AFSIC News

New People’s Garden Marks 150th Anniversary of USDA

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:08 GMT

[Editor's note: Cross-posted from the USDA blog.]

Many children believe their food comes from the grocery store. But a class of 23 Mississippi second-graders knows better than that – the delicious food they love starts with a seed.

Students from Madison Avenue Elementary plant a People’s Garden in Mississippi in honor of the 150th anniversary of USDA.

Students from Madison Avenue Elementary visited a new People’s Garden at an office of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and planted seeds of squash, watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber and, of course, the “Abraham Lincoln” tomato.

Earth Team volunteers joined employees from NRCS’ Science and Technology Center to teach the youngsters about growing fruits and vegetables and the history of USDA. They learned of USDA’s 150^th anniversary and its origins with President Lincoln.

The People’s Garden effort started three years ago, and this central Mississippi garden is one of more than 1,500 People’s Gardens across the nation. The garden’s star plant is the “Abraham Lincoln” tomato, an heirloom variety first introduced in 1923 by the W.H. Buckbee seed company.

Not only did they have a chance to get their hands dirty, but they had a party and sang “Happy Birthday” to USDA while enjoying a pumpkin cupcake.

It would not be a party without conservation mascot Sammy Soil, who made a special appearance. Students also enjoyed meeting the garden’s guard – a scarecrow made from farmers’ clothes and recycled grocery bags.

Nancy Magee, an NRCS program expert, organized the event and sees the plantings as a great way to connect students to the origin of food and explain the role farmers play in their lives.

The garden is nearby Strawberry Park, a city green space with a busy walking trail. Magee said the garden’s location informs passersby about USDA and the People’s Garden. Plus, it is a beautiful asset to the office, she said.

As children were boarding the school bus, after their visit to the new garden, she heard one student tell another, “I’m going to come back in a week and see how they’re growing.” That is exactly what Magee wanted to hear.

NRCS Science and Technology Center employee Nancy Magee helps students each plant their own “Abraham Lincoln” tomato seed.

Organic Weed Management on Livestock Pastures Webinar by eOrganic

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:45 GMT

The recording of this webinar will be posted soon!

About the Webinar

Weeds in the organic pasture can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants. These unwanted plants can be more aggressive than existing or desired forage species and compete for light, water, and nutrients. Weeds may also diminish the quality and palatability of the forage available for livestock grazing, and certain weed species are potentially poisonous to grazing animals. In this webinar, Dr. Sid Bosworth will address several approaches to organic weed management, including weed species identification and their lifecycles.

Handout for this webinar

About the Presenter

Sid Bosworth is an Associate Extension Professor in the Plant and Soil Science Department at the University of Vermont (UVM) and serves as a specialist in agronomy for UVM Extension. Dr. Bosworth teaches courses at UVM in Forage and Pasture Management, Turf Managment and Weed Ecology/Management, and has conducted applied research in the areas of alfalfa/grasss management and quality, nutrient and manure management of cool season grasses and corn for silage, pasture management, organic wheat production, and the evaluation of perennial grasses for biomass production for thermal energy. His Extension programs focus on crop and pasture management and utilization, integrated crop management, low input turf management, and grasses for biomass energy. He developed and maintains the Vermont Crops and Soils Homepage (http://pss.uvm.edu/vtcrops). He has a Ph.D. in crop physiology from the University of Kentucy and an M.S. in agronomy and a B.S. in animal science from Auburn University.

About eOrganic

eOrganic contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

eOrganic 7848

Natural Habitats for Predatory Insects Reduce Farmer Costs, Says Study

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:24 GMT

Providing natural habitat for ladybugs can help increase their abundance in crops where they control pests, and thus help farmers reduce their pest control costs, says a Michigan State University study. Natural habitats provide vital food and shelter res…

Mobile Farmers Market Hits Washington, DC Streets

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:06 GMT

The Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture has found a way to help bring access to fresh produce to some of Washington, DC's neediest neighborhoods. The Mobile Market—a 28-foot-long retrofitted school bus carrying crates of fresh and local…

Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force Seeks Members

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:01 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking members to fill eight scheduled vacancies on the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force (OATF). Authorized by Minnesota Statute, the OATF advises the Commissioner of Agriculture and the University o…

Company Establishes Foundation to Support Sustainable and Organic Food Systems

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:35 GMT

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the leading national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products, has announced the establishment of a charitable foundation committed to supporting healthy, sustainable and organic food sys…

Practical Farmers of Iowa Sets 2012 Field Day Schedule

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:08 GMT

Practical Farmers of Iowa has released its 2012 Field Day Guide, describing 35 events planned by the organization between May 31 and October 7. The Guide also lists a series of pasture walks for dairy and beef production, hosted by Northeast Iowa Grazier…

Weed Scientists Endorse Best Management Practices for Herbicide-resistant Weeds

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:55 GMT

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) has announced that its Board has endorsed a series of best management practices designed to reduce the incidence of herbicide-resistant weeds and the threat they pose to agricultural productivity. Chief among t…

Researcher Uses Sandblasting for Weed Control

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:18 GMT

This feature covers the research of NCR-SARE grant recipient Frank Forcella, who is experimenting with a physical weed control technique that involves sandblasting abrasive grit on in-row weeds. To read more about Forcella's NCR-SARE Research and Education project, visit the MySARE reporting site here.

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Source: Agrinews

MORRIS, Minn. — Organic farmers want to blast one of their greatest production challenges —weeds. They may be getting that chance thanks to Frank Forcelli's latest research project.

Forcelli, weed scientist at the USDA-ARS Soils Lab in Morris, is studying the effects of "sandblasting" abrasive grit on in-row weeds.

Graduate student Corey Lanoue and professor Dan Humburg, both of South Dakota State University's Ag and Biosystems Engineering Department, have built a sandblasting machine for field use. The unit has four nozzles under grit tanks that blasts young weeds.

Forcelli has jerry-rigged a smaller unit in the Soils Lab's greenhouse, where he's studied the affect on weeds and plants.

Blasting didn't hurt corn plants when applied twice at the one- and five-leaf stage, he said. Last year they researched its impact on soybeans when applied at the cotyledon leaf stage.

Forcelli's weed blasting idea got its start due to an abundant apricot crop in 2007. Forcelli enjoyed processing the fruit, but was left with a five gallon pail of pits. He wanted to find a use for the pits. Google searching apricots, he found a link to sandblasting. It spurred the weed scientist to consider pits as a sandblasting material.

Organic growers were enthused when Forcelli broached the possibilities with them.

Apricot pits may not be a feasible and sustainable choice for grit in Minnesota. Ground corn cobs would work well, he said.

Sandblasting weeds may not be economical as the only weed control measure, Forcelli. A combination of sandblasting for in-row control and flaming for row weeds may be good.

The lab is also testing cover crops in the weed management system. A cover of winter rye is planted in the fall and, when it heads in the spring, is killed with a roller-crimper. The grain is seeded into the two-inch mulch, which also suppresses weeds in the row.

Forcelli recently returned from a month-long research project in Spain where vineyards face the same in-row weed issues. The sandblasting machine will need some renovations for vineyards, but the principle is sound.

The researchers hope to field test the sandblasting unit in two to three weeks, Forcelli said.

How can I grow apples organically?

Mon, 14 May 2012 02:24 GMT

Answer: Apples, Malus sp., are among the most difficult crops to grow organically. They are prone to attack by more pests than perhaps any other crop. Without effective management, the worst of these pests can be devastating—to the fruit, to the grower's spirit, and to the bottom line. To minimize or eliminate chemical inputs while keeping yields and profits sound, the grower must develop a detailed understanding of the orchard as a managed ecosystem. In this regard, there is no substitute for direct observation and experience, along with a willingness to experiment.

Geographic and climatic considerations, cultivar selection, the local pest complex, market prices, production costs, and other factors all influence the design and viability of an organic system. What begins as a fragmented pest-by-pest set of tactics must gradually form an overall management plan in which the various strategies work together as much as possible. The publications Twenty Years of Apple Production Under an Ecological Approach to Pest Management, by Ron Prokopy, and The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist, by Michael Phillips, are excellent guides for an orchardist transitioning to organic production.

Often, the least-toxic organic approach to pest control is very pest-specific. This is good for the overall health of the ecosystem and for consumers, but it can greatly complicate pest management for crops like apples, which have multiple pests.

