5th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways to the Doctorate Student Research Symposium
November 2-3, 2007
Hosted by Tarleton State University

Abstracts of Student Presentations: Agriculture

PRASHANT AMATYA. "The Economics of Nitrogen Application in Texas Upland Cotton Production."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Mark Yu, Dr. Frank Ewell

Introduction:  Texas is the largest cotton producing state in U.S. and represents 40% by acreage and 30% by production. On an average, it grows 6 million acres and produces 5.6 million bales of cotton annually. The statistics for Texas cotton for last five years reveals the growing trends for acreage, production, and yield. Especially, the productivity and the production have grown by almost 70% and by 113%, respectively. 

Determining the fertilizer-output relationship can provide a means to proper fertilizer management by selecting economically optimal rate of fertilization that has direct implications on crop profitability. Proper nutrient management also leads to minimization of the energy used in manufacturing them and reduces the impact on environmental degradation. However, the construction of agricultural production function is considered to be complex because of the existence of interaction effects among the various inputs and uncontrollable natural exogenous factors.  Development of such models is also important as forecasting the crop production, can act as an instrument for agriculture planner to respond timely for impending shortages, and allow them to be prepared to face the harsh consequences and/or to develop early warning system.

Objectives:  The objectives of this study are: (1) to estimate the maximum potential yield and to find the economically optimal rate of nitrogen fertilization in Texas upland cotton production; (2) to evaluate sensitivity of nitrogen fertilization for the variation of prices of cotton and nitrogen fertilizer; and (3) to derive continuous form of optimal nitrogen application rates based on continuous nitrogen-cotton price ratio.

Data and Methods:
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) website and the Economic Research Service (ERS) website are used to collect data, which include cotton yield, price for upland cotton, price for nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen and other major fertilizers’ application rates, weather, and etc. for last 30 years.

An empirical model will be estimated by running various iterations using SAS GLM procedure based on R2, t-statistics of estimated coefficients and sign of the variables.  The optimal level of nitrogen fertilization is obtained by maximizing the profit function based on current input-output price ratio.  Sensitivity analysis will be performed for various price structures to obtain the optimal fertilization rate and the profit.


WES BANNISTER and MICHAEL WADE. "The Use of Composted Dairy Manure as a Peat Moss Substitute in a Greenhouse Growing Substrate"
Faculty Mentors: Dr. David Kattes, Dr. Barry Lambert, Dr. Don Cawthon

Nutrients contained in animal wastes from dairy operations can leach into surface water and cause algal blooms which lead to fish kills downstream. In Erath County, Texas much of this waste is collected and composted. The finished product is used to as a soil amendment in agriculture and horticulture and to reduce erosion on highway rights-of-way. The purpose of this research was to determine the suitability of using this compost as a substitute for peat moss in greenhouse substrates French marigolds, periwinkles, scarlet sage and cucumbers were grown in five mixes. 1) 100 % compost, 2)50% compost; 25% perlite; 25% vermiculite, 3)50% peat moss; 25% perlite; 25% vermiculite, 4)25% compost; 25% peat moss; 25% perlite; 25% vermiculite, and 5)100% peat moss. 200-cell plug trays were filled with each of these mixes and seeds were germinated. The resulting seedlings were then transplanted into 100mm nursery pots and grown in a greenhouse to marketable size. A panel rated the finished plants on leaf color, height, and stockiness (proportion) then the plants were dried, weighed and analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus levels.
Germination in the 100% compost mix was very poor and the seedlings were stunted compared to those grown in the other mixes so it was excluded from the second part of the study. In the second part of the study plants grown in mixes that included compost had weights, nitrogen levels, and phosphorus levels that were equal to or higher than those grown in mixes that contained no compost. Scarlet sage plants in particular responded to mixes with compost by having greater weights and higher nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The panel evaluations suggest that all of the plants grown in this experiment would have been acceptable in the marketplace. The conclusion of this experiment is that compost is a suitable substitute for peat moss in greenhouse substrates.


