Tuesday July 14 Ag News

Water Requirements for Beef Cattle
Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

Many times the importance of water to beef cattle is overlooked. Diets are balanced for carbohydrate (energy), protein, vitamins, and minerals so cattle can achieve a desired level of performance, but cattle have a requirement for water too, and animal performance can be affected by water intake. In fact, of these nutrients, water is most critical. The minimum requirement of cattle for water reflects the amount needed for body growth and fetal growth or lactation, to replace what is lost by excretion in urine, feces or sweat, or by evaporation from the lungs or skin. Anything influencing these needs or losses will influence the water needs of livestock.

Under conditions of restricted water intake, an animal may concentrate its urine by reabsorbing a greater amount of water than usual. While this capacity for urine concentration is limited, it can reduce the water requirement. When an animal consumes a diet high in protein or in salt, or containing substances having a diuretic effect, the excretion of urine increases and there is an increased water requirement.

The amount of water lost through evaporation from the skin or lungs is important and in some cases may even exceed what is lost in the urine. If the environmental temperature and/or physical activity increases, water losses through evaporation and sweating increases.

A number of factors interplay and make water requirements and needs difficult to assess. Because feeds themselves contain some water and the oxidation of certain nutrients in feeds produces water, not all the water needs must be provided as drinking water. Feeds such as silages, green chop, or pasture are usually high in moisture, while grains and hays are low. When cattle consume feeds high in water content, water intake is reduced. High-energy feeds produce more metabolic water compared to low-energy feeds. Fasting animals or those on a low-protein diet may generate water from the destruction of body protein or fat, but this is of minor significance. Also, for the nursing calf, a portion of the daily water needs will come from the dam’s milk.

Water needs are influenced by environmental temperature, class of livestock, and weight. Water needs increase as temperature increases. Lactating cows have greater needs than nonlactating cows. Bulls have a greater daily water requirement than nonlactating cows. This is a function of weight. As cattle get heavier, daily water intake increases.

Nitrates, sulfates, and blue-green algae can affect water quality. A safe level of nitrate nitrogen (NO3N) in the water for cattle is less than 100 ppm. The sulfate upper limit for calves is less than 500 ppm (167 ppm sulfur as sulfate). For adult cattle, the upper limit is less than 1,000 ppm (333 ppm sulfur as sulfate). Stagnant water, lakes, and ponds are ideal environments for the growth of blue-green algae, which can be toxic to cattle. When in abundance, blue-green algae gives the water the appearance that someone has dumped a bucket of light green or turquoise paint in the water. Signs of blue-green algae poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, lack of coordination, labored breathing, seizures, convulsions, and possibly death.

Other problems that we may find with water are high or low pH, hydrogen sulfide, iron, and magnesium. Many times these substances in water cause an “off flavor” and impact water intake.

Providing clean, fresh water is always a goal for the livestock producer. There are a number of items that affect water quality. Producers need to adopt management practices that do not negatively impact water quality. The Nebguide “Water Requirements for Beef Cattle” contains further information: http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=1338. 



Nebraska Farm Bureau Urges Schools, Counties, Tax Users to Hold the Line on Spending

Schools and local political subdivisions can help address the growing property tax burden on Nebraskans by controlling spending during the development of local budgets, said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson, July 14. Most schools, counties and other political subdivisions funded through local property taxes begin the process of developing budgets for the upcoming fiscal year in June. Most will hold public hearings on proposed budgets in July, August, and September as final budgets must be adopted and filed with the state by Sept. 20.

“Nebraskans must weigh in with the individuals who help shape local budgets to let them know that property taxes are a major concern and urge them to hold the line on spending in setting next year’s budget. Nebraskans’ property tax bills are directly tied to the amount of spending done by local schools, counties, and other political subdivisions that have taxing authority. It’s vital local government officials understand there is a problem with the amount of taxes being collected and they can be a part of the solution,” said Nelson.

In 2014, roughly 60 percent of the total property taxes collected statewide in Nebraska funded schools, while 16 percent of the total collected funded county governments; the second largest user of Nebraska property taxes.

