Partnerships across agencies and land ownerships established to maintain wildlife-compatible “working landscapes” are critical for conserving and managing wildlife in the West. Preliminary results from the first three years of a 10-yr study in central Montana demonstrate this management approach. We are evaluating prescribed grazing systems implemented by NRCS’s Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) that are designed to improve hiding cover and food availability for Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) during critical life stages via voluntary, incentive-based modifications of livestock grazing management. Extensive vegetation sampling across 8 SGI-enrolled ranches and 20 non-enrolled ranches in 2013 revealed significant increases in residual grass height, live grass height, and herbaceous vegetation cover on SGI-enrolled lands. In 2011-2013, we monitored adult female sage-grouse and chicks with radiotelemetry to measure vital rates and habitat use. Annual hen survival ranged from 57-74 percent, nest success ranged from 12-61 percent, and chick survival ranged from 9-23 percent. Using an information theoretic approach in program MARK, the top-ranked nest success model showed that grass height was positively correlated with nest success. During late nesting to early brood rearing periods of 2012 and 2013 we used pitfall traps to collected ground-dwelling arthropods from cattle grazed and rest-rotation phase pastures enrolled in the SGI program. Collected arthropods were identified and appropriate specimens were classified as sage grouse chick food items. During both years of study, food item catches were greatest (P < 0.03) in rested versus grazed pastures indicating that strategic pasture rest may increase the availability of sage grouse chick food resources.

Objective —To characterize a 2007 bluetongue disease (BT) epizootic caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 17 in sheep in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Design —Cross-sectional study. Animals —1,359 sheep from ranches in Wyoming and Montana. Procedures —Information on clinical signs and history of BT in sheep was obtained from ranchers and attending veterinarians. At 3 to 6 months after the 2007 BT epizootic, blood samples were collected from rams, ewes, and lambs within and outside the Big Horn Basin; blood samples were also collected from lambs born in the spring of 2008. Sera were tested for anti-BTV antibodies by use of a competitive ELISA to determine the seroprevalence of BTV in sheep and to measure antibody titers. Virus isolation and reverse transcriptase PCR assays were used to determine long-term presence of the infectious virus or viral genetic material in RBCs of sheep. Results —The percentage of sheep seropositive for BTV closely matched morbidity of sheep within flocks, indicating few subclinical infections. Flocks separated by as little as 1 mile had substantial variation in infection rate. Rams were infected at a higher rate than ewes. There was no evidence of BTV successfully overwintering in the area. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —This epizootic appears to be a new intrusion of BTV into a naïve population of sheep previously protected geographically by the mountains surrounding the Big Horn Basin. Rams may have a higher infection rate as a result of increased vector biting opportunity because of the large surface area of the scrotum.

Designing and improving integrated pest management (IPM) programs requires baseline information and clintele-driven needs assessment about key pests. A multi-phased sequence of needs assessment programs included: (a) identification of the key insect, weed, and disease problems, (b) prioritizing identified pest problems and, (c) developing an action plan, was used to develop a cereal grains IPM program in Montana. This process promoted dialog between clientele, researchers, and Extension personnel, allowed identification of barriers to IPM implementation, and involved clientele in the program development process.

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) was detected in Musca autumnalis De Geer after feeding on virus suspensions in bovine albumin or sucrose. Virus was detected for 48 h in flies fed an albumin suspension, with the highest titers recovered in crops (1.0 x 10(4) TCID50/ml) and whole-body (5 x 10(4) TCID50/ml/fly) specimens immediately after feeding; the level of virus declined rapidly thereafter. Virus titers in flies fed sucrose suspensions were 5 x 10(4) TCID50/ml in excised crops and 5 x 10(5) TCID50/ml in whole-body specimens; virus was not detected in flies 72 h after feeding. Four Hereford calves exposed for 4 h to BHV-1 fed flies did not develop any clinical symptoms related to BHV-1 transmission (i.e., elevated temperatures, ocular/nasal discharges, and labored breathing). Serum neutralization and plaque reduction tests did not show antibody production in calves exposed to BHV-1 infected flies. While we demonstrated that face flies retained BHV-1 for a short period of time, it does not appear that M. autumnalis is involved in either the mechanical or biological transmission of BHV-1.

First detection of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), in the United States occurred in March 1986 in the Texas panhandle. Within 3 years, this aphid pest was found in 15 western states and three provinces in Canada. Each year since 1986, Russian wheat aphid has been responsible for millions of dollars in grain loss and insecticide treatment costs (Anonymous 1988, 1989). Physiological responses of the plants to the aphid include chlorotic streaking, rolled leaves, entrapment of developing seedheads, stunting, reduced tiller production, and reduced yields (Hewitt et al. 1984; Johnson et al. 1988; unpublished data).

‘Clark’ Barley was planted 1 May in a summer fallow 300- by 2600-ft strip of clay loam soil with a 10-inch Hoe drill operating at a seeding rate of 60 lb/acre. Di-Syston 15 G (6.7 lb [AI]/acre) was applied at planting to the entire strip, except for 2 untreated plots (100 by 25 ft), which served as the control. Total BWM/linear ft of plants were counted in 2 treated areas and in 10 locations randomly chosen in each untreated plot.