LESLIE BECK. "Evaluation of VitaZyme as a Fertilizer Supplement in Increasing Drought Tolerance."
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hennen Cummings

Vitazyme has been tested in all major row crops by several leading universities, and when Vitazyme was used in combination with a complete fertilizer, crop biomass and yield increased significantly compared to non treated control, fertilizer alone, and Vitazyme alone.  The effect of Vitazyme on bermudagrass during establishment and during maintenance was tested in 2005 and 2006 by Tarleton State University.  When using Vitazyme, results showed that Vitazyme at the label rate in combination with a complete fertilizer improved turf quality.  The research showed that when used with a complete fertilizer, Vitazyme increased the color, cover and density of seeded Princess 77 bermudagrass.  The studies also indicated that when compared to the non-treated, Vitazyme at the label rate alone increased the root mass in 2005.  Roots from the Vitazyme treated plots were observed to be surrounded by a “tube” of soil which suggests a support system emanating from the root. Golf course superintendents and managers of athletic fields, sod farms, and commercial and residential properties would benefit from using a growth supplement that improves color, increases density and uniformity, enhances tolerance to stresses like drought, and expedites recovery from traffic injury.  Increasing density will reduce weed pressure and increase uniformity.  Increasing root biomass may allow turf plants to over come various stresses like drought and survive the effects of disease, insect, and weeds.  Increasing the rate of recovery from traffic and drought injury would provide for a better playing surface on an athletic field.

The effect of Vitazyme by itself and in combination with a fertilizer will be assessed using not only visual ratings for color and cover but also using gravimetric measurements of fresh and dry weight of the shoots and dry weight for roots.  Another way to determine the rate of establishment is by using digital images.  The images are analyzed using SigmaScan Pro software to determine the color and density.  These data will be used to determine the extent of injury and recovery from both traffic and drought stresses.  In addition, a Field Scout chlorophyll meter will be used to measure chlorophyll as a quantative measurement for quality.


MAHENDRA DIA. "Spatial Variability of Heavy Metals in the Soils of Erath County, Texas."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Carol Thompson, Dr. Hennen Cummings, Dr. David Weindorf

The presence of heavy metals in soils is a potential threat to plants, animals, humans and the environment.  The soils of Erath County, Texas were examined to determine the spatial variability of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, and Cr) near the major highways (US-281, 376 and I-20) as well as unpaved county roads.  We hypothesize that heavy metals generated from combustion of motor fuel have accumulated near road sides.  However, their persistence in the soil varies with the nature, origin and type of the soil.  The soil samples were collected along both sides of roads at distances of 25, 50 and 100 meters from the edge of the road, and at a depth of 0-6 and 6-12 inches. Anticipated results are that levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr will be highest at the surface and decline with depth and/or distance from the road.  Also, we will look for disproportionate distribution pattern of metal deposition tied to prevailing winds.


TAMMY ETTREDGE. "University Agricultural Communication Curriculum: A Synthesis of Research"
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Bellah

The primary focus of this synthesis of research was to identify previous studies regarding agricultural communication curriculum.  Research deficiencies were also determined to aid in future investigations.  Articles utilized in this study were obtained through a library database search from seven sources and were published between 1972 and 2007.  Studies pertaining to agricultural communication degree program features, student characteristics, and curriculum elements were evaluated.  Research identifying current student, alumni, and agricultural communication professional perceptions were also synthesized.  The majority of previous research utilized researcher developed questionnaires or surveys and was descriptive in design.  In addition, many studies were more than 10 years old, or were regionally confined; therefore, an updated national evaluation of agricultural communication programs and program trends is necessary. The documented demand for a master’s degree program in agricultural communication also implies a variety of research prospects.


ANDREW FOOTE and JEFF BRADY. "Phosphorus Transport in the Dairy Cow."
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barry Lambert

Although phosphorus is one of the most important minerals in bovine nutrition, little is known about its absorption and transport in the bovine digestive tract.  The purpose of this study is to determine which members of the phosphate transporter family are expressed in the dairy cow gastrointestinal tract. Studies using various model systems have shown that phosphorus transport is facilitated by cotransporter proteins. Several potential phosphate transporter genes have been identified in the draft sequence of the bovine genome. These genes may code for proteins that facilitate secondary active transport of phosphorus across the plasma membrane of cells. Tissue and cellular specific expression of these cotransporters is unknown in dairy cattle. Learning about the mechanisms responsible for phosphorus transport could yield clues as to what factors control this process. Understanding of the factors controlling this mechanism could lead to less environmental pollution from food producing animals. Total RNA is extracted from the rumen, abomasum, omasum, proximal, medial, and distal portions of the small intestine, and the large intestine and reverse transcribed into cDNA. qRT-PCR is performed to determine the expression level of the members of the phosphate transporter family. Elucidating the expression of the phosphate transporter gene is the first step in determining factors that control the transport of phosphorus in dairy cattle and exposing ways to optimize these processes.


