News Update
July 24, 2012
Ag Secretary Announces New Efforts to Assist Farmers, Ranchers Affected by Drought
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new flexibility and assistance in the USDA's major conservation programs to get much-needed help to livestock producers as the most widespread drought in seven decades intensifies in the United States. Vilsack also announced plans to encourage crop insurance companies to provide a short grace period for farmers on unpaid insurance premiums, as some farming families can be expected to struggle to make ends meet at the close of the crop year.
"Beginning today, USDA will open opportunities for haying and grazing on lands enrolled in conservation programs while providing additional financial and technical assistance to help landowners through this drought," Vilsack said. "And we will deliver greater peace of mind to farmers dealing with this worsening drought by encouraging crop insurance companies to work with farmers through this challenging period."
For more information and the full release, click here.
Cargill Beef Recalls Ground Beef Linked to Illnesses
Cargill Beef announced a voluntary recall of approximately 29,339 pounds (lb.) of fresh ground beef produced at its Wyalusing, Pa., plant in May on concerns of contamination from Salmonella enteritidis.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered the problem while investigating a multistate outbreak of S. enteritidis involving 33 people from seven states. FSIS was able to link illnesses in five people to the ground beef products made at the Wyalusing facility. Two of the five victims have been hospitalized. The pathogen can effectively be treated with antibiotics, FSIS said.
The ground beef was produced May 25 and sold wholesale and for further processing, according to FSIS. The beef was shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut, Maine and New York. The products under recall are 14-lb. chub packages of "Ground Beef Fine 85/15," packed three chubs to approximate 42-lb. cases, FSIS said. The products bear the establishment number "EST. 9400" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The use-by date has passed and these products are no longer available for retail sale; however, FSIS and Cargill Beef are concerned that some product may be frozen in consumers' freezers, the agency said.
"Foodborne illnesses are unfortunate and we are sorry for anyone who became sick from eating ground beef we may have produced," said John Keating, Cargill Beef president. "Ensuring our beef products are safe is our highest priority, and an investigation is under way to determine the source of Salmonella in the animals we purchased for harvest and any actions necessary to prevent this from recurring."
USDA Expands CRP Emergency Haying and Grazing to 48 Montana Counties
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new flexibility in the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that will provide much-needed help to Montana's drought-affected livestock producers effective immediately, said Bruce Nelson, former FSA administrator who has returned to his position as the state executive director for Montana Farm Service Agency.
"In Montana, the announcement means an additional 27 counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres due to drought bringing the total to 48 Montana counties," Nelson said. "This change allows CRP lands that are not yet classified 'under severe drought' but that are 'abnormally dry' to be used for haying and grazing. Interested producers must sign up with their county FSA office before haying or grazing can occur."
As of July 23, the following 48 out of 56 counties in Montana are authorized for emergency CRP haying and grazing: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux and Yellowstone.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Russell Cross, Texas A&M, Heads New Association
for Animal Science
Russell Cross, head of the department of animal science at Texas A&M University, will lead a national group of university department heads in support of stronger federal investment in animal agricultural research. Cross will serve as president of the newly formed National Association for the Advancement of Animal Science.
The group includes representatives from animal, dairy and poultry science departments from universities across the nation.
"While there have been numerous efforts to address overall funding for agricultural research, there has not been a concerted effort to specifically advocate for funding of the animal sciences," Cross said. "In order to address funding inequities and build support for increasing the federal investment in the animal sciences, bold new steps need to be taken."
The group will serve as a common voice for agricultural researchers, according to a news release from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
For more information about the National Association for the Advancement of Animal Science, contact Cross at hrcross@tamu.edu, Walt Smith at wsmith@lockelord.com or Lowell Randel at Lowell@therandelgroup.com.
State Officials Close Missouri Meat Locker
Officials with the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program announced the agency has suspended custom exempt processing operations at Russellville Locker.
During an inspection, state inspectors found "unsanitary conditions, pest control issues and deficiencies in marketing and labeling. As a result, the custom exempt processing permissions for the facility were suspended," the agency said in a release on its website. "The business' permissions are to remain suspended until the completion of a satisfactory inspection, which will be scheduled at the business owner's request."
Facilities such as Russellville Locker cannot sell meat to the public, according to the agency. Custom exempt processing is done for livestock owners for their own consumption, and all custom exempt packaging is specially marked.
Extension Veterinarians Available to Provide Latest Information about Animal Health Issues
Texas veterinarians, animal owners and livestock producers now have access to a team of experts for up-to-date information about health issues for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, exotic animals and wildlife.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory are now able to support educational programs and subject-matter resource needs with the expertise of three AgriLife Extension veterinarians who work directly with AgriLife Extension county agents, veterinarians, ranchers, farmers and other animal owners.
"They will all work together to develop programs that address current and emerging needs in animal production and management," said Pete Gibbs, associate director for AgriLife Extension.
The team reflects the laboratory's desire to expand education and training in animal health in ways that make better use of the agency's resources, said Tammy Beckham, Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory director.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Some Iowa Farmers Start to Chop Corn
Another hot, dry week without significant precipitation in most areas of the state caused Iowa crop conditions to decline. With deteriorating crop conditions, there have been reports of some farmers starting to chop corn. Applying fungicide was the week's most common field activity.
There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the past week. Topsoil moisture levels declined to 74% very short, 23% short, 3% adequate and 0% surplus. At least 95% of the topsoil moisture is rated short to very short in all of Iowa's districts. Subsoil moisture dropped to 64% very short, 32% short, 4% adequate and 0% surplus.
Ninety-six percent of the corn crop is at or beyond the tasseling stage, ahead of last year's 80% and the five-year average of 72%. Eighty-nine percent of the corn crop is silking, ahead of last year's 63% and the five-year average of 55%. Thirty-six percent of the corn crop has reached the milk stage. Twelve percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage, almost two weeks ahead of normal. Reports show corn has reached the dent stage in all districts except Northwest and Northeast Iowa. Corn condition is reported at 14% very poor, 26% poor, 37% fair, 21% good, and 2% excellent.
For more information and the full release, click here.
FWP, MDOL Announce Environmental Review of Year-Round Bison Tolerance
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) announced that the two agencies will be jointly conducting an environmental review of allowing some bison to inhabit lands adjacent to or near the border of Yellowstone National Park year-round. This scoping notice — the first step in the environmental review process — is intended to solicit public comment regarding the proposal.
The proposed action is an adaptive change to the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) that would allow for year-round bison use in the following portions of the Gallatin National Forest: The Hebgen Basin, the Cabin Creek Recreation and Wildlife Management Unit, the Monument Mountain Unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area, the Upper Gallatin River corridor, and for year-round use by bull bison in the Gardiner Basin.
Some of the issues intended to be addressed include:
- How would the year-round presence of bison affect public safety?
- What are the effects to private landowners in the vicinity of the year-round bison habitats?
- Would the year-round presence of bison provide for additional bison hunting opportunities?
- Would the bison move back into Yellowstone National Park over time without hazing activities?
- Would there be a measureable change in seasonal bison movements if there were year-round habitat available?
- How would the year-round presence of bison affect local livestock operations?
- How would the year-round presence of bison affect other wildlife and habitat?
- What is the likelihood that bison will move beyond the proposed boundaries, what are consequences of these movements, and how will they be mitigated?<
Public meetings on the environmental assessment and decision notice are scheduled for:
- West Yellowstone: Aug. 20, 6-8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn
- Gardiner: Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m. at the Gardiner High School Theatre
For more information and the full release, click here.
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