News Update
March 23, 2009

Community Sustains Control of Disease-Causing Ticks

Spring is finally here, and with it comes tick season. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are reporting the latest in a series of related studies on the effectiveness of an ARS technology that reduces tick populations.

The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, in its nymphal stage, is the main vector of the pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is a vector of the pathogen that causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Both diseases are serious human health problems in large areas of the United States, including Maryland.

A patented and environmentally friendly device called the “4-Poster” Deer Treatment Bait Station was developed by ARS researchers at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas, including J. Mathews Pound and J. Allen Miller.

As part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Northeast Areawide Tick Control Project, ARS entomologist John Carroll with the Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., led a study in which the 4-Poster technology was applied to reduce populations of these deer-associated ticks.

Tick counts on Gibson Island, Md., showed that the treatment annually achieved at least 77% control of both tick species, compared to pretreatment years. Gibson Island is a private, resident-owned community that purchased 15 4-Poster devices and operated them during the last five years of the nine-year study. Significant control continued in spite of increased deer density and the use of 40% fewer 4-Poster devices after the first four years of the study.

The device consists of four paint rollers that have been impregnated with acaricide, or tick killer. The vertically placed paint rollers flank each corner of a bin containing corn bait. The animal picks up a small but sufficient amount of acaricide that kills ticks when its head, neck and ears rub against the rollers.

The study showed that a community-operated 4-Poster program, when used according to guidelines, can effectively keep tick populations at low levels, according to the researchers.

The study will appear in an upcoming issue of the journal Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases.
ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency of the USDA.

— Release provided by ARS News Service.

Beef tastes great and strengthens state economy

Oklahoma’s cattle operations are dollars on the hoof for the state economy, valued at more than $2 billion annually.

Randy Pirtle, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension director for Washington County, believes it is a fact that state residents should take a moment to consider as National Ag Week activities highlight the importance of agriculture to everyone, everywhere.

“Beef cattle production represents the largest single segment of Oklahoma and American agriculture,” he said. “There are more than 800,000 beef producers in the United States. The efficiency of American animal agriculture produces 25% of the world’s beef supply with only 10% of the cattle.”

If 1955 technologies were used to produce beef today, 165 million more acres of land would be needed. But the land-use benefits do not stop there.

“Approximately 85% of U.S. grazing land is unsuitable for producing crops,” Pirtle said. “Grazing animals on this land more than doubles the area that can be used to produce food, and beef is one of the most naturally nutrient-rich foods.”

A 3-ounce (oz.) serving of lean beef contributes nine essential nutrients and 50% of an average adult’s daily protein needs. There are 29 cuts of beef that meet the USDA’s guidelines for lean. Some studies show that fresh beef sold at U.S. retail meat counters has 27% less fat on average than 20 years ago.

“Where food is concerned, everyone wants to get full value for the money,” Pirtle said. “Studies indicate that it takes the average American about 35 days to earn enough disposable income to pay for all the food that is consumed at home and away from home during the entire year.”

By comparison, it takes the average American more than 100 days of earned income to pay all federal, state and local taxes each year.

“Never feel bad about eating lean beef,” Pirtle said. “It’s nutritious, tastes great, can be prepared any number of ways, maximizes land-use efficiency and supports the state economy.”

— Release provided by OSU Extension

Wildlife Management Education Events Scheduled

A series of six meetings in Roberts and Hemphill counties will help producers analyze and evaluate the “big picture” of wildlife before making any management decisions.

“Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management” is a series of educational events and activities designed for producers and landowners in the Texas Panhandle region, as well as eastern Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

“Whether your focus is deer, pronghorn, quail or turkey, this program will offer an opportunity to learn more about factors that influence wildlife populations,” said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension agricultural and natural resources agent in Roberts County.

The meetings will take place in the Miami Community Center or the Hemphill County Exhibition Center, as well as in the field observing and analyzing important land management decisions, Dukes said.

The meetings, all beginning at 9 a.m., will be at the following locations and cover the following topics:

• May 26, Miami center, program introduction, ecological concepts, ecological regions and ecosystem management.
  
• June 30, Hemphill center, weather and climate, identifying and managing important Panhandle plants.
  
• July 28, Miami center, rangeland ecology and management.
  
• Aug. 25, Hemphill center, wetland ecology and management.
  
• Sept. 29, Miami center, analyzing the effects of management decisions.
  
• Oct. 20, Hemphill center, analyzing trends in wildlife populations (deer, pronghorn, turkey and quail).

Preregistration for this event is required, and seating will be limited to the first 30 who register. The registration fee is $75 per person. Ranches sending more than one representative will receive a $25 discount per individual.

The registration fee must be paid by May 12 and sent to Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Roberts County, Box 456, Miami, Texas 79059. Make checks payable to Roberts County.

For more information or to preregister, contact Dukes at 806-868-3191 or bkdukes@ag.tamu.edu or Kyle Barnett, AgriLife Extension agent in Hemphill County, at 806-323-9114, kwbarnett@ag.tamu.edu.

— Release written by Kay Ledbetter, provided by Texas AgriLife Extension.

— compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.