REBECCA HACKNEY and MELODY MINKLEY. "Effects of Nutrient Source and Harvest Date on Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)"  *Second place award - Agriculture undergraduate student*
Faculty Mentors: Dr. David Kattes, Dr. Jim Muir, Dr. Barry Lambert

This is the first year’s data for a three-year experiment to compare the effects of different nutrient sources on Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) for hay production in the Cross Timbers region of Texas.  Nutrients were supplied by the application of chicken and dairy manure at rates that would provide 56 kg/ha nitrogen (N) and commercial fertilizers at rates to provide N at 337 and 56 kg/ha and a control in which no N was added.  Additional N applications of 56 kg/ha were made after each cutting except for the 337 kg/ha and control plots.  Hay yields ranged from 917.59 kg/ha for the chicken manure plots harvested on June 9, 2007 to 117.24 kg/ha for plots with no N added and harvested on October 5, 2007.  Differences in yield occurred with each nutrient source at different harvest dates.


BEATRIX HAGGARD, STEPHANIE JOHNSON, AMANDA MCWHIRT, and JESSICA MCPHERSON. "High Resolution Soil Survey of Capulin Volcano National Monument"
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Beth Rinard, Dr. David Weindorf

A high resolution soil survey of Capulin Volcano National Monument was conducted in New Mexico, USA, in order to provide a more detailed soil map for the monument. Interest in this project began due to vast differences in vegetative cover between the site and other surrounding cinder cones. Differences in vegetative cover have caused speculation into possible soil differences on Capulin Volcano. The area to be studied was divided into a grid consisting of 114 triangles. Parameters consisting of slope and vegetative cover were taken and a composite soil sample was collected on site. Later pH, electrical conductivity, C:N ratio, essential elements, organic matter, particle size, and color were analyzed. After completion of analysis a more accurate soil description of the monument will be available to better understand vegetative anomalies.


CHRIS HAYNES. "Defining Utilization of the Texas Agricultural Science Record Keeping System"
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kyle McGregor

This study was developed to determine teacher perceptions related to the Texas agricultural science record keeping system, and to determine if there was a relationship between programs that actively educate and encourage their students in the proper use of the agricultural science record keeping system and the benefits, skills, and knowledge a student may expect to receive in other curricular areas. Area coordinators representing the entire state recommended panel members that they felt would best serve the objectives of the study. A modified Delphi approach was utilized to obtain the perceptions of the panel concerning the agricultural science record keeping system, and recommendations were developed to address those findings.


ANGELA LEE and ADRIANNA RIOJAS. "Forage Management Affects Bermudagrass Forage Yield and Nutrition Value."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Barry Lambert, Dr. James Muir

Bermudagrass cultivars (Cynodon dactylon) are common cattle forages in much of the southern USA.  Both Coastal and Tifton 85 bermudagrass are widely used to feed cattle in Texas.  Due to increasing fuel and labor costs, some producers have opted to “stockpile” standing forages for subsequent grazing instead of using traditional hay collection practices.  Little is known concerning the effects of traditional hay cutting versus stockpiling on forage nutritive value with these species.  Two experiments were conducted to measure the effects of stockpiling and traditional hay cutting on forage yield and nutritive value for Tifton 85 and Coastal bermudagrass fertilized only once per season with 93.75 kg N/ha in May.  Experiment one was designed to measure the effects of forage stockpiling and experiment two was designed to measure the effects of traditional hay cutting.  In experiment one, each species was sampled every 14 days but the plot was not mowed after sampling to allow a previously unclipped sample every 14 days.  In experiment two, a sample of each species was harvested every twenty-one days and the plots were mowed following sampling so that only regrowth was sampled in subsequent harvests.  Samples were analyzed for dry matter nitrogen, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber concentrations.  Forage yield (kg/ha) was also calculated.  In experiment one, the species differed for forage yield, nitrogen, and fiber.  In experiment two, nitrogen and neutral detergent fiber differed between the species.  Data is presented from year one of the experiment.  Data collection for year two is ongoing.  Results from this experiment will help forage and beef producers make informed decisions concerning forage management within their production systems.