“This isn’t about diminishing education or about preventing Nebraska from having good roads and services. This is about asking schools and local governments that use our tax dollars to ask the same hard questions all of us have to ask in our own personal budgets. It’s the age old question of what do we want, versus what do we really need and what can we really afford,” said Nelson.

Over the last 10 years, statewide property taxes levied on agricultural land have increased 162 percent in comparison to a 51 percent increase in commercial real estate taxes and a 40 percent increase in residential real estate taxes. The growth in taxes on agricultural land in comparison to the other sectors means that farmers and ranchers have been tapped to pay a larger portion of funding for schools and local needs which have continued to escalate. Statewide spending on schools alone, increased 40 percent during roughly the same time period in which agriculture land taxes skyrocketed.

“We have got to get a handle on the property tax problem and addressing the issue of local spending has to be a part of the solution. It’s critical local tax entities hold the line on spending,” said Nelson.

Those interested in learning more about how to weigh in with local governments and help hold the line on local spending can visit nefb.org.



IBACH APPOINTED TO U.S. TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach has been appointed to a trade advisory committee that provides counsel to the Office of the United State Trade Representative (USTR). Ibach, through his affiliation with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), will serve as the voice of agriculture on the USTR’s Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC).

Through this committee, Ibach will have the opportunity to advise the USTR on international trade agreements and other trade matters, particularly with respect to the benefits of international trade for agriculture. The IGPAC was formed to provide insight from state and local governments on the activities of the USTR.

“I am pleased with the opportunity to represent NASDA and Nebraska agriculture on this critical trade advisory committee,” said Ibach. “International trade is vital for American agriculture, and I look forward to advocating for increased trade opportunities on behalf of American agricultural producers.”

Director Ibach has over 10 years of experience promoting Nebraska’s agricultural goods and addressing trade policy issues in the international marketplace on behalf of the state. His experience as NASDA’s vice president and chairman of the Marketing and International Trade Committee will bring a national-level agricultural perspective to the IGPAC. Ibach will serve as NASDA’s President in 2016 and will host NASDA’s Centennial Annual Meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska.

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.



RURAL NEBRASKANS EXPRESS OPTIMISM IN ANNUAL POLL

Rural Nebraskans are as optimistic about their current situation and the future as they've been in the past 20 years, according to the 2015 Nebraska Rural Poll.

The 20th annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln poll was sent to 6,228 households in 86 Nebraska counties in April. Results are based on 1,991 responses.

Fifty-three percent of poll respondents said they were better off this year than five years ago, up from 50 percent last year. This equaled the highest proportion in all 20 years of the study, matched only in 2008. Only 15 percent said they were worse off.

This optimism was also reflected in how rural Nebraskans see the future, with 48 percent believing they'll be better off in 10 years -- up from last year's 44 percent and the highest percentage in the poll's history. The percentage of those who think they'll be worse off decreased from 22 percent in 2014 to 17 percent this year.

The assessment of their current situation reflects a general pattern of optimism over the past eight years, with two declines in 2009 and 2013. When looking to the future, there has also been a trend of increasing optimism over the past 20 years, with two bigger declines in 2003 and 2013. Results sometimes capture passing moods, events and perceptions of the state of the world.

"Things have been going well in Nebraska of late. A long drought has essentially ended and unemployment is really quite low," said Randy Cantrell, rural sociologist with the Nebraska Rural Futures Institute. "Beyond that, and despite the occasional dip, reported optimism has generally been trending upward."

In addition, rural Nebraskans are less likely to agree that people are powerless to control their own lives than they were last year. The proportion that either strongly agree or agree with the statement declined from 32 percent last year to 26 percent this year. Fifty-five percent of rural Nebraskans disagree or strongly disagree with that statement.

Elsewhere, the Rural Poll's findings were generally similar to past years':

> Rural Nebraskans have increased satisfaction with their ability to afford their residence compared to last year, from 65 percent in 2014 to 70 percent this year.

> Rural Nebraskans' satisfaction with clean air and clean water declined this year. The percent satisfied with clean air declined from 85 percent last year to 80 percent this year. Those satisfied with clean water declined from 80 percent to 76 percent.

