- Author: Saoimanu Sope
El Hopland REC convierte la devastación del incendio forestal River de 2018 en una oportunidad de investigación
La destrucción causada por el incendio forestal se observa fácilmente, pero los peligros pueden esconderse bajo las cenizas. Un grupo de científicos de UC Davis estudió muestras de carne y lana de corderos en el Centro de Investigación y Extensión Hopland de UC, para determinar si los pastizales que rebrotan tras un incendio forestal causan residuos tóxicos en los animales de pastoreo. Los resultados, publicados en el diario California Agriculture, mostraron que pastar en dichos pastizales no alteró significativamente el contenido de metales en la carne y la lana de los corderos. Esa es una buena noticia para los rancheros y consumidores desde la perspectiva de seguridad alimentaria.
En el 2018, el incendio forestal River ardió seis millas al norte de Hopland, arrasando con dos terceras partes de las tierras del Hopland REC, incluyendo áreas en su estación de corderos. Debido a que el Hopland REC conduce investigaciones ecológicas y agrícolas, tenían información y algunas muestras del rebaño de corderos que vivió en el lugar antes del incendio River.
“Un grupo de investigadores se reunió para intercambiar ideas sobre cómo podíamos tomar ventaja de este lamentable evento”, señaló Sarah Depenbrock, profesora asistente y agrónoma en el Departamento de Medicina y Epidemiologia de la Facultad de Veterinaria de UC Davis.
Las quemas controladas han jugado un papel importante en el proceso agrícola durante muchos años, pero los incendios forestales de California están creando un nuevo paisaje que interesa a investigadores como Depenbrock. “El problema, ahora, es que los grandes incendios forestales probablemente interactúan con tierras agrícolas de manera diferente que las quemas de rutina”, manifestó la experta.
Las plantas grandes y viejas en los terrenos que no han sido quemados recientemente pueden contener altas concentraciones de metales, capturado durante sus años de desarrollo. El mercurio, por ejemplo, es un metal potencialmente peligroso que con el tiempo puede ser capturado en objetos vivientes. Estos metales pueden ser distribuidos a través de la ceniza cuanto se quema la vegetación, por lo que los científicos examinaron corderos que habían pastado en los pastizales del Hopland REC durante el primer rebrote, después de haberse quemado.
Los resultados inciertos plantean más preguntas
Los investigadores compararon carne de los corderos que pastaron en los pastizales que rebrotaron en el 2019, después del incendio River, con muestras de carne congelada que se había obtenido el año anterior al incendio. En ninguna de las muestras se detectaron rastros de plomo, mercurio, arsénico, molibdeno, cadmio, berilio, cobalto y níquel. Sin embargo, sí hubo algunas muestras (tres de 26), que dieron positivo a los no esenciales (metales pesados potencialmente tóxicos) cromo y talio en el grupo que pastó después del incendio.
Debido al reducido número de muestras que dieron positivo, los investigadores no pudieron determinar estadísticamente si esta contaminación estaba asociada con los pastizales de rebrote. Las concentraciones de cromo y talio detectadas pueden ser o no potencialmente tóxicas, dependiendo de las formas y cantidad específicas de carne que una persona consuma.
Otro aspecto del estudio incluyó el análisis de la lana de los borregos para determinar si es un buen método para medir el contenido de metales en su carne. “En general, nos dimos cuenta que no estaba bien correlacionado con la mayor parte del contenido de metales de interés, lo cual vale la pena saber. Sin embargo, debido a que no identificamos en ninguna muestra animal muchos de los metales no esenciales de particular preocupación toxicológica, como el plomo y mercurio, no pudimos determinar si el análisis de la lana puede ser útil para determinar la presencia de esos metales, como ocurre en otras especies”, dijo Depenbrocké quien agregó que la lana de los animales cuya carne dio positivo al cromo y talio, no dio positivo a estos metales.
Mientras los retos en el control de los incendios forestales persisten, lo mismo sucede con el riesgo de contaminación de los productos alimentarios derivados del ganado de pastoreo.
“No obtuvimos pruebas contundentes que nos dijeran que, cuando hay un incendio, eso significa que todo se contamina con metales pesados”, manifestó Depenbrock. “Pero si se plantea la cuestión de que quizás deberíamos realizar un poco de vigilancia para ver si esto es algo esporádico o común. Y deberíamos de encontrar la manera de cribar los rebaños”.