KIMBERLY LITTLEFIELD and RICHARD WOLFE. "Condensed Tannins Inhibit House Fly Development in Livestock Manure."    *First place award - Agriculture undergraduate student*

Condensed tannins (CT) suppress anthelminthic activity in sheep (Iqbal et al., 2006).  While several studies have shown gastro-intestinal parasite (GIN)interaction with CT, no studies have been conducted looking at their effects on external arthropod populations such as the house fly, Musca Domestica. The impact of CT on house fly larval development in manure was investigated using various plant materials at 1, 3, and 5% CT concentration.  Prairie acacia (Acacia angustissima var. hirta), panicled tick clover (Desmodium paniculatum), and quebracho (Shinopsis balansae) extract were each introduced to achieve the desired CT concentration into beef cattle, dairy, and goat manure samples weighing 100 g each and compared to an untreated control.  A sample of 50 house fly eggs were inoculated into each of the 100 g manure tests.  Total fly emergence, average daily gain, and average fly weight were measured.   No differences were measured in the caprine manure. Prairie acacia (21% CT) had no effect on total fly emergence, average daily gain, and average fly weight in both bovine manures.  Tick clover (5% CT) had a negative effect on all three quantifiable variables in the bovine manures. Quebracho extract (67% CT) reduced total emergence, dairy average fly weight, and average fly daily gain in beef manure.  It appears that condensed tannins from some plant sources have a negative effect on house fly larval development in bovine manures.  These natural compounds could become an environmentally friendly part of fly control programs in dairy and beef operations in the future.  These effects should be further studied to determine practical applications.


PATRICK MCCLELLAN. "Insecticide Resistance in House Flies Populations in Four Dairies."   *Second place award - Agriculture Masters Degree student*
Faculty Mentors: Dr. David Kattes, Dr. Jeffrey Tomberlin

The house fly, Musca domestica, is a major pest in and around dairy cattle operations.  Not only a nuisance, house flies may also serve as vectors of pathogens that are harmful to humans and animals.  House flies will be collected from four Erath and Comanche County dairies from April 2007 until March 2008 and tested for insecticide resistance. A topical bioassay method will used to replicate insecticide exposure.   Tests will be conducted to determine resistance to three select insecticides, which include cyfluthrin, spinosad, and imidacloprid.  In addition to laboratory testing, dairies will be instructed to keep records of insecticide usages and quantities and record any visual effects noticed during the testing time frame.  The results will be reported in the following article.  Patterns of resistance development to the four insecticides and the proposal of future resistance management programs on these four dairies are discussed.


MELODY MINKLEY and REBECCA HACKNEY. "Effects of Nutrient Source and Tillage Practice on Coastal Bermudagrass Hay."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. David Kattes, Dr. Jim Muir

This is the first year’s data for a three-year experiment to compare the effects of different nutrient sources and tillage practices on Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) for hay production in the Cross Timbers region of Texas.  Tillage practices included no tillage, chisel, pasture aerator and disk harrow. Nutrients were supplied to the plots from chicken and dairy manure at rates that would provide 56 kg/ha nitrogen (N) and commercial fertilizers at rates to provide N at 337 and 56 kg/ha and a control plot in which no N was added.  Additional N applications of 56 kg/ha were made after each cutting except for the 337 kg/ha and the control plots.  Hay yields ranged from 735.27 kg/ha for chicken manure following disking to 201.2 kg/ha for plots with no N added following aeration.  Differences in yield occurred with each nutrient source following different physical tillage methods.


RAY NAOH. "Insect Herbivores of Oak Acorns in the Cross Timbers Region of Texas"
Faculty Mentors: Dr. David Kattes, Michael Wade

The objective of this study is to determine what insects and to what extent each species feed on the acorns of oak trees common to the Cross Timbers region of Texas.  Acorns from live oaks (Quercus virginiana), post oaks (Q. stellata) and blackjack oaks (Q. marilandica) will be sampled weekly from September 1 until two weeks after the first freeze.  Ten acorns collected each week will be dissected for the presence of insects and rated for damage.  An additional 10 acorns will be place in individual containers and any insect that emerge will be noted. After two months these acorns will also be dissected for insects and rated for damage.  Another 10 acorns will be collected each week and analyzed for tannin content.


