Back to Ag Home Page 

County Home Page

Previous Issues:

August 2003

July 2003

May 2003

Feb 2003

Jan 2003

Nov 2002

Oct 2002

Drought Issue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 IN THIS ISSUE...January 2004

Lessons to be Learned by Beef and Dairy Producers From BSE Incidence

What goes up almost always comes down, but who expected the first documented case of BSE (or mad cow disease) in the United States to be the cause the downfall of the record high prices received by cow calf producers and feedlot operators this fall and early winter. While the investigation of this case is far from complete, Ken and I believe that there are already some lessons to be learned by beef and dairy producers.

Animal Identification- this case of BSE will almost certainly do what the beef industry, USDA, and even the US Congress has been unable to do, and that is come up with a uniform identification system for all cattle in the US. As an industry, we should have worked harder to implement a uniform identification system long ago, despite the cost and inconvenience. The benefits certainly outweigh the costs of implementing such a system. A voluntary, industry-led identification system would have likely been less expensive and less cumbersome than a system which will be imposed by government regulation.

Farm Record Keeping- we were amazed at the length of time which it took to determine the actual age of the infected animal, where and when the animal was purchased, as well as other details about the affected herds. There are numerous reasons for keeping detailed, up-to-date, accurate records on your herd, not the least of which is for emergency animal health situations.

Downer Cows- we all know that cull cow sales can often be a key profit center for beef and dairy herds, but there certainly seems to be a compelling case for not putting downer cows into the food chain for human consumption. This is a critical issue for maintaining consumer confidence in our food supply, and as of December 31, 2003, USDA has banned downer cows from entering the food chain. Perhaps some of the rendering markets which have disappeared over the past several years will return now that there is not a human consumption market for downer cows.

This incident is still unfolding and beef prices and consumption will almost certainly continue to decline. We will be addressing relevant BSE related issues at upcoming programs this winter such as beef management schools and dairy day.

A fact sheet on the safety of the US beef supply is attached with this newsletter. While this fact sheet was written this past summer, before BSE was detected in the US, the information contained in the fact sheet will help you understand the relative risks of the spread of BSE in the US.
 
 

Pesticide Certification Changes This Winter

Due to continued budget problems at the federal, state, and county levels, OSU Extension has been forced to implement a fee schedule for pesticide recertification programs. Until this year, there has never been a charge for participating in pesticide recertification programs. If your private pesticide applicators licence expires in 2004, you will soon be receiving a detailed letter explaining this new fee, but the following charges will be in effect for participating in any full three-hour pesticide recertification workshop conducted by OSU Extension in Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties:

Harrison County residents - $9.00
Carroll & Jefferson County residents - $15.00
Residents of other counties - $25.00

We will continue to provide a minimum of one hour's worth of recertification credit at Tri-County Agronomy Day, so that an applicator who attends Agronomy Day every year, will be able to become recertified without incurring the recertification fees outlined above.

Please bear with us as we implement this new system, and as always, if you have questions
about this change, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Statewide Educational Programs

This is the time of year when farmers could attend conferences and workshops every day of the week if they wanted to!  There are several statewide farm programs planned for January, but space and postage limitations prevent us from including information about each of these programs in this newsletter.  If you'd like registration information for any of these events, please contact your local Extension office and we'll send you the information about these events:

January 16 & 17- Innovative Farmers of Ohio Annual Conference, 
                           Mt. Vernon

January 21-23 - Ohio Fruit & Vegetable Growers Congress, Toledo

January 21 & 22- Ohio Direct Agricultural Marketing Conference, Toledo

January 22 & 23- Ohio Christmas Tree Association Winter Meeting, 
                           Toledo

January 24 - Ohio Cattlemen's Association Annual Meeting & Banquet, 
                     Wilmington

January 26 - 28 - CENTS Nursery/Christmas Tree Trade
                           Show, Columbus
 

LEAP 2 Workshop Set

A new LEAP workshop has been developed to help livestock producers develop comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMP's). These workshops are different than the initial LEAP workshops which have been offered locally. LEAP stands for Livestock Environmental Assurance Program.

Livestock producers who will be receiving cost-share funding from USDA EQIP or ODNR SWCD pollution abatement programs are required to develop a CNMP, but it is also a good idea for any livestock producer to start the process of developing a CNMP for their operation.

The LEAP 2 workshop will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on January 19, 2004 and February 16, 2004 at the Dellroy Community Hall. There is no charge to participate in the workshop, but reservations are required.  Contact your local Extension office, your local SWCD office, or your local NRCS conservationist to attend these workshops.
 ...

back to top
 
 

Sincerely,
 

Mike Hogan Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources

Ken Simeral Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources Community Development

sw

Trade names are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University is implied.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

OSU Extension will provide accommodations to handicapped persons needing assistance to participate in Extension programs. If you require some type of assistance/accommodations to attend programs, utilize written materials or visit the Carroll, Harrison, or Jefferson County Extension Offices, please contact that office or TTD#1-800-589-8292.

Visit Ohio State University Extension’s WWW site “Ohioline” at: hhtp:/www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/
back to top

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868