The efficacy of a liquid systemic insecticide to protect winter wheat from grasshoppers was evaluated at the Central Montana Agricultural Research Center, Moccasin, Mont. A 300-ft by 300-ft field was planted 2 Sep in ‘Neeley,’ at 16-18 seeds/ft of row using a 6-shank (7-ft wide) Noble drill. Liquid Furadan was applied in the seed furrow through a microtube injection system mounted directly on the seed drill. Each nozzle on the injection system delivered 1 ml/30 s at 20 psi. The outside 6 rows of the field were divided into plots measuring 7 (6 rows) by 100 ft. Three treatments, Furadan 4 F at 0.375 and 0.5 lb (AI)/acre and an untreated control, were assigned in a completely randomized design to these border plots. Each treatment was replicated 4 times. Furadan was applied to the next 6 rows at 0.5 lb (AI)/acre. The remainder of the field was untreated. Treatment evaluations were based on the number of damaged plants/ft of row at 10 locations randomly chosen within each treated and untreated plot and untreated interior. Counts were transformed by log(x + 1). Numbers shown in the table are actual means.

Banks grass mite (BGM) plots were 2 50-ft swaths ca. 2500 ft in length on a field of corn (Lynks 4355) under center pivot irrigation. Treatments were applied pretassel on 18 Jul. Liquid treatments were applied by a Cessna 188 Husky with a 50-ft wingspan. The 40-ft spray boom was equipped with D-1245 nozzles calibrated to deliver 2 gal water per acre at 28 psi at 120 mph. Granular treatments were applied with a Translander granule spreader with a Translander Finger metering system. Flying speed was 110 mph. Twospotted spider mite (TSM) plots were each ca. 7 acres on a furrow-irrigated corn field (NC + 6190 and Dekalb 699). Treatments were applied posttassel on 4 and 5 Aug. Liquid treatments were applied by a Pawnee PA-25 with a 36-ft wingspan. The 28-ft spray boom had D-8 nozzles calibrated to deliver 2 gal water per acre at 30 psi at 105 mph. Granular treatments were applied with a Piper factory equipped granule spreader with a Duke electric drive metering system. Spider mite infestations were rated 1 to 6 on a per leaf basis. A rating of 1 = 0 mites, 2 = a few mites, 3 = a few colonies, … 6 = leaf densely covered with mites. Apparent % control was determined by the formula given in the table.

In-secticides were tested against grasshoppers at the University of NE-Sandhills Ag Lab (SAL) and the University of NE-Dryland Farm. Test plots at SAL measured 30 m × 12 m and 30 m × 6 m at the Dryland Farm. Treatments were randomized and replicated 3 times. Test one treatments were applied 26 Jun '84 at each location using a tractor-mounted boom sprayer calibrated at 4 mph at 40 psi to deliver ca. 22 gal per acre. Test two treatments were applied 24 Jun '85 at each location through a 3 m boom with adjustable Conejet nozzles (Tip no. 5500) powered by a 12 volt motor driven pump. The sprayer was mounted on a Honda ATC vehicle and calibrated at 30 psi to deliver ca. 17 gal/acre. Grasshopper populations were monitored using a one meter square screened aluminum fram0065c

Corn test plots were each ca. 30 acres grown under center pivot irrigation. Treatments were applied by a Cessna 188 Husky with a 44 ft wingspan. The spray boom was equipped with D-1245 nozzles calibrated to deliver 2 gal water per acre at 28 psi at 120 mph. Test 1 treatments were applied 24 Jul. Test 2 treatments were applied 1 Aug. Efficacy was determined by comparing the no. of plants infested with WBC larvae before treatment to the no. of infested plants after treatment (larvae in the ear tips).

Onion seeds were sown on 18 Apr at the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center Horticulture Plots, North Platte, NE. Transplants were started in the greenhouse from seed on 4 Mar and set in the plots 18 Apr. Onions were irrigated when needed by an overhead sprinkler system. Plots consisted of double rows, 1 seedling and 1 transplant, spaced 18 inches apart and 10 ft in length. The distance between plots was 30 inches. Treatments were applied 18 Jul with a hand-held sprayer at 40 gal/acre at 25 psi. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications per treatment. Evaluations were made by counting the number of adult and nymphal thrips on 2 plants at 5 locations in each replicate. Percent thrips reduction was calculated using the formula presented in the table.

Three adjacent fields of corn (28, 29, and 18 acres) were divided and 0.5 of each was treated aerially with one of 3 miticides, Supracide, Lorsban or Capture, with 0.5 of each treatment applied in 2 gal water and 0.5 applied in 5 gal. Posttassel treatments were applied by a Rockwell Thrush with a 45 ft wingspan. The spray boom was equipped with no. 12 stainless steel tips with a no. 56 core calibrated to deliver 2 or 5 gal water/acre at 25 psi at 105 mph. Spider mite infestations were rated 1 to 6 on a per leaf basis. A rating of 1 = 0 mites, 2 = a few mites, 3 = a few colonies, … 6 = leaf densely covered with mites. Apparent % control was calculated using the formula presented in the table.