Antimicrobials in Livestock – A Thing of the Past?

Jamie Johansen

rebelation15-172Dr. Karl Dawson, Chief Scientific Officer and VP at Alltech, talked antibiotics at the recent REBELation in the beef breakout session. Companies like McDonald’s and Costco have said no to antibiotics. Is it time for the industry to be a REBEL and say no too?

“The term antibiotic is somewhat controversial. I prefer to talk about antimicrobials. The use of antimicrobials has been around in livestock since the 1940’s. It is something we have used to address diseases, cure bacterial infections, but the most controversial part of that has been to use them as materials to enhance growth in livestock.”

“The big concern about using those right now has been the progressive change or selection of bacteria that resist the antimicrobial.” Dr. Dawson said that the thought process behind this is we are propitiating it by continuing to use antimicrobials in livestock. He added that we should have known this we going to happen years ago and the banning of antimicrobials will change the industry because they have been relied upon for so long.

There are alternatives. But there isn’t a one-size fits all package to replace them. “It is going to be a thought process; a management process that will need to take place.” Dr. Dawson also stated that a simple ban may not be the answer to our problems. “The antibiotic resistance bacteria that are out there have been selected for and we will not eliminate those by simply stopping the use today.”

In the long-term, he said the industry needs to look at strategies that not only limit the development, but also depress antibiotic resistant bacteria and select against them.

Listen to my complete interview with Dr. Dawson to learn more about antimicrobials here: Interview with Dr. Karl Dawson, Alltech

Don’t forget to check out photos from the event here: 2015 Alltech REBELation Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, Livestock

Toledo Food Dialogues Focused on Water

Cindy Zimmerman

toledo-food-dialoguesAre you watching Food Dialogues: Toledo?

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy mentioned the Toledo water crisis last year in her announcement yesterday on the final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule to point out the importance of clean water to industry. The question being addressed during today’s U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance Food Dialogues is “How do we balance our need for clean water with our need for abundant food?”

The first panel is on now, the next one will start at 11:00 am Eastern, and both include representatives from Ohio agriculture talking about what farmers are doing to address nutrient management and water quality.

Tune in now with live stream from Ohio Farm Bureau.

USFRA, Water

Pharmacist is New Holland ‘Next Gen’ Finalist

John Davis

New Holland Voice of the Next GenA pharmacist from Canada might not know a lot about blue tractors, but she knew enough about the song to be a New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Contest winner. Melinda Lee is from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and was turned on to the contest by a Facebook friend.

melinda1“They didn’t want to sing themselves, so they sent it to me,” she laughed, admitting she knew the song quite well. “I’ve heard it on the radio quite a few times.”

Good thing her friend did, because after Melinda made her video on her iPhone, she was one of the five finalists in the contest and traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to meet Tyler Hubbard and enjoy a Florida Georgia Line concert.

As a pharmacist, she admitted she might not have a lot of use for a big blue tractor, but she said she could always use one.

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Melinda here: Interview with Melinda Lee

New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland

Agriculture Reacts to WOTUS Final Rule

Cindy Zimmerman

Agricultural organizations are analyzing the final Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule released today to determine whether it answers the concerns they have raised about the impact the regulation would have on farmers and ranchers, but most express reservations.

afbf-logo“We are undertaking a thorough analysis of the final WOTUS rule to determine whether the Environmental Protection Agency listened to the substantive comments farmers and ranchers submitted during the comment period,” said American Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman. “Based on EPA’s aggressive advocacy campaign in support of its original proposed rule—and the agency’s numerous misstatements about the content and impact of that proposal—we find little comfort in the agency’s assurances that our concerns have been addressed in any meaningful way.”

nfu-smallNational Farmers Union president Roger Johnson believes the final rule is an improvement over the proposed rule. “The final rule puts bright-line limits on jurisdiction over neighboring waters, offering farmers increased regulatory certainty and mitigating the risk of enforcement or litigation,” said Johnson, adding that it also “provides more clarity on which ditches fall under the Clean Water Act jurisdiction.” However, Johnson says they “remain concerned about waters that cannot impact the quality of jurisdictional waters will fall under jurisdiction, or that farmers will not have the regulatory certainty they need to address these waters appropriately.”

NCGA-LogoNational Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling of Maryland says they will be fully review the final rule. “We especially want to ensure that the broad promises made in the EPA press release are carried out in the text of this comprehensive rule,” said Bowling. “We especially will look closely at how on-farm ditches, ponds and puddles are treated in the rule.”

The American Soybean Association will also be reviewing the rule for the same reasons but the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly condemned the final rule, saying it “unilaterally strips private property rights” and is a “flawed rule … from a flawed process.”

AFBF, EPA, NCBA, NCGA, Water

Lights! Camera! YouFarm!

Cindy Zimmerman

youfarmYouFarm International wants to make you and your farm a star!

You’re already wearing many hats – why not become a movie director, too? You can show the world how you and your family live and work on your farm. Be creative – there are no rules about what or how you film true to this year’s motto of YouFarm: Farm ’n’ Family. Submit your video to our competition and, if you win, you’ll be off on an inspiring trip to Asia. So get yourself organized – and …action!

