4. Risk of Corn Mold Higher Due to Extended Rains in Michigan
Submitted by Phil Kaatz
Lapeer County Michigan State University Extension
County Extension Director - EANR Educator
Reports of mold in standing corn are starting to filter into MSU Extension offices and farm suppliers across the state. Periods of extended rain has increased the chances for mold to occur and should be a consideration when harvesting your crop. Several different types of corn ear molds are possible, including these fungi: Diplodia, Gibberella and Fusarium.
Harvesting field that are suspect or have signs of these molds should be a priority. All of these fungi will reduce grain quality, but Gibberella ear rot and Fusarium ear rot produce toxins that may be harmful to livestock.
There are several excellent web sites providing recommendations for moldy corn.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/b802/ear_kernel_rots.html <http://ohioline.osu.edu/b802/ear_kernel_rots.html> - Corn Disease Management
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/ohiofieldcropdisease/Mycotoxins/mycopagedetrimental.htm <http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/ohiofieldcropdisease/Mycotoxins/mycopagedetrimental.htm> - excellent information for feeding rates of moldy corn sources
http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=319 <http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=319> - Grain Molds and Mycotoxins in Corn
http://lancaster.unl.edu/ag/crops/storage.htm <http://lancaster.unl.edu/ag/crops/storage.htm> - Grain Storage Management
Have a safe harvest season.
5. Banning Backyard Poultry to Control Avian Flu???
The Health Board of Eason, PA is considering banning backyard poultry due to concerns about avian flu. I found this in response to the perceived threat and thought you might like to keep it on file in case it comes up where you live (or in your state, if the townships near you all ban them, yours cold be
next!)
>>
People in other states take note, this could happen to you. I went to a medical conference on Avian flu just 2 months ago and there has not been ONE case of highly pathogenic bird flu in the entire USA. Furthermore, when one looks at the outbreaks in other countries, the infection has STARTED in the factory farms, which house thousands of birds in close quarters, not the other way around. And make no mistake, when they talk about "backyard poultry", they are talking about true organic farmers not just people who have one or two chickens.
I realize this may appear way off-topic to those who do not own poultry but remember - give them an inch....
What if they decided "backyard" horse farms are breeding grounds for vesicular stomatitis (their latest "disease of concern" in horses)? Will they pass laws that ban everything but large, commercial stables? What if they decide small family dairy farms are breeding grounds for brucellosis or bovine TB? Will they pass laws that ban anything less than say a 600 cow dairy?
Think about it.
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6. Organic agriculture for the future:
Designing farms for better soil and pest management.
Learn with us
http://www.organic.cornell.edu/ocs/tutorial/index.html
<http://www.organic.cornell.edu/ocs/tutorial/index.html> Welcome to the Living Laboratory Course on Organic Farming
The Living Laboratory Course on Organic Farming is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of organic farming systems. It consists of a series of web based learning modules (see menu) and field experiences at the project experiments. The intent of the course is to provide organic farmers with a deeper understanding of the biology underlying organic cropping systems, and to introduce extension personnel, crop advisors and researchers to the scientific basis of organic practices.
Beginning in 2006, two learning modules will be posted at this web site each year. They will draw on the experiments to develop particular topics related to organic production systems. The intent of the modules is not to comprehensively review an entire subject such as organic insect management or nutrient management. Each such subject could be a course in itself. Instead the modules will use hypotheses and findings of the experiments to illustrate important concepts in organic farming. We will complement the modules posted here with hands-on exercises during annual field days held at the experiments. For those who are unable to attend the field days, we will post photographs and summaries of activities. Finally, after field days and after a module has been posted long enough for participants to work through the exercises, we will host an on-line chat in which you can ask questions of project personnel and discuss the subject matter with other course participants.
The idea is to give you an experience something like a college laboratory course. As in more conventional laboratory courses, the idea is not to cover all topics, but rather to deepen your understanding through personal interaction with the subject matter. Unlike conventional courses, you can jump into this course at any time since each module stands on its own. Best of all, this course is fun and absolutely free!
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Last updated 07/27/2006 12:03:49
© Copyright, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University.
Logo graphics by Rachel Kennedy.