Recomendaciones para manejar los problemas del cobre
“Es un estudio muy pequeño, pero fue interesante conocer que el contenido de cobre fue realmente bajo en el grupo que pastó después del incendio, lo cual me hace pensar”, expresó Depenbrock.
Las enfermedades asociadas con la deficiencia de cobre es una preocupación importante en los borregos. Por ejemplo, el swayback o lomo hundido puede resultar en la muerte antes de nacer o en la incapacidad del animal de pararse por sí solo debido a los cambios incurables de la espina dorsal. Otros efectos adversos incluyen una tasa reducida de nacimientos, anemia, defectos en la lana y decoloración de la fibra y osteoporosis con un alto riesgo de fracturas espontaneas. El exceso de cobre puede también causar enfermedades graves y a veces mortales.
Muchas de las fuentes de forraje y áreas de pastizales en California tienen una deficiencia de cobre, mientras que otras fuentes de alimentación tienen un exceso de cobre. Es crucial que se monitoree a los rebaños para determinar sus niveles de minerales incluyendo el cobre.
En cuanto a las pruebas de cobre, la experta aconseja a los ganaderos que obtengan las concentraciones de minerales de los órganos de los animales que son sacrificados o mueren. Las muestras del hígado y riñones son las más valiosas para identificar un potencial problema en el rebaño. Los laboratorios de UC Davis Veterinary Medicine's California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS, por sus siglas en inglés), llevan a cabo estas pruebas de manera rutinaria.
En segundo lugar, monitorear y registrar la suplementación de minerales y tercero, mantener un registro de salud actualizado para tomar decisiones informadas respecto a la suplementación basada en los problemas conocidos del rebaño. Por ejemplo, si un productor no está acostumbrado a suplementar con cobre, Depenbrock recomienda mucho que trabajen con un veterinario para empezar a hacerlo (ya que hay numerosos suplementos de cobre de concentración variada en el mercado), para determinar un plan de pruebas o examinación y revisar el historial de salud para detectar problemas que estén potencialmente asociados con el cobre.
Para leer el texto completo del estudio, visite https://calag.ucanr.edu/Archive/?article=ca.2022a0016.
Adaptado al español por Leticia Irigoyen del artículo en inglés
Editado para su publicación por Ricardo Vela
- Author: Deanne Meyer
Recently we received notification about the national broadband challenge. Thank you, Andy Lyons, for putting together a brief summary of the broadband challenge and WHY each of us should participate. We all know internet access is a requirement to be successful in business and life. How many minutes or hours go by (while you're awake) that you don't use wifi or internet? Living in California we also know our connectivity is less than desirable. Apologies for all the calls I've dropped over the last year! Please take a few minutes to read Andy's post and participate in the challenge. Currently the map makes California look great with connectivity meaning fewer federal funds will come to CA to improve connectivity. Since many of us realize this isn't true, it's worth reading the challenge and participating in it. Feel free to share with co-workers, family, friends, etc. for others to take the challenge as well.
Although many may be on vacation, others continue to work. Thank you to all our staff who keep ANR running day in and day out! Special thanks to John Bailey and Tom Seward (Hopland REC) for hosting Darren Haver, Jennifer Bunge, Danny Fung, Sinan Al Adhami, Felicia Johnson, Greg Gibbs and me as we reviewed the state of facilities at the REC a week ago (see photo). Hannah Bird joined the conversation as well. We enjoyed looking at building structural integrity and discussing infrastructure needs versus wants. It was a detail-oriented meeting and many of us left with homework.
The next day, Dustin Flavell hosted Darren at Sierra Foothill REC. We had a quick visit with Business officer Michelle Flavell as well as Nickolai Schweitzer (Ag Supervisor) who was preparing for a fire inspection the next day. We appreciated everyone's time given their busy schedules. By the way, Nickolai was a founding member of Staff Assembly and remains active with the group. If you're a staff member please check out opportunities with Staff Assembly!
Both of these RECs have unique opportunities for the scientist looking to answer questions on working landscapes. The hard work everyone puts into their jobs to keep the RECs working to answer tomorrow's questions with today's research is appreciated.
