North Dakota State University Extension Service - Burke County
Burke County AgAlert
September 4, 2008
Winter Wheat – Breaking the Green Bridge
The current wet weather may have some producers thinking of winterwheat.
Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus has been occurring more and more often in north
central and northwestern North Dakota and is something you should be
thinking about. Wheat streak mosaic virus is a disease often seen in areas
where winter wheat is grown. The disease is vectored by the wheat curl mite
which needs green plant tissue to survive. The mites can survive on any
grass plants: wheat, weeds, corn, etc. Once the mite has transmitted the
virus to a winter wheat plant, the virus will remain viable in that plant
overwinter. Research has shown that controlling the mite is not an effective
means of managing the spread of the virus. The best management plan for
wheat streak mosaic virus is to “break the green bridge” prior to planting
winter wheat in the fall. This can be done with either herbicides or
tillage, and is most effective if done on an area wide basis. There needs to
be a minimum of 2-weeks where there is no green tissue for the mite to
survive on. Risk is also reduced by planting winter wheat later
(mid-September) when mites are less active; and avoiding planting adjacent
to corn or late seeded wheat. These are crucial management strategies as
there is no “rescue” treatment for wheat streak mosaic virus. Further
information on the biology of the virus and wheat curl mite is available at
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/smgrains/pp646w.htm.
USDA ANNOUNCES PROPOSED RULE FOR REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISPOSITION OF
DOWNER CATTLE
WASHINGTON, DC - August 27, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) today announced a proposed rule to amend the Federal meat inspection
regulations to initiate a complete ban on the slaughter of cattle that
become non-ambulatory after initial inspection by Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS) inspection program personnel.
This proposed rule follows the May 20 announcement by Secretary of
Agriculture Ed Schafer to remove the provision that states that FSIS
inspection program will determine the disposition of cattle that become
non-ambulatory disabled after they have passed ante-mortem, before
slaughter, inspection on a case-by-case basis. Under the proposed rule, all
cattle that are non-ambulatory disabled at any time prior to slaughter,
including those that become non-ambulatory disabled after passing
ante-mortem inspection, will be condemned and properly disposed of. 
"To maintain consumer confidence in the food supply, eliminate further
misunderstanding of the rule and, ultimately, to make a positive impact on
the humane handling of cattle, I believe it is sound policy to simplify this
matter by initiating a complete ban on the slaughter of downer cattle," said
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.
On July 13, 2007, FSIS published the final rule, "Prohibition of the Use of
Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition
of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle; Prohibition of the Use of Certain
Stunning Devices Used to Immobilize Cattle during Slaughter," (SRM final
rule). The SRM final rule allowed a case-by-case reinspection of
cattle to address the rare situations where an animal that is deemed by FSIS
as fit for human food at ante-mortem inspection subsequently suffers an
acute injury.
Under the proposed rule, cattle that become non-ambulatory disabled from an
acute injury after ante-mortem inspection will no longer be eligible to
proceed to slaughter as "U.S. Suspects." Instead, FSIS inspectors will tag
these cattle as "U.S. condemned" and prohibit these animals from proceeding
to slaughter. Establishments will be required to notify FSIS personnel when
cattle become disabled after passing ante-mortem inspection.
Of the nearly 34 million cattle that were slaughtered in 2007, less than
1,000 cattle that were re-inspected were actually approved by the
veterinarian for slaughter. This represents less than 0.003 percent of
cattle slaughtered annually.
Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before September 29th,
2008. Comments can be sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2534 South Agriculture Building,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
Washington, D.C.
20250; e-mailed to fsis.regulationscomments@fsis.usda.gov
or submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov
< file://www.regulations.gov>
All submissions received by mail or electronic mail must reference the Food
Safety and Inspection Service and include the docket number FSIS-2008-0022.
For further technical information on the proposed rule, contact Dr. Daniel
Engeljohn, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and Program
Development, at (202) 205-0495 or by fax at (202) 720-2025.
Dan Folske
Extension Agent/Burke County
Soil Conservation Technology Specialist
PO Box 280
Bowbells, North Dakota 58721
dan.folske@ndsu.edu
701-377-2927