News Update
May 1, 2014
Subcommittee Examines
Economic Factors, Regulatory Burdens Plaguing the Livestock Industry
Rep. Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development and Credit, hosted a public hearing April 30, to review the state of the livestock industry. Members heard from two panels of witnesses that ranged from the chief economist of the USDA to an array of experts representing the animal agriculture industry. Together, they highlighted issues, such as regulatory burdens, feed costs, drought, animal disease and trade, that are impacting this sector of the agricultural economy.
“[Yesterday’s] hearing offered our members an opportunity to explore a variety of issues impacting the livestock industry. Our farmers and ranchers have endured a great deal over the past few years from record droughts to higher input costs and the ongoing burden and uncertainty associated with mandatory country-of-origin labeling rules. Combined, all of these issues and others have tightened operating margins, which create challenging business conditions for our producers. I hope we will use what we have learned to work on real and lasting solutions to the problems we discussed,” said Crawford (R-AR).
“In the San Joaquin Valley, our livestock producers are struggling to hold on in the face of a devastating drought, and farm workers who usually have tired hands from working the fields may soon be standing in line at food banks to feed their families. As harmful as this drought is to California livestock, the fact is that the industry nationwide is battling other factors like the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that endanger their bottom lines. [Yesterday’s] hearing gave us the opportunity to highlight the natural, bureaucratic and regulatory challenges facing the industry,” said Ranking Member Jim Costa (D-CA).
Alfalfa Weevil Survived Winter, Larvae
Threaten First-Cutting Hay
“Alfalfa fields face a double hit by weevils this spring. There are more adult weevils than I’ve ever seen,” says Wayne Bailey.
In 29 years of scouting alfalfa fields, the University of Missouri (MU) Extension entomologist has seen lots of weevils. His advice: Scout fields often. “Small weevils are easy to miss,” Bailey says. “A small pocket of them can expand rapidly and do lots of damage.”
There is a problem with alfalfa-weevil control this year. Cold weather lowers the effect of insecticides used to control them. “With ground rigs, apply mixes with 20 gallons of water per acre,” Bailey says. “Ask aerial applicators to apply as much as they can carry.” Some pilots prefer to drop rates to a half-gallon of water per acre. “That won’t give control against this population,” he says.
Bailey isn’t sure why so many adult alfalfa weevils are out laying eggs. He thinks it has to do with the extreme-cold weather last winter. The perception was that below-zero weather kills overwintering adults. “The bugs didn’t read the book,” Bailey adds. “It seems they just dug deep in ground litter and hibernated.”
In normal years, the overwintering population stays active, laying eggs. Not this winter. The winter brood is out now, laying eggs. Those fresh-laid eggs have high survival rates. Winter-laid eggs often die before they can hatch in the spring. The new brood of weevils will be laying eggs for weevils to emerge in May and June. Good control now will reduce that second generation.
The alfalfa faces a big threat, as every new female lays up to 500 eggs. Each egg produces a small larva that hides, and eats, in the growing tips of emerging alfalfa. Once the tiny larvae move out of the leaf folds, they defoliate an entire plant. Larvae have a big appetite, Bailey says. Lost leaves reduce hay quantity and quality. “Weevils cause a lot of damage in a short time.”
With the weevil population explosion, larvae are ripe for a fungal outbreak. That natural control turns the worms lemon yellow before they die. Even though larva may stay alive, once infected they stop eating.
The fatal fungus needs wet weather, which is in the forecast. However, it also needs warmth, which is not in the forecast.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Annual Luling Foundation Field Day Slated for May 15
The 87th annual Luling Foundation Field Day will be May 15, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Luling Foundation Demonstration Barn, 523 South Mulberry Street.
The field day is free and open to those involved in agriculture and agribusiness, said event coordinators. The agricultural education activity includes tours, speakers, demonstrations and exhibits.
“Anyone attending this field day — owner, operator or land steward — will take away useful information on a variety of topics and subject matter they can apply to their agricultural or agribusiness operation,” said Mike Kuck, the foundation’s farm manager. “It also provides a great opportunity to network with others in agriculture and agribusiness.”
Event educational opportunities are presented by the foundation, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas Department of Agriculture and others.
“This event will be a great opportunity for people of all levels of agricultural experience to get information on topics ranging from sprayer calibration and gardening to agricultural laws and changes to government ag policy,” said Michael Haynes, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Caldwell County. “And what more unique way for attendees to experience the Luling Foundation facilities than to see all they have to offer by taking a hayride to the tour stops?”
Haynes said three hours of Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — one general, one laws and regulations and one integrated pest management — will be available for event attendees.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Feral hog workshop set for May 23 in Seguin
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board will present the “Geronimo Creek Feral Hog Workshop” from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. May 23 at the Ag Heritage Center, 290 Cordova Road, Seguin.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Various topics relating to feral hogs will be the focus of the workshop.
Speakers will include representatives of AgriLife Extension, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Wildlife Services and the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Topics will include basic ecology and biology, feral hog effects on the Brazos River watershed, regulations for transporting, disease concerns, population dynamics and control techniques, including traps, as well as hunting regulations. There also will be discussion of feral hog resources available to the landowner.
“Each year feral hogs do millions of dollars of damage to property, crops and watersheds, as well as serving as potential vectors for disease,” said Jeff Hanselka, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Guadalupe County. “This program will give participants some useful information about feral hogs, especially their behavior and ways to manage them.”
Hanselka said they have applied for five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — two general, two integrated pest management and one in laws and regulations — for commercial, non-commercial and private applicators attending the program.
The cost is $25 and includes lunch. Preregistration is required by May 20 to ensure an accurate meal count.
Preregister by calling the AgriLife Extension office for Guadalupe County at 830-303-3889 or email Hanselka at j-Hanselka@tamu.edu.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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