Enclosures and hoops modified to restrict rainfall from entering (simulated drought) and increase temperature (simulated climate change)
No doubt many people had travel challenges this last week. Hopefully, most were able to make something good come out of the disruptions. A good friend of mine would always remind me that the first thing to pack when going on a trip was patience. I take her words to heart every time I travel. Thankfully, my canceled flight was identified before I went to the airport. This provided a few extra days at home. My fruit trees appreciated the winter pruning and although my sewing area is not quite organized (nor will it ever be) I did get an opportunity to cut out many projects.
As the year comes to a close, we remember those we lost who enriched our lives and those who are new in our lives. Here's a shout out to all the new ANR hires in 2022. We welcome you to UC ANR where you help make change happen!
- Author: Wendy Powers
Reality has set in that I need to spend more days at a desk in front of a screen or on the phone. Ughhh. As a result, I spent the weekend trying to catch up; I've long since decided there's no point in thinking I can get ahead. I worked on an MOU to address feedback received, drafted several communications that will still need some more detailed follow up, cleaned out the Inbox a bit by responding to emails, gave some thought to next week's WebANR, and wrapped up some notes from the 2-day meeting last week that addressed some outstanding items on the REC 6-year financial plan. Ahhh, to be new again and have a short ‘to-do' list.
Speaking of new, we had some new academics start last week. Annemiek Schilder started on August 1 as the UCCE Ventura County and Hanson REC Director, headquartered in Ventura County. Also on August 1, Nathan Caeton began as the new CE 4-H Youth Development Advisor, based in Redding, with programmatic responsibilities in Shasta, Tehama and Trinity Counties. Previously, Nate was the 4-H program specialist in those counties. Tomorrow, Maggie La Rochelle starts as the Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor, based in Half Moon Bay, with programmatic responsibilities in San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Please welcome Annemiek and Maggie to UC ANR and congratulate Nate on his new position!
There are 43 more prospective ‘new UC students' now, as a result of the UC ANR 4-H Latino Initiative 3-day Juntos Summer Academy that was held at UC Merced. High School students from Riverside, Orange, Kern, Santa Clara, Merced and Sonoma counties had the opportunity to experience college life. They lived in the dorms, ate in the college cafeteria and attended workshops on scholarships, financial aid, admissions, essays and a students' panel. The students heard from two very motivational Latino keynote speakers, who spoke about their experiences as Latino youth attending college and how they overcame obstacles to graduation. With the economic support of National 4-H and New York Life, the Juntos program includes: (1) family workshops and monthly check-ins, (2) afterschool 4-H club meetings, (3) one-on-one success coaching and access to college and community mentors, and (4) summer programming through 4-H camps, college-campus visits, and other educational conferences.
Many were busy this weekend dealing with fires. Several affected by the Mendocino complex fire are still out of their homes. Now that it is in Colusa County, I'm wondering how that will impact our visit to Colusa UCCE tomorrow. The trip to Lake County UCCE, scheduled for Tuesday, will be rescheduled. While I've visited with some of the Lake UCCE group before, this will be my first visit to the Colusa UCCE office.
To give us a better sense of how the fire in Mendocino County affected the Hopland REC, Shane Feirer of IGIS @HoplandREC put together this map. The red area shows existing vegetation; many of the oaks didn't burn. Brighter red indicates untouched green foliage, fainter red indicates some damage. The two separate black areas are where prescribed burn were conducted back in June. The white spots are ash indicating where a tree did burn. Thanks to Shane for sharing a visual story with us!
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There are several large fires threatening communities all over the state and causing concern. I want you to know we've been in touch with our colleagues in the fire zones and everyone is safe. Here's an update from the affected areas.
In Lake County, the UCCE office is closed and most of the staff evacuated from their homes due to the River and Ranch fires. Nearby highway entrances are closed: Hwy 175 from Hopland and Hwy 20 from Ukiah and Hwy 29 from south of Lakeport to Hwy 20 to the north.
Hopland REC was hit hard by the River Fire. The good news is the evacuation order was lifted at noon today and all Hopland Research and Extension Center employees are safe and the headquarter buildings are undamaged. The animals were moved on Friday and all livestock are safe and accounted for, except a guard dog is missing. Roughly 2500 acres of the upper pastures burned and the domestic water line from the spring is down. On Friday, Cal Fire set up Incident Command Post at Hopland REC with 6+ engines, three bulldozers and a water tanker. Kudos to John Bailey, superintendent and interim director, and staff for their efforts, which no doubt limited the damage.
