(IARN) — Calves often contract respiratory challenges during weaning, costing producers time and money.
Purina recently asked, “Can we keep calves healthier, while reducing total use of antibiotics?” Read more
Tackle Weeds With Pre-Emergent And Post-Emergent Herbicide In 2020
(IARN) — Growers in 2019 faced a variety of weed issues, due to ample moisture and prevented planting.
An agronomy manager for Pioneer offers tips and tricks for combating weeds in 2020. Read more
USDA Grants Mr. Claus Movement Permit In U.S.
(IARN) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued a movement permit to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 7 p.m. December 24, 2019 and 7 a.m. December 25, 2019, through or over any U.S. border port.
“With a growing world population, Mr. Claus will have his busiest Christmas yet. At USDA, we want to ensure we are not hindering Mr. Claus’ important work of spreading Christmas Cheer for all to hear,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “Ease of access into the United States for Mr. Claus and his nine reindeer will ensure that children all over the country – including my own fourteen grandchildren – will wake up on Christmas morning with joy and filled with the spirit of the season. USDA issued this permit in advance and waived all applicable fees to help ensure a smooth trip on Christmas Eve night.”
In addition to the normal disease testing requirements, flying reindeer must undergo additional tests to ensure they will be able to safely handle significant changes in altitude and temperature throughout their journey, and are fit for landing on rooftops. On this year’s health certificate, the accredited veterinarian noted that one of the reindeer named Rudolph was positive for “red nose syndrome,” however, it was also explained that this is normal for him and not an animal health concern. The veterinarian also verified the reindeer have been vaccinated against any diseases they could encounter on their trip around the world.
At the request of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, APHIS also completed a courtesy welfare and humane treatment check of the reindeer facility. Mr. Claus and his staff passed with flying colors.
They will arrive pulling a wooden sleigh with jingling bells attached, filled with brightly wrapped gifts. Port personnel will clean and disinfect the runners and underside of the sleigh at the time of entry, and will also conduct a short visual inspection of the reindeer. Mr. Claus will also have his boots disinfected and will thoroughly wash his hands. These measures are intended to prevent the entry of any livestock diseases the team may encounter during deliveries to farms around the world prior to entering the United States.
“It would be a disaster for Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited if my reindeer were to unintentionally bring in foot and mouth disease along with all the gifts,” explained Mr. Claus. “Why, something like that could put me out of business. That’s why we work all year to keep the reindeer healthy and take all possible precautions before and during our trip.”
Mr. Claus has also provided an advance list of what port personnel should expect upon their arrival. This includes a variety of food items, all of which come from approved locations and none of which pose a threat to U.S. animal or plant health.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
KIWA Archive Photo
Primghar Farmer Part Of Last-Ditch Effort At White House To Reverse EPA’s RFS Decision
Primghar, Iowa — A Primghar farmer who was at the White House last week says he’s disappointed in President Trump who, he says, has failed to uphold the renewable fuels deal he agreed to in September. Read more
Beef Consumption To Rise, Cow Numbers May Decline
(IARN) — United States cattle number projections indicate they plateaued in 2019. Keep in mind, a plateau is flat. The numbers for 2020 are expected to dip like a prairie pothole. In other words, not much. However, beef demand may be going up.
Project it out 10-years and you get an economist’s best guess as to whether you might make money from raising cattle in the years ahead.
For more information, visit this story’s page at iowaagribusinessradionetwork.com.
Story and photo courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
USMCA: Senate Hopes To Markup On January 7, 2020
(IARN) — Following a landslide vote to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in the House last week, the trade deal heads to the Senate. A vote, expected in January, could come early in the month, pending how the impeachment articles are handled. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week elected to hang on the impeachment documents, rather than send them off immediately to the Senate. Pending on how long she chooses to hold them, the action could clear a window for the Senate to consider USMCA. Read more