- Author: John M Harper
Since the USDA, on January 28th, approved the use of genetically
Of course, many believe that because alfalfa is insect pollinated, cross-pollination and contamination of non-GE alfalfa could result — some say “inevitable”. Since most of Mendocino County is GMO-free (city limits, Rancherias and State lands are exempt) there is still fear that potential alfalfa producers outside the county boundaries or in adjoining counties, could start growing RR alfalfa and impact those potential alfalfa producers who want to grow conventional alfalfa, organic or otherwise.
In response to some to these concerns, UCCE Agronomy Specialist, Dr. Dan Putnam, has written several publications that will assist those interested to understand the risks and science. They are available for free in pdf format. The first entitled Methods to Enable Coexistence of Diverse Production Systems Involving Genetically Engineered Alfalfa can be downloaded at http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8193.pdf. In addition to explaining the risks of cross-pollination, Dan provides information for testing hay to determine if it is genetically engineered. Livestock producers targeting our local or niche markets should download this publication just for that information alone. A second publication co-authored by Dan and several other UC scientists is entitled Roundup Ready Alfalfa: An Emerging Technology. It can be downloaded at http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8153.pdf and it discusses further pros and cons. The third publication is entitled Avoiding Weed Shifts and Weed Resistance in Roundup Ready Alfalfa Systems and it can be downloaded at http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8362.pdf and provides a thorough explanation of the risks of weed resistance.
- Author: John M Harper
As producers of meat protein, it's important to understand the nutrient
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was released this week, emphasizing the importance of consuming a balanced diet, eating less sodium and more nutrient-dense foods and carefully monitoring what Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack characterized as "calories in, calories out."
The guidelines include 23 key recommendations for the general public and six for specific groups like pregnant women. Key recommendations include:
- increase in vegetable and fruit intake;
- increase whole grain consumption;
- eat a variety of protein foods;
- eat more fish; and
- replace protein foods higher in solid fats with choices that are lower in solid fats and calories and/or are sources of oil.
The guidelines are available at www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm. To download the full pdf file go to http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2010/PolicyDoc/PolicyDoc.pdf
- Author: John M Harper
For those livestock producers who are selling locally there are some new labelling laws coming that will impact your retail sales. The following information came via NMPAN E-update.
New Nutritional Labeling Rules: Will they affect you?
USDA-FSIS has created new nutritional labeling regulations that require single-ingredient items -- retail "major cuts" and ground meat -- to have nutritional labeling. Until now only multi-ingredient products required nutritional labels.
This will affect you if you operate under inspection or have retail sales (even if your retail products are produced under retail-exemption). Meat processed under custom exemption is not affected by these new regulations.
The new rules will affect retail sales and inspected processing in two ways:
1) Retail Cuts: Forty "major" whole-muscle cuts of meat and poultry will now require nutritional labeling (as defined in 9 CFR 317.344 and 381.444). Processors with retail sales can provide point-of-sale material with nutritional information in place of putting nutritional info on the product label. Producers who direct market meat can also use such point-of-sale material. FSIS will be offering posters for free download over the internet that you can print and put up at your retail counter. NMPAN will provide information as soon as these become available.
2) Ground: If you produce more than 100,000 lbs. of a specific ground item during the calendar year under inspection (such as ground beef), you must now put nutritional labeling on this product. Likely only processors who average ~10 or more head of inspected beef a week will be affected by this part of the new rules. Be sure to check your annual processing volume if you think you're close.
If you do process over 100,000 lbs. per year of a specific ground item, small plants can use a statement of BOTH percent fat AND percent lean (such as "85% lean / 15% fat ground beef") instead of adding a nutritional label.
Again, custom-exempt processing will NOT be affected by these new requirements. For more information, see the notice in the Federal Register: www.federalregister.gov/a/2010-32485
Rules go into effect January 1, 2012. So you have almost a year to get your labeling in order.
- Author: John M Harper
Have you ever thought of adding agritourism to your livestock operation?
Traditionally agritourism has included efforts like farm stands or shops, U-pick, farm stays, tours, on-farm classes, fairs, festivals, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, winery weddings, orchard dinners, youth camps, barn dances, hunting or fishing, or guest ranches. Heritage ranch tours like was done last year at the Ford and Schmidbauer ranches are other examples.
The UC Small Farm program offers quite a bit of information on getting started in agritourism. Check out the website at: http://sfp.ucdavis.edu/agritourism/. In addition, there is statewide site that will help you promote either a one-time event or list your agritourism effort in a statewide directory that is sorted by county. The link for the free directory and the event listing is: http://ucanr.org/sites/CalAgTour/. This is a very cool resource for anyone interested in agritourism be they producer or the general public.
- Author: John M Harper
APHIS outlined its forthcoming animal disease traceability proposal to Secretary Tom Vilsack’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. The animal traceability proposal is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register in April 2011. A Final Rule is expected in April of 2012. According to the draft proposal, cattle and bison traceability would be implemented in three stages:
Stage 1 – to take effect next year, would require official identification of all sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or older moved in interstate commerce; dairy cattle of any age; cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events; and cattle and bison of any aged used for shows or exhibitions.
Beef cattle under 18 months would be temporarily exempted from the requirement.
Stage 2 – scheduled for 2014, would access Stage 1 in order to determine implementation plan in Stage 3 for cattle under 18 months of age. APHIS expects a 70 percent compliance rate with the official identification requirements for all cattle eligible under Stage 1.
Stage 3 – at a future date to be arranged, would require identification of all cattle, including feeder cattle under 18 months old. The draft animal traceability proposal and a transcript of the advisory committee meeting are expected to be posted on the APHIS website at www.aphis.usda.gov, as reported by Food Chemical News.
