AG INSIGHT

BY JIM ERICKSON

Germplasm repository plays key role in future vitality of food crops

The National Germplasm Repository for Citrus and Dates may not be a name that slips easily over the tongue. But its mission is essential to the longterm vitality of the citrus, dates and related species on which it focuses.

To accomplish that goal, the facility maintains, evaluates, preserves and distributes the germplasm of citrus, dates, and related species. The task involves:

1. Acquiring the widest possible genetic diversity within citrus and dates to reduce genetic vulnerability in the future;

2. Testing and treating of accessions for pathogenic organisms;

3. Maintaining accessions in a protected, pest-free environment;

4. Genetic, horticultural, and physiological characterization and evaluation of accessions;

5. Establishment of an informational record for each accession covering its acquisition, inventory, evaluation, and gene descriptor data;

6. Distribution of pathogen-free germplasm to qualified researchers throughout the world, and

7. Research into improved methods of collection, evaluation, propagation, preservation and distribution.

Talks requested in Mexican trade dispute

On the heels of a recent announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The consultations are in regard to Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies.

“USDA supports success for all farmers, and that means embracing fair, open, science- and rulesbased trade,” Vilsack said. “In this spirit, the USMCA was written to ensure that producers in all three countries have full and fair access to each other’s markets,” he added.

“We fundamentally disagree with the position Mexico has taken on the issue of biotechnology, which has been proven to be safe for decades,” he explained. ”Through this action, we are exercising our rights under USMCA while supporting innovation, nutrition security, sustainability, and the mutual success of our farmers and producers.”

Summer Travel and Food Safety

As the pace of summer activities increases, millions of Americans will hit the road to visit national parks, beaches and campgrounds. While packing that sunblock, bug spray and picnic blanket, make sure to also take some U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food safety tips along for the ride.

“USDA reminds summer travelers not to let outdoor meals become a feast for bacteria,” said USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban. “Bacteria grow faster during the summer months because it’s warmer and more humid. Pack perishable foods safely with a cold source and wash your hands thoroughly while preparing food.”

Also, keep these safety tips in mind while planning your summer getaway:

The danger zone defined

Food that is between the temperatures of 40 F and 140 F is in what USDA considers the danger zone and only has a limited time before it becomes a food safety risk.

• Remember to refrigerate perishable food within two hours, and within one hour if it’s a hot day (above 90 F).

• Keep cold foods at 40 F or below by keeping food nestled in ice on the picnic table or kept in a cooler until ready to serve.

• Keep hot foods at 140 F or above by placing food in warming trays or on the grill.

• Divide leftovers into smaller portions, place them inside small containers and keep them in a cooler below 40 F.

Safety on the Road

• Ensure your cooler is fully stocked with ice or frozen cold sources that can help keep perishable foods safe.

• Pack beverages in one cooler and perishable food in another cooler. The beverage cooler may be opened frequently, causing the temperature inside the cooler to fluctuate and become unsafe for perishable foods.

• Once outside, place the cooler in the shade.

• Full coolers will keep your perishable foods cold and safe for longer than half-full ones.

• Fill extra space in the cooler with more ice. You can pack your foods when they are frozen to maintain a cold temperature.

Camping and Backpacking

• If you are camping or backpacking for more than a day, plan ahead for when your cold sources run out. Consider packing shelf-stable items that don’t need to be kept cold. Shelf-stable options include:

• pre-packaged, shelf-stable meals

• peanut butter in plastic jars

• concentrated juice boxes

• canned tuna, ham, chicken and beef

• dried noodles and soups

• beef jerky and other shelf-stable meats

• dehydrated foods

• whole or dried fruits

• nuts

• powdered milk and fruit drinks

USDA study examines grazing alternatives

Rotational or continuous grazing? Which system allows for more sustainable and profitable free-range livestock production?

Ranchers often rotate cattle seasonally among different pastures on their operations but may allow cattle to graze season-long in a single pasture.

Implementing a more intensive rotational system within the growing season—dividing the pasture into smaller areas, or paddocks, and shifting a herd of animals throughout the season—has been suggested to offer a greater chance for more sustainable grazing management. However, there have been very few experimental studies testing these ideas in extensive grazing systems.

A team of researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service is completing a 10-year study on how grazing practices used in these two systems affect cattle foraging behavior, diet quality, and yearly weight gain in semi-arid, extensive rangelands.

The team started by exploring the efficiency of using cattle global positioning system (GPS) tracking collars, combined with activity sensors, to monitor the animals' grazing activities.

"The primary objective of the study was using the sensors to measure the steers' foraging behavior, and relate this to how they are gaining weight," said David Augustine, a research ecologist with the ARS Range and Resources & Systems Research in Colorado.

The collars collected precise data based on the animals' feeding habits per day, such as how much time was spent grazing every day, how many steps were taken (grazing speed), the shape of the foraging pathways, and how long each animal lowered their head as a sign of eating (representing the length of meals).

Even though the accuracy of the application is still being refined, results showed that the technology can inform livestock managers about animal distribution and foraging behaviors of free-ranging cattle in extensive rangelands. Being able to monitor foraging behavior continuously in turn allows managers to make more timely decisions on how, when, and where to move cattle within their operation, or to sell cattle at optimal times.

USDA, DHS launch bio and agro-defense facility

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials have celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.

The new operation, which offers the highest level of biocontainment laboratories and safety protocols, is the first of its kind in the United States and will allow scientists to study and diagnose critical animal diseases.

“America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers count on our researchers to understand, monitor for and develop solutions to combat a variety of high-consequence animal pathogens, and a facility of this magnitude positions us to respond,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“This new, innovative facility will give USDA scientists access to cutting-edge, safe and secure technology so they can continue to lead the world in animal health research, training and diagnostics to protect our food supply, agricultural economy and public health.”

The valuable scientific information delivered by researchers at NBAF will also allow America to remain a leading contributor of countermeasures that will protect agriculture, economies and citizens across the globe.

NBAF will replace DHS’s Plum Island Animal Disease Center, which is a biosafety level-3 facility in New York that is more than 68 years old. Both departments have collaborated on the requirements for this next-generation science facility since 2006, and Manhattan, Kansas, was selected as NBAF’s site in 2009.

DHS led NBAF’s design and construction, and USDA will own and operate the facility.