Design by Craig Cramer <mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
Mention of trade names and commercial products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers' instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University assumes no responsibility for the use of any pesticide or chemicals. Some of the links provided are not maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University are not responsible for information on these websites. They are included for information purposes only and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
7. Salmonella Outbreak Update Information on the Food Domain
The Food Domain Web site, the official website of the Food Safety Area of Expertise team, has the latest information about the Salmonella Outbreak. As more information becomes available, it will be posted on the Food Domain Web site. The site is designed to serve as a resource on food, food safety and nutrition for producers, community handlers, processors, manufacturers, regulators, educators and consumers. Some of the information is Michigan-specific; however, some apply to national and international audiences.
Check out the Food Domain website for your latest food safety information: http://fooddomain.msu.edu/default.asp <http://fooddomain.msu.edu/default.asp> .
For more questions re the Salmonella outbreak, pls. contact Dr. Les Bourquin, MSU Extension Food Safety Specialist, at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
8. Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Nov 5-7, DeVos Place Conference Center, Grand Rapids, MI
The 2006 Organic Production Issues and Produce Marketing Conference will be held on Thursday, December 7, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. Registration is $70.00 unless you present a poster about some aspect of your farm or market, done as an educational poster. If you create a poster and stand by it for one hour, you choose the time and day you can get into the show for $5.00!! More importantly, this is a chance to share your experience and farm. If you would like to present a poster you can register with David Epstein. Email him at [log in to unmask] or call him at 517-432-4766. Please remember the poster should be done in an educational poster format; easy to read and follow, some photos with text and having an overall title. Please call Vicki Morrone if you would like further explanation or clarification.
More details about the Conference are available about on the web at: www.glexpo.com
9. Business and Market Planning for Farmers' Markets
A workshop for farmers who sell through farmers' markets, for farmers' market managers, and for other direct farm marketers.
Sponsored by Michigan State University and supported by a USDA Risk Management Agency agreement, the program will help participants
* Understand customers' purchasing behaviors
* Fine-tune business goals for your direct farm marketing operation
* Evaluate potential for organic, pasture-based or other certified farming systems to differentiate your product
* Determine break-even points and profitability of individual items and product groups
* Identify risks and compare options to address them
* Learn more about the new Michigan Farmers' Market Association
Taught by Dr. Susan Smalley, Extension Specialist for sustainable food and farming systems, and Dr. Barb Fails, Assistant Director for educational programs at the MSU Product Center, the program will include resource materials for participants to take home. Choose from four4 locations around the state. Each is from 9am to 4pm.
Thursday, Nov. 16 Frankenmuth, Bavarian Inn Restaurant, 713 S. Main St.
Friday, Nov. 17 Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University, Fetzer Center
Monday, Nov. 20 Royal Oak, Royal Oak FarmersMarket, 316 East 11 Mile Rd.
Tuesday, Nov. 21 Traverse City, Waterfront Conference Center, 2061 US 31 North
To register: The advance registration fee of $25 covers your lunch and refreshments. Return the attached registration form by mail, with payment, to
Lanea Miller
MSU Product Center
80 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
For more information: Contact Lanea Miller at 517-432-4608 or [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
10. LEARN TO KEEP AGRICULTURE IN THE FAMILY
AT FARM IT FORWARD PROGRAM
EAST LANSING, Mich.--Keeping a family farm in business from one generation to the next or between multiple members of one generation can be a challenge. Discover how to address major issues that can lead to failure in multiple-generation farm businesses during, "Farm it Forward," an educational program offered by Michigan State University (MSU) Extension.
The program will take place Jan. 5-6 and March 2-3, 2007 at MSU's W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, located in Hickory Corners, Mich.
Participants will learn about the importance of communication in multi-generational farm families. They will have the opportunity to work through the process of planning a farm business transition and find out whether their existing operations are large enough to support a additional partners.
A group of resource professionals who work with farm transitions have been recruited to facilitate the program and provide a positive environment for building a solid plan of action.
Topics include planning, ideas for multiple-generation farm families that live and work together, strategic business planning, farm business planning and estate planning basics.
"Putting together an informed plan of action can really improve the future outcome of the farm transition process," says Dennis Stein, MSU Extension educator in Tuscola County and one of the program's organizers. "The transition of knowledge and management is no small task and it shouldn't be undertaken without some outside assistance."
Participating farms must send at least two people to the program. The registration fee is $300 for one to four people from one farm and $125 for each additional person from the same farm. The fee is due Dec. 1, 2006 and includes all materials and meals.
For more information or to register and obtain overnight accommodations contact Dennis Stein at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> or call the Tuscola County MSU Extension office at 989-672-3870, fax 989-673-8248 visit http://www.msu.edu/user/steind <http://www.msu.edu/user/steind> .
If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar
http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html
