural Economy ProfilesThis set of county profiles presents a quick reference for important information on agricultural production, agricultural water use, and the role of agriculture in Arizona's county economies. The profiles synthesize data from a variety of sources, first and foremost the recently released 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, the most comprehensive source of information on county-level agricultural production. County profiles are available in both English and Spanish.
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Foundations of Virtual Fencing: Exploring the Complexities and ChallengesAcross the Western United States, ranchers and land managers rely on thousands of miles of physical wire fencing to manage livestock on extensive rangelands and pastoral systems (Hayter, 1939; Netz, 2004). This type of fence has improved rangeland conditions in many places by allowing the implementation of various grazing systems (Holechek et al., 2011). However, wire fencing can fragment landscape connectivity, pose risks to wildlife, require significant financial investment, and offer little flexibility to implement adaptive management strategies (e.g., adjust pasture size, manipulate grazing distribution, limit potential for over-use, avoid sensitive habitat) within a given pasture (Jakes et al., 2018).
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Identifying and Mitigating Ionophore PoisoningIonophores (e.g. Monensin, Rumensin, etc.) are toxic and can be deadly in equids (horses, donkeys, mules). Livestock, goats, and poultry can get health benefits from ionophores in their feed since they promote growth and act as a natural antibiotic. However, 1/10th of a safe amount for livestock can cause heart damage and death in horses. The feed label will clearly say “medicated”, list the specific ionophore, and warn about toxicity for horses. That is why it is critical to keep feeds separate and clearly labeled in the feed area, and to make sure horses are not sharing pens/feed with livestock receiving the medicated feed. One Oklahoma Ranch lost almost 80 horses (August, 2024) due to human and possibly mechanical error at the feed mill. Learn more about risk mitigation for your horse/livestock operations.
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Animal Disease Traceability Rule Affecting CattleThe Animal Disease Traceability rule has been amended to now require the use of an electronic identification device (EID) tags that can be read both electronically and visually for certain classes of cattle and bison transported across state lines. The new rule will take effect November 5, 2024. Greater animal disease traceability is crucial to maintain commerce and reduce the economic impact on producers and the industry in the case of significant disease outbreak.
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Species Identity and the Effect on GerminationEcological restoration is increasing in importance with the persisting climate crisis. Successful seed-based restoration is challenging in arid systems; this is in part because seedlings are most vulnerable during the transition between seed and seedling. Practitioners may be able to improve restoration outcomes using easily measurable seed characteristics (e.g., size and mass) if these characteristics are related to germination rates. Established research in the field of ecology has found larger seeds tend to have the highest germination percentage in less time, when compared to small or medium sized seeds (Ahirwar, 2015). The ability for greater resource storage and starch access can be attributed to seeds of larger sizes having enhanced germination and growth rates (Ahirwar, 2015). However, the effect of variation in seed characteristics on germination is substantially overlooked in ecological research. Here, we explore if there is a relationship between variation in seed size or seed mass and germination percentage. It will also be determined if the relationship between seed characters and percent germination vary by function groups (i.e., grasses and forbs).
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Considerations for Implementing Artificial Insemination on Arizona Cow-Calf OperationsArtificial Insemination (AI) is an advanced reproductive technology with several potential benefits to a cow-calf producer’s profitability. Arizona producers who implement AI on their operation may increase calf crop value by creating more uniformity and introducing high-quality genetics into their herd. However, there are also factors and costs related to cattle management, facilities, labor, and marketing that producers should consider when deciding to implement AI.
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Foundations of Virtual Fencing: Strategies for Collar ManagementAcross the Western United States, ranchers and land managers rely on thousands of miles of physical wire fencing to manage livestock on extensive rangelands and pastoral systems (Hayter, 1939). This type of fence has improved rangeland condition in many places by allowing the creation of managed grazing systems (Holechek et al., 2011). However, physical fences can fragment landscape connectivity, pose a risk to wildlife, and impose major financial investment on land managers and producers (Jakes et al., 2018).
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Why FDA Approved Medications Matter for Your 4-H AnimalsParticipants in youth livestock competitions learn more than just how to raise and show animals—they also play a role in our food system. It’s important to know which products and medications are allowed for use on livestock because many of these animals enter the human food chain after the show. By understanding and following the rules, youth help ensure that meat and animal products meet strict safety standards. This not only protects public health but also upholds the fairness of the competition, teaches ethics, and shows responsibility in animal care. Learning these guidelines is key to building a safer and more sustainable future for agriculture. Youth who raise livestock projects have the responsibility to make sure their animals’ products are safe and healthy. Exhibitors must follow the same rules and regulations as all livestock producers, even for breeding animals that aren’t being sold. To prevent drug residues from entering the human food chain, only FDA-approved products (like medications or treatments) can be used. When using any product—whether it’s over-the-counter or prescribed by a vet—you must follow the label carefully. The label explains which illnesses can be treated, which species can be treated, how to give the medicine, and how long the withdrawal time is. This guide is here to help you understand the products you can use and how to use them safely. If you’re ever unsure about treating your animal or whether a product is allowed, ask your veterinarian for help.
