News Update
Oct. 23,2009

Taiwan Reopens to U.S. Bone-in Beef After 6-year Ban

According to a Reuters report, Taiwan will reopen its markets to U.S. bone-in beef, most likely in November, ending a six-year import ban that was in place over fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The Taiwan News reported that Senior Media Affairs Liaison Nefeterius Akeli McPherson of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) expressed welcome to Taiwan’s decision to further open its market to U.S. beef based on scientific evidence and policies that are in line with World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) standards.

2009 AFA Alliance Forum

From Nov. 6-7, young professionals in the agriculture industry will gather to learn through interaction with national industry leaders and discussions with peers at the 2009 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Alliance Forum.

The theme for this year’s Forum is: Cultivating Communication. Uniting Leaders. Professionals in the agriculture and food industry will have an opportunity to examine their roles, gain insight into effective leadership and identify tools for day-to-day use while considering the implications of globalization and environmentalism.

The Forum includes expert panel discussions and sessions covering the latest topics, issues and opportunities in the agriculture industry. Forum programs have also addressed development topics such as building trust in the workplace, unleashing talent, managing people, intergenerational expectations, work-life balance and civic and community leadership.

Additionally, the Forum allows Alliance members to mentor, interact and network with more than 800 students, industry professionals, and community leaders at the AFA Leader in Agriculture Award Dinner held in conjunction with this annual event.

Wet Weather Affecting Fall-born Calves

The prolonged wet weather is causing calf scours to become a problem in fall-born calves, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Scours is a broad, descriptive term referring to diarrhea. It’s not a specific disease with a specific cause, but rather a clinical sign of a disease complex with many possible causes.

“Scours occur when normal movement of water into and out of the digestive tract is disrupted, resulting in water loss and dehydration,” said Tom Troxel, animal science professor for the division. “Loss of body fluids through diarrhea is accompanied by loss of body salts. This fluid and electrolyte loss produces a change in body chemistry that can lead to severe depression in the calf and eventual death.” Troxel said rehydration therapy of scouring calves with water and supplemental electrolytes can help alleviate effects of dehydration and help restore a normal electrolyte balance.

Noninfectious scours are usually caused by changes to the feeding program. While usually not severe enough to cause death, noninfectious scours can weaken the calf and make it more susceptible to infectious scours.

Troxel said infectious scours are the biggest problem and are caused primarily by viruses, bacteria and protozoa. Identifying the infectious agent causing scours is an important part of developing a sound prevention program.

Jeremy Powell, associate animal science professor with the Division, said treatment will vary depending on the cause of the disease, but there is a basic four-step approach that can be followed. When treating calf scours, it’s important to first correct any fluid deficit that exists. Once dehydration status is estimated, oral or intravenous fluids may be used to correct this.

When oral fluids are administered, electrolyte powders can be added in order to correct imbalances. Since young animals have little energy reserves, it is important to replace energy stores with oral or IV fluids containing glucose or dextrose supplements. These supplements help replace electrolytes such as potassium, sodium and chloride that are lost due to diarrhea.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic should be used in any type of infection. Antibiotics only work against bacteria, but if you have a viral infection, antibiotics will prevent a secondary bacterial infection from occurring. In the case of coccidiosis, a sulfa-antibiotic (sulfaquinoxaline, sulfamethazine) or Amprolium should be used because they are effective against these parasites. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian, as he or she will know what diseases may be prevalent in the area. This allows you to be more effective at preventing or treating calf scours in the herd

Colostrum plays a vital role in the newborn’s immune status during the first few months of its life. Colostrum is made up of essential nutrients for the newborn calf, including energy, protein and antibodies. If the calf fails to receive the proper amount of colostrum, it will be more susceptible to the pathogens such as calf scours. In order to ensure the calf receives defensive antibodies against calf scours from colostrum, the cow should be vaccinated well ahead of calving. To optimize a high level of antibodies against calf scours in the cow’s colostrum, she should be vaccinated about six weeks prior to calving. If a scours vaccine has never been used in a herd, then a booster dose may be required.

For more information about livestock health and care, visit http://www.uaex.edu/. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

— Release by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

High Yield Estimate Provides Mixed Relief for Wet Fields

The fact that U.S. farmers are in the process of harvesting one of the largest corn crops in history, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), gives assurance to global end-users that U.S. farmers will meet all domestic and global demands, U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Ken Hobbie said this week. At the same time, he said international end-users of U.S. corn are concerned about the effect the delayed harvest could have on corn quality.

“Reports of wet conditions throughout the Corn Belt have many customers on edge,” Hobbie said. “We are getting a lot of questions about the potential ramifications this wet October could have on the quality of product our customers receive.”

“So far, the quality is hurt by harvesting so wet, 28% moisture and higher, and running it through the dryer. Test weight drops and huge amounts of fine material is created,” said Tim Burrack, chairman of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, who remains optimistic the weather will improve next month. “If by some miracle November weather turns out to be as good as October was bad, which is what I’m hoping for now, then this issue could diminish.”

Similar reports from farmers throughout the Midwest are being heard by international customers of U.S. grains. “We are not sugar-coating anything,” Hobbie said. “We are being very open and honest with our customers, but we do not want to create unnecessary anxiety. We are assuring our customers U.S. farmers will make it a priority to minimize any quality concerns this year.”

— Release adapted from National Corn Growers Association.

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