UCCE Shasta office is open today. Many staff members evacuated due to the massive Carr Fire, and CD Larry Forero is still evacuated, but the rest of the staff is back. Last week 4-H members helped relocate animals to safety. At least one 4-H family – and there may be more – lost their home to the Carr Fire so the local UCCE staff is meeting to see how they can help.
UCCE Mendocino office is open. All employees are safe and the office suffered no damage from the Ranch Fire.
UCCE Riverside office is open. A Master Gardener volunteer lost her home in Idyllwild to the Cranston Fire. UCCE Master Gardener coordinator Rosa Olaiz and the rest of the UCCE Riverside County staff are safe and are making plans to assist the volunteer.
UCCE San Bernardino office is open and all staff members are safe from the Cranston Fire.
We are continuing to monitor the impacts of the fires.
Because emergencies can arise without warning, UC ANR Environmental Health and Safety has this Safety Note to help make plans http://safety.ucanr.edu/files/152253.pdf.
Sincerely,
Glenda Humiston
Vice President
UC ANR leadership is proud of its outstanding network of nine Research and Extension Centers across the state. Including academic salaries and temporary funding, UC ANR invests close to $14 million annually in the REC system. We are committed to continuing to make an investment of this magnitude, recognizing the importance of each individual REC, and the REC system to our research and extension missions.
A freeze on state operations and maintenance funding since 2006, and a virtual absence of deferred maintenance funds, necessitates a close look at how the annual investment is used so as to position the RECs for a long, successful future. UC ANR leadership is taking the long view to its programmatic collaboration and growth. As a result, we are developing a strategy for cost recovery to continue to operate and improve the facilities so that we can better serve researchers and their research and extension activities – well into the next decade, not just the next three to five years.
Key attributes of the strategy include:
- improved clarity of how full-cost research rates are calculated and how researcher costs are derived, based on a researcher's specific and agreed upon needs for labor and facilities,
- establishment of rates four to six months in advance of the effective date for the rate (i.e. rates published in January for projects beginning in July, or some variation of) in recognition of the need to project costs in advance of research start date,
- development of a cost structure that reflects different project needs and differences in costs required to support the needs, and
- ability to confirm researcher costs for specific, itemized research needs over a multi-year timeframe at time of proposal submission to a funding agency.
A move to this new way of calculating research rates will take some time to establish across all nine RECs. Our goal is to have this rolled out between January and March 2018 and to go into effect for any projects (new, renewed or expanded usage) beginning July 1, 2018. This is an ambitious goal given the review and approval process in place that ensures fairness of proposed methodology and charges. However, we are committed to making this a high priority in order to improve the research experience.
To assess feasibility of the approach, the Desert REC will move to a new model in the very near term and serve as a pilot study for the July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 timeframe. The new model includes different rates for different services (land, water, pesticides, labor, etc.). The new model applies at Desert REC for both new and continuing projects and provides the opportunity to identify any issues early on and make the necessary adjustments. The remaining RECs will develop research rates for REC services over the next few months and the new model will be refined and adapted in 2018-2019 for the remaining eight RECs.
For 2017-2018, researchers continuing projects at all RECs, except Desert REC and West Side REC, should plan on an additional 10 percent to their 2016-2017 research rate to cover increases in salaries and benefit rates and reflect a reduced subsidy by center funds applied to the full cost rate. New and renewed projects will be billed at a researcher rate of $27.46 per hour. A new project is one that has not been submitted to, and approved by, the REC previously. This higher rate reflects the need to reduce the subsidy applied to the full cost rate.
Researchers at West Side REC will be billed at a rate 10 percent above the 2016-2017 West Side REC research rate for all projects.
Developing a new strategy for setting research rates based on different rates for different services will take time, thus the decision to move forward as outlined above. The pilot assessment at Desert REC will illustrate the impacts of a new strategy on both researchers and business operations and help identify best practices to support the transition to a new strategy. We are committed to maintaining a system of RECs that are positioned to address present and emerging research needs for the long term and meet the planning needs of researchers.
Research and Extension Center |
New projects and |
Continuing projects |
Desert |
Charges based on services utilized (acreage, water, labor etc.) |
|
West Side |
2016-17 rate + 10% |
2016-17 rate + 10% |
Hansen, Hopland, Intermountain, Kearney, Lindcove, Sierra Foothill, South Coast |
$27.46 |
2016-17 rate + 10% |
Wendy Powers
Associate Vice President
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.