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
- Corn Disease Management
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
- Grain Molds and Mycotoxins in Corn
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.
*********************************************************************
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
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!
Last updated 07/27/2006 12:03:49
© Copyright, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University.
Logo graphics by Rachel Kennedy.
Design by Craig Cramer.
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.
For more questions re the Salmonella
outbreak, pls. contact Dr. Les Bourquin, MSU Extension Food Safety Specialist,
at [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]
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] or call the Tuscola
County MSU Extension office at 989-672-3870, fax 989-673-8248 visit http://www.msu.edu/user/steind.