> Rural Nebraskans continue to be most satisfied with their marriage, family, friends, religion/spirituality and the outdoors. They continue to be less satisfied with job opportunities, current income level and financial security during retirement.

> Certain groups remain pessimistic about their current and future situations. Persons with lower household incomes, older persons and persons with lower educational levels are the groups most likely to be pessimistic about the present and the future. Persons living in or near the largest communities are more likely than persons living in or near smaller communities to be optimistic about the future.

> Persons with lower education levels are more likely to believe that people are powerless to control their own lives. Thirty-seven percent of persons with a high school diploma or less education agree that people are powerless to control their own lives. However, only 19 percent of persons with at least a four-year college degree share this opinion.

The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll of rural Nebraskans' perceptions on quality of life and policy issues. This year's response rate was 32 percent. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percent. Complete results are available online at http://ruralpoll.unl.edu.

"With its 20-year history, the poll has a collection of data about rural trends and perceptions that is unmatched in the country," said Becky Vogt, survey research manager who's been working on the Rural Poll since its second year.

Although the Grand Island area (Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties) was designated a metropolitan area by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013, the Rural Poll continues to include those counties in its sample. Also, Dixon and Dakota counties were added to the poll last year.

The university's Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the poll in cooperation with the Nebraska Rural Futures Institute with funding from UNL Extension and the Agricultural Research Division in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.



Avoid Heat Stress in Cattle by Planning Ahead

With continuing weather forecasts of temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s and heat index topping 100 degrees in Iowa, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef veterinarian Grant Dewell reminds beef cattle producers that properly preparing for these weather conditions is vital to maintaining herd health.

Five steps to avoiding heat stress in beef cattle
-    Plan ahead. After cattle get hot, it’s too late to prevent problems.

-    Don’t work cattle when it is hot. Finish working cattle early (before 9 to 10 a.m.) in summer, and remember that during a heat wave it’s best to not work cattle at all.

-    Provide plenty of fresh clean water. When it’s hot and humid, consuming water is the only way cattle can cool down. Make sure the water flow is sufficient to keep tanks full, and ensure there’s enough space at water tanks (3 inches linear space per head.) Introduce new water tanks before a heat event occurs so cattle know where they are.

-    Feed 70 percent of ration in the afternoon. Heat from fermentation in the rumen is primary source of heat for cattle. When cattle are fed in the morning, peak rumen temperature production occurs during the heat of day when they can’t get rid of it. By feeding 70 percent of the ration in late afternoon, rumen heat production occurs when it is cooler.

-    Provide ventilation, shade and/or sprinklers. Environmental temperatures compound the heat load for cattle during a heat wave. Remove objects that are obstructing natural air movement. Indoor cattle will benefit from shade provided by the building as long as ventilation is good. Outdoor cattle will benefit from sprinklers to cool them off. Make sure cattle are used to sprinklers before employing them during a heat wave.



2015 Iowa Beef Producer Bus Tour Planned

A four-day bus trip to southwest Iowa and north central Nebraska next month will offer Iowa beef producers the opportunity to tour innovative beef operations and visit with successful producers and researchers. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers said the Aug. 26-29 trip will provide a wide variety of information, experiences and discussion opportunities to tour attendees.

The trip begins with the bus departure from Chariton at 8 a.m. on Aug. 26 and return to the same location by 7 p.m. on Aug. 29. Tentative stops include Kennedy Cattle Company, the ISU Armstrong Research Center, Jindra Angus, Wulf Cattle Company, Rolling Stone Feedyard, ranch stops planned by the Sandhills Cattle Association and other ranches and feed yards in western Iowa and Nebraska. Tour sponsors include Midwest Heritage Bank, Zoetis Animal Health and the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State.

Sellers said a full itinerary is under development, but overnight stays will be at O’Neill, Valentine and Kearney, Nebraska. See a program flyer with current information.

“Participants are responsible for their own room reservations, a registration fee of $150 fee payable to Lucas County Extension and some meals during the trip,” Sellers said. “Preregistration for the bus must be made by July 27 to assure access to a seat.”

