Animal Systems

GRACIE PULLEY – Pleasant Hope

Gracie studied humidity levels in the incubation of quail eggs. She found that humidity levels between 50% and 55% resulted in the highest hatch rate.

JADEN AND JENSEN DECKER – Centralia

This team of brothers added to their previous research in developing a Class Placing EPD (used in Hereford cattle). This year, they investigated the correlation between that EPD and production traits producers need to have a more efficient and profitable herd. The correlation was beneficial with some traits, such as yearling weight, weaning weight and ribeye area, but unfavorable with some, such as calving ease and marbling.

Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems

CHASON SATTERFIELD & VINCENT CONGER – Rolla

This project studied the effects of common sunscreen ingredients (oxybenzone and octinoxate) on rice seed germination. The seeds that were exposed to these sunscreen ingredients had a reduced germination rate of 33% to only 66 seeds out of 100 germinated.

ELLIE AND GARRET SAMEK – Bolivar

Raptor Rehabs effectiveness was the topic of this research project. Data was compiled to determine the effectiveness of raptor research at the Dickerson Park Zoo. They found the rehabilitation rate back to their natural habitat far exceeded their hypothesis of a 15% finding. This zoo in Springfield, Missouri is very effective with their raptor program.

Food Products and Processing Systems

SARAH AHART – Tuscumbia

Sarah was testing freeze dried fruit powder (cranberry, pumpkin and strawberry) as a stabilizer for non-dairy whipped cream (coconut cream) to replace artificial stabilizers. Although this study involved taste testing, it was determined the coconut cream was stable on its own and tasted better without the addition of dried fruit powder.

ALEA DAWSON & KLOIE RICHARDSON – Pleasant Hope

Who doesn’t love a good ribeye steak?  Alea and Kloie determined optimal rest time to serve the juiciest steak was ten minutes.

LORAINE ARCINIEGAS AND MADDY ALEXANDER – Pleasant Hope

These ladies found that the more moist a particular food was the faster it grew bacteria, which supports food service, processing and consumer handling safety practices. Bacteria started growing in as little as 5 seconds.

Plant Systems

KYRA KEELING AND DARCI ORBIN – Pleasant Hope

In an effort to reduce waste from spoiled fruit such as blackberries, strawberries, bananas or avocadoes, they tried using them in compost. They found banana compost resulted in the greatest growth of the tomato plants while blackberry compost had the highest nutrient readings.

ATHENA WILSON AND JAXSON MARSH – Pleasant Hope

This study of seed treatments for sunflower, cucumber and green bean garden seed showed that soaking the seeds in water compared to a hydrogen peroxide mixture increased germination. The peroxide mixture did decrease the growth of fungi and bacteria.

Power, Structural & Technical Systems

HENRY PATTERSON – Tuscumbia

Traditional chemical inhibitors are expensive, toxic and have negative impacts on the environment. Henry researched the effectiveness of sorghum molasses and walnut hull extract as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors in mild steel and aluminum when in a marine environment. Unfortunately, neither was effective and the study showed that walnut hull extract increased the corrosion rate on the aluminum sample.

ALEXIS PETERMAN AND KAITLYN TRUJILLO – Pleasant Hope

These two young ladies did studies on the best way to store a paint brush while using latex paint. Their findings were that a paint brush stored in a sealed Ziploc inside a refrigerator maintained the paintbrush in the best condition over a short period of time.

LUCY CONGER AND ISABEL MORRIS – Rolla

In their third year as an Agriscience National Finalist, their study of algae control and possible use as a bio-fuel concluded the following: “Overall, while this research identified some possible trends relating copper sulfate treatment and algal lipid levels, such as suggesting its possible application in the biofuel industry and its ability to treat algae blooms, more research is essential to confirming these trends. Research into algae lipid production could lead to greater green energy outputs for fuel companies and a healthier livestock production process for farmers.”

Social Science

BRODY SWINDLER – Carrollton Area Career Center

In his study of feeder cattle market pricing in relation to cattle weight and seasonal trends. Brody’s study, which spanned twenty years of weekly market prices, found that producers could improve profitability by strategically marketing their feeder calves during the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year.

KYLIE McROY AND GRACE TUCKER – Farmington

This study focused on student blood pressure when interacting with dogs as a companion animal or with a lamb as a farm animal. While interaction with the lamb did lower the student’s blood pressure and stress level, the dog as a companion animal was more effective in their study.