The ATTRA publication Apples: Organic Production Guide introduces the major apple insect pests and diseases and the most effective organic management methods. It also includes farmer profiles of working orchards and a section dealing with economic and marketing considerations. There is an extensive list of resources for information and supplies and an appendix on disease-resistant apple varieties. For more information, see the guide at https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=4.

Additionally, information on organic weed control and fertility management in orchards is presented in a separate ATTRA publication Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview, available at https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=2.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Bioenergy Fridays - Thermal Conversion

Sat, 12 May 2012 05:11 GMT

We'll discuss thermal conversion with detail on torrifaction in June's Bioenergy Friday webinar. This is part of the Bioenergy Webinar Series, where you can find information for connection.

BioEnergy Webinar Series - 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 05:05 GMT

This Series is hosted by John Hay, University of Nebraska and eXtension Farm Energy.

Learn about application of the latest technologies for generating energy from biomass feedstocks and solar photovoltaics. Topics may cover subjects of ethanol, biodiesel, biochar, anaerobic digestion, and solar technologies.

These bioenergy web seminars are held the last Friday of each month. Each seminar has a different bioenergy focus presented by experts from throughout the country. There will be a question and answer period. Web seminars are free and there is no need to preregister.

Here are the upcoming web seminars for the ﬁrst half of 2012. Future seminars will be announced as they are planned. See connection details or previous seminars from this series.

Friday May 25th 10:00 ‐ 11:00 AM CST
- Thermochemical Conversion to Biomass to Fuel, Dr. Robert Brown - Iowa State University- Bioeconomy Institute. Dr. Brown has published two textbooks on conversion of biomass to fuel. His expertise in conversion helped form the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University. He will discuss the opportunities and challenges of biomass conversion.
Friday June 29th 10:00 ‐ 11:00 AM CST
- Thermal conversion with detail on Torrifaction.

Do you have an experience to present or know someone who does? Please email F. John Hay.

How To Connect:
Start connecting 5 minutes prior to the start time. You need a computer with internet access and speakers. At the meeting time, copy and paste this URL into your browser to enter the meeting:

https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/agenergy/

At the login page, enter as a guest with your name and business or institution and click Enter Room. The audio portion of the meeting will come through your computer speakers. Anytime before the meeting you may visit the following URL to conﬁrm your ability to connect:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/

Past seminars in this series:

Ethanol Engines (irrigation case study)
- Friday, January 27th
- Spark ignition engines running 98% ethanol are increasing in number to run irrigation pumps in rural Nebraska. The industrial ag products center at UNL has tested these engines and will give an update about their performance and application.
Modern Solar PV Technology
- Friday, February 24th
- Presenter: Dr Ned Ianno, Dept of Electrical Engineering, University of Nebrasca-Lincoln
- New solar technologies have increased efficiencies while at the same time reduced costs. The seminar will cover existing and future solar PV technology, providing an overview of the inner workings of solar cells, discuss several common types of solar cell (photovoltaic) systems, and provide a look at new technologies.
Switchgrass Establishment and Production
- Friday, March 30th
- Archived at http://bioenergy.unl.edu
Biomass for Commercial Heating
- Friday, April 27th
- Alternative Energy Solutions International – Wichita KS
- Archived at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/bioenergy

You may subscribe to an RSS feed of recorded webinars.

Ag Energy Webcast Series

Sat, 12 May 2012 05:00 GMT

Our webinar collection provides detailed instruction for farmers, educators, and researches on several farm energy topics, including biogas, wind, feedstocks, and anaerobic digesters. Have a topic you would like to present? Contact Sue Hawkins.

Joining Live Ag Energy Webinars

Upcoming webcast announcements will be posted on the eXtension events calendar.
Live Webcast - Unless otherwise noted, hHost connection location is https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/agenergy/.
- You will need an internet connection and speakers.
- Log on a few minutes before the webcast, sign in as "guest"
Webcast recording will be archived and linked below when it is available.

Current Ag Energy Series

2012 BioEnergy Fridays

Web Seminar Series hosted by John Hay, University of Nebraska and eXtension Farm Energy; held on the last Friday of the month at 10 AM Central Time. Click here for connection details and archives.

Friday May 25th 10:00 ‐ 11:00 AM CST
- Thermochemical Conversion to Biomass to Fuel, Dr. Robert Brown - Iowa State University- Bioeconomy Institute. Dr. Brown has published two textbooks on conversion of biomass to fuel. His expertise in conversion to helped form the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University. He will discuss the opportunities and challenges of biomass conversion.
Friday June 29th 10:00 ‐ 11:00 AM CST
- Thermal conversion with detail on Torrifaction.

Ag Energy Webinar Archive

Agricultural Energy Efficiency - 2011 Webinar Series

Energy Conservation for Livestock and Poultry Production - Kevin Janni, Larry Jacobson and Hongwei Xin
Greenhouse Energy Conservation – Scott Sanford
Managing Field Operations to Reduce Energy Costs – Mark Hanna
Milking System, Variable Frequency Drives, Single Phase Installation Issues and Waterers - Truman Surbrook
Irrigation Pumping Plants – William Kranz
Milk Cooling, Water Heating, and Heat Recovery Systems - Dan Schruaben
Greenhouse Thermal/Shade Curtains – Scott Sanford
Irrigation Scheduling – William Kranz
Biomass Heating of Greenhouses – Scott Sanford
Lighting, Electric Motors and Block Heaters - Jon Althouse and Aluel Go
Irrigation Pipeline Distribution Systems – William Kranz
Ventilation, Manure Handling, Diesel to electric motor conversions - Aluel Go
Grain drying – Ken Hellevang

Cellulosic Biofuels Web Seminar Series 2010

Webinar Series Purpose
Cellulosic ethanol production is an emerging industry. Production practices, materials and business methods are expected to be different from those currently used in agriculture. This webinar series is intended to provide interested individuals with an overview of the ethanol industry and the anticipated needs, from production, agronomic, and contractual perspectives for supplying cellulosic materials to a biofuel plant. This webinar series was facilitated by John Hay, U.Nebraska Extension and presented by National eXtension and the High Plains Extension Energy Team.

State of the Industry: Corn and Cellulosic Ethanol

March 26, 2010

Presenter: Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board
Program Announcement
Video Recording of the Webcast

Economics of Cellulosic Biofuels

April 30, 2010

Presenter: Dr. Robert Wisner – Iowa State University (retired)
Video Recording of Webinar

Cellulosic Biofuel Logistics

May 28, 2010

Presenter: Dr. John Cundiff, Virginia Tech University; discussion of issues associated with biomass production and delivery
Program Announcement
Video Recording of Webinar

Agronomic Impacts of Cellulosic Material Harvest

Corn Stover Feedstock Logistics

June 25, 2010

Presenter: Dr. Greg Roth, Penn State University
Video Recording of Webinar

Regional Feedstock Supply Opportunity

June 25, 2010

Presenter: Bob McGrath, FSA; study with Imperial, NE, Young Farmers & Ranchers
Video Recording of Webinar

Contracts for Cellulosic Biomass

September 24, 2010

Presenter: Joe R. Thompson, Stoel Rives law firm in Minneapolis, MN, practicing in the areas of agricultural business and renewable energy law.
Video Recording of Webinar

Real Green from Real Green

October 29, 2010

Presenter: Steve Flick, Show Me Energy Cooperative; Centerview, MO.
Video Recording of Webinar
While looking for a way to dispose of grass seed hulls, Steve came across the idea of converting the seed hull waste into pellets and then marketing the pellets as a fuel. This idea led to the forming of Missouri Bioenergy, LLC and ultimately Show Me Energy Cooperative.

Biogas and Anaerobic Digester Webinars

Biogas 101: An Introduction to On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion

July 13, 2010, from Penn State Dairy Alliance - Technology Tuesday's Webinar Series

Presenter: Patrick Topper, Penn State Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept
Video Recording of the Webcast (Intro topic is 1st 43 minutes on this recording)
Powerpoint Presentation used by Pat Topper.
Resources provided by presenters:
- Penn State Biogas Website
- AgSTAR (U.S. EPA Website)
- NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, part 651

Examining the Economics of Anaerobic Digester Technology

July 13, 2010, from Penn State Dairy Alliance - Technology Tuesday's Webinar Series

Presenter: Brad Hilty, HBI business Informatics & Decision Systems
Video Recording of the Webcast. (2nd topic on this recording - you must move the time slider at bottom of your screen to 44 minutes into the webinar)
Powerpoint Presentation used by Brad Hilty.

