BEEF BRIEFS BOYLES EARNS NATIONAL BQA EDUCATOR AWARD
Each year the National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award recognizes outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations. Dr. Steve Boyles, Ohio State University (OSU) beef cattle extension specialist, is the 2021 BQA Educator Award recipient. Boyles is originally from Southeast Ohio, where his family ran a research facility for OSU. Growing up on the farm cultivated his love for beef cattle. Boyles pursued that interest, eventually becoming a leading expert in BQA. He uses his knowledge and expertise to teach agriculture students, cattle producers and consumers alike on the importance of BQA. Award winners are selected by a committee comprised of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups, who assess nominations based on their demonstrated commitment to BQA practices, their service as leaders in the beef industry and their dedication to promoting the BQA message to grow consumer confidence. The National BQA Awards are funded in part by the Beef Checkoff program and sponsored by Cargill.
2021 FARM SCIENCE REVIEW TO BE LIVE AND IN PERSON
The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, which was held online last year because of the pandemic, will 58 | Ohio Cattleman | Early Fall Issue 2021
return this year to be live and in person for the 59th annual event. The premier agricultural education and industry exposition is set for Sept. 21–23 at Ohio State’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38, near London. “While research, teaching, and serving communities throughout Ohio never stopped during the pandemic, we are grateful to once again be in person, working together, to advance our industry,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). CFAES is the host of Farm Science Review, which brings in more than 100,000 people annually. Featured at the event will be more than 100 educational sessions, including “Ask the Expert” talks; 600 exhibits; the most comprehensive field crop demonstrations in the United States; a career exploration fair; and immersive virtual reality videos of agricultural activities. Hours for Farm Science Review are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21–22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23. Tickets are $7 online, at county offices of OSU Extension, and at participating agribusinesses, and $10 at the gate. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.
STATE OFFICIALS WARN LIVESTOCK OWNERS ABOUT EMERGING ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK
The Asian Longhorned Tick (ALHT), Haemaphysalis longicornis, has recently been discovered in cattle herds in two Ohio counties. On July 30, 2021, the State Veterinarians Office was notified that the tick was detected in beef herds in Jackson and Monroe counties. Heavy infestations have led to some cattle deaths. This is significant as this marks the first known cattle (live-
stock) infestation in Ohio. In July 2020, ODA was informed that this tick was identified on a dog from Gallia County. In 2017, this non-native and invasive tick species was found for the first time in the United States (New Jersey). Since then, it has moved across several mid-Atlantic states into West Virginia and now Ohio. This tick poses a significant disease threat and economic impact to Ohio’s livestock industry as it transmits over a dozen diseases that have human and animal health impacts. There is great concern amongst animal health officials about the potential impacts on livestock and wildlife. This tick can feed in large populations (known as a tick mass) on warm-blooded host animals which can lead to reduced growth, animal production, and in severe cases sufficient blood loss can result in death. Thus far, 17 different mammal species and one avian species have been infested with Asian longhorned ticks. Mammals include sheep, goats, dogs, cats, horses, elk, cattle, deer, opossums, raccoons, foxes and humans. The ALHT is a three-host tick, indicating it will feed on a different host for each life stage. Additionally, this tick is can reproduce without mating with a male. A single female can lay between 2,000 and 4,000 eggs, leading to heavy populations in some areas. This wide host range and unique tick biology leads to endemic tick populations in the environment that are difficult to control. Producers are encouraged to treat their livestock regularly for ticks and other external parasites. Additionally, environmental control measures are recommended. For livestock owners these include keeping grass and weeds trimmed and clearing overgrown brush in pastures and yards. Consult with your local veterinarian regarding preventive strategies to control external parasites.
