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January 30, 2004
anuary Vol. 68, Number 2
Number
Published by The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets www.vermontagriculture.com
BSE’s implications
on Vermont
By Sam Comstock, An investigation like this
Livestock Specialist follows several tracks simultaneously.
Meat was recalled, calves from the
UVM Extension “index” cow had to be located, and
her history examined in an attempt
The news of the first BSE case in to find the source of the BSE and to
the US on December 23, has cre- identify any other cattle potentially
ated a new reality for farmers around infected at the same time. Fortu-
the country. And despite Vermont’s nately the USDA is experienced at
distant proximity to Washington, the meat recalls, and quickly tracked the
case reverberates throughout the meat distribution.
dairy and cattle farming communi- The “index” farm’s records docu-
ties and has become a daily news item ment that the cow had one heifer in
ever since. the herd and a bull calf, which had
The situation is as follows: In gone to a calf feeding operation. The
August, 2001, a dairy farm in heifer has since been killed and tested
Canada had a dispersal sale, in which for BSE. The bull calf was not easily
health certificates show 82 cows and identified, so about 450 total calves
17 heifers were sold. On September
A family enjoys the Alpaca display during the 70th Annual Vermont Farm Show at the Barre were euthanized.
4, 2001, 81 of the cows came into That was the easy part. The hard
Civic Center on Tuesday. Up to 30,000 people were expected to visit the Farm Show during the the U.S., ending up in several dairy
three-day event. Photo by Michael Schaefer part has been backtracking the cow’s
herds. On December 9, 2003, a movements. The dairy farm owner
non-ambulatory (due to complica- told the USDA the index cow en-
Management options for deadstock tions from delivering a calf ) heifer
was slaughtered and a routine sample
of brain tissue was taken for BSE test-
tered the herd as a heifer, but the
farm manager thought she was a dry
cow, causing some confusion. Four
ing. Within a week, the meat from days into the investigation, the
By Brian Jerose agement options. As rendering rates Proper burial is often limited in her carcass and from other cows
have increased to $75/dead cow in USDA suggested she came from
Vermont due to shallow ledge or slaughtered with her was processed Canada, based on ear tags from the
New rules regarding the han- some parts of Vermont, alternatives high groundwater levels. The Ver- and distributed to at least eight
dling of “downer cattle” due to the such as deadstock composting may slaughterhouse. Confirming this has
mont Agency of Natural Resources states. been difficult because the herd was
U.S. outbreak of BSE or Mad Cow look more attractive. recommends that disposal pits for Two weeks later, a USDA labora-
Disease, has further stressed the ren- Composting of dead calves, other dispersed two and a half years ago.
dead animals be at least 150 feet from tory interpreted the results of the test Canadian records named her sire,
dering industry. With the declining livestock mortalities and slaughter- property lines, wells and surface wa- as BSE positive. A second test was
markets for animal by-products, the ing residuals on-farm is a practice and some of his semen was available
ters. Furthermore, the pit shall be run overnight and the result was also for DNA analysis. The analysis
new USDA rules prohibit downers that has several benefits. Death is a no less than six feet deep and not positive. At that point, the USDA
from entering the human food sup- fact of life on all livestock farms, showed the index cow was that sire’s
less than 3 feet above seasonal high announced the case, sent another daughter. Unfortunately, dairy AI
ply. Dairy farms, which had sent whether due to disease, injury, sample to the U.K. for further con-
some of these animals to slaughter, butchering pigs and chickens, or See ‘Options’ firmation, and began the first inves-
need to consider the various man- beefing an old cow. tigation of BSE in the U.S. See ‘BSE’
Continued On Page 2 Continued On Page 2
Inside This Issue
Issue Periodicals
Postage
Paid at
Montpelier, VT
(UPS 009-700) and at Additional
Mailing Offices
Conserv Bill
A g. Conser vation Bill Page 2 Vermont Agency of
ermont Agency
Agriculture, Food & Markets
griculture, Food arkets
Mar
Marketplace Page 3 116 State Street, Drawer 20
Montpelier, Vermont 05620-2901
ermont
Co-existing in Vermont Page 8 828-2416 or 828-3831 (fax)
A look at two new state Vets. Page 9
USDA update on BSE Page 9
Flightpath
lightpath’
‘ The Flightpath’ Page 10
Early Gardening Tips Page 11
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Agriview, 116 State Street, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-2901
2 www.vermontagriculture.com Januar y 30, 2004
anuary
AG NEWS
Leahy: Vermont Maple Open House around the corner
Open House around corner
Farmers Net $12 The Windsor County Maple
Sugarmakers Association will spon-
sor the 2004 Governor’s Maple Tree
Program will focus on educating the
general public about the maple in-
dustry, its history, and significance
tatives, maple industry specialists,
producers, friends of maple and oth-
ers. A $1500 grant from the Ver-
million More For Tapping Ceremony on Friday, to Vermont’s tourism and agricultural mont Maple Promotion Board will
March 19, 2004 at the Jackson Gore economies. be underwriting the costs for the
Inn and Resort in Ludlow. The Okemo Mountain Resort Luncheon. It is anticipated that 75-
will be hosting the Luncheon at its 100 people will be attending the
Ag Conservation The Ceremony will officially kick-
off the Vermont 2004 maple season
by Governor James Douglas. The
newly opened Jackson Gore Inn.
Guests will include media represen-
Luncheon.
Senator Patrick Leahy Tuesday Champlain.” From ‘BSE’
announced that the U.S. Depart- The funds will come from the On Page 1
ment of Agriculture (USDA) has Environmental Quality Incentives sires often have more than one cow has tested positive for BSE. tions, some of which the USDA has
awarded Vermont $12 million to Program (EQIP), which helps daughter, and often in more than one First and foremost, educate your- not fully explained how they
help farmers control polluted run- farmers reduce polluted runoff; the herd, so it is not a conclusive match. self on the issue and stay up to date. should be met. The USDA isn’t al-
off, protect their land from Farm and Ranchland Protection Of the thousands of potential sires I do not believe we are facing a large lowing any downer cows into
sprawling development and en- program, which helps keep high- she could have come from, it is prom- public health risk, but we are facing slaughterhouses, making them a
hance wildlife habitat. The funds value farmland in agriculture; and ising that her DNA matched the sire a large public misconception of the disposal issue. The flip side of that
come from several federal agricul- the Wildlife Habitat Incentives suggested by the Canadian records. risk, and your customers and neigh- problem is those are the cows we
Unless a Canadian-born calf of hers bors (who eat beef daily) will be ask- most need to be testing for BSE.
can be located and matched with ing for information. Another looming issue is animal
“Farming is the heart of our economy and our DNA, this will be as close to confir- The media is playing on fears, but identification, being mandated by
landscape, and these funds will go a long way to help mation of her birth-herd as possible. the facts don’t justify it. BSE likely the USDA, but quite likely will fall
USDA believes she came with 81 started in the U.K. in the late 70’s, on the Vermont Agency of Agri-
ensure both are healthy. Step by step, we are other cows from Canada into the U.S. and the Center for Disease Control culture to implement. It is one
succeeding in making the federal government a strong in 2001. Nine of the remaining 80 estimates a million cattle were in- month since the discovery of BSE,
cows have been identified as being in fected between now and then. Hun- and we only know the whereabouts
partner in cleaning up Lake Champlain.” the index herd while 18 others have dreds of thousands of cattle infected for 30 percent of the cows from the
Sen. Patrick Leahy been found at seven other dairies in with BSE were consumed by mil- herd. This makes the case for man-
Washington. That leaves 53 cows lions of humans, but as of December datory Animal Identification.
D-Vermont unaccounted for. The USDA believes 1, 2003, there have been only 153 However, it will come at a cost
some of the 53 came to the index cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob to us all, and I believe the first few
ture programs Leahy helped Program, which helps farmers im- farm, so out of the 4,000 cows on Disease (vCJD) worldwide. I believe years of it will consume a consider-
launch as a senior member of the prove wildlife habitat. the farm they identified 129 that we will see more cases of BSE in able amount of state resources. The
Senate Agriculture Committee. Leahy also thanked Governor could potentially be some of the miss- North America, and we should be Vermont Agency of Agriculture has
“This is an important two-fer Douglas for his support in secur- ing cows. These 129 cows have been preparing the public for this. The some long days ahead and needs
for Vermont: It’s good news for ing the federal funds. “The Gov- killed and tested for BSE. U.K. is the best evidence of the hu- our support and patience as the
Then we have the 17 heifers from man health risk, and while vCJD is implications of this case of BSE
our farmers and for Lake ernor has put Lake Champlain
the Canadian herd dispersal. The lat- an awful disease, it isn’t anywhere ripple through our state. As always,
Champlain,” said Leahy, a senior front and center for everyone this est news is that three have been lo- near as deadly as a number of other feel free to call me ((802) 257-
member and former chairman of year and shares my commitment cated in the U.S. and will be killed food-borne illnesses. 7967) with any questions or con-
the Senate Agriculture Commit- to helping farmers do their part to and tested. To date, only the index There are new slaughter regula- cerns.
tee. “Farming is the heart of our clean up the lake.”
economy and our landscape, and During last year’s renewal of the From ‘Options’
these funds will go a long way to 6-year Farm Bill that funds all of On Page 1
help ensure both are healthy. Step the federal agriculture programs,
groundwater. paying for a renderer to haul an old to be considered.
by step, we are succeeding in Disposal in the woods, or “for the cow away, composting can turn the A USDA Sustainable Agriculture
making the federal government a coyotes to eat,” poses risks for poten- carcass into 1000 lbs. of soil amend- Research and Education (SARE)
strong partner in cleaning up Lake See ‘Leahy’
tial disease transmission, runoff of ment for farm fields. Professional Development grant is
Continued On Page 11
nutrients and pathogens, increasing Make no mistake, composting currently providing funds to im-
predator preference for pastured live- carcasses is more difficult than man- prove outreach of this practice in
stock and potential neighbor issues aging a pile of leaves and kitchen Vermont, New York and Pennsyl-
concerning odors and unsightly re- scraps. Well-managed compost piles vania. Agency staff, technical ser-
mains. While there are no docu- have an “earthy” scent and should vice providers, veterinarians and
mented incidents of disease trans- not smell like rotting flesh. Care farmers will be trained in the specif-
mission through this practice, pre- needs to be taken to make the proper ics of carcass composting through a
vention and risk management is wise mix of feedstocks to effectively de- series of active demonstration sites
Agriview is Vermont’s around Vermont, workshops and
Agricultural Publication of Record. for the Vermont livestock industry. compose the carcass. Balancing mois-
Composting is cost-effective, bio- ture, carbon and nitrogen, and struc- tables at farm show and fairs. Event
It is published semimonthly by the secure, environmentally sound and turing the compost pile with some dates will be posted in Agriview and
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets an efficient means of managing ani- coarse materials to allow oxygen into other farm publications.