A block of rooms is being held under “Iowa Beef Tour/Iowa State University” at the following Nebraska motels until July 26. Rates listed are for 2 queen or 1 king standard rooms, not including tax.
-    O’Neill -- Holiday Inn Express, $120; phone 402-336-4500
-    Valentine -- Econo Lodge Inn, $89.99; phone 402-376-3131
-    Kearney -- Fairfield Inn, $114.95; phone 308-236-4200

To register for the bus send a check for $150 per person to Lucas County Extension, 48293 Hy Vee Rd, Chariton, Iowa 50049. For more information on the trip or transportation, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or email at sellers@iastate.edu.



Branstad Extends Assistance for Avian Flu Clean-Up

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad Monday signed a disaster emergency proclamation extension for 18 Iowa counties adversely affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which would assist with disposal and clean-up efforts on affects sites. The original proclamation, which was signed on June 15, was set to expire on July 15.

The state of disaster emergency proclamation temporarily allows impacted chicken and turkey producers to dispose of manure and compost generated at a premise infected with HPAI as a Bulk Dry Animal Nutrient under Chapter 200A of Iowa Code. The material can only be moved off-site if it has been certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the material is virus-free. Normally, only un-manipulated animal manure qualifies for distribution under this code section.

This proclamation only applies to impacted chicken and turkey producers in the 18 counties with confirmed cases of HPAI. Counties included in this proclamation are: Adair, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Hamilton, Kossuth, Lyon, Madison, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Webster and Wright County.

The proclamation is effective until Dec. 31.



NCGA Praises House Ag Committee Approval of Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, Urges Further Action

The National Corn Growers Association today praised the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s approval of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act and called for action by the full House. This important legislation will create a consumer-friendly, science-based labeling standard for foods made with genetically modified organisms, as well as for GMO-free foods.
   
“The committee approval of this legislation sends a strong message about the growing bipartisan support for this legislation,” said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team chair John Linder, a farmer from Ohio. “We believe today’s vote builds strong forward momentum and applaud the efforts of the House Agriculture Committee to tackle this issue head on. Now, we urge our congressional leaders to bring this bill up for a vote on the floor before the August recess.”

Introduced by Reps. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., and G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., 69 Democrats and Republicans have cosponsored the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. This legislation sets a uniform, common-sense national standard for labeling foods with GMOs and for GMO-free foods.

“The House and Senate must pass federal legislation this year; the continued threat of an unworkable patchwork of state GMO labeling mandates will drive up costs for farmers and consumers alike,” Linder said. “Next July, Vermont’s state labeling law is set to take effect. The looming impacts of this situation increase the urgency of the need for Congress to act on a national labeling law.”



Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding Committee Passage of GMO Labeling Bill H.R. 1599

“The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased that Congress is moving to bring greater clarity to food labeling. H.R. 1599 empowers consumers by continuing to require warning labels for foods that may have adverse effects on the public. At the same time, it does away with labeling schemes that would stigmatize foods based on nothing more than the way in which they were developed.

“This bill is an antidote to anti-GMO initiatives that make people wrongly fear the food they eat. Such regulations generally ignore science and undermine the public’s understanding of the food farmers and ranchers produce. H.R. 1599 restores reason to our food discussions and shows pseudoscience and food quackery the door. We look forward to passage by the full House in the very near future.”



Soy Growers Call on House to Pass GMO Labeling Bill

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is calling on the House of Representatives to take up and pass legislation that would establish a clear and consistent national framework for the voluntary labeling of GMO-free foods, as well as foods containing biotechnology. ASA praised the House Agriculture Committee for its work earlier today in marking up and approving the bill, which sets science-based standards for labeling, and provides consumers with the information they seek on product labels.

"Consumers continue to demand more transparency and accountability from food producers. This bill ensures that a multi-state patchwork of state regulations is avoided, as the wide range of potential individual and conflicting non-GMO labeling schemes," said Wade Cowan, ASA president and a soybean farmer from Brownfield, Texas.

Authored by Reps. Mike Pompeo of Kansas and G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, the bipartisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act has 68 cosponsors. As a member of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable FOod, ASA is now engaged in a full-court press in each of the 30 soybean-growing states to garner chamber-wide support for the bill.