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Purchasing Chicks for Backyard Flocks – Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you’re considering backyard or hobby poultry-keeping, it’s natural to have a lot of questions about purchasing and raising chicks to be healthy, productive hens. This guide will answer some of the most frequent questions that arise before you buy your first chicks and covers some essential information about general chicken raising needs, acquiring chicks and some key terminology.
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Kurapia – A Low-Water Use Groundcover and Turfgrass AlternativeKurapia is a low-water use creeping groundcover which may be used as an alternative to turfgrass in warm desert regions of Arizona. Kurapia (Lippia nodiflora; synonym Phyla nodiflora) is not a grass and not a clover. Kurapia is a broadleaf plant (eudicot) and a member of the Verbena family. Keen observers may notice Kurapia flowers resemble the flowers of Lantana, which is also a member of this plant family.
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Información de germinación para especies comunes de restauración de ArizonaLa restauración ecológica basada en semillas es un enfoque utilizado para revegetar hábitats dañados y perturbados mediante la dispersión de semillas con la expectativa de que ocurra la germinación y las plantas se establezcan y prosperen. Aunque la restauración puede mejorar la salud y productividad de los paisajes al revitalizar los servicios ecosistémicos tanto directa como indirectamente, lograr una restauración exitosa es difícil de lograr, especialmente en sistemas áridos (Copeland et al., 2018). La germinación es un cuello de botella bien conocido para el crecimiento de las plantas que dificulta una restauración exitosa (James et al., 2011).
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Jardinería con niños en educación preescolar y centros de educación y en aulasLos jardines proporcionan un entorno de aprendizaje práctico para involucrar a los niños pequeños. Si bien requieren cierta planificación y recursos para construir y mantener, incorporar actividades de jardinería en su aula o centro de educación infantil puede ser gratificante para los maestros y niños. A continuación, proporcionamos sugerencias para planificar un jardín, actividades de jardinería y cómo utilizar las actividades de jardinería para promover el aprendizaje y el desarrollo.
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Utilizando plantas nativas para controlar el zacate buffelIntegrar la restauración activa en un plan de tratamiento de especies invasoras mediante la siembra o plantación de especies nativas que puedan suprimir competitivamente a un invasor puede ayudar a mejorar los resultados del manejo de malezas. Esto ocurre porque las plantas nativas pueden tener rasgos (métodos de acceso a recursos) que se superponen con los invasores, restringiendo a estos últimos de aprovechar recursos como la luz y el espacio. Sin embargo, la eficacia de este enfoque suele estar modificada por la disponibilidad de agua. Esto se debe a que las plantas pueden responder a cambios en la disponibilidad de agua modificando rasgos, como la densidad y tamaño de las raíces (biomasa), afectando posteriormente la magnitud en la que pueden competir con los invasores (Potts et al., 2019). Identificar rasgos de especies nativas que sean competitivas contra especies invasoras en sistemas de tierras secas con disponibilidad variable de agua puede ayudar a mejorar los resultados del control de malezas.
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Sobresembrando cespedes de invierno en césped bermudaEn el desierto de baja altitud de Arizona, los céspedes de temporada cálida (césped bermuda, césped zoysia y césped San Agustín) entran en estado de dormancia y típicamente pierden su color verde durante el invierno. La sobresiembra de césped bermuda con un césped de temporada fría proporciona un césped verde durante todo el año. Un césped invernal sobresembrado proporciona un paisaje estético y funcionalmente ofrece un césped recreativo.
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Zonas climáticas de Arizona y su aplicación en el cultivo de plantasLas plantas crecen mejor en climas a los que están más adaptadas. Conocer la zona climática de una ubicación es uno de los factores para cultivar con éxito plantas al aire libre. Mientras que el suelo, el agua y la luz son críticos, las temperaturas bajas o altas pueden limitar el crecimiento de las plantas en una ubicación específica. Arizona es un estado grande que abarca 335 millas de este a oeste y 390 millas de norte a sur, con diversas zonas climáticas. El clima está influenciado por la elevación, que determina las temperaturas altas y bajas, y por la precipitación, que varía en todo el estado. La precipitación varía desde 3 pulgadas anuales en Yuma, en la esquina suroeste de Arizona, hasta más de 30 pulgadas en las áreas montañosas. El clima de Arizona se clasifica como árido o semiárido porque la evapotranspiración, la pérdida combinada de agua del suelo y las plantas en una ubicación, es mayor que la cantidad de lluvia que recibe el área.
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Foundations of Virtual Fencing: Training and Animal WelfareIn Arizona and other western states, ranchers and land managers rely on thousands of miles of permanent wire fencing to manage livestock on extensive rangelands (Hayter 1939; Netz 2004). This type of fencing has improved rangeland conditions in many places by aiding in the application of grazing systems (Holecheck et al. 2011). However, wire fencing can fragment landscape connectivity, pose a risk to wildlife, and is a major financial investment. Moreover, it offers limited flexibility in adjusting pasture size, actively manipulating grazing distribution, or avoiding high-use areas or sensitive habitats within a pasture (Jakes et al. 2018).