116 State Street, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-2901 mal remains. Common materials and the mix, will help achieve the suffi- UVM Extension, VT Agency of
Telephone: (802) 828-2416 • Fax: (802) 828-3831 residuals on many farms such as bed- cient microbial activity and increased Agriculture, USDA NRCS and
Natural Resource Conservation Dis-
ded manure, spoiled bunk haylage temperatures (130-150 deg. F), to
Steve R. Kerr, Secretary of Agriculture tricts have brochures, fact sheets and
or silage, rotted hay, and bedding kill pathogens and break down the
videos to assist in developing sites,
Editor: Michael Schaefer, (802) 828-3829 such as sawdust, shavings and straw, carcass and feedstocks into a usable compost “recipes” and preventing
can be used to mix with animal car- end product. Typically, in 6-12 odors. Agency personnel can also
E-mail: schaefer@agr.state.vt.us
casses to create an effective compost months, the compost is suitable for assist with specific troubleshooting
Agriview is available online at pile.Wood chips, often available application to cornfields and other problems. Contact me at (802)
www.vermontagriculture.com from utility companies, municipali- crops. Bones may need to be 933-8789 or jerose@together.net to
ties or tree services are valuable for recomposted or sifted from the end learn more about upcoming events.
Advertising and subscriptions: making a good carcass compost mix. product. A copy of the Vermont Agency
Teresa Doyle, (802) 828-2416 Rather than pushing bunk spoilage Care is needed to properly site of Agriculture’s new Composting
E-mail: teresa@agr.state.vt.us and calf manure into the manure pit the compost pile as proximity to the Livestock Mortality brochure is
or over a bank, these materials can barns and farmstead, access in all sea- available online at http://
Yearly subscription: $10 create a “management and disposal sons, separation distances from wells, www.vermontagriculture.com/
Printed by B.D. Press of Fairfax, Vermont system” for carcasses. Rather than surface water, property lines all need composting.pdf.
Januar y 30, 2004
anuary www.vermontagriculture.com 3
MARKETPLACE
Bees brother to Des Prairies TouTou, Schedule includes weekends, EXCELLENT SHAPE $5800;
5 time Grand Champion at the housing is available. Please JD 4240 4800HRS CAB GMC, 1988 stake bed dump
20-frame radial honey separator Royal. Quiet and well send resume to Mike Reiff, EXCELLENT SHAPE truck 12’, new 454 cu. in.
with wooden stand. Like new mannered, halter broke. Perfect Stonewall Farm, 242 Chester- $23500; JD 2350 3600 HRS engine, new brakes and battery;
condition. $550. Call Roger freestall bull. Newport (802) field Rd., Keene, NH 03431 2WD EXCELLENT SHAPE 9’ Fisher plow. No reasonable
in Whiting (802) 623-6328 334-8198 (2/20) or e-mail to $16500; 1987 ARCTIC CAT offer refused. Located in
(2/6) mreiff@stonewallfarm.org (2/ SNOWMOBILE GREAT Newfane, call (802) 254-8742
Randall Linebacks for sale. Native 6) SHAPE $500. PLEASE CALL
Wanted: Behives to place or rent Vermont rare breed. Selling 1-802-276-3227 (2/6) JD plow, 18” 6-bottom auto-reset;
in an organic berry field for bred heifers and heifer calves. Manager needed at the Brattleboro 2 16’ Dion unloading wagon,
pollination. Call (802)893- Excellent grazers, high butter Area Farmers’ Market. Year I.H. side delivery rake, works $275; heavy duty Tamdon gear; 1
2963 (2/6) fat milk. Great for a family round, part-time work. pinwheel side delivery rake, new New Holland blower; some
cow. Merck Forest and Contact Cathy Miller at 387- teeth $200; N.H. 782 chopper milking equipment; 16’ stock
Lost Nation Farm Apiary: Order Farmland Center – (802) 394- 2346 or e-mail to for parts or can be repaired trailer, Fly L; 4-horse trailer; 4
now for spring Nucleus 7836 (2/20) cmiller@albertsorganics.com. $150. Call 537-2435 (2/6) carts, single and double; hand
colonies:5 frame Nuc’s/$65 Registerd Polled Hereford bull, 21 Application deadline January feed cart. St. Albans (802)
($20 deposit); 10 frame Nuc’s months old, large frame, easy 24. (2/6) 1500 Gallon Mueller bulk tank 524-6478 (2/6)
($40 deposit). These Colonies keeper. Rutland Town (802) with free heaters; 400 ft.
are overwintered in VT, so 236-4917 (2/20) CARETAKER/FARM COUPLE stainless steel pipeline with air Two Allis Chalmers roto balers,
these are VT hardy bees. Call WANTED for year round line and pump with 8 Surge good shape, FREE. Call (802)
to reserve your colony 802- Dogs employment. Sheep flock and units; Miller pro rake, 1 yr. old; 446-2776 (2/6)
878-2271. (2/6) other farming opportunities 18 ft. Transport Brillian Spring
Maremma pups – We have two available on 200 acre farm. Tooth; 12 ft. International drill New Holland 474 haybine.
Cattle bitchs from a May litter and Mechanical ability and solid seeder; 16 ft. Bush hog harrows. Under cover and in good
must sell. Registered animals references a must. Housing Call Bruce at 644-5007 (2/6) condition. $1,000. Call
Jersey/Holstein Cross Heifers(2) with excellent guard capabili- provided, salary and share of Brattleboro (802) 257-5666
17 months old $475 each. ties. Both parents on our farm farm income. For more Mayer 7 ½ foot snowplow, (2/6)
Lincoln 802-453-7138 and because of them we have information call (802) 863- hydraulic, complete with sub- 48 Canadian tie stalls with
Lincoln (2/6) never lost any of our goats to a 3120 (2/20) frame and lights, $750. 758- individual cow dividers plus
predator. Price reduced to 2682 (2/6) extra parts; 36+ water bowls
Jersey/Holstein Bull. 18 Months $400. Boer goats also available. ORGANIC FARMER and quantity of ¾ inch
old. $425. Easy to work Check our web-site at www.vt- WANTED: To grow veg- One set double ring tire chains, will galvanized pipe and fittings.
with. 802-453-7138 Lincoln boergoats.com or call (802) etables on acreage at Inn at fit 11 to 13 inch wide tire and Call (802) 877-3218 (2/6)
(2/6) 254-8742 (2/6) Mountain View Farm in East 24 to 28 inch rim, $125 or best
Holstein Bull for sale – Born 8/ Burke, VT - Call (802) 626- offer. Call (802) 388-7774. Surge Pipeline System – 250 ft +/-
10/02, sired by Mystic, Employment 9924 (2/20) (2/6) 2” SS pipeline, 250 ft +/- 2”
available after 1/23/04, $750. PVC airline; 2 pressure gauges;
Pomeroy Farm, Weston 824- Looking for young adult/family Equipment Signoid Loop 1000, table top 5 Boumatic claws & shells; 5
5489 (2/6) interested in entering into a package strapping machine, Surge pulsators; 4 Surge mini-
16 bred heifers, 5 Holstein, 3 farm partnership. Must have 1980 Ford 350 truck, 6 new style plus 9 rolls of plastic strap, cup claws & shells. Surge
Jersey, 8 crossbreed, all 5-6 interest in progressive livestock wheels 8 hole $50 ea., good excellent condition, $250. Electrobrain pipeline washer &
months preg. checked and grass farming and ability to running gear, B block eng, Please call 453-3418. (2/6) sink; Surge solid state pulsation
vaccinated by vet. Johnson make a commitment. Prefer trans. & diff. Price negotiable.
(802) 644-5577 (2/6) mechanical aptitude, but will Also tailgate and other parts for
train. Work can lead to trucks, call for description &
Registered Dexter bull, Short leg operation ownership. Position prices. W. Danville (802) 563-
type, 18 months old, very comes with a three-bedroom 2025
beefy conformation, quiet and farmhouse and salary based on
gentle. Excellent for a beef experience. Contact: Bruce at 8 gallon minivat pasteurizer, used
crossbreeding program or with 434-7732. (2/6) in great shape, $6,000Call
those difficult calving heifers. Bruce and Erin Bickford,
$950 Rockingham 463-2205 Stonewall Farm, a non-profit Walpole NH at 603-756-9619
(2/6) education center seeks experi- (2/6)
enced teamster and educator
For Sale or Lease: 1400 pount 4 with practical farm skills and MF 124 SQUARE BALER W/
yr old registered Ayrshire bull. ability to interact with public KICKER EXCELLENT
Full brother to Taurus’s Des audiences, for full-time salaried $4800; JD 3950 CHOPPER 5
Prairies Tof-ET and maternal position with benefits. ½ FT GRASS HEAD,
Adver tising in Agriview
ertising
dver
Subscription Price: $10 per year.
Classified Ads: Free to subscribers, limited to 2 ads per issue, ads will
run for 2 issues. Please include subscriber number with ad.
Display Ads: The rate for display advertising is $5 per column inch
(a column inch is approximately 2” wide and 1” deep). A 10% discount
is available for prepaid display ads.
Deadline For Ads: 10 days prior to the publication date.
Classified advertisements must be sent:
• By mail - (see address on page 2)
• By e-mail - (to Teresa Doyle; teresa@agr.state.vt.us)
• By fax - (802) 828-3831
• We do not accept classified ads over the phone.
Only items of an agricultural nature will be listed. The only real 1
estate to be listed is tracts of Vermont land of five acres or more which
are can or are used for agricultural purposes.
The Commissioner reserves the right to make a final decision on the
eligibility of items listed. The editor reserves the right to edit ads. The
Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets assumes no
responsibility for transactions resulting through advertising in Agriview.
Advertisers are cautioned that it is against the law to misrepresent any
product or service offered in a public notice or an advertisement carried
in any publication delivered by the U.S. Mail.
4 www.vermontagriculture.com Januar y 30, 2004
anuary
MARKETPLACE
control; Surge plate cooler 2715 (2/20) Hay - Certified Organic square
model +4CH custom line; bales, 1st cut, good quality.
Surge 100 plus Alamo Potato Digger – one row, ground $2.50 per bale. Call Peacham
vacuum pump with 5 ½ hp driven, 1930’s John Deere, 592-3088 (2/6)
motor. Also includes many could be pulled by horses,
small extra parts. Good system works great. Buy this one and Good quality baled hay first and
in good condition, priced to I’ll give you a second one for second cut, delivery available.
sell. Call (802) 877-3218 (2/ parts, $300. Call Geo., So. (802) 893-6302. (2/20)
6) Royalton (802) 763-7446. (2/
20) Square bales alfalfa-timothy mixed
JD 455 hydra-push spreader, very hay, $2 a bale at the barn. Call
good condition, spread less Double 8 Boumatic Milking Parlor (802) 442-2646 No.
than 100 loads since com- with automatic takeoffs and Bennington (2/20)
pletely gone through by samplers, air doors and gates
dealer, $5000. NH 28 $16,000; Bulk tank, 1500 Bag of Feed $1,000 or best offer.
blower, very good condition, gallon Dairy Kool with washers Call Brookfield (802) 276-
$750. Pomeroy Farm, Weston and compressors, $1,600. 50 3742 (2/20)
(802) 824-5489 (2/6) Clay drinking bowls, $10. each.
Salisbury - (802) 352-4375 Good quality 1st cut 4x4 wrapped
York Rake for sale. Year 2000 round bales, $18 each, plus
Mdl RI8, 8 ft., Hyd. angle, 150 gallon bulk tank, $100. Also, 100 2nd cut sw bales $2. each at
foam filled tires, Jack stand, several 10 gallon milk cans $25. the barn. All bales mixed grass
extra tines. Used very little, each for the lot. Ernest Boule, and clover. Also some 1st cut
cost new $2,800; for sale @ 3 N East Road, Tinmouth, VT square bales. (802) 234-5653
$2,000. Landgrove. 375- 05773. (2/20) (2/20)
5655.
Manure Spreader, Knight 712 side Hay – Good quality first cut round
Hayclone with a 30' shoot for discharge, large flotation tires, bales in ag bags, $18 each.
loose hay or sawdust in nice condition, single axle, Volume discount available. East
excellent shape. $300.00 or $2,000. Fairfax (802) 849- Montpelier (802) 456-8700
best reasonable offer. 802- 6853 (2/20) evenings. (2/20)
485-8266 ir
gaeparent@innevi.com (2/20) Hay – 1st cut mixed grass, 4x4
Farm Proper ty /
arm Property round bales, several grades, up
Four chicken feeders, 4 foot long, Farmland to 400 available. Located on
$7.00 each; Grimm syrup Fisher Road, Orwell, The
press 8” excellent shape, $900. WANTED: Farm within 50 miles Bumps (802) 948-2946 (2/
or best offer; old manure of Montpelier VT. Need 100 20)
bucket with 100 ft. of track, Acres open good well drained
was in use in old stable barns, pasture soils, barn, barn yard, General
excellent shape $350.; scale, manure storage, large house,
floor model, will weigh up to machine shed, off the beaten Come live on a working hilltop
300 lbs., $25. Morse Hillside path. Have outgrown current grass farm with great views and
Farm, Westford (802) 878- facility and need to upgrade. wilderness trail access. Three
3096 (2/20) 802/426-4086 (leave message) bedroom farmhouse for rent.
or e-Mail Prefer tenants willing and able
Case 770 tractor, diesel, 65 pto beefbypfb@yahoo.com (2/20) to do some farm work in
hp, with HD loader, 7 ft. exchange for rent. Horse
bucket, $5,700. Pallet forks, Feed boarding available. $1000/
3pt or loader mounted $425. month, utilities included.
Fork lift forks with mast $150. Large, solid, good quality organic Contact Bruce at 434-7732
Rutland Town (802) 236- (not certified) square-baled hay. (2/6)
4917 (2/20) Most never wet. Call for
information anytime, but 8:00 Goats
Milkroom equipment and 2” a.m. is best. Plainfield 454-
pipeline. Call Brookfield 7888 (2/6) 14 Alpine goats, $100-$250 each
(802) 276-3742 (2/20) or package deal: 5 are 3-year
Corn Silage $25/ton. Hay $3/bale. olds nursing kids and have
Kicker for New Holland 273 Delivery available. Liberty Hill registration papers; 5 are 2-year
Baler, excellent condition, Farm, Rochester. 802-767- olds and able to be registered; 4
might fit on other New 3926. (2/6) are 1-year olds Boer X and San
Holland model? $700 Clemente X goats. Need to sell
Contact Jonathan, 218 Town Hay for sale: 1st cut $2.00 a bale; as soon as possible. Walpole
Farm Road, Hardwick, VT 2nd cut $3.00 a bale. Call 537- NH 603-756-9619 (2/6)
05843 (2/20) 2435 (2/6)
Corn Silage $25/ton. Hay $3/bale. Nubian, purebred does (2), about
Knight 3300 mixer wagon, scales, Delivery available. Liberty Hill 10 months old, $165. each
good shape $5500 or BO. Farm, Rochester 802-767- obo. Nubian/Oberhasli cross
Monroe, NH (603) 638- 3926. (2/6) does, about 9 months old,
2647 (2/20) $145. each obo. Call Lincoln
Hay – 2nd cut round bales for sale, (802) 453-7138 (2/6)
Five Kubota L-Series tractors, all $15 each. Danby (802) 293-
with loaders, 4 wheel drive 5837 (2/6) Three registered Alpine milkers,
and very low hours, 29 to 43 bred for March and April to
horsepower $13,000 to Corn Silage – 1200-1500 tons, excellent bucks, $150. each.
$20,000. Jim Tucker, good quality, well packed in Andover (802) 875-3159 (2/
Springfield, VT (802) 885- bunk - $30 per ton. Also, First 6)
4669 (2/20) and Second Cut Haylage, good
quality, stored in ag bags, $30 Dairy Goats for Sale: 8 does, mix
Fisher 8’ snowplow, power angle, per ton. Call 988-2959 (2/6) breed alpine/nubian x and
modified to mount on Farmall nubian x, they are bred/
H. tractor, $300 or b.o.; Sears Organic first cut grass hay, analysis exposed. 2 yrs. old coming into
gas powered cement mixer available. $2 dollars per bale. 2nd lactation. (802) 626-4641
$75 or b.o. Cabot (802) 563- Fairfield 933-4592 (2/6) (leave message) (2/20)
Januar y 30, 2004
anuary www.vermontagriculture.com 5
MARKETPLACE
Sap buckets, 12 quart, covers and front pans, stainless steel hood,
2 registered Angora goat pregnant spouts sets. Assorted brands inline preheater, stack and stack
does, 4 and 5 years old. Easy (Leader, King, Wheeling, base, excellent grates, two
to handle $150 each, must go Warner). Clean and stored burners, bricked and blankets.
together. Nice fleece, good inside during off season. Asking Can deliver. Harlow’s Sugar
blood lines. One registered $8.00 per set. Houle Home- House, Putney, VT 05346 –
Angora goat buck, 3 years old stead, Irasburg (802) 754- Tel. (802) 387-5852 (2/20)
and very easy to handle, also 2012 (2/6)
good blood lines, proven Evaporator 2 ½’ x 8’, arch, pans,
$200 or will trade for a colored Bucket washer $250; 3 cone stainless, 4 yrs. old, and new
Angora buck. One unregis- canner, holds 2 barrels, $90; smokestack, $2,000. Also, other
tered 100% Border Leicester 275 gal. SS bulk tank, $300; sugaring equipment, call for
ram, cream colored, 3 yrs old, 500 gal plastic horizontal description and prices. W.
very nice fleece, easy to handle. transport tank, $275; misc. Danville (802) 563-2025
Phone (802) 748-4583 or mainline fittings, make an offer;
(802) 626-8349 or e-mail: 8x10 vacuum shed, includes Wanted
Doreen@highviewfarm.net 2hp and 1.5hp vacuum pumps
(2/20) with moisture trap, large belly Wanted: Two 16.9 x 24 tractor
releaser with 3/4hp Grundfos tires to fit backhoe. Will pay
Horses pump, UV light & cartridge reasonable. J.S. Dow, WRJ
filter. Self contained and ready (802) 295-1771 (2/6)
Hackney pony 6 years old, to use, just hook up main lines,
beautiful bay, excellent $3,000. Call (802) 276-3227 Wanted: Pony saddle, good
conformation and dispostion, (2/6) condition. (802) 287-2002 (2/
rides and drives $1600.00. 6)
Western saddle black with Springtech Reverse Osmosis
silver tacks and lace with breast Machine. Mint condition, 160 Wanted: PTO one row potato
plate $150.00. Brookfield gals/hr. Used 1 year, still on digger call Geo 802-763-7446.
802-276-3413 (2/6) 100% warranty for 1 more year, (2/6)
60% on the second year.
English saddle, 18”, with irons. Enough supplies for 1 more Wanted: Delaval automatic milk
NICE! $100. cash. Call maple season. Winterized. 3 pipeline washing unit and air
Underhill Ctr. 899-3450 (2/ tanks included: 550 gal. poly injectors call 802-247-3362 .
6) cylinder, 300 ga. open (2/6)
Rubbermaid, and a 350 gal.
Pigs truck transport tank. $4,500. Wanted: Kohler engine, 8 or more
Williamstown (802) 433-1098 horsepower, electric start.
Piglets: Mixed breed piglets (2/6) Rutland Town (802) 236-4917
$45.00. (1) intact male. Sows: (2/6)
Proven sows of various ages 1200 gal. galvanized holding tank
and breeds $165 each Boar: w/metal frame, excellent Wanted: Gooseneck overdeck
Proven with great conforma- condition, $600. 1000 gal. trailer, 12K to 14K rating with
tion. Gentle with the ladies. horizontal poly tank w/3 hoops, electrical brakes & loading
$145.00 Lincoln 802-453- shut-off, and hose, used in a 1- ramps. Grand Isle 372-4593
7138 (2/6) ton dump truck, perfect (2/6)
condition, $800. Williams
R abbits Farm, Cornwall (802) 462- Wanted: Tractor, JD 2020D or
2470 (2/6) 2030D in very good condition.
French Lops – purebred young Call (802) 457-2501 (2/6)
adults, broken and solid does Grimm sap buckets, covers and
$50, bucks $35. Will have spouts, approximately 250, Wanted: Milk stool, metal, three
babies soon. (802) 476-3331 some 12 qt., some 16 qt. legs, to fit under Jersey cow.
(2/20) Asking $1.50 per tap. Grimm Underhill Ctr. 899-3450 (2/
6 barrel, round gathering tank, 6)
Sheep asking $200. Manchester
(802) 362-1856 (2/6) Wanted: Beehives to place or rent
Dorset Ram, 3 ½ yrs old, healthy, in an organic berry field for
gentle, stocky build, sires nice For Sale or Trade: Sap storage, 29” pollination. Call (802)893-
lambs. Need new blood in the tall x 56” wide x 11’ 11” on 2963 (2/6)
flock, will sell for $125. or 143” long, old style wood
trade for another Dorset ram. frame. In very good condition, Wanted: Working square baler,
Barnet (802) 592-3088 (2/6) always inside and clean and 270 New Holland or Massey or
coated. Will sell or trade for 16”
Katahdin: Registered breeding block wood. Call evenings
stock. New bloodlines to New (802) 244-7534 (2/6)
England. Sires include triplet
born, twin raised ram from Leader 2x4 “Vermonter” evapora-
2003 NSIP Proven Katahdin tor with six feet of stack,
Sire Trait leading flock. Bred stainless steel one-piece baffled
and selected to produce and pan, and 325 gallon plastic
raise multiple market lambs pickup truck sap tank. Good
exclusively on forage. shape – stored under cover off-
postwhit@sover.net , N. season. $1,199. for both.
Pomfret, 295-3211. (2/20) Chuck in White River at 295-
1456 (2/6)
Sugaring Equipment
30 – 5-gallon epoxy syrup drums
Woodsplitter for sapwood. Will used once and cleaned. Like
split four foot long wood. new. $5. each or best offer.
Three point hitch. Good Robert Colton, Pittsfield (802)
condition $1200. North 746-8901 (2/20)
Bennington 802-447-3781
(2/6) Maple Syrup Evaporator, 5’x14’
raised blue, two 4’ stainless
6 www.vermontagriculture.com Januar y 30, 2004
anuary
MARKETPLACE
similar. Don’t want to pay
much, for 9N. Call (802) 333-
9252 (2/6) Agrivew Hay & Forage Directory
grivew irector
Forage Directory
Wanted: Snow plow, frame and Addison County former dairy, high quality.
electric controls to fit ’95 Jeep Chittenden County $3.00 per bale. Walden Farm,
Wrangler, ’95 –’03 fits. Also Addison - Hay: round bales, June Orange County 533-7095. (10/1)
right side metal door for same. cut, fertilized. $75 a ton at Colchester - 500 tons +/- corn
Call Art anytime – Hartland barn. Also, 2nd cut big square silage: will sell in three (3) Brookfield - For Sale or Equal North Troy - Large wrapped round
(802) 436-2772 (2/20) bales, processed. 759-2336. separate lots, $20 per ton. Jeff Value Trade: 1,500 square bales bales of excellent certified
(8/1) Senesac 655-2862. (7/ of hay, both last year and this organic hay. Mixed grasses and
Wanted: Old barn beams for 15) year’s hay. Price is $1.50 a bale alfalfa: 1st cut, $22.00 a bale; 2nd
spring addition to house. Also Bridport - Hay: large square bales, or trade for equal value heifers cut, $25.00 a bale. Quantity
small manure spreader. Call 2nd cut, alfalfa/grass mix. $40/ Hinesburg - Standing hay, 20 or cows. Contact Tom Kidder discounts. Square bales, approx.
(802) 948-2782 (2/20) 650 lb bales. 758-2682. (12/ acres. Free. 482-2294. (7/15) at 276-3477. (8/15) 45 lbs., certified organic, $2.25
1) per bale. Delivery available.
Wanted: India Blue Peahens; Hinesburg - Round bales for sale: Brookfield – 20 acres standing 988-4384, leave message. (10/
Golden and Silver Seabright Cornwall – Hay – good quality, excellent quality, $10 each. You corn. Lloyd Baker 276-3119. 1)
Bantams. Call No. Haverhill, clean 1st cut square bales. $1 pick up. 482-2305. (8/1) (10/15)
NH (603) 787-7070 (2/20) each. 462-3462. (11/1) North Troy – 1st and 2nd cut
Hinesburg – 5000 bales 1st cut, $2 Brookfield – 1st and 2nd cut hay, haylage, stored in Ag Bag, $30
Wanted: Haybine, side delivery Cornwall – 1st and 2nd cut hay for per bale, quantity discount. 400 lbs, round bales. Stored per ton. Corn silage, 1200-
rake, and square baler in good sale. Excellent quality, no dust, 300 bales 2nd cut, $2.75. under cover. Leonard A. 1500 tons, good quality, well-
condition for personal use (not $1.75-$2.50 per bale. Good Mulch hay, $1. 482-2376. Herold, 276-3101. (11/1) packed in bunk. $30 per ton.
farming) at a reasonable price. quality 4x4 round bales, $5- (11/1) 988-2959. (1/9)
Call (802) 244-8580 (2/20) $12. Can deliver to most areas Chelsea – Square baled hay, 1st
for small fee. 462-2732. (11/ Hinesburg – Hay: clover, timothy cut, large bales, $2.00/bale. Westfield – 700 tons of good
Wanted: Small airblast orchard 15) and trefoil mix. Baled without Call Bonnie at 685-7733 or quality corn silage . Well
sprayer for 300+ tree orchard. getting wet. 4 X 4 round bales, 685-4821 days Monday thru packed in 3 bunks. 744-2427.
Must work with 18hp or less at Lincoln – Premium 1st cut grass $15 each. Last years, $7.50 Thursday; 684-2292 nights (10/15)
PTO (JD 750 tractor) in good mix, $2/bale. 2nd cut grass each. Delivery available or and weekends and all day
condition. Please call Eric (802) mix, $3/bale. 1st cut round loaded on your truck. 482- Friday. (11/1)
425-3357 (2/20) bales (in plastic), $20/bale. 2699 or 482-2556. (11/1) Rutland County
Mulch hay, $1/bale. Delivery Fairlee – 450 tons corn silage &
Wanted: New Holland 368 or 371 available. 453-4033. (8/15) Richmond - 50 + acres standing haylage mix, $30/ton. 150 Benson - 200 round bales for sale,
tank-flail spreader for parts. corn silage. Price negotiable. tons haylage $30/ton. Truck- June/July cut hay. $10 per bale.
Cabot (802) 563-2715 (2/20)
Orwell - 5 X 5 round hay bales, Call 434-7088. (9/1) ing available. 333-4840. (7/ 537-3411. (8/1)
good quality mixed hay, cut 15)
Wanted: Blacksmith forge and
mid-June, $20 per bale. 948- St. George – Quality Hay & Benson - 4 X 4 hay bales, priced at
tools to set up small home shop.
2357 or email Mulch, square bales. Call Randolph Center- Mulch hay for $5, $10, and $15 per bale.
Morrisville (802) 888-7955.
freeman_corey@hotmail.com evenings or leave message with sale: delivery possible. 728- 537-2271. (9/15)
(2/20)
(8/1) Gerry Guillemette at 802-862- 5413 or email
3741. (10/15) tomoconnell180@msn.com or Benson - Hay, large round bales, 1st
Starksboro - Winter Rye Seed for farmboys3@msn.com (8/15) cut, $5.00-$7.50-$10.00 537-
sale: Vermont Grown. $6.50/ Westford – hay: large square bales, 2271 (12/12)
Bu. Lewis Creek Farm, $2.00 a bale out of barn. Easy Randolph Center - Corn silage and
453-4591. (8/1) access. 879-4269. (10/1) 3rd cut haylage available out of Danby - 2nd Cut round bales for
the field. Large and small sale, $15 each. (802) 293-
Vermont producers top
ermont producers Vergennes - 4 X 4 round bales, Williston – Late 1st cut hay, $1.50/ quantities to fill or top off your 5837
corn silage division double net wrapped, processed bale. Mulch hay, $.75/bale. forage needs. Every load
1st cut (2003), $15 a bale. Delivery available. 310-4840. weighed. 1st and 2nd cut 3 X 3 Fair Haven - 4X4 mixed grass hay
CLARENDON, VT.-- Proved to Also 2nd cut square bales, alfalfa (11/1)FRANKLIN COUNTY X 8 processed square bales. bales, cut in June and July
be the winner’s circle for two silage & grasses, $2.50 per bale. 759- Quality for beef, heifers, horses 2003, $15/bale. 537-2271.
producers who recently claimed top 2176. (10/15) Fairfield - Organic, first cut grass or dairy TMR. Call for pricing. (7/15)
honors at the World’s Forage Analy- hay. Analysis available. $2.00 Delivery available for all feed.
sis Superbowl in Madison, Wis. Whiting: First and second cut per bale. 933-4592 (1/9) Lincoln Custom Cropping. Florence – First cut dry round hay
“The hybrid offers higher digest- square bale horse & livestock Cell: 802-793-1206. bales. Stored under cover. $20-
ibility with a lower lignin content, hay, 40 to 50 pound bales. slincoln@sover.net (9/1) $30 Delivery available. Call
which results in more energy avail-
able to the cow,” says Ted Mulch hay. Delivery available 483-2362. (10/1)
Grembowicz, winner of the Dairy in New England ad eastern Grand Isle County Tunbridge - 1st and 2nd cut round
Corn Silage division. “I have used New York or pick up at the bales: dry & wrapped baleage. North Clarendon - High Moisture
BMR hybrids for the past five years farm. Large quantity available. Isle La Motte – Hay – 1st cut grass. $20 to $30 depending on Shell Corn (H.M.S.C.) loaded
and they’ve helped me raise milk pro- Popoma Farm (802) 623-6220 $2/bale. Also mulch hay, quality. 889-5512. (9/1) on truck in field. 773-6837 or
duction by 4 to 5 pounds per cow or popoma@juno.com (11/15) $1.50/bale. Call weekdays at cell phone 345-2193. (10/1)
per day and also allowed me to de- 828-5435 or evenings and Washington - 3500 good quality
crease grain costs.” weekends at 928-3471. (11/1) square bales, $2 a bale in barn. Pawlet - Corn silage in bunker,
Grembowicz Farm milks 75 Hol- Caledonia County 883-2235. (11/1) $20/ ton. Deer Flats Farm 645-
steins with a 24,500 pound rolling Grand Isle - Dry hay, 2003, round 0405. (7/1)
herd average. They raise grain corn, Barnet – Second crop wrapped bales (5’x5 1/2'). Grand Isle,
grass hay, corn silage and soybeans
on 650 acres. round bales, $20. Square bales, Vermont location. To inspect Orleans County Rutland - 300 tons haylage, $20/
The Grand Champion First $2.00 633-3927. (10/15) hay call 253-4515 or 479- ton. 747-3057 or 345-2229.
Time Entrant, Cash Ruane, has 7841. (1/9) Albany - 400 round bales for sale (8/1)
planted Mycogen Fulltime Forage Peacham – Dry round bales on our farm in Albany, Vt. Hay and Forage Di-
hybrids for the past three years. (under cover), wrapped, 1st & The price is $12/bale. Our ectory
rector y Continued
The C. Ruane Farm operation 2nd cutting. Square bales, 2nd Lamoille County phone number is 802-755-
consists of Cash; his wife, Karen; and cutting. For information call 9918 (1/17) Washington County
his daughter, a high school senior. 592-3356. (11/15) Jeffersonville - 4 X 4 wrapped
They own 127 head with a milking round silage bales, certified Derby - 1st & 2nd cut wrapped Barre - Organic 2nd cut hay….free.
string of 58. Most of the herd are South Ryegate - 30# square bales, organic or conventional. Triple round bales. Also, mixed alfalfa 479-9683. (9/1)
Holsteins, with 10 percent Brown dry, 1st cut, $1.75 at barn. wrapped. Milk hay, $25 per and grass wrapped round bales
Swiss. Ruane farms 189 acres raising
grass hay, high moisture shell corn, Mulch by the truckload, $1.00 bale. Heifer hay, $18 per bale. with 18% protein. 766-2677. East Montpelier – Hay – Good
BMR corn silage and soylage (soy- each, we load – you transport. Forage analysis results available (10/1) quality, first cut, round bales in
beans as forage). Steve, 584-4450. (8/15) on all feed. Mountain Road ag bags, $18 each. Volume
Farm, 644-5138. (9/15) Greensboro - 2nd cut square bales, discount available. 456-8700
Januar y 30, 2004
anuary www.vermontagriculture.com 7
MARKET REPORTS
MARKET REPORT
Wholesale Prices Northampton Co-Operative Auction Association, Inc. — Januar y 27, 2004
perative
orthampton Co-Operativ Auction Association, Inc. anuary
Januar
January 27, 2004
anuary Total Animals: 303 uyers:
Buy
Consignors: 89 Buyers: 74
EGGS: Calves Low High Cows Low High Feeder Pigs Low High
Prices paid per dozen for VT Grade (each) 17.00 64.00
A brown eggs delivered to retail 45-60 lbs. 26.00 38.00 Canners 20.00 40.00
61-75 lbs. 40.00 41.00 Cutters 42.50 47.00 Lambs Low High
stores.
76-90 lbs. 40.00 66.00 Utility 47.50 56.25 95.00 185.00
Jumbo, $1.83-1.86 91-105 lbs. 50.00 68.00
Hogs Low High Sheep Low High
X-Large, $1.70-1.73 106 lbs & up 68.00 71.00
Large, $1.64-1.67 15.00 40.50 49.00 110.00
Farm 70.00 120.00
Medium, $1.30-1.33 Calves Sows Low High Goats Low High
Egg market is up, supply is good Started NONE 7.00 26.00 (each) 23.00 207.50
and demand is good to very good. Calves Boars Low High Rabbits: $2.00 - 8.00 each
You can find more reports Feeder 42.50 69.00 3.00 Hay: $1.90 - $3.60/bale
online at Calves
Mulch Hay: None
http://www.ams.usda.gov/ Heifers 60.00 87.00 Shoats Low High
marketnews.htm Straw: None
Veal NONE 32.00 70.00
This is the web source for Bulls 50.25 63.00
USDA Market News Steers 81.00 84.50 All prices are per hundredweight on the hoof unless otherwise indicated.
Source: Northampton Cooperative Auction Association, Inc.
evenings Rep. Heifers NONE
Marshfield – Cert. Organic hay,
round bales, wrapped and dry.
$15-20. Joe Lee at 426-3123
or 426-3339. (10/15)
CALENDAR
Plainfield – Large, solid, good Febr uar y 7
uary
ebruar nesota, speaking on marginality and more.
quality, organic (not certified), Beginning Cheesemaking Work- its importance to effective business A special children’s conference is Grant Applications
square-baled hay. Most never shop at Lazy Lady Farm. Introduc- management, while incorporating available for young farmers ages 6- airy
ermont Dair
for Vermont Dair y
wet. Call for information. 454- tory workshop for people interested information on production, health 13 which will offer farm-related
in cheese making. Cost $100; RSVP and culling for dairy producers; Dr. workshops, games and crafts. A col-
Producers’ Farm
7888. (11/15)
with $50 deposit. Lunch will be Normand St.Pierre, from Ohio State orful farmers market with educa- Business Transfer
served. 10:00 -2:00 Contact Laini University, speaking on heifer man- tional materials, organic products, Planning are still
Windham County Fondiller at 802-744-6365 or email agement; and David A. Reid, DVM, crafts, and associated businesses and available through the
lainin@sover.net for more informa- Director of Milk Harvest, Science, non- profit organizations will be on-
Townshend - Wrapped 5 X 4 tion. and Technology, speaking on parlor going all day. We are also happy to Agency of
annual rye bales, 2nd cut 5 X 4 efficiency. For further information, welcome back the Cleary Brother’s A griculture.
griculture.
wrapped bales. (413) 772-
3732. (9/1)
Febr uar y 8
uary
ebruar contact: Colleen S. Leonard, Dairy Band, playing live bluegrass and old-
The Gigantic WOKO Indoor Herd Management Specialist with time music during our lunch hours. Deadline is
Westminster - Hay for sale: Square Flea Market at the Champlain Val- UVM Extension, 338 Highland For more information on regis-
ley Exposition from 9am-4pm. Ave., Newport, VT -5855-4867. tration or volunteering the day of the April 2004.
bales. 722-9828. (9/1)
Hundreds of tables and booths. Phone (802) 334-7325 ext. 13, fax conference contact the NOFA-VT
Whitingham - 5 ft. round bales dry Admission is $2 at the door, chil- (802) 334-5208 or email office: Northeast Organic Farming For information,
2nd cutting, mixed, mostly grass, dren 12 and under free. To reserve colleen.helenek@uvm.edu. Association of Vermont (802) 434-
loaded at the farm (local delivery space, contact Susan Petrie at (802) 4122 or info@nofavt.org. Registra-
contact Louise
possible). The Corse Farm, 368- 878-5545 or email Febr uar y 21
uary
ebruar tion forms and workshop listings are aterman,
Waterman,
7192, 7:30 AM or 6:30 PM or spetrie@cvfair.com “Expressing the Culture in Ag- also available on our website: Education
leave a message. Answering riculture” is the theme behind the www.nofavt.org
machine on 7th ring. (9/15) dinator,
Coordinator
Coordinator, at (802)
Febr uar y 14
uary
ebruar 22nd Annual NOFA-VT Winter
828-6900 or email
Third Annual Cattleman’s Con- Conference on Saturday, Feb. 21 at
ference in Walpole, Ma. Workshops Vermont Technical College in man@agr.state.vt.us
waterman@agr
waterman@agr.state.vt.us
Windsor County
include Pasture Based Beef Produc- Randolph.
tion, Preparing Beef for Dinner The conference will spotlight
Chester – Alfalfa baleage, 4x4
round wrapped, excellent Demonstration, Selling Natural the art and craft that has been in- Integrated Crop Management for
Cr Management
quality 1st and 2nd cut. Call for
information. 875-2883. (11/
Beef, Maintaining Your Cattle Clip-
pers, Making Ag. Stats Work For
spired by agriculture and the rural
landscape. The farm motif has long
Forage Cr
Field and Forage Crops
1) You, Composting on the Farm, Judg- been a standard for the Vermont Learn about New Controls for Corn Rootworm and other insects,
ing Feeder Calves, Mastering the Art image. From Mary Azarian to Oddball weeds and Brown Rot Alfalfa Disease, Mad Cow Disease Im-
Rochester - Corn Silage $25/ton. of Electric Fencing, Beef Quality Woody Jackson to Bread and Pup-
Hay $3/bale. Delivery available. pacts on VT Farmers, Fine tune your equipment and control plans for
Assurance and Certified Hereford pet Theater, artists of all sorts have improved profits, and discover ways to improve soil and plant health to
Liberty Hill Farm, 802-767- Beef. Sponsored by the New En- helped keep this image alive
3926. beat the weeds. Instruction, PAT Credits and lunch provided.
gland Hereford Association. Located through vivid color, costume and
Woodstock – Hay 2nd cut, 800 at the Norfolk County Agricultural character. Feb. 10, Tuesday– Sheldon, The Abbey
bales at $4.25. 7 ton grain bin, High School. 9am-3pm. For infor- Experienced farmers, gardeners, Feb. 11, Wednesday – Middlebury, American Legion
$350. 457-3637 (11/15) mation, contcat David Green at educators and authors will offer Feb. 12, Thursday – Springfield, Holiday Inn Express
(508) 668-0268 ext. 293. more than 30 workshops of interest Feb. 13, Friday – St. Johnsbury, Black Bear Tavern
Bethel – Good quality 1st cut 4x4 to home gardeners, commercial
wrapped round bales, $18.00 Febr uar y 19
uary
ebruar growers, dairy farmers and con- Who: Farmers, Private Pesticide Applicators, Industry Professionals
each, plus 100 2nd cut square The Vermont Large Farm Dairy cerned consumers. Topics will in- Cost: $20 if pre-registered, $25 for Walk-ins.
bales $2.00 each at the barn. Conference is scheduled for Thurs- clude: mushroom cultivation, pas-
All bales mixed grass and clover. day, February 19th, 2004, at the tured pigs, biodynamic farming, For information and to register call Ann Hazelrigg
Also some 1st cut square bales. Sheraton Hotel in Burlington. green manures, biotechnology, at (802) 656-0493 or Wendy Anderson at 828-
(802) 234-5653 (1/23) Speakers include Dr. John Fetrow, wind power in Vermont, market- 3475. E-mail: ann.hazelrigg@uvm.edu
DVM, MBA, University of Min- ing, perennial production and much
8 www.vermontagriculture.com Januar y 30, 2004
anuary
AG NEWS
Vermont can ‘co-exist’ in state’s agricultural community
ermont co-exist’
‘co-exist state’
Over the past six months, the use of such crops as beneficial for isolation distances specified for each Pollination and/or Seed
Agency of Agriculture convened a managing pests, but others, wish- crop. Manage herbicide resistant Set in Perennial Forages Records
group of individuals with widely ing to maintain a non-transgenic sta- crops to minimize herbicide resistant Document harvest and handling
divergent views regarding the use of tus, have legitimate cross contami- weed development according to la- To avoid cross-pollination of dates, as well as any efforts taken to
genetically engineered food and for- nation concerns which can be par- bel. perennial forages, timely harvest minimize inadvertent cross-pollina-
age crops in Vermont. Through a tially addressed through communi- prior to flowering or seed set is es- tion.
series of seven meetings, agricultural cation with neighbors and main- Don’t Spread Transgenic sential to reduce the risk. There are
and legal experts from the Univer- taining cooperative farm manage- Seed in Shared (or Hired) times (especially during dry sum- Risk
sity of Vermont, U.S.D.A., the Eu- ment. Equipment mers) when alfalfa matures quickly
ropean Union and the Attorney This information is to help mini- and blooms earlier than expected. Whatever you plant, know the
General’s office helped us better mize Vermont farmers’ risk of farm- Trucks, bins, planters, combines, For pastures, it may be important risks involved and the possible liabil-
understand the agronomic and legal to-farm movement of transgenic etc., will carry residual seeds after to mow in early summer if flower- ity. Consider crop insurance specifi-
underpinnings of this controversial pollen and seeds. use. If you share equipment with ing is observed. cally for transgenic or organic crops.
matter; the participants and visitors other farms, be aware that you may
questioned the presenters, discussed Talk to Your Neighbors
Neighbors get some of their seed onto your farm Use Physical Distance Ask for help
what they had heard and debated and vice-versa, you may pass along and
possible courses of action. Agriculture has always been a your seeds. Combines are particularly Barriers to Separate Technical assistance providers are
While no consensus was reached community. Farmers now have a difficult to get absolutely clean. Crops available to meet with farmers to as-
and serious disagreements on policy new responsibility: to work together When hiring cropping equipment, sist with communication and devel-
proposals remain, the Agency of Ag- in an effort to avoid conflict and to ask about its previous use. Although there is no guarantee opment of cropping plans that will
riculture feels that it can recommend protect the right to farm. Open and that cross-pollination won’t occur, minimize farm-to-farm movement of
several steps that will promote “co- honest communication is essential Use Rotation Plans to keeping crops at the greatest isola- transgenic crops. This team includes
existence” of farming practices which before you plant crops to insure that Keep Crops Separated tion distance possible reduces the representatives from the Agency of
adopt and eschew genetically engi- adjoining crops are unlikely to cross risk. Also, the width of border rows Agriculture and University of Ver-
neered crops, enable consumers to pollinate. Crop rotation and planting coor- reduces the risks for the conven- mont Extension. Call the Agency at
choose between foods that have been Don’t assume the farmer across dination are crucial to prevent con- tional farm crops. When plant 802-828-2340 with questions, or to
genetically engineered and foods that the fence is planting transgenic ventional and transgenic crops from varieties have overlapping pollina- schedule a farm visit.
have not, and provide farmers and crops. A good line of communica- cross pollenating. tion times, plant the non-GE vari- Certified organic producers
public policy makers the data that tion will open the discussion and For example, if farm A grows con- ety as far as possible from the should, as always, consult NOFA-
they need to make thoughtful deci- will lead to better farmer-to-farmer ventional sweet corn and neighbor- transgenic crop. VT at 802-434-4122.
sions. co-existence. If there are concerns, it ing farm B is planting transgenic field For relatively tall crops such as
The Agency of Agriculture’s bro- is recommended that both farmers corn, but both grow other crops such corn, border rows, hedgerows or Sources of information
chure on farmer-to-farmer co-exist- utilize the strategies outlined below. as mixed vegetables and hay, they other tall annual plants such as sor- cited
ence spells out how non-GE farms Since the risk of cross contami- could coordinate their rotation plans ghum sudangrass serve as useful
and those choosing to utilize geneti- nation through pollen movement to minimize the risk. Again, talking barriers. Vern Grubinger, UVM Exten-
cally engineered seeds and crops can differs for each crop species, the strat- with your neighbor to insure that There are no official recom- sion
work together. Below is the summary egies will also differ. For example, the corns are not in abutting fields is mendations for separating non-GE http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/
of the brochure. because field corn is cross pollinated an easy, and cooperative way to avoid and transgenic crops. Listed below isolate.html
The use of transgenic (also by wind, its pollen can be airborne cross-pollination. are suggested guidelines estab- USDA/APHIS: Isolation Dis-
known as genetically engineered or for some distance. Because soybeans This solution requires flexibility lished for production of corn to be tances in Feet from Any Contami-
genetically modified) crops has risen are self-pollinating, they do not rep- and a conversation well in advance used in crop breeding programs. nating Source
dramatically in Vermont during past resent significant cross-pollination of planting time, and it is inexpen- http://www.agry.purdue.edu/
years. In 2002, most of the potential. sive and community-minded. ext/corn/news/articles.00/
transgenic crops used in Vermont Regulations GEO_Issues-000309.html
were field corn, including both her- Know the Seeds You Plant Use Crop Maturity to http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/
bicide tolerant and insect resistant, Avoid Cross Pollination Keep up to date on applicable publications/IFAFS/
and herbicide tolerant soybeans. Most transgenic seed orders re- regulations pertinent to the coexistence.html
It is also possible that a very small quire a contract, but it is in the best If two farmers have neighboring transgenic crop in question. Martens, M-H. What can organic
amount of transgenic summer interest of the farmer to pay par- cornfields and one wants to grow farmers do to reduce contamination
squash and sweet corn is grown in ticularly close attention to seed la- transgenic field corn while the other Transportation and from genetically modified crops?
Vermont, although the data is lack- beling. Know the classification; wants to produce a non-GE corn Storage Mid-winter 2000 NOFA-NY News-
ing. In 2004, transgenic alfalfa and sweet corn and summer squash with crop, the risk of cross-pollination can letter.
squash will probably be commer- transgenic-traits may be labeled as be reduced by using varieties with as Clean and inspect storage spaces Riddle, James A., “A Plan for Co-
cially available. In the years to come, ‘insect-protected’ or ‘virus resistant’. vastly different maturity dates as pos- prior to use. Ensure identity pres- Existence: Best Management Prac-
a number of other crops with Don’t be afraid to ask if you are un- sible. ervation (“IP”) of transgenic and tices for Producers of Bio-Tech
transgenic traits are likely to come sure. Read and understand any li- organic crops. This includes trucks, Crops”
on the market. censing agreements you sign and re- Use Harvest And Mowing tarps, augers, bins, etc.
Many Vermont farmers see the tain copies. Regard the appropriate Practices to Avoid Cross
ermont Agency griculture ochure
Agricultur brochur co-existence’,
‘co-existence “Genetic
A copy of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s brochure on ‘co-existence’, titled “Genetic
armer-to-Farmer Guidelines
Farmer-to-Far arm-to-Farm
Minimizing Farm-to-Far
Engineering Co-existence: Farmer-to-Farmer Guidelines for Minimizing Farm-to-Farm
Seeds Pollen mont”
ermont
Movement of ‘GE’ Seeds and Pollen in Vermont” can be found at
www.vermontagriculture.com/coexistence.pdf.
.vermontagriculture.com/coexistence.pdf.
www.vermontagricultur
Januar y 30, 2004
anuary www.vermontagriculture.com 9
AG NEWS
Vermont’s new state veterinarians bring wealth of experience
mont’
ermont veterinarians wealth
By Michael Schaefer, Editor
When Dr. Kerry Rood made the
pilgrimage from his home in Utah
through one of Vermont’s notori-
ous 2003 snowstorms after accept-
ing the vacated Agency of Agricul-
ture State Veterinarian position of-
fered to him, he instantly second-
guessed his decision.
“Drove into Vermont in the first
of the 2 ‘100 year’ snow storms that
we got in December and I thought
‘oh my goodness, what have I
done?’,” said Dr. Rood.
Rood, who began his job on
December 1, hasn’t looked back
since, and recently closed on a home
in Barre for him, his wife Rachel and
his three daughters Kiersten (11),
Paige (6), Erica (3).
Just three weeks into his new job, Dr. Kerry Rood, Vermont State Veterinarian Dr. Julie Hoberman, Vermont Associate State Veterinarian
news agencies around the world
announced the first ever reported
mont State Veterinarian, is also pre- the farm, but has since sold the dairy versity and followed that with a vet- such, animal health was always of
case of BSE in the U.S. and Dr. Rood
paring for her tenure with the agency and now focuses on raising beef erinarians degree in 1997 from Kan- special importance to me. A career
settled in for a long and thorny ten-
to be filled with all things BSE and cattle. sas State University. in Veterinary medicine was one of
ure as Vermont’s State Veterinarian.
related. “I was raised in the 4-H program, After his education, Dr. Rood my goals for as long as I can remem-
“I am excited to be involved in
“Things are going as well as can showing jersey cattle at the county practiced privately both in his home- ber.”
some exciting changes towards pre-
be expected given the national situa- and state fair,” said Dr. Rood. “I was town in Oregon and then again in After a BS in environmental sci-
ventive animal health,” Dr. Rood
tion,” said Dr. Hoberman. exposed to wonderful veterinarians Utah prior to moving out to Ver- ence from UVM, a MS in biology
said. “One is the planning and imple-
Both Drs. Hoberman and Rood who inspired me to become one. I mont. from Yale University, and a VMD
mentation of the National Animal
have extensive backgrounds and ex- was always the family member who Dr. Hoberman, on the other from the Univ. of Pennsylvania, Dr.
Identification Plan/Program that
perience in agricultural veterinarian would be in charge of the veterinary hand, grew up in both urban and Hoberman, like Dr. Rood, took up
will be starting soon. That will be a
science, and as both have relocated visits when I got older.” rural areas, where she gathered in- residence at a private practice.
huge project to assign farms premise
from out-of-state, they both bring Eventually, Dr. Rood left the fluences from both in determining “I worked in private practice for
identification and then later, assign
new perspective to Vermont. farm to pursue his passion in veteri- her future as a veterinarian. approximately two and a half years
the animals permanent ID.”
Dr. Rood was born and raised on nary science. He graduated with a “I have always had a keen inter- before I started pursuing a govern-
Dr. Rood isn’t the only new face
a registered Jersey dairy farm in Coos bachelors of science degree in est in natural and medical sciences mental/regulatory position,” said Dr.
in the Vermont Agency of
Bay, Oregon. The family operation Bioveterinary Science and a masters and I grew up with an array of dogs Hoberman, who is originally from
Agriculture’s Animal Health section.
included milking a 100-120 cow in science degree in animal science/ and horses all of which I was very Essex, Connecticut.
Since her hiring in late fall 2003,
herd twice daily. His family still owns parasitology from Utah State Uni- close to,” said Dr. Hoberman. “As
Dr. Julie Hoberman, Associate Ver-
USDA reports on BSE case depopulation for herd
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, animals depopulated Investigation Activities
15 animals of interest were Quincy, Washington. that animals born on a premises
· Quincy, WA - a total of 18
euthanized and sampled from the · 3 were located at a facility in within one year (before or after) of
animals depopulated
Moxee, WA, facility. In addition · T enino, WA - a total of 4 Mattawa, Washington. a BSE-affected animal can be
At this time, 28 of the 81
to this facility, USDA has animals depopulated · 1 was located at a facility in considered of significant interest to
animals that came from Canada
previously conducted selective Moxee, Washington. the country reporting the BSE
have been located:
depopulation activities at these Samples taken from the · 3 are located at a facility in detection. As such, USDA is
facilities: 15 animals depopulated in · 1 of the 81 is the BSE-positive Burley, Idaho. focusing on 25 of the 81 animals
· Sunnyside, WA (bull calf Connell, WA have tested negative. cow and was located in the Index · 1 is located at a facility in also born into the birth herd of the
premises) - a total of 449 animals All 170 samples from the index herd in Mabton, Washington. Othello, Washington. index animal. Based on normal
depopulated herd and the Mattawa herd have culling practices of local dairies,
· 9 of the 81 were located in the
· Mabton, WA (index completed testing; results were Guidelines on bovine USDA’s Animal and Plant Health
Index herd in Mabton, Washing-
premises) - a total of 131 animals negative for BSE. The final test ton. spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) Inspection Service estimated that
depopulated results for the samples taken at
· 3 were located at a facility in issued by the World Organization the Agency would be able to locate
· Mattawa, WA - a total of 39 Boardman, OR; Quincy, WA;
animals depopulated Tenino, Washington. for Animal Health (OIE), the approximately 11 of these animals.
Tenino, WA; and Moxee, WA are
· Connell, WA - a total of 15 · 6 were located at a facility in international animal heath APHIS has definitively located 14
not yet available.
animals depopulated Connell, Washington. standard setting organization, state of these animals.
· Boardman, OR - a total of 20 · 1 was located at a facility in
For the most up-to-date informaton concerning the BSE case in Washington, trade
informaton concerning
agreements information concerning nment’
government
agreements with American beef or information concerning the federal government’s
slaughter, .usda.gov/BSE
http://www.usda.go
regulations and guidelines for slaughter, click on http://www.usda.gov/BSE
10 www.vermontagriculture.com Januar y 30, 2004
anuary
AG NEWS
‘The Flightpath’: News From The VT Beekeepers Assn.
lightpath’:
Flightpath News Fr Assn.
foundations should be replaced ev- Honey monsters
Kim Flottum
A visit with Kim Flottum ery three years. Secondly, integrated
pest management means we should
The genome’s publication is
good news for beekeepers and
of Bee Culture Magazine monitor mite levels throughout the
year and treat accordingly.
victims of bee stings alike. Across
the globe bees are threatened by a
pesticide-resistant mite called
By Bill Mares Newell and Mara Gitlin and Todd Thinking of building varroa. The bug, which has spread
Haire, with one or two or ten hives lightpath’
Flightpath
‘ The Flightpath’ a honey bee? from Asia, weakens the insects, mak-
Two weeks ago, I got a chance to are dependent upon what happens A draft version of the honey bee ing them susceptible to fatal infec-
spent a day with Kim Flottum, edi- to people like Richard Adee with genome has been made available to tions. “The new information may
tor of Bee Culture in Medina, Ohio, 50,000, or Horace Bell with 30,000, ened, but that’s economic Darwin- the public - a move that should ben- help researchers generate varroa-re-
the home of the A.I. Root company, or John Miller with 10,000. ism and it doesn’t affect me. Unfor- efit bees and humans alike. The sistant bee strains,” says Claire War-
which owns the magazine. It was Why is this so? In a word, “glo- tunately, it does, for if the big guys honey bee (Apis mellifera) is multi- ing, editor of the beekeeping jour-
fascinating not just to talk to Kim, balization.” The globalization of the go bankrupt, where will the demand talented. It produces honey, polli- nal Bee Craft. Such insects would
who has spent 25 years observing honey market has brought rivers of and money come from to pay for nates crops and is used by research- be healthier and produce more
and participating in the beekeeping cheaper honey from Argentina, research on the very mites which are ers to study human genetics, age- honey. It may also help us under-
industry, but to walk the floors of the China and elsewhere into the U.S. killing the hives of all of us? If the ing, disease and social behaviour. stand aggressive bee behaviour, says
factory which at one time was the to compete with that from the West big guys go bankrupt, then where “Without bees and pollination, the Gibbs..... Researchers have depos-
largest beekeeping equipment sup- and Midwest. will the queen and package suppli- entire ecosystem would crumble,” ited the draft sequence with
plier in the world, and which now Some producers have been able ers go for customers? The same is says Richard Gibbs, who led the se- GenBank, a public database run by
has shifted its manufacturing almost to compete by growing larger and true for the equipment makers and quencing effort at the Baylor Col- America’s National Institutes of
entirely to candle-making, most of more efficient, others have pushed other elements of the beekeeping in- lege of Medicine, Houston. Its ge- Health. It will also be published on
which are not made of beeswax, but higher end honeys. Currently, there frastructure. nome is about one-tenth the size of European and Japanese databases.
that’s another story. is some turmoil because of contami- To me, Kim repeated his editorial its human equivalent, containing The project began in 2003, when
From our seven or eight hours of nation of some Chinese honey, but urging that all beekeepers to demand about 300 million DNA base pairs. the US Department of Agriculture
conversation about American bee- Kim thinks that the Chinese will the best in breeding stock, in resis- Because the genome is relatively and the National Human Genome
keeping came one powerful conclu- clean up their act and be back. tant queens, and then be willing to small, genes should be easy to iden- Research Institute donated more
sion— hobbyist beekeeping is inex- In addition, the last 20 years have pay more to get them. Otherwise the tify, says bee researcher Steve Mar- than US $7 million. This is the first
tricably tied up with the future of seen a globalization of pests, most breeders will produce lackluster bees tin from the University of Sheffield, time that the amassed sequence data
the beekeeping industry in general. notably, tracheal and varroa mites and compete with each other on UK. Many of these will be similar have been made publicly available.
While hobbyists number 75,000 and the small hive beetle. “What price. to their human counterparts, he says.
to 100,000, fulltimers are probably happened,” asked USDA scientist Besides his magazine duties, Kim The bee genome may also help us (Adapted from Bee Culture’s Catch
fewer than 1,000. Those 1,000 (plus Tom Rinderer rhetorically, “Air- is also president of the Eastern Api- understand the genetics of ageing the Buzz.)
several thousand sideliners) produce planes happened.” And this world- cultural Society and president of his and social behaviour, says Martin.
more than 90% of the honey in the wide movement of pests and diseases county beekeepers association. Queen bees, for example, can live Notes from VBA winter meeting
U.S. and do all the pollination for is likely to continue. Did he have two quick pieces of five times as long as their subordi- will be published in the next Flight
hire. The hobbyist might say, well I’m advice for us? Yes, because of the nates. Unpicking their genes may Path.
Vermont hobbyists like Rae sorry that the big guys are threat- wide use of anti-mite chemicals, wax help researchers understand why.
Honey of a show
oney show
arm how
ermont Far Sho
A Vermont Farm Show
visitor on Monday
checks out the amber
glow of the top-prized
honey
honey Tuesday at the
arre Civic Center.
Barre Civic Center.
Among the hundreds of
entrants in all the
competitons, honey and
maple sugar products
erevery well receiv
ever eceived
werever y well received
by visitors, especially
those who were tempted
by the sweet nectars.
Photo by Michael Schaefer
Januar y 30, 2004
anuary www.vermontagriculture.com 11
AG NEWS
Checking bulbs and other February gardening tips
By Charlie Nardozzi, soapy water. If quite dirty, you may visiting your feeder for months. To move the rotten ones. Then repack lemon-lime soda to the water may
Chairman of the want to pre-wash them in a bucket minimize the spread of disease at your them with fresh materials and don’t not significantly increase the flower
Board of Directors to keep all the dirt from clogging feeder, disinfest the feeder monthly over water. life. Using a flower preservative,
Vermont Botanical Garden, your drains. Then, disinfest from with a solution of one part bleach to Check guards around trees for available from complete garden
and Dr. Leonard Perry, possible disease with a 10 percent nine parts water, then rinse thor- any signs of mice, vole, or rabbit stores and florist shops, is best.
Extension Professor bleach solution (one part bleach with oughly with water. Clean droppings damage. Sometimes, with a deep Other tips for February include
University of Vermont nine parts water). off the perching area, and make sure snow cover, animals can reach above rotating your houseplants periodi-
Remember when you are clear- your bird food isn’t moldy. the guards to nibble on tree bark. cally toward the light so they don’t
ing your driveway or walks with a The same applies to heated bird- Pack the snow down around trees so grow lopsided. If they are actively
Checking seed supplies, check- snowblower this winter to direct the baths. Don’t just top them up, but the guards will remain effective. growing, with all the winter light
ing stored summer bulbs, cleaning snow away from plants. Otherwise, clean regularly. Each time I refill, I If you give or receive cut flowers reflected from the snow, don’t forget
pots, and cleaning bird feeders are the blowing ice crystals may damage dump leftover water out, and then this month, follow a few tips to make to fertilize according to label direc-
some of the garden activities for this the tender bark of young trees and brush off any residue and rinse. them last longer. Re-cut the ends of tions.
month. shrubs. Or, alternatively, protect Any gladiolus, dahlias, tuberous roses and other cut flowers under Toward the end of the month,
Now is a good time to take in- plants still above the snow with a begonias, or other summer bulbs water. Then place the flowers in a start slow seeds (generally the small-
ventory of your gardening supplies wrapping of burlap. you have stored in the basement clean vase filled with warm water.
for this season’s seed starting. Check Most don’t think of cleaning their est ones) such as wax-leaf begonias.
should be checked periodically Change the water two or three Use the extra day this month dur-
quantities of potting soil, containers, bird feeders, but you should to keep throughout the winter. If the bulbs times a week, re-cutting the stem
and labels. Make sure and wash any your birds from possibly getting sick. ing leap year to catch up on garden
or tubers seem shriveled, mist them ends each time. Contrary to some
used containers from last year with It’s midwinter and birds have been reading!
with water. If some are rotting, re- popular opinions, adding aspirin or
Japan End
USDA and Japan End BSE See ‘Leahy’
From Page 2
ebruar
Until February
Discussions Until February Leahy led a coalition of senators to At several hearings last year, Leahy ing another $7.3 million in funds
push for substantial funding in- pressed USDA Secretary Ann related to Lake Champlain. High
USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Ser- Veneman to keep the Farm Bill’s prom- phosphorus levels in Lake
creases to these programs. Leahy af-
vices J.B. Penn, Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commis- ise to New England farmers. On the Champlain have caused algal blooms
sioner Lester Crawford, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food terward also led the fight to ensure
Safety Merle Pierson, and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Mar- that Vermont and other New En- Senate floor last year, Leahy and in the Missisquoi and St. Alban’s bays
keting and Regulatory Programs Chuck Lambert were in Japan this gland states receive a fair share of the Jeffords fought to increase Vermont’s this past summer. Last year, Ver-
week to meet with Japan officials and discuss lifting the ban on U.S. conservation funding by including share of agriculture conservation mont signed an agreement with
beef in Japan. An agreement was not reached in these meetings, but a “regional equity” provision in the funding. Today, during a Senate Quebec to reduce phosphorus in
discussions will resume in early February. One-third of all U.S. beef Farm Bill that guaranteed these states hearing, Leahy thanked Secretary Missisquoi Bay. The funding an-
exports, worth about $1 billion, are exported to Japan. In a press $12 million in conservation fund- Veneman for finally meeting this nounced today will help meet
briefing at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, this week, Penn goal. Vermont’s commitment by reduc-
ing each year. The EQIP and other
said that the U.S. values this market and that the U.S. wants to work “It’s good news, and I applaud you ing phosphorus runoff from farms.
with the government of Japan and all aspects of the industry to find conservation programs championed
by Leahy are key elements of the for implementing the regional equity Since 1997, more than 500
a solution so that U.S. beef can be back in the market. A transcript of
the briefing can be found at http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/ “green farm bills” that Leahy has fos- provision I wrote in the farm bill,” farms in Vermont have used EQIP
0035.04.html. tered in his leadership positions on Leahy said at Tuesday’s hearing. “The funds to build manure management
Japan is requesting that all animals be tested for BSE. The U.S. the Agriculture Committee. $12 million to Vermont will help systems, install buffers along water-
position is that testing all cattle is not scientifically necessary. The Over the past year, Leahy, joined protect our farm land and protect our ways and change their farming prac-
message from the U.S. to Japan also stressed that U.S. beef is safe. A by Sen. Jim Jeffords, has worked with waters.” tices to reduce the amount of phos-
poll was released recently that showed that 90 percent of U.S. con- the Administration to fully imple- The new funds come a week after phorus that runs off of their land
sumers responding to survey have confidence in U.S. beef and in the Leahy announced success in secur- into Vermont waters.
ment his “regional equity” provision.
U.S. regulatory system. The same poll showed that 97 percent of the
responders were aware of BSE.
In other trade news related to BSE, Poland was the first country to
reopen its borders to U.S. beef following the finding of BSE in one
Washington state cow in late December. An updated list of trade
actions is posted at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/
Fiscal Year 2004 Allowances
Allowances
bse.html.
ermont
Vermont
Need to update your hay ad?
Program Technical A ssistance
Assistance Financial assistance Total
esa@agr.state.vt.us
teresa@agr
If so, e-mail teresa@agr.state.vt.us
or fax it to (802) 828-3831 CRP $40,200 0 $40,200
EQIP $1,602,200 $5,739,200 $7,341,400
** Important Reminder **
WRP $15,000 $150,000 $165,000
The Winter Prohibition On
Manure Spreading Begins FRPP $96,600 $2,901,600 $2,998,200
Dec. 15 and Lasts Through Apr. 1
WHIP $112,000 $460,000 $562,000
Exceptions are granted only in
cases of emergency. GRP $194,300 $604,000 $798,300
If you have questions, please contact
Total $2,060,300 $9,844,800 $11,905,100
Jim Leland at the Vermont Department
of Agriculture at (802) 828-2431.
12 www.vermontagriculture.com Januar y 30, 2004
anuary
AG NEWS
News In Brief
In Brief
Agency of Natural Resources
esources
Natural Resour than 13% of total U.S. milk production, according to
NMPF’s analysis.
vide incentive payments to farmers who employ various
conservation practices on working lands.
Grants Food
Offers Grants for Food The dollar loss to America’s dairy farmers will
average $2.6 billion per year, resulting in a total loss
BSE Issue Spurs
Pr
Composting Programs exceeding $23.2 billion at the end of nine years. Milk
production is the second-largest agricultural commod-
Legislative Pr
Legislative Proposal
ity in the U.S. (after beef ), with annual farm-level
sales of approximately $23 billion.
WATERBURY, VT. – The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is Kozak said NMPF’s analysis is not the only one The House and Senate returned to work this week and
offering about $50,000 in composting grants to increase composting of raising warning flags for America’s dairy sector. Even a several lawmakers promptly introduced legislation to ad-
food waste and other source separated organic waste in Vermont. report prepared for Australia’s Department of Foreign dress issues related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Public and private agencies, municipalities, institutions, organizations Affairs in 2001 indicated that liberalized trade with (BSE) prevention and protection. As the congressional ses-
and businesses operating in Vermont are eligible for grants. Grants are ex- the U.S. will increase exports by “a massive 354%,” as sion gets underway, more debate and action is expected on
pected to range from $2,000 to $10,000, but larger amounts may be ap- “domestic users substitute away from dairy products issues such as food safety, trade, animal identification sys-
plied for. sourced domestically…to the now relatively cheaper tems, and country-of-origin labeling.
Complete applications and supporting materials are due by 4:30 p.m., Australian products.” Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Daniel Akaka
Wednesday, March 3, 2004. Negotiations between the U.S. and (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 2007 which would expand
Grants are intended to support the start-up of compost facilities that Australian governments will convene again in USDA and Food and Drug Administation (FDA)
accept large quantities of food waste, including larger onsite projects. Educa- Washington starting Jan. 19th, when Australia will “firewalls” designed to prevent BSE. The bill provides im-
tion projects, particularly those that cover large areas or produce products continue pressing its case for the complete elimination provements at various steps along the pathway from farm
that are usable statewide also may be eligible. Farm-based projects that ac- of all U.S. dairy tariffs as part of the FTA. to table including (1) expanded definition of specified risk
cept significant quantities of food waste are encouraged. Projects that focus The National Milk Producers Federation, material; (2) improved tracking of animals; (3) increased
primarily on manure composting are not eligible. headquartered in Arlington, VA, develops and carries surveillance at the farm and slaughterhouse level; (4) feed
Compostable waste comprises between 30 percent and 60 percent of out policies that advance the well-being of U.S. dairy
usage record keeping; and (5) increased laboratory capac-
materials disposed of in landfills. Such disposal removes valuable nutrients producers and the cooperatives they collectively own.
from the food web, and organics rotting in landfills contribute to green- The members of NMPF’s 32 cooperatives produce ity. Companion legislation (H.R. 3714) was introduced in
house gases. the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the House by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).
Potential applicants should discuss ideas with grant administrator, Vicky the voice of 60,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Patrick Leahy (D-
Viens, prior to completing an application. and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s Vt.) introduced S. 2008, the “National Farm Animal Iden-
Additional information and copies of the request for proposals and ac- activities, visit our Website at www.nmpf.org. tification and Records Act” (FAIR) which would imple-
companying forms may be obtained by contacting Vicky Viens at (802) ment an electronic Nationwide Livestock Identification
241-3448, calling the Recycling Hotline at (800) 932-7100 or sending an System for individual animals. Their bill would (1) require
e-mail to compost@anr.state.vt.us. Senate Approves FY04
ppro
Appr USDA to be able to track an animal within 48 hours and
(2) require states to provide information and allow them to
Spending Bill
Omnibus Spending Bill
Free trade agreement could access the system. The FAIR Act would also provide federal
assistance to farmers to offset the costs of implementing the
cost Ag. jobs, loss in revenues This week the Senate finally approved the stalled
FY04 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2673) after
tracking system.
In the House, Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) pro-
Democratic lawmakers dropped their efforts to filibus- posed H.R. 3705 to require the testing of all cattle for BSE
ARLINGTON, VA – More than 150,000 Americans whose liveli- ter the measure. The massive $820 billion bill includes
at the time of slaughter. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.)
hoods depend on a healthy U.S. dairy sector, including thousands of seven regular spending bills for FY04, including USDA
family dairy farmers, will lose their jobs if the U.S. government agrees to a and agriculture program funding. called for action on two bills she introduced last November
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia that throws open America’s The spending legislation was approved on a to improve food tracking and recall powers. The TRACE
markets to Australian dairy imports. 65 to 28 vote. Most of the “nay” votes were cast by Act (H.R. 3547) directs USDA to develop a system to
According to an analysis prepared by the National Milk Producers Democratic senators who were protesting specific riders trace meat products from animal origin to consumer. The
Federation, the surge in Australian dairy imports into the U.S. resulting in the bill, such as provisions to delay country-of-origin SAFER Food Act (H.R. 3546) would grant USDA and
from the FTA would force more than one-fourth of the nation’s dairy labeling and new labor overtime rules. Both Democrats FDA officials access to distribution records to ensure faster,
farmers out of business. In addition, more than 10% of the 1.13 million and Republicans have criticized the bill for funding more effective recalls and give both agencies the authority
jobs that are generated by milk production and processing activities in the thousands of special projects. The legislation now goes to impose civil penalties for the violation of food safety
U.S would be lost. to the president for his signature. laws.
“The threat of economic devastation to rural communities across In addition to the two-year delay on country- In addition, Reps. Gary Ackerman ( D-N.Y.) and Marcy
America as a result of Australian dairy imports is real. Australia’s products of-origin labeling, the omnibus spending bill provides Kaptur (D-Ohio) reintroduced a bill to prevent meat from
would swamp our markets and wipe out thousands of small- and $95.9 million for livestock monitoring and surveillance “downed animals” from entering the human food supply.
medium-sized family farms in the process,” said Jerry Kozak, President and $21 million specifically for the study of bovine The legislation is similar to the interim final rule recently
and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “Beyond this direct spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The legislation also announced by USDA but Ackerman’s proposal would also
devastation to our nation’s dairy farmers, tens of thousands of additional fully funds the Conservation Security Program (CSP), a
cover swine and sheep.
jobs in veterinary care, feed sales, dairy processing, distribution and sales new program authorized in the 2002 farm bill to pro-
would also be lost,” Kozak said.
“The only beneficiaries of this deal will be Australia’s dairy industry, as
well as a handful of multinational processing and retail companies that can
buy wholesale products more cheaply,” Kozak said. He said U.S. consum- Subscribe to Agriview
ers will not benefit because lower milk prices will not be passed on to the
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Kozak said U.S. milk producers support liberalizing trade on a
made payable to: Agriview, c/o Vermont Agency of Agriculture and send it to 116
multilateral basis through World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations State Street, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-2901.
because current world dairy prices are heavily distorted by international
trading practices and subsidies. Name:
“But a bilateral agreement that includes dairy would decimate our
domestic industry by making the U.S. market a super-magnet for Address:
Australia’s dairy exports. The U.S. needs to focus its energies instead on
the stalled WTO negotiations to get an agreement that would cover all
nations,” Kozak said.
If the U.S. government agrees to an Australian FTA, smaller U.S. City/State/Zip:
family farms would be hardest hit, Kozak said. The American dairy
marketplace – the world’s largest – would be supplied by fewer and larger Telephone:
U.S. farms, and by a greatly expanded volume of imports from Australia,
which is already the world’s third-largest dairy exporter. Kozak said that
Australia would be fully capable of exporting large quantities of cheese,
butter, nonfat dry milk, and other dry dairy ingredients – which would
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displace their U.S.-made equivalents. Those imports will displace more