"We've seen that the effort to bring clarity to the GMO labeling debate has significant support on both sides of the aisle," Cowan said. "It's clear that consumers want practical solutions that give them the confidence they want in their food, and this legislation does exactly that. In the coming weeks, we'll meet with every lawmaker in soybean country to urge them to support this legislation. It's a bill that moves us closer to a science-based dialogue on food and farm issues, and we will encourage every member of the House to get behind it."



Soy Growers Honor Heitkamp as a Soy Champion

In a presentation before its board of directors, the American Soybean Association (ASA) presented Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) with the Soy Champion Award in Washington on Tuesday. In recognition of outstanding public advocacy for soybean farmers, the Soy Champion Award honors Heitkamp for her considerable work on biodiesel, farm programs, trade and transportation as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

"Senator Heitkamp has proven herself to be a strong voice for North Dakota soybean farmers," said Ed Erickson, Jr., a soybean farmer and ASA Director from Milnor, N.D. "She has relentlessly and consistently reached across the aisle to fight for the priorities of soybean farmers, both in North Dakota and across the country."

ASA presented Sen. Heitkamp with the award during the association's annual July board meeting and Legislative Forum, in which the ASA directors and representatives from 30 soybean-growing states gather in Washington to meet with lawmakers and raise the profile of public policy issues impacting soybean farmers.

“Growing up in a small town in rural North Dakota, I understand the importance of farms to supporting our way of life. And throughout my career in public service, including in the U.S. Senate, I’ve been an advocate for rural America,” said Sen. Heitkamp. “I greatly appreciate this award which reinforces that the work we do in Congress has serious impacts on farmers and our communities. We need strong policies that give soybean farmers and all farmers the certainty to do their jobs, help biodiesel production grow, and enable farmers to export their products around the world. Working together in a bipartisan way, we can accomplish these goals to support our farms, families, and our country.”

"Senator Heitkamp is a great example of why this week in Washington is such an important one for soybean farmers," added Erickson. "She grew up in a rural community and throughout her career she has sought farmer insight and input through meetings like the ones we're having here with week to make sure she represents North Dakotans in the best way possible. Senator Heitkamp quickly made her voice known on the Senate Committee on Agriculture as she helped craft a bipartisan Farm Bill. And she has remained a staunch advocate for our farmers through her work pushing for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard and her efforts to change the Waters of the U.S. rule. Those efforts make a difference for our farmers and families throughout the U.S., and with this award we aim to show our support and gratitude for her work."

ASA will meet with lawmakers and administration officials in Washington through Wednesday.

Sen. Heitkamp sits on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, on which she helped write, negotiate and pass the 2014 Farm Bill. She has been a leader in pressing the EPA to set strong Renewable Volume Obligations for biodiesel and ethanol to get the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track after years of delays and put people back to work. She has stood up for North Dakota’s farmers by helping introduce bipartisan legislation to provide certainty for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses by requiring the EPA to redo its proposed Waters of the U.S. rule., and Sen. Heitkamp introduced a bipartisan bill to help support and improve the export of American agricultural commodities to Cuba.



Stallman Announces Departure in January

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman announced today that he will not seek reelection in January 2016 following 16 years at the helm of the nation’s largest, most influential general farm organization. Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas, is the 11th president during AFBF’s almost 97-year history.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the nation’s Farm Bureau members and represent agriculture and rural America,” Stallman said. “After 16 years as AFBF president, six as Texas Farm Bureau president and several more in other Farm Bureau roles, it is time to hand over the reins of leadership—a decision that is made easier by knowing the great leadership and foundation that exist to continue moving Farm Bureau forward. I am as optimistic as ever about the future of American agriculture and Farm Bureau.

“On the wall of the AFBF office is a quote by President Thomas Jefferson: ‘Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.’ I couldn’t agree more, and I would add that a most rewarding pursuit is working for the men and women who make up American agriculture. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so.”