MICHELLE REINHARD and ANDREW FOOTE. "In Situ Disappearance of Coastal Bermudagrass Hay in Goats."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Barry Lambert, Dr. Jim Muir

Cattle grazing forages with crude protein (CP) of 6% or less often need protein supplementation to achieve maximum levels of production.  Because of the selective foraging ability of goats, it is not known if goats consuming low CP forages have a similar need for supplemental protein and/or energy.  The purpose of this study is to determine the digestibility of both low- and high-quality forages with protein and energy supplements in goats.  Four mature ruminally cannulated goats were used in two 4 × 4 Latin square design experiments.  Treatments for both experiments consisted of either casein (0.122% BW), corn starch (0.15% BW), or dextrose (0.15% BW) administered daily into the rumen, compared to a hay-only control.  Goats had ad libitum access to Coastal Bermudagrass (CB) hay (14.0% CP in Experiment 1; 5.8% CP in Experiment 2) and clean drinking water at all times during the experiments.  Each period consisted of 14 days for treatment adaptation followed by 7 days incubation of in situ bags.  In situ hay samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) after 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 hours of ruminal incubation.  In Experiment 1, starch decreased the rate of NDF degradation (P < 0.05) compared to all other treatments and control. Treatments did not affect extent of DM, NDF, or ADF degradation (P > 0.15). Experiment 2 is ongoing and data is not yet available.  Results from these experiments will aid goat producers in choosing supplements to help produce goats economically while maintaining acceptable levels of production.


ADRIANNA RIOJAS, NICHOLE CHERRY and ANGELA LEE. "Effect of Forage Maturity on Total Bovine Tract Phosphorus Availability."   *First place award - Agriculture Masters Degree student*
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Barry Lambert, Dr. James Muir

Excess phosphorous excretion in dairy cattle manure is a major environmental concern for dairy producers in the United States.  Traditionally, manure from concentrated animal confinement operations has been used as fertilizer for farmland; however, the excess phosphorous in dairy manure can accumulate and be displaced into rivers and streams via runoff.  Excessive phosphorous in rivers and streams can lead to eutrophication and algal blooms.  The purpose of these experiments was to determine the effects of feed quality, maturity, and species on total tract phosphorus availability in cattle.  Forage nutritive value decline with maturity, has been well documented.  The connection between forage maturity and the availability of minerals to ruminants, however, is not as clear.  In Experiment One, the mobile nylon bag technique was used to determine phosphorous disappearance in various forages. Ground hay samples were placed in dacron bags and incubated in the rumen for 24 hours.  Following ruminal incubation, half of the bags will be subject to an acidic pepsin wash to simulate abomasal digestion and then incubated in the small intestine.  Total tract phosphorous availability ranged from 84.6 to 94.8%.  These data indicate that significant variation exists between forage species with respect to phosphorus availability.  In Experiment Two (ongoing) the specific effects of maturity (14, 21, 28, and 35 day maturity levels) and nutritive value (NDF:CP ratio) of Tifton-85 bermudagrass, Alfalfa, and Coastal bermudagrass hay are being examined.  Eventual results will aid producers and nutritionists in formulating rations that minimize phosphorous excretion from dairy cattle.


JACK ROSE. "Evaluation of Vitazyme as a Fertilizer Supplement in Bermudagrass."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Hennen Cummings, Dr. Roger Wittie

In combination with a complete fertilizer, Vitazyme has been demonstrated to increase plant biomass and yield in row crops; however, the effects of Vitazyme in turfgrass have not been documented in the literature.  Vitazyme was applied at 13 fl oz/A (0.950 L/ha) and 26 fl oz/A (1.900 L/ha) with and without a complete fertilizer to seeded Princess 77 bermudagrass, established TifSport bermudagrass, established Princess 77 bermudagrass at the Tarleton State Turfgrass Field Laboratory and Greenhouse in Stephenville, TX, and established common bermudagrass in the fairway of Legends Golf Course.  In the seeded trial, Vitazyme in combination with a fertilizer increased quality, percent cover, and density compared to the nontreated; however, the effects were not significantly different from fertilizer alone in both years.  There were also differences noted between the fertilized and non-fertilized treatments for quality in the TifSport and established Princess bermudagrass trials.  Use of Digital Image Analysis did not show as many significant results as expected; however, significant differences among fertilized and non-fertilized treatments were measured.  Significant differences among most treatments, including fertilizer and fertilizer in combination with Vitazyme treatments, were determined using a Field Scout 1000 Chlorophyll Meter, with more significant results found using this instrument than with visual ratings.  In general, Vitazyme in combination with a complete fertilizer increased chlorophyll in TifSport and established Princess 77 bermudagrasses compared to fertilizer alone; however, the trend did not occur in the seeded Princess 77 trials.


