News Update

News Update
Oct. 18, 2006

Ohio Wild Bird Samples Undergo Additional Avian Influenza Testing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior (DOI) announced Oct. 14 a detection of H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from apparently healthy wild Northern pintails in Ottawa County, Ohio, that were killed by a hunter. Initial tests confirm that these wild bird samples do not contain the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa. Initial test results indicate the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus, which poses no threat to human health.

The bird samples were collected on Oct. 8 through a partnership between USDA and the Ohio Division of Wildlife as part of an expanded wild bird monitoring program. USDA and DOI are working collaboratively with states to sample wild birds throughout the U.S. for the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). As a result of this expanded testing program, USDA and DOI expect to identify additional cases of common strains of avian influenza in birds, which is not cause for concern.

— release provided by USDA News

Kansas Producers Find Niche in Grass-fed Beef

With growing concerns about obesity problems in our nation, many consumers are looking for healthier alternatives for their diets. Melvin and Joyce Williams, owners of MJ Ranch near Lawrence, Kan., have recognized this demand, and are hoping to fill it with leaner, 100% grass-fed beef.

The Williams’ have recently converted their ranch into a sustainable, rotational-grazing operation. They say they made the change, not only because of the growing demand, but because of the benefits to the environment.

A desire to learn more about the science of grazing led the Williams to apply for a grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE). Their grant funded a study of the effects of rotational grazing, as well as an experiment on sustainable fertilization methods for their hay fields.

Applications for the 2006 NCR-SARE producer grant program are now available. To help producers prepare grant applications, the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops will host two grant-writing workshops. The first will take place on Nov. 3 in Lawrence, and the second will be Nov. 9 in Wichita. Cattlemen interested in these workshops can find more information by visiting www.kansassustainableag.org.

To read this article in full, visit www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2006/grass_fed101606.htm.

— release provided by Kansas State University Research and Extension

BSE Case Found in Russia

Russian authorities have discovered a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the town of Razdolnoye in the Nesterovski region, near the Lithuanian border, according to Meatingplace.com.

According to a news release from the Federal Control Service for Consumer Rights, officials are “taking measures designed to eliminate the source of the disease.”

In July 2005, Moscow confirmed BSE on four farms in Mordovia.