AFBF has thrived under Stallman’s presidency. Farm Bureau membership nationwide has grown by more than 1 million member families. Programming has grown to include more efforts to build rural communities and economies and more leadership development programs to help farmers and ranchers become advocates for agriculture and citizen leaders in their communities. AFBF has grown organizationally, particularly with the acquisition of the IDEAg farm events and publications business in 2013. And AFBF has grown in its effectiveness as an advocate in the courts for farmers’ and ranchers’ freedom to operate, and it remains the most visible, influential voice in the nation’s capital for farmers and ranchers of all types, sizes and regions.

“While the presidential gavel will change hands, what defines Farm Bureau will remain the same: our grassroots strength and our commitment to strengthening America’s agricultural and rural communities,” Stallman added.

In addition to his Farm Bureau roles, Stallman has served on numerous boards and federal and state committees, including the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy, the Farm Foundation board of trustees, the board and founding leadership of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, the board of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology and the House Agriculture Committee’s Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture.

A new AFBF president will be elected to a two-year term at the 97th annual meeting of voting delegates, Jan. 12, 2016, as part of the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Tradeshow, Jan. 10-13, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.



Take Responsible Care of Market Dairy Cows

Dairy producers need to remember they also are in the beef business. In fact, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) survey data, market or cull dairy cows represent about 6 to 8 percent of the beef produced in the U.S. annually.

With that in mind, it’s imperative that only healthy dairy cows, those fit for human consumption that have completed all meat withdrawal times for any drugs administered, are culled for the beef supply.

“For now and in the foreseeable future, the dairy industry will be providing a significant portion of beef to consumers in the U.S.,” said Richard Wallace, DVM, MS, senior veterinarian, Dairy Technical Services, Zoetis. “Healthy food is one of our three tenets of Dairy Wellness, and we call on dairy producers to employ the same commitment to high-quality meat that they give to producing quality milk.”

An important part of marketing quality beef is making sure cows do not have drug residues in their meat when they go to market.

“There are many reasons residue violations occur, but most are because of mistakes made at the farm level,” Dr. Wallace said. “Not keeping accurate records is a big contributor to violations. For instance, if producers or their employees don’t know when a treatment was given, they might ship or milk the treated cow before she should have entered the food supply.”

Another leading cause of drug residue violations is when producers use a product outside of its FDA-approved label. Any extra-label drug use should occur only when necessary and under the guidance of a veterinarian, and accurate records of proper withdrawal and withhold times must be kept. Dairy producers should take active steps to ensure their employees always follow label directions. This includes:
·         Using products in the appropriate class of animals
o   Products for lactating cows should be used only in milking cows
o   Products for nonlactating cows should be used only in heifers less than 20 months of age

·         Using products for indicated diseases
o   Each product is approved by the FDA for particular diseases and conditions
o   Using products for reasons other than their approved use can increase the risk of a residue violation

·         Using the proper dosage of a product
o   Underdosing can lead to an ineffective treatment or disease relapse
o   Overdosing increases the risk of a residue violation

·         Using the correct route of administration
o   Switching from one administration type to another dramatically changes how quickly and effectively the product is absorbed by the animal

·         Administering products for appropriate duration of therapy
o   Discontinuing treatment early can lead to ineffective treatment or disease relapse

“It is important producers work together with their veterinarian to continue to improve the overall quality of milk and meat products,” Dr. Wallace said. “Pay attention to label indications and take extra care to ensure all cows bound for the food supply are healthy. Ultimately, it’s a matter of making sure we are producing a safe, quality animal and aren’t violating trust from consumers.”



Growers Affected by Vomitoxin, Proper Reporting Essential to Crop Insurance Eligibility

Harvest season is in full swing for much of the country’s wheat growers. This year’s added precipitation has made disease more prominent in many wheat-growing states including Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency, high levels of vomitoxin may result in either a discount in price or the requirement to destroy the grain.

RMA urges producers to always report any damage within the required timeframes and seek advice from your insurance company before proceeding with harvest or destruction of the damaged crop. Failure to do so may jeopardize your claim. Crop insurance policies require that you notify your company within 72 hours of noticing a loss. It is important that you be proactive in checking your fields to determine if there is any damage to the crop before harvest.

If you carry crop insurance policies subsidized or reinsured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation you may be eligible for quality loss adjustments if the reason for the loss in value is due to a covered event, such as the excessive precipitation received this spring.