The international video competition for farmers is calling for entries until June 15 for a chance to win the grand prize – the Farmers around the Continent Tour! “You and your companion will travel through Asia and visit farms and other great sites. The prize will cover flights, visas, transfer services, accommodation, and much more! Broaden your horizons and become inspired by fellow farmers from around Asia!” They have other cool prizes too.

What do you have to lose?? It is an international competition, so let’s see if we can get the most entries from the USA!

Farming, International

Administration Finalizes WOTUS with Few Changes

Cindy Zimmerman

epa-army-corpsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army finalized the Clean Water Rule that has become known as the Waters of the United States or WOTUS.

According to EPA, the rule “ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined, making permitting less costly, easier, and faster for businesses and industry.”

The rule is grounded in law and the latest science, and is shaped by public input. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for agriculture and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions.

Outlining specifics, the press release on the action addresses several areas of concern to the agriculture community, including the regulation of ditches. “The rule limits protection to ditches that are constructed out of streams or function like streams and can carry pollution downstream. So ditches that are not constructed in streams and that flow only when it rains are not covered.”

In addition, EPA states that: The rule protects clean water necessary for farming, ranching, and forestry and provides greater clarity and certainty to farmers about coverage of the Clean Water Act. Farms across America depend on clean and reliable water for livestock, crops, and irrigation. The final rule specifically recognizes the vital role that U.S. agriculture serves in providing food, fuel, and fiber at home and around the world. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for America’s farmers. Activities like planting, harvesting, and moving livestock have long been exempt from Clean Water Act regulation, and the Clean Water Rule preserves those exemptions.

Listen to EPA administrator Gina McCarthy and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy announced the final rule here: Final WOTUS rule announcement

Response from agricultural organizations so far has been mainly that they need to review the final rule before making comments.

Audio, EPA, Water

Alltech Answers Fish Oil Shortage Dilemma

Jamie Johansen

rebelation15-98-editedIt is hard to find a more diverse company than Alltech. At their recent REBELation, breakout sessions covered topics from digital media to aquaculture. Headlining discussion on algae was, Becky Timmons, Director for Applications Research and Quality Assurance for Alltech Algae. She started with Alltech 30 years ago and also has a very diversified background. She has been everything from a lab technician to head of the flavor and now into the world algae.

rebelation15-5-editedBecky quoted Rick Barrows, USDA, who said finding a replacement for fish oil would be like the ‘holy grail’ for the aquaculture industry. “In our bid to feed more people a high quality protein and as we have a growing population, everyone is expecting the aquaculture industry to really grow.”

She explained that there is a stagnant amount of fish oil available, about 1 million tons. Consumption is right at the amount as well. If aquaculture needs to grew, so does the production of fish oil. The human population is also consuming more fish oil than every before.

Alltech has the answer. “We are producing an algae that is about 70% fat and very high in DHA. We have done work in both trials and commercial to show that we can successfully replace the fish oil. The fish eat it very well and you actually see nutritional benefits to the fish. And that fillet quality is still just as good, preferred in sensory testing and has the healthy fatty acid profile that we need.”

Trials have shown that this method is cost-effective for producer and consumer and Becky believes we are going to see a great shift of algae use soon. Listen to my complete interview with Becky to learn more about Alltech’s algae production here: Interview with Becky Timmons, Alltech Algae

Don’t forget to check out photos from the event here: 2015 Alltech REBELation Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Aquaculture

Meet Another Voice of the Next Gen Contest Winner

Jamie Johansen

New Holland Voice of the Next GenIt’s time to meet another of the New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Contest winners. Shawna Starbird hails from Nashville, TN and found out about the contest from Facebook, but almost missed the deadline to enter. With three hours to spare she got her video uploaded and it paid off. Shawna said the New Holland peeps went all out for her and the other winners and was thrilled to have this once in a life-time experience.

shawna“I love singing. I love music. It’s something that has pretty much been my whole life. It’s my one love I will never be able to shake.”

She is a huge fan of Florida Georgia Line and swears she saw Tyler Hubbard in Nashville traffic recently. Along with be a country music fan, Shawna has played in a few bands over the years, has served as a worship leader intern and is in the middle of co-writing a few songs. “I am looking to meet as many people as possible and see what type of opportunities there are for me in Nashville.”

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Shawna here: Interview with Shawna Starbird

New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Photo Album

Agribusiness, New Holland

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • The CNH Industrial N.V. plant in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been awarded silver status for implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM), one of the highest standards in the world for the integrated management of manufacturing plants and processes.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) and Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation (KMA) officially announced plans to increase production capacity for Kubota equipment in the U.S. by building a new manufacturing plant and expanding its existing operations in Gainesville, Ga.
  • Beck’s, the largest family-owned, retail seed company in the United States, is pleased to announce building plans on a site purchased in Colfax, Iowa.
  • Precision Tank, a specialized tank and equipment manufacturer with headquarters at Virginia, Ill., announced the acquisition of A&B Welding of Thompson, Iowa, a manufacturer of field-erected tanks and general contracting services.
Zimfo Bytes

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Adrian Smith

John Davis

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

open-micThe Republican representing Nebraska’s 3rd District outlines a challenging agenda for House members following the Memorial Day break. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Smith expects a great deal of debate over Trade Promotion Authority, tax reform, and identifying financial resources for the Highway Trust Fund. In this week’s feature, Smith shares his support for renewable fuels and his concern over attempts to further define food labeling laws.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Agri-Pulse, Audio