News Update
August 15, 2012
Animal Welfare Approved Offers Grants for Farmers to Make Welfare Improvements
Animal Welfare Approved is calling for proposals for its 2012-2013 Good Husbandry Grants. Now in its fifth year, the Good Husbandry Grants program has funded more than one hundred projects across the country to improve farm animal welfare. Certified farmers and those who have submitted an application for AWA certification may apply for up to $5,000 towards projects such as mobile housing, breeding stock and on-farm processing equipment. Slaughter plants working with or seeking to work with AWA farmers are also eligible for funding.
"The grants program gives farmers the creativity to try new ideas without betting the farm, which we think is crucial to our development. We're glad we have the opportunity to support our farmers," says Program Director Andrew Gunther.
The funding priorities for this year's cycle include welfare improvements in the slaughter process, improved genetics, increased outdoor access, and non-lethal predator control. A primary goal of this grant program is to facilitate the growth and success of high-welfare, pasture-based systems.
Gunther explains, "The biggest challenge in agriculture right now is getting animals outside. The science tells us that when farm animals are responsibly managed on open pasture or range, a whole host of challenges inherent in industrial agriculture simply disappear. For instance, the incidence of pathogenic E. coli is much lower in pasture-based systems, and animals are proven to have higher welfare. This ultimately leads to more nutritious, healthier products."
In Siler City, N.C., Okfuskee Farm's 2011-2012 Good Husbandry Grant funded the construction of new huts that have resulted in great improvement for welfare of piglets and sows. Previously, sows were farrowing in the woods and the farm experienced significant losses, but after completion of the huts, the farm reports much higher survival rates. AWA's Good Husbandry Grants program will also continue its focus on welfare improvements in the slaughter process.
"As a birth-through-slaughter program we are aiming to put funding towards new stunning and hoisting equipment, improving the flow of animal movement through the plant, and redesign of the knock to ensure high welfare at slaughter," says AWA Lead Auditor Tim Holmes.
Another 2011-2012 grant awarded to Windy N Ranch in Ellensburg, Wash., funded the purchase of new night shelters for poultry. This has resulted in a reduction in predation and an increase in bird productivity. Additionally, a grant awarded to Sequatchie Cove Farm in Sequatchie, Tenn., has allowed the farm to purchase a breeding Devon bull, which has improved the overall viability of the breed and has allowed the farm to focus on improving the milking aspect of this dual-purpose breed.
AgriLife Extension High Plains Wheat Conference Slated for Aug. 22 in Bovina
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Parmer County will conduct its annual High Plains Wheat Conference from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Aug. 22 in the Bovina E.M.S. building.
"This year's program will deal with wheat-variety selection for our area, and using wheat for forage and grain," said Benji Henderson, AgriLife Extension agent for Parmer County and the program's coordinator.
Henderson and Calvin Trostle, AgriLife Extension agronomist at Lubbock, will be the program speakers.
Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for those with a valid private applicator's license.
Individual registration due at the door is $20 and includes lunch.
For more information contact Henderson at 806-481-3619.
Poison Not the Answer for Problem Raccoons
Like most other wildlife species, Iowa's raccoon population is up following last year's mild winter, but, unfortunately, that translates into more complaints about raccoons getting into everything.
The frustration of homeowners — urban or rural — doing battle with such a clever opponent can give way to declaring all-out war by using a poison mixture to attract and kill the mischievous raccoon.
The problem with poison is it doesn't know who or what to target. It kills everything that ingests it.
"Poison is an indiscriminate killer," said Vince Evelsizer, furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "It can kill pets and other wildlife. And the speed at which the animal dies depends upon the amount of poison ingested so it could be a long, painful, slow death or a relatively quick death."
Evelsizer said there are a number of alternatives an individual can try to eliminate the problem raccoon.
First is to get rid of the attraction, which is likely food. If it's the bird feeder, then move the bird feeder or take it down during the summer. If they're into Fido's food, lock up the pet food or move it inside. Also keep garbage contained in a bin or container.
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Double Whammy: 88% of Texas is Still in Drought
Only about 12% of the state remained drought-free as hot, dry weather patterns of late summer set in, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor and Texas AgriLife Extension Service reports.
Not to mention that it is getting hotter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 15 high-temperature records in Texas were broken on Aug. 13 alone.
All NOAA stations have records going back at least 30 years. At 110°, Brown County, southeast of Abilene, had the highest record-breaking temperature on that day, according to NOAA.
Michigan Agriculture is Hiring, But Finding Workers a Challenge
Michigan's agricultural businesses are hiring, but finding people with the right skills and training to fill the sector's needs is a challenge, according to Agricultural Leaders of Michigan, which is hosting a forum to discuss these issues on Wednesday at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing.
"Globally and nationally, demand for food is expanding at a staggering pace," said Dave Armstrong, president and CEO of Greenstone Farm Credit Services. "If Michigan agriculture is going to keep up with demand, we need the people and skills that will allow the industry to grow. We need to get the message out that there are good-paying jobs in an industry that is on the rise, and we need to find ways to get young people interested in agriculture."
Some of the areas in agriculture where Michigan businesses have the most trouble finding people include crop and soil sciences, agribusiness management, agricultural logistics and transportation, and animal husbandry. Michigan agriculture today is satellite driven, and high-tech jobs like site-specific fertilizer application, soil sampling and process controls in grain elevators are also in high demand.
Speakers at Wednesday's forum include:
- Jamie Clover Adams, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
- State Representative Joel Johnson
- Doug Buhler, interim dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University
- Elizabeth Simmons, dean of Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University
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