JUSTIN STOERNER. "Economic Evaluation of Different Futures and Options Strategies in Cotton Production."
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mark Yu

Introduction: In today’s capital intensive production agriculture system, it is becoming more important for producers to try and ensure profitability from the earliest stages of the production process. To make it in production agriculture today producers must be able to use their hands as well as their minds. Skyrocketing input costs such as the prices of fuel, fertilizer, land, other chemicals, irrigation, and genetically-modified seed has caused farmers and ranchers to become more conscious of the price they receive for the goods they produce. These increased costs combined with very volatile commodity prices require that producers lock in a price through the use of hedging techniques or even better, set a price floor by implementing options in their marketing strategies. Futures and options strategies can be especially helpful in cotton production since cotton farmers face very tight profit margins and are being forced to expand and farm large acreages. Therefore, careful planning as well as accurate cost calculation and control are very important and should be combined with an active marketing plan. Small fluctuations in the price received for these large quantities of cotton can be the difference between realizing a profit and going out of business.

Objective: This study will evaluate the profit levels under different futures and options strategies by using production budgets and historical prices.

Methods and Procedures:  Different types of cotton production data and their budgets from the Texas South Plains will be collected for this research. In conjunction with historical cotton price data, the importance and effectiveness of price protection and hedging techniques will be evaluated.  Some of the advanced strategies which can be utilized by producers to further increase profitability will also be evaluated. These strategies include bull call spreads, bear put spreads, fence spreads, butterflies, straddles, and strangles.

Expected Results:  The research will provide a comparison about the results of different trading strategies for cotton producers.


ROGER TROTTER. "Teaching and Learning Styles of Texas Cooperative Extension Agents."
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Kimberly Bellah, Dr. Kyle McGregor

This study will research the teaching and learning styles of Texas Cooperative Extension agents. The study is based on recommendations from other research for further research to be done using Principles of Adult Learning Scale (Conti, 1978) and Cooperative Extension.
       The Principles of Adult Learning scale (PALS) measures both learning style and teaching style (Spoon, 1996), while no other andragogical instrument seems to accompish both dimensions of measurement. The questions in both in inventories correlate with one other. A pproblem with many of the other learning style or teaching style instruments is that many have not been used to study Cooperative Extension or other adult education populations. PALS has been used extensively to study the teaching styles of Cooperative Extension agents (Seevers, 1991).
      The adult education field is growing. An increasing amount of research in the adult education field support the collaborative teaching-learning mode (Conti, 1978). The Principles of Adult Learning are found in literature on adult education (Conti, 1978). These Principles of Adult Learning are found in Knowles´ seven steps for learning from a problem (Smith, 1982). Knowles´ seven steps to learning are the foundation upon which Conti based his Principles of Adult Learning Scale instrument (Conti, 1978). Other factors that modified the seven steps are the six steps of andragogy (Smith, 1976).
      The purpose of this study is to investigate teaching styles and learning styles of Texas Cooperative Extension agents. This study will use the Principles of Adult Learning Scale as the instrument to measure the degree of practitioner (agent) support of the adult education principles, which are congruent with the colllaborative teaching-learning mode (Conti, 1978).
      The objectives of this study are to:
       1. Describe demographic and psychographic characteristics of Texas Cooperative Extension agents.
       2. Describe teaching styles of Agricultual agents, Family and Consumer sciences agents and 4-H Youth development agents within Texas Cooperative Extension.
       3. Describe learning styles of Agricultural agents, Family and Consumer sciences agents and 4-H Youth development agents within Texas Cooperative Extension.
       4. Compare teaching styles and learning styles of Agricultual agents, Family and Consumer sciences agents and 4-H Youth development agents within Texas Cooperative Extension.
      The questionnaire will be administered by way of World Wide Web. The website that will contain the questionaire is through Tarleton State University. Permission to use Principles of Adult Learning Scale (PALS) was granted by phone and email by the instrument developer, Dr. Gary J. Conti at Oklahoma State University (Appendix A). The PALS instrument measures support for seven factors, which are answered on a modified Likert scale, but results are reported via a raw score (Conti, 1979).
     Based on the results of other studies in other states on Cooperative Extension the reults of this study may reveal that Texas Cooperative Extension agents are teacher centered in their teaching style but learn best in student centered classroom.