Wind Energy Web Seminar Series

Common Landowner Questions on Wind Lease Contracts

November 21, 2008

Presenters: Sarah Hamlen, Montana State University and John Hay, University of Nebraska.
Program Announcement
Powerpoint showing Links to Wind Resources
Video recording of webinar

Basics of Farm/Residential Small Wind Turbines

February 13, 2009

Presented by Antonio C. Jimenez - National Renewable Energy Laboratory/National Wind Technology Center
Program Announcement
Video recording of webinar
View power point used by Mr. Jimenez

Wind Energy Development: Key Financial Considerations

February 27, 2009

Presenters: Dr. Leistritz, Community Resource Economist and Dr. Cole Gustafson, Biofuels Economist, North Dakota State University; Carol Goodma, Executive Director, Cavalier County Job Development Authority (CCJDA), ND
Program Announcement
Video recording of webinar

Managing Your Expectations – Sizing a Small Wind Turbine to Your Load

October 15, 2009

Understanding Wind Energy Leases

November 18, 2009

Public Involvement and Land Issues Relating to Wind Projects

December 18, 2009

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Teleseminar Series

Biofuel Engines

A joint effort by USDA and DOT to disseminate information about new or modified engine technologies which are especially suited for biofuels. Participants are experts in the area of IC engine engineering & design.

Chemical Conversion Technologies

A joint effort by USDA and DOE to disseminate information about new non-biochemical technologies to convert agricultural materials to fuels and power. Examples of such technologies include gasification, pyrolysis and aqueous reforming using either catalytic or non-catalytic approaches.

Herbaceous Feedstock Logistics

A joint effort by USDA and DOE to disseminate information about new technologies, equipment and systems for harvesting, pre-processing and storing herbaceous cellulosic materials.

More Farmers Pursuing Farmers Market Dollars

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:38 GMT

Related ATTRA Publication:Tips for Selling at Farmers MarketsA growing interest in locally produced food and an increase in the number of farmers markets nationwide are encouraging more farmers to try direct marketing, says a Bloomberg Businessweek artic…

WaterSMART Grants Awarded for Water Efficiency and Re-use Projects

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:20 GMT

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced that 34 new WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants selected for funding will use $11 million to conserve water and energy through improvements to existing facilities in 11 states-- California, Idaho, Montana…

Biomass Expansion Would Revolutionize World Politics, Economies

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:29 GMT

Released May 9, 2012

LINCOLN, Neb. — Replacing foreign oil with domestically grown biomass would revolutionize world politics and economies, with states such as Nebraska emerging as potentially huge winners, says a former Clay County farm boy who's now one of the world's leading biotechnology scientists.

Jay Keasling, a professor of biochemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, spoke Tuesday on "The Bold Future of Alternative Energy," as the final guest in the 2011-12 Heuermann Lectures at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Using 2009 statistics, Keasling said that of the 94.5 quadrillion BTUs of energy used in the United States, 83 percent came from fossil fuels. The U.S. now imports about half that oil, and those oil imports account for roughly half of the nation's trade imbalance. And, of course, fossil fuels emit high levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Future oil shortages are predicted as China and India increase use at a time when oil production is leveling off and dropping. Prices could reach $200 a barrel, doubling the price of gasoline.

Searching for dedicated energy crops

Ethanol from corn already is making inroads into that dependence on foreign oil, but that's only part of the answer, Keasling said. Indeed, corn is far from the ideal biofuels crop, since it requires lots of water and fertilizer and also is important as a food and feed crop.

So, other forms of biomass are in development, including switchgrass, which can produce four times the amount of energy it takes to grow it, Keasling noted.

Keasling's research team at a firm he founded, the Joint BioEnergy Institute, is heavily involved in those efforts. Scientists there engineered a strain of Escherichia coli bacteria to produce biodiesel fuel from biomass such as switchgrass, without the need of enzyme additives. His team now is working to increase the efficiency and speed by which its engineered E. coli strain can be cost-effective and economically competitive in quantities needed to meet the world need.

"We need to rely on dedicated energy crops" such as switchgrass, said Keasling, who received his bachelor's degree from UNL.

"This would be a huge change in our balance of trade, a huge change in world politics," he added, noting that the money now going overseas to purchase oil could be going into economies of farm states such as Nebraska.

Miscanthus giganteus is a particularly promising biomass crop. It's a perennial that grows 12 feet tall; it also fixes nitrogen in the soil. "It looks to be a great crop for the future," Keasling said.

Scientists like Keasling are focusing on making more efficient the process for getting energy out of biomass crops. Sugars – which comprise about 70 percent of plants' content – are the key, but extracting them and processing them is tricky. Goals are to develop plants that contain more of the so-called "good sugars," less of the bad, and fewer lignins, which are organic polymers in plant cell walls that make them rigid and woody.

Research efforts are focused on improving pretreatment processes to remove lignins and engineering plants to have less lignin. "This is a very exciting area of research," he added.

While bioenergy has successfully produced gasoline substitutes, future research also must produce diesel and jet fuel substitutes.

Keasling said he also expects biomass production to result in chemicals from those plant sugars to replace other substances that now come from petroleum.

Responding to a question from the audience, Keasling said government's role in this process will be a "steady hand ... steady policies over many decades" and not playing favorites among the different crops and technologies. "Government shouldn't be picking winners and losers. Let the marketplace do that."

--30—

University of Nebraska, http://ianrnews.unl.edu/static/1205091.shtml

National Pollinator Week

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:37 GMT

Many events! Learn more at this site http://pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2012.htm

eOrganic Updates

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:25 GMT

eOrganic T1123

May 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:18 GMT

The National Online Information, Training and Networking System for Organic Agriculture

In this Issue

New eOrganic Dairy Webinars in May and June
International Organic Fruit Symposium
Use of eOrganic's Resources
eOrganic Video Production Course
Grains Group News
Project Websites on eOrganic
CCOF Organic Labelling Webinar

New eOrganic Dairy Webinars in May and June

Want to learn about weed management and breeding and genetics on organic dairy farms? If so, join the eOrganic Dairy Team for 2 new webinars which are free and open to the public. Advance resgistration is required:

Organic Weed Management on Livestock Pastures by Sid Bosworth of the University of Vermont. The webinar will take place on May 15, 2012 at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time. Find out more and register at http://www.extension.org/pages/63411

Breeding and Genetics: Considerations for Organic Dairy Farms by Brad Heins of the University of Minnesota. The webinar will take place on June 19, 2012 at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time. Find out more and register at http://www.extension.org/pages/63504

If you were unable to attend the recent live broadcast of the workshop on Fly Management in Your Organic Dairy, the recording is now available at http://www.extension.org/pages/63269. Presenters are Roger Moon of the University of Minnesota, J. Keith Waldron of Cornell University, and Wes Watson of NCSU.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars on organic farming and research topics at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

International Organic Fruit Symposium June 18-21, Leavenworth, WA

Come learn and share your research and experience on the current and future state of organic fruit production and marketing at the International Organic Fruit Symposium. Participation is encouraged for all types of organic fruit – pome and stone, berries, grapes and citrus, temperate to tropical.The symposium is for researchers, extension professionals, growers and consultants, suppliers, and retailers who wish to share the latest developments in the world-wide organic fruit supply chain. Research presentations will predominate (through oral and poster sessions) along with discussion periods and networking opportunities. eOrganic will be broadcasting presentations live from the conference and we will be sending more information on that soon.

Register now to attend the conference on the symposium website at http://www.tfrec.wsu.edu/pages/organicfruit2012/. For more information, contact David Granatstein, Washington State University granats@wsu.edu .

Use of eOrganic's Resources

According to Google Analytics, February 2012 was the highest month ever in terms of eOrganic public content page views, at 42,801 with an average of 2 minutes and 43 seconds time spent on each page! The most popular articles and webinars that month were the upcoming and archived webinar page, our public home page, 2 articles on How Cover Crops Suppress Weeds and Organic Potting Mix Basics, and the recorded webinar by Eric Gallandt of the University of Maine on Cultivation and Weed Seedbank Management. Thank you to everyone who has helped contribute to eOrganic's contintued success!

eOrganic Video Production Course Materials Available Online

Are you interested in learning how to create videos about organic farming and research? In March and April, Lane Selman of the eOrganic staff conducted a pilot video production class for team members of NIFA OREI and ORG projects that are partnering with eOrganic. Recordings of lectures, reading materials and sample videos from the course, Introduction to Video Storyboards, Filming, and Production has now been made publicly available. Find the free course at http://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=625

eOrganic Grains Group News

Coordinators and 7 members of the eOrganic Grains CoP met in late February in Stevensville, MD to set goals and begin development of organic grain production resources for publication on eXtension.org. The group currently has 7 articles and a video in progress and is planning a series of webinars for the fall and winter of 2012-3. If you are an eOrganic member and you would be interested in participating in the Organic Grains CoP as an author, reviewer, or webinar presenter, please contact Betty Marose at Betty.Marose@ars.usda.gov or Michel Cavigelli at Michel.Cavigelli@ars.usda.gov.

New public project websites on eOrganic

Check out the new websites of two organic seed breeding OREI projects that provided funding to eOrganic for the development of public websites linked to eOrganic that describe their research on breeding for organic systems:

The Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) brings together researchers and organic farmers in Northern US states to address their seed and plant breeding needs. The collaborative includes researchers and educators from four universities, Organic Seed Alliance, and the USDA. NOVIC is partnering with organic farmers to breed new varieties, identify the best performing existing varieties for organic agriculture, and educate farmers on organic seed production and plant variety improvement. The website includes an interactive trial database.

Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) is a long-term breeding project that addresses the critical needs of organic carrot farmers by developing novel colored carrots with improved disease and nematode resistance, improved weed competitiveness, and improved nutritional value and flavor. This four-year project will also compare the relative performance of breeding material in organic versus conventional environments and investigate whether some carrot varieties perform better under organic soil conditions.

CCOF Organic Labelling Webinar

California Certified Organic Farmers is offering a webinar on organic labeling, which will clarify confusing requirements and define a step-by-step process for developing labels that comply with the USDA National Organic Program. Attend on Wednesday, May 16, 9:00-11:00 a.m. PST. The cost is $35.00, and advance registration is required. Find out more and register at http://ccof.org/programs.php

Organic farming articles
http://www.eXtension.org/
Organic_Production

Spread the Word

If you would like eOrganic literature to hand out at your next conference/workshop/house party, please get in touch. We have bookmarks, factsheets, brochures, and even displays you can use! Use our online form to request materials

eOrganic Mission

eOrganic is a web community where organic agriculture farmers, researchers, and educators network; exchange objective, research- and experience-based information; learn together; and communicate regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Ask an Expert

Have a question about organic farming? Use the eXtension Ask an Expert tool to connect with eOrganic. Tag your question as "organic production" to make sure it reachs our members.

Visit us at http://eOrganic.info

eOrganic 7886

Chicago Botanic Garden Showcases Sustainable Ag at the Regenstein Fruit

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:08 GMT

This story features the Chicago Botanic Garden and information about their NCR-SARE Research and Education Grant. Read more information about their grant project, on the online MySARE reporting system.

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Source: Julie McCaffrey, Chicago Botanic Garden

GLENCOE, Ill. (May 7, 2012) – The Chicago Botanic Garden has done groundbreaking work as a result of a two-year grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant reaches both casual passersby and committed gardeners with ideas for how to integrate sustainable agriculture techniques into their own backyards.

The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden (RFVG) is one of the main locations where visitors can learn about sustainable agriculture, with additional events, programs, and classes offered throughout the Chicago Botanic Garden. The SARE grant made possible the installation of a solar-powered irrigation system and water collection tank for irrigating a portion of the four-acre RFVG, a demonstration garden for organic vegetable gardening techniques. This irrigation system was designed to be replicable in home gardens to serve as an educational demonstration for visitors. A series of seasonal handwritten signs give visitors tips and information on gardening sustainably.

Events and programs that educate visitors about sustainable gardening and sustainably-farmed products include the Farmers’ Markets on the first and third Sundays of each month from June 3 through Oct. 21. The marketplace features free 15-minute demonstrations on a variety of sustainable agriculture and gardening topics at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/calendar/farmers_market for a schedule of topics.

Three Farm Dinners will be held on July 18, August 15, and Sept. 5, bringing together local farmers, winemakers, breweries, and our own Green Youth Farm for a spectacular multicourse meal. These dinners explore the relationship between the earth and the food on the table. Guests will meet the chef, farmers, winemakers, brewers, and more during dinner. Cost is $200 per person. Tickets are available online or at the Visitor Center information desk. Price includes cocktails, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information visit www.chicagobotanic.org/farmdinners or call (847) 835-5440.

Family Drop-in Activities on Saturdays and Sundays from June 2 through Sept. 30 allow visitors to get close to nature and discover where food comes from with fun, free activities each weekend in the Grunsfeld Children’s Growing Garden from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities vary from week to week, allowing children to explore a variety of gardening topics such as the role of a bees and other pollinators, growing organic fruits and vegetables at home, worm composting, and more. Additional family activities will occur in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden during Herb Garden Weekend on July 28 and 29 and Heirloom Tomato Weekend on August 25 and 26. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/forfamilies for more information.

Classes through the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden include a tour of two organic farms with a cooking class and lunch, as well as a class that meets multiple times throughout the growing season to teach families to grow vegetables together. Earth’s Bounty: Organic Farm and Lunch Experience is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 30, and takes participants to Loyola University’s Retreat and Ecology Campus as well as W&M Land Corp farm in Woodstock, Ill. Let’s Grow Together encourages families to learn about and grow vegetables at home and compare them to the ones growing at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Let’s Grow Together meets May 19, July 28, and September 22. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/school/ for more information and registration.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free. Select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. For information about Garden programs and events, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.

Spotlight on Innovative Research Earns SARE.org Top ACE Award

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:48 GMT

Today, cutting-edge sustainable agriculture research results are more accessible than ever, thanks to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program's new suite of websites, which was recently awarded a top honor by the Association for Communications Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE).

"This is a very effective, beautifully designed set of sites," commented ACE judge Lorna Olsen, of North Dakota State University. "The content is easily searchable and discoverable, and the navigation is intuitive and user-friendly." SARE.org received ACE's Gold Award for website design plus the Outstanding Professional Skill award for the entire information technology category.

Says SARE Director Robert Hedberg, "SARE.org is a comprehensive learning tool that helps advance sustainable innovations to the whole of American agriculture. Five thousand SARE-funded projects are searchable by topic, project number, grantee name, region, and state."

Users can also browse free books, bulletins, fact sheets, grantee-produced resources and videos spotlighting SARE-funded research. From the Field profiles invite producers, agricultural professionals, and other users to learn from grantees who have put their innovative ideas to the test.

The web project was an all-hands-on-deck effort with SARE's regional and national staff working collaboratively over three years to create five independent sites with common coding that allows information sharing among sites and ease of navigation. Contractor ThinkCreative of Tallahassee, Fla., built the site on the eZ Publish platform, helping to make the shared webplex vision a reality.

Learn more about ACE.

Farm Energy Efficiency and Conservation Table of Contents

Wed, 09 May 2012 03:24 GMT

Articles and Fact Sheets

Introduction to Energy Efficiency and Conservation on the Farm

Farm Energy Efficiency Checklist and Tips

Farm Building: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Livestock Buildings - see below under Livestock Production Efficiency

Greenhouse: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

eOrganic Resources:

Livestock Production and Buildings: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Farm Equipment: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Tractor and Field Operation: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Crop Systems: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Irrigation: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Food System: Energy Efficiency

Reducing Food Miles. ATTRA

Farm Efficiency Checklist and Tips Series

Answers from our Experts - FAQs

News

2012 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:47 GMT

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has announced its 2012 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series, featuring free public tours of some of Ohio’s finest sustainable and organic farms. OEFFA has offered this series for the past 30 years, providing unique opportunities for Ohioans to see, taste, feel, and learn what sustainable food and fiber production is all about from the farmers themselves.

Consumers interested in local foods, farmers and market gardeners wanting to learn more and network with other farmers, aspiring and beginning farmers, and anyone interested in learning more about the production and marketing techniques of sustainable farmers, are encouraged to attend.

“Consumer demand for fresh, locally produced food and farm products continues to grow, along with the desire to understand how food gets from the field to the dinner table. Farmers are opening their gates this summer to show consumers how sustainably produced food is grown and marketed,” said Michelle Gregg, OEFFA’s Sustainable Agriculture Educator. “The more consumers know about how their food is grown, the better prepared they are to make informed choices about who to support with their food dollars,” added Gregg.

Thirteen tours and workshops are being sponsored by OEFFA and will be held between June and September. These tours feature: organic berry production; high tunnels and hoop houses; commercial composting; permaculture; natural goat health; raw milk cheesemaking; specialty grain production; produce auctions; institutional sourcing; Ohio farm history; fiber production; specialty crop production, and farmers using a wide range of direct-to-consumer marketing strategies, including farmers’ markets, restaurants, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.

OEFFA’s events are:

Sunday, June 10: Berry trellis systems and high tunnels tour and potluck—Brickel Creek Organic Farm, Jamestown, Ohio (Greene Co.)
Saturday, June 24: OEFFA Athens Chapter compost tour—The Compost Exchange, Athens, Ohio (Athens Co.)
Friday, July 20: Garden tour and permaculture lecture with Peter Bane—Shaker Heights, Ohio (Cuyahoga Co.)
Saturday, July 21-Sunday, July 22: Advanced urban permaculture workshop with Peter Bane—Cleveland, Ohio (Cuyahoga Co.)
Saturday, July 28: Natural goat health and raw milk cheesemaking tour—Blue Rock Station, Philo, Ohio (Muskingum Co.)
Sunday, July 29: Garlic and hoop house season extension tour—Jandy’s Farm, Bellefontaine, Ohio (Logan Co.)
Saturday, August 4: Grain Growers Chapter specialty grain workshop and potluck—Gregg Organics, Bellville, Ohio (Richland Co.)
Friday, September 14: Produce auctions and the local food web tour—Owl Creek Produce Auction, Fredericktown, Ohio (Morrow Co.)
Friday, September 14: Institutional sourcing of local food tour—Kenyon College, AVI Foodsystems, Gambier, Ohio (Knox Co.)
Sunday, September 16: Sustainable living on an Ohio century farm tour—Carriage House Farm, North Bend, Ohio (Hamilton Co.)
Sunday, September 16: 2012 OEFFA Stewardship Award winner tour—Peach Mountain Organics, Spring Valley, Ohio (Greene Co.)
Sunday, September 23: Ohio farm history tour and potluck—Stone Garden Farm and Village, Richfield, Ohio (Summit Co.)
Thursday, September 27: Alpaca fiber production tour—Alpaca Spring Valley Farm, Minerva, Ohio (Stark Co.)

The 2012 farm tour and workshop series is promoted in cooperation with partner organizations—the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau 30 Mile Meal Project, Innovative Farmers of Ohio, the Ohio State University Sustainable Agriculture Team (with support from NCR-SARE), Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, and Rural Action—who are sponsoring additional tours. In total, the series features 22 farms and food businesses, two university research centers and colleges, and five educational workshops.

For additional information and a complete list of all farm tours, including dates, times, farm descriptions, directions, and maps, go to http://www.oeffa.us/oeffa/pdfs/farmtour2012.pdf.

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1979 by farmers, gardeners, and conscientious eaters who committed to work together to create and promote a sustainable and healthful food and farming system.

Where is the nearest biodiesel processing plant?

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:16 GMT

For a map of biodiesel manufacturing plant locations, see the National Biodiesel Board’s Member Plant Locations.

Where can I buy biodiesel?

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:55 GMT

For a map of biodiesel retail locations, see the National Biodiesel Board’s Retail Locations. The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center has an interactive map of biodiesel retail locations (B20 and above): Alternative Fueling Station Locator.

Can biodiesel or other liquid fuel be made from farm waste products?

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:37 GMT

Scientists are experimenting with producing fuel from “next generation” feedstocks – inexpensive, non-edible biomass (such as agricultural residue, waste from the wood products industry, and switchgrass and other grasses) that can be converted into a diesel replacement. These materials are mostly cellulosic. While it is a fairly simple process to convert vegetable oil or animal fat into biodiesel, the conversion of cellulosic feedstocks to fuel is more complicated and more expensive. To produce a hydrocarbon fuel, the biomass is generally first converted into a synthetic gas using high heat. Then, the gas can be converted into a liquid diesel fuel. The fuel resulting from these new technologies is technically not “biodiesel,” which is defined, according to the ASTM specifications, as “mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.” Instead, these fuels from cellulosic feedstocks are termed “renewable diesel.” This term also includes fuels produced from vegetable oils and animal fats using conventional petroleum refining techniques.

Connecting Farmers Markets to a New World of Opportunities

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:36 GMT

Editor's note: Cross-posted from the USDA blog.

A young boy looks over the fresh fruits and veggies with his mother at a farmers market in Mississippi. By listing their market in the National Farmers Market Directory, market managers open their market up new customers. Photo courtesy Natalie Maynor

Spring is in the air and it’s time to gear up for the outdoor market season. People are looking for fresh fruits, veggies and other goodies from their local farmers markets, and with a couple clicks of the mouse, the USDA National Farmers Market Directory makes the search easy.

While the directory holds obvious value for market customers, it is just as valuable to the farmers markets themselves. Getting listed in the directory is a great way to increase a market’s visibility. If your market is already listed, you can use the same link to make sure the information we have online is accurate and up-to-date.

In an age where smartphone applications and websites are created using datasets like the geocodes from our directory, having a listing in the directory can put your market information right at a customer’s fingertips.

Several application developers use our directory datasets in their farmers market apps. For example, Real Time Farms meshes our data with their own listings of farms and restaurants, painting a detailed picture of local farmers and farmers markets. We can’t wait to see what will be developed next!

Besides being a marketing tool that displays market locations, operating hours and products offered, the USDA National Farmers Market Directory is the go-to resource for decision makers, researchers and community planners. With over two million page views last year, the directory is used on a regular basis to better understand the size and scope of the farmers market sector.

The USDA National Farmers Market Directory. With a few easy clicks, market managers can add their farmers market to the more than 7,000 markets already listed in the directory.

Because the directory relies on self-reporting by the farmers market, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) tries to reach out to market managers at least once a year to get updated information. This year’s directory update is open to new and existing farmers markets through June 5^th. Updates submitted during this month-long solicitation will be visible in the online directory by June 26^th.

Markets with several locations should list each location separately. If market managers include an email address, we’ll send them a link to an easy update form when it’s time to update their information again next year.

Getting listed in the directory is very easy. Market managers should visit our site to start the simple process of adding their market to the directory, and in just a few minutes, they’ll be opening themselves up to a whole new world of potential customers.

Missouri Workshop Addresses Scaling Up Local Food Systems

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:08 GMT

Those who are interested in learning strategies for creating dynamic local food systems to help communities establish thriving local businesses, protecting natural resources and strengthen community ties, or who have clients who wish to expand local food systems beyond farmers’ markets and community gardens can attend a two-day workshop designed specifically for community economic development professionals and extension educators. Attendees will be introduced to the latest concepts in local foods, including tours and discussions of models that connect farmers with processors, institutions, restaurants and grocery stores.

By the end of the workshop attendees will be able to:

Describe the drivers of demand for making locally produced food available beyond CSAs and farmers’ markets in the community.
Describe successful examples of farmers, distributors, food services, and grocers who are “scaling up”.
Explain the concept of tiers of the food system, especially in helping clients move beyond direct marketing.
Describe the components involved in successful scaling up.
List at least five tools, resources, and expertise needed for scaling up.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet others in the region who are working on creating and strengthening local food systems.

The workshop will take place May 30-31, 2012 at the University of Missouri. To register, contact Debi Kelly by May 24th, 2012. Registration is free for state and federal agency personnel, and $40 for others. Registration includes materials, tours, and meals. Lodging information is available upon request.

This event is supported, in part, by NCR-SARE's Professional Development Program.

Contact Missouri SARE State Co-Coordinator, Debi Kelly, for more information.

Debi Kelly
Extension Associate
University of Missouri
234 Ag Engineering Building
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573.882.1905
Email: kellyd@missouri.edu

Introduction to Biogas and Anaerobic Digestion

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:01 GMT

On-farm biogas is a byproduct of the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter. On the farm, it is most often generated from animal manure or other agricultural waste.

Intro | Feedstocks | Processing | Utilization

On-farm biogas production has long been a topic of interest for farmers, with historical records of biogas production going back several hundreds of years. In modern livestock production systems, for example, the benefits of producing biogas are significant and include:

provision of supplemental renewable energy
odor reduction
reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases
pathogen control
waste biostabilization.

The economics of biogas production, however, are sometimes difficult to justify unless the accompanying environmental benefits and other by-products are considered.

What Is a Biogas?

Biogas is a by-product of the anaerobic (without oxygen) breakdown of organic matter. The organic matter could be any of a number of materials, but on the farm, it most often comprises animal manure or other agricultural waste.

The most important component in biogas is methane, a flammable gas that can be used in furnaces, for cooking, or even as an engine fuel. However, biogas also contains carbon dioxide and small amounts of hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, and water vapor.

What Is a Digester?

A digester is a sealed vessel or container in which anaerobic digestion of organic matter occurs. The bacteria "feed" off the manure and, in the process, release biogas as a by-product. This process is referred to as anaerobic digestion, and the sealed vessel or container is thus usually referred to as an anaerobic digester. Anaerobic digestion also occurs in the anaerobic zones of open or unsealed swamps, bogs, and wastewater lagoons.

Today, farmers in developed countries are using digesters primarily to improve the quality of their manure and to reduce manure odors, the energy content of the methane being simply a by-product. However, as the price of energy increases, more farmers are looking at using anaerobic digestion as a way to generate supplemental heat and electricity for their farms. Digesters are a popular technology in rural areas of the developing world, where electricity and petroleum fuels are often unavailable or unaffordable.

What Does a Digester Look Like?

This is a 600,000-gallon plug-flow digester that creates biogas using the manure from 1,000 dairy cows.

Physically, digesters can come in many different shapes and sizes, varying from simple earthen lagoons to complex steel and concrete structures. In North America, the most common commercial farm digesters are usually buried concrete tanks with heavy plastic covers.

Take a virtual tour of one regional digester (hydraulic mix type) located in Cayuga County, NY. More...

How Does a Digester Work?

Fresh biomass entering a digester is supplied with anaerobic bacteria by the existing digested biomass, which is tremendously rich in these microbes. The digester tank provides a conducive environment for anaerobic microbes to "digest" the biomass, resulting in digested solids, liquids, and biogas. In general, the anaerobic digestion is a living process, requiring favorable conditions (temperature, moisture content, oxygen exclusion,and pH) and a steady food supply in order to flourish.

Manure from this dairy barn is automatically collected and delivered to a nearby anaerobic digester.

What Goes into a Digester?

Livestock manure is the most popular material, or feedstock, for anaerobic digestion on the farm, but almost any type of organic matter can be digested, including food waste, forestry residue, animal processing waste, and field crops.

What Can Go Wrong?

Probably the biggest problem in a digester occurs when the digester's pH drops too low. In general, acid-forming bacteria grow much faster than methane-forming bacteria. This can reduce the pH to an unfavorable level for methane-forming bacteria, thus inhibiting the activity of methanogens. This is referred to souring and may result in failure or crashing of the anaerobic digester. In most cases, however, the pH is self-regulating, but bicarbonates are sometimes used to maintain consistent pH. The optimal pH range is between 6.8 to 8.5. Restarting a digester that has "soured" is not an easy task. Typically, the approach is to open the digester, excavate the soured material, then refill and restart the digester. This is a costly and unpleasant task and should be avoided whenever possible.

There are risks in dealing with biogas, including explosion, asphyxiation, disease, or hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Operators must be aware of the potential hazards and take preventative measures.

How Is Biogas Used?

Biogas generated from anaerobic digestion processes is a clean and environmentally friendly renewable fuel. There are many uses for this fuel, including use in engines, generation of electricity, heat and hot water systems, and even refrigeration.

This generator makes electricity using biogas from a digester on a 1,000 cow dairy farm.

Contributors to This Document

Authors

Dan Ciolkosz, Extension Associate, Penn State
Pius Ndegwa, Washington State University

Peer Reviewers

Patricia A. Westenbroek, Cornell Cooperative Extension
William F. Lazarus, Professor and Extension Economist, University of Minnesota Extension

Some Native Bees May Be Valuable for Commercial Pollination Services

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:02 GMT

Georgia research finds some native bees suitable replacements of honeybees for pollinating apples.

Can algae be processed economically on a farm scale system to produce liquid fuels such as biodiesel?

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:15 GMT

Some types of algae can produce large quantities of oil in a small space. Algae is currently being researched as a feedstock for biodiesel, and its economic feasibility is yet to be determined. For more information on algae biofuels, see Algae for Biofuel Production .

Is biodiesel production economically feasible for small producers?

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:25 GMT

Small scale biodiesel production economics can vary substantially depending on the unique situation of individual producers. It mostly depends on the price the small producer must pay for oil or grease, and the value the producer places on his or her own time. For more information, see Economics of Small-Scale Biodiesel Production.

What do I need to know before I use biodiesel in my engine? Where can I get more information about using biodiesel?

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:13 GMT

Biodiesel and biodiesel blends can be used in any diesel engine. Cold temperatures can be a problem for high-percentage blends of biodiesel. Pure biodiesel made from soybean oil can clog fuel filters if the temperature drops below 28 degrees F. Biodiesel can be blended with fossil diesel during cold weather. Because biodiesel is a strong solvent, it will probably loosen debris in pipes and tanks, clogging filters initially. Remedy this problem by changing filters soon after first use. Sometimes rubber hoses and gaskets on older vehicles don’t hold up well with pure biodiesel. Pre-1991 vehicles should be monitored for hose degradation or seal weepage. If these occur, the hoses and seals should be replaced with viton-based parts. Engine warranties are not affected by the use of biodiesel, although dealers are frequently confused on this point. Manufacturers' warranty statements only cover the parts and assembly of the engines, and never cover problems caused by the fuel, regardless of whether the fuel is petroleum-based diesel or biodiesel. Questions about liability for damages caused by a specific fuel should be addressed to the fuel supplier. See the National Biodiesel Board's Standards and Warranties page for more information. For more information about using biodiesel, see Using Biodiesel as a Fuel; and Biodiesel Fuel Education Program.

Wisconsin Coalition Provides Organic Food Guide Online

Mon, 07 May 2012 02:51 GMT

Released April 18, 2012

MADISON, Wis. – Whether at the farmers market, in the grocery store aisle or at an on-farm store, many questions can arise about organic food and how it is produced and labeled. To answer these questions, a team of partners has developed A Consumer’s Guide to Organic Foods.

“The consumer’s guide can assist people in navigating the sometimes overwhelming array of food choices, labels and claims by answering important questions about the benefits of organic food,” said Jennifer Casey, a Registered Dietitian at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center in Milwaukee and member of the Organic Advisory Council. “I got involved in this project for two reasons—because more than ever eaters want to understand what goes into what they are feeding themselves and their families and to help promote our extraordinary Wisconsin organic producers.”

The complete consumer’s guide is a 20-page booklet that describes organic farm production methods, what the organic label on your food really means and what you are getting with your food dollar when buying organic. The publication also includes ways to find local certified organic farms, processors and handlers.

“We are a national leader in organics. In response to continued strong demand, the number of farmers, processors and handlers of organics continues to grow at double digit rates,” added Mike Powers, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)’s Agricultural Development Administrator. “Sometimes, the question is as basic as, where can I find the organically produced product that I’m looking for? A Consumer’s Guide to Organic Foods is part of an overall Market Wisconsin effort that helps bring together producers with those looking for organic products or ingredients.”

Different versions of the consumer’s guide are available online in a brochure format, bookmark, rack card and magnet. These marketing tools are available to download and print at no cost to provide consumer information and support Wisconsin’s organic industry.

“Consumers can visit our website at datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Organic_Farming/Organic_Consumer_Guide to review and print the consumer’s guide and brochure in an easy-to-use, low-resolution format,” explained Laura Paine, DATCP’s Organic and Grazing Agriculture Specialist. “We are also very excited to offer these materials in high-resolution so producers can print multiple copies from the website for use at farmers markets, stores or restaurants.”

These materials were developed through a collaborative project by DATCP, Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition and University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Financial support was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

For more information, contact Paine at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov. You can also connect with DATCP on Twitter at twitter.com/widatcp or Facebook at facebook.com/widatcp.

--30—

State of Wisconsin, http://datcp.wi.gov/news/?Id=548

How can I save energy on my farm?

Mon, 07 May 2012 02:16 GMT

Answer: There are several ways to save energy on your farm depending on what type of infrastructure and operation you have. The first step to reducing farm energy costs is determining where you use energy in your operation. One way to gauge energy use is to have an accredited agency perform an energy audit on your farm. Several organizations provide farm energy audits, which examine existing energy consumption and determine opportunities for savings through energy efficiency improvements and equipment upgrades. Farm energy calculators are another set of tools to estimate energy consumption and calculate the cost of various energy inputs on your farm.

Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting options present farmers with new opportunities to reduce electricity costs and help manage farms sustainably. Cost-effective, energy-efficient lighting can be used to improve productivity and safety, and reduce operating costs.

See the ATTRA publication Energy-Efficient Lighting for the Farm, at https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=341. This publication will introduce you to energy-efficient lighting technologies, and terms used by the lighting industry, and help you select options that meet your farm's lighting requirements.

Fuel
In today's climate of continually escalating fuel prices, farms must find ways to conserve fuel in order to reduce costs. There are many free or low-cost measures that can provide immediate fuel savings. Some energy-saving measures have an associated cost but offer a cost-effective payback.

See the ATTRA publication, Conserving Fuel on the Farm, at https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/viewhtml.php?id=303. This publication provides useful tips to help you start saving fuel on your farm today. This publication focuses on energy conservation in three areas: fuel storage, vehicle operation and maintenance, and field practices.

Efficient Buildings
Efficient buildings can save money and improve comfort while reducing resource consumption. Designers and builders nationwide are creating new buildings that save energy and water, use fewer material resources, and create less waste. Farmers and ranchers can join in the savings by incorporating efficiency in their plans for new buildings or renovations. Whether you are planning housing, barns, equipment sheds, greenhouses, storage spaces, or even specialized facilities for agritourism or product processing, efficiency is an important consideration.

See the ATTRA publication Energy Efficient Buildings: An Overview at https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=302. This publication discusses several ways to improve the efficiency of agricultural buildings and provides further references for implementing those strategies. Topics covered include suiting a building to its site, using natural systems, using renewable energy, conserving energy, and conserving material resources in construction.

Irrigation
Especially in times of high energy costs, efficient irrigation equipment is essential to the viability of farms and ranches. Most irrigation systems are not as efficient as they could be. Properly sized, adjusted, and maintained irrigation systems can use a lot less energy. And increasing pump and motor efficiency will save additional energy.

See the ATTRA publication Energy Saving Tips for Irrigators at https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=119. This publication describes ways that irrigators can save energy to reduce irrigation costs. It describes recommended irrigation system installations, explains how utilities charge their irrigation customers for electricity, and describes common causes of wasted energy, as well as common energy-saving hardware improvements. It also includes a do-it-yourself method to estimate the efficiency of electrically powered irrigation systems.

There are several other ATTRA publications that provide information and tools to save energy on your farm. For a comprehensive list of energy-related ATTRA publications, see https://attra.ncat.org/publication.html#energy.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Poultry Processing Regulations and Exemptions

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:06 GMT

Poultry processing regulations can be confusing, especially for small operations. Here we walk you through the federal law and small-scale exemptions and state-level laws and regulations.

Federal Law and Exemptions

Poultry Processing Regulations by State

Other Resources

Federal Law and Exemptions

The Law

The federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), administered by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the primary law governing poultry processing.

The PPIA requires that poultry, to be sold as human food, must be slaughtered and processed in a facility with "continuous" inspection, which means bird-by-bird. This can be federal inspection or state inspection in the twenty-five states with their own poultry inspection programs.

The Exemptions

The PPIA contains some exemptions for small processors, allowing processing without continuous, bird-by-bird inspection. But exempt processors still have to follow sanitation, recordkeeping, and other rules.

This table, adapted from the FSIS guidebook on the exemptions, explains where you can sell poultry processed under the different exemptions.

The exemptions, regulated by Chapter 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 381.10, are explained in this FSIS guide: “Guidance for Determining Whether a Poultry Slaughter or Processing Operation is Exempt from Inspection Requirements of the Poultry Products Inspection Act”. NOTE: There are known errors in this guide and FSIS intends to update it.

The exemptions are also explained on this NMPAN webinar “Poultry Processing Exemptions II”, from a federal and state perspective.

Click here for more detail about two specific exemptions that allow you to slaughter, cut up, and sell up to 20,000 birds per year to restaurants, retailers, distributors, and others.

Poultry Processing Regulations by State

What's in this Guide (download from link below)

Federal law allows exemptions for small poultry processors, but not all states accept those exemptions. Many states are much more restrictive about where exempt poultry can be sold -- or if it can be sold at all.

Our guide provides (1) a summary of state laws and regulations related to poultry processing, with a focus on how (and whether) the federal exemptions work in that state; (2) links to useful state-specific resources, laws and regs, and other online sources as available; and (3) contact info for the relevant agencies.

Please note that we do not cover each federal exemption for each state. We focus on the exemptions most relevant to small-scale producers and processors who wish to sell their poultry. (For example, we don’t discuss the personal use exemption – slaughtering your own birds on your own farm for your own dinner table – and we haven’t heard of any state where this is not allowed.)

We collected information directly from state regulators, often going back several times to clarify, in late 2010/early 2011.

Keep in mind: this guide is NOT a legal document and should NOT be considered legal advice. Please double-check with state agencies and/or FSIS before you start any processing operation.

Download the Guide: NMPAN Guide to State Poultry Processing Regulations

Version date: August 2, 2011 [pdf:346KB]

This version includes 46 of the 50 states; information for three of these (MI, NM, and TX) has not been reviewed by state regulators but was based on state statutes and regulations. We will add information for the remaining states as possible. If your state is not yet included, please check the 2001 report (see link below).

Useful Links

Acknowledgements

Research for this guide was done for the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network by Alicia Fitzgerald, Mary Emery, and Lauren Gwin. The guide updates, and expands on, a 2001 report, “Legal Issues for Small-Scale Poultry Processors: Part 2, Laws by States,” written by Janie Hipp, JD, LLM, for Heifer Project International.

All research was conducted from December 2010 through February 2011 and represents the best available information at that time.

Small Scale Poultry Processing: a Technical Guide

Small-Scale Poultry Processing, by Dr. Anne Fanatico, explains poultry processing, step by step, in detail, with pictures of different parts of the process. It compares on-farm, small, and large processing systems. Diagrams of processing equipment and plant setup are included.

This informative guide also discusses other people’s experiences with poultry processing, equipment they use, and more.

Wind Farms Tied to Faster Local Climate Change

Fri, 04 May 2012 06:03 GMT

Released April 30, 2012

New research has indicated that wind farms can cause climatic change in the immediate locality and warm regional climates ten times faster than natural rates.

The research published in the latest edition of the journal Nature was conducted by researchers working in Texas.

According to the Telegraph, Texas is the largest producer of wind power in the US. Apart from Texas, China is erecting around 36 wind turbines every day.

The study released by the researchers has found that air temperatures close to the four largest wind turbines in the world have increased by up to 0.72C in the last ten years. In contrast, the average temperature of the earth has increased by only 0.8C since 1900.

--continued on International Business Times, http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/334768/20120430/wind-farms-increase-loca...

Assessing Nitrogen Contribution and Rhizobia Diversity Associated with Winter Legume Cover Crops in Organic Systems Webinar

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:48 GMT

Slides from the webinar are available as a pdf file at http://cop.extension.org/mediawiki/files/7/70/GrossmanWebinar.pdf

Resources and notes from the webinar:

Link to the Grossman Lab at North Carolina State University: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/lockers/Grossman_J/doing.html

Clovers were planted at a density of 22.4 kg ha-1, vetches at 28 kg ha-1, winter peas at 67.2 kg ha-1, lupin at 134 kg ha-1. Bicultures MXE and MXM consisted of 28 and 56 kg ha-1 hairy vetch and rye respectively, and 50.4 and 56 kg ha-1 Austrian winter pea and rye respectively for MXP.

About the Webinar:
This webinar is designed to deepen your understanding of how legume cover crops, through a symbiotic relationship with beneficial soil rhizobia bacteria, can be used to provide new nitrogen to your organic crops through the process of nitrogen fixation. We will review the process of nitrogen fixation, and provide recent data from our lab describing the amount of nitrogen fixed by common and some novel cover crop legumes used in organic agriculture. We will also briefly discuss how the diversity of rhizobia present in the soil may impact this process.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

About the Presenter:
Julie Grossman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Soil Science at North Carolina State University specializing in organic cropping systems. Most recently, Julie began leading a new project integrating community gardens in low-income Raleigh neighborhoods with undergraduate soil science and nutrition courses. She also serves on the Steering Council of the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association, a new professional association championing innovative educational approaches for sustainable agriculture.

About eOrganic

eOrganic is the Organic Agriculture Community of Practice at eXtension.org. Our website at http:www.extension.org/organic_production contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

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Using Winter Killed Cover Crops to Facilitate Organic No-till Planting of Early Spring Vegetables Webinar

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:05 GMT

About the Webinar
Using weed suppressing, winter killed cover crops is one potential way to eliminate spring tillage in an organic vegetable production system. The presenters will discuss the challenges and successes of eliminating spring tillage on a small-scale vegetable farm in southern Maryland. Cover crop species, planting equipment, and crop rotations tested on the farm will be discussed.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

About the Presenters

Charlie White is an Extension Associate at Penn State focusing on the use of cover crops to provide on-farm management and economic benefits while also improving soil health and environmental quality. He obtained a Master's Degree in Soil Science from the University of Maryland in 2009.

Michael Snow is the manager of the Ecosystem Farm and apprentice training program at the Accokeek Foundation in Accokeek, Maryland. We distribute certified organic vegetables, fruits, grains, and livestock products through a 60 member CSA.

About eOrganic

eOrganic 5643

Cover Cropping to Suppress Weeds in Northeast US Farming Systems Webinar

Thu, 03 May 2012 05:51 GMT

Resources From the Webinar

Download the slides: http://cop.extension.org/mediawiki/files/4/44/CurranandRyanWebinar.pdf

The Rose Review - Reduced-Tillage Organic Systems Experiment Newsletter
http://agsci.psu.edu/organic/research-and-extension/Rotational%20No-till...

Suppressing Weeds Using Cover Crops in Pennsylvania
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/PDFs/uc210.pdf
Penn State Ag Publications Catalog No. UC210

About the Webinar
Cover crops provide important benefits to Northeast croplands, including soil and water conservation. Some growers are also finding that cover crops can help reduce weed problems. Which covers are most suitable and how should they be managed to enhance weed suppression?

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

About the Presenters
Bill Curran is a professor of weed science in the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences at Penn State University and has an extension-research split focused in weed management for agronomic crops. Bill’s extension and research programs focus on integrated weed management and weed management in conservation tillage systems including managing cover crops in conventional and organic-based cropping systems.

Matt Ryan is a Post-Doctoral Scholar in weed ecology in the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences at Penn State University. Matt completed his MS and PhD degrees at Penn State in weed ecology focused on ecologically-based weed management in organic cropping systems. Matt is currently a principal scientist on an USDA-Organic Research and Education Initiative project that is examining longer term weed and insect management in organic rotational no-till grain production.

About eOrganic

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Transitioning Organic Dairy Cows Off and On Pasture Webinar

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:52 GMT

The slides from this webinar are available at the following link as a pdf file: http://cop.extension.org/mediawiki/files/4/41/Webinar_Kersbergen.pdf

Resources Mentioned in the Webinar

eOrganic Articles

Maximizing Organic Milk Production and Profitability with Quality Forages, http://www.extension.org/article/24980
Strategies for Extending the Grazing Season on Organic Farms, http://www.extension.org/article/18648
Transitioning Organic Cows Off and On Pasture, http://www.extension.org/article/18675

NRAES Publications

Animal Production Systems for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 171. 246 pages (2008). Edward B. Rayburn, West Virginia University. Explores foraging behavior, basic animal nutrition, and parasite control for pasture-based animals with chapters devoted to beef, dairy, sheep, goat, and horse nutrition and management. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&r_id=186&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
Forage Utilization for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 173. 185 pages (2007). Ed Rayburn, Editor. Essential information on grazing management and harvesting conserved excess forage for livestock produced in a pasture-based system; including chapters in fencing, watering systems, lanes and feeding pads; animal-handling facilities, and more. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&r_id=161&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
Forage Production for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 172. 141 pages (2006). Ed Rayburn, Editor. Essential information on forage production, discussing: plant morphology, ecology, and management; soil fertility; nutrient management; impacts of grazing; pests, weeds, and diseases; and establishing forage stands. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&r_id=160&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
Managing and Marketing for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 174. 116 pages (2006). Ed Rayburn, Editor. Essential information for producers to manage and market a goal-oriented forage-livestock system, helping them determine whether or not the business venture will be feasible, develop mission and goals, enhance marketplace knowledge, and better evaluate consumer demand. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&r_id=155&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667

Additional Resources:

Northeast Grazing Guide, http://www.umaine.edu/grazingguide/

About the Webinar

One challenge with grazing the organic dairy herd is helping cows adjust to a new feed source in both the fall and spring. The switch from high-quality pasture to lower-quality stored feeds can be tricky—if the change is made too quickly, milk production can drop until the cows and their rumen microbes become accustomed to the new feed. In this webinar, Rick Kersbergen will provide an overview of rumen function and various rations. He will address the nutritional qualities of various homegrown feeds (including grains), what they can add to a cow’s diet, and the potential for milk production trade-offs.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

About the Presenter

Rick Kersbergen is an Extension Professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Rick has been conducting research and extension programs related to sustainable dairy and forage systems since 1987. He is currently involved with several multi-state, applied research projects on cover crops, organic grains production, and forage and nutrient management. He is past chair of the Northeast Pasture Consortium and manages the regional website as a compendium of grazing information for the region.

About eOrganic

eOrganic 5624

Organic Dairy Videos

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:00 GMT

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eOrganic Video: Innovations on an Organic Dairy--Successful Calf Rearing on Pasture and Mob Feeder

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:59 GMT

eOrganic authors:

Kevin Jahnke, Jahnke Family Farm

Harriet Behar, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)

Amanda Gervais, University of Vermont Extension

Introduction

In this video, filmed by Harriet Behar of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Dr. Guy Jodarski and Wisconsin organic dairy farmer Kevin Jahnke describe techniques for successfully raising organic calves.

Audio Text

Dr. Guy Jodarski: Hello, my name is Guy Jodarski and I’m a veterinarian with Organic Valley, starting my 24th year of practice, and I have been working with organic dairy farmers for about six or seven years.

Today, we are looking at Kevin Jahnke’s calves. Kevin is a seasonal producer and so he has a lot of cows that calf in a short period of time. The nice thing about this is he gets a group of calves that are close in age which makes raising a group of calves easier. Some of the things that Kevin is doing very well include feeding enough whole milk—that’s one thing we really need to do is feed enough whole milk to our calves, giving at least a gallon of milk both morning and night, that’s what we suggest for people with Holstein-size cattle – at least give a gallon or 4 quarts both morning and night. With Jersey-size cattle, 3 quarts. These are cross-bred with a lot of Jersey breed in them. They are about 2 months old at this point. What you will notice is that their body condition is excellent, they are very well grown both in their frame and internal organs—they are filling out quite nicely. This milk is really an important part of the issue here.

The other thing is, it is the grazing season, the grass is growing out there and these calves are on paddocks outside. Grazing is very important, and so we like to see forage into these calves right from day one. He rotates his paddocks which is very important for parasite control. You need to move the calves to new areas because internal parasites, the worms in particular with grazing are a big problem with organic cattle. The milk really helps keep worms down and so that’s important. We want to delay the weaning, taper off the milk rather than just stopping abruptly. We want this calf to adapt to the forage diet before we take that milk away.

Here you can see some of the calves walking out, notice how straight and tall they are, the legs and backs are straight. A lot of times we look at those as being genetic traits (which they are to some degree) but also nutrition really brings on the expression of those good genetics. Confirmation and form are really influenced by nutrition. There's nothing that really replaces that whole milk—it’s so important.

The other thing to notice is these calves are chewing their cud. These calves are two months old and are chewing their cud—Kevin has told me that they’ve been chewing their cud for over a month now. This is one issue that's somewhat controversial because some nutritionists will say that a calf will not develop rumen function without grain. These calves get very little grain—they get a little bit to carry kelp, they eat only a few ounces per day, they mostly eat forage and milk and they have excellent rumen development which is just what we see with calves that are on nurse cows or with beef calves, rumen development can occur without grain.

The amount of saliva that they actually swallow probably helps the digestion and also makes them feel satisfied so they don’t want to suck. If a calf drinks out of a pail and just wolfs that milk down in a hurry, there is a lot of volume there and yet it is not going to digest properly because it doesn’t have the saliva; it’s not natural for the calf to have a big bowl of milk like that. You think about a calf nursing on a cow, it’s going to take small meals several times per day. We go down to two times a feeding per day for managing our time but we need to make that calf drink that milk over a period of time.

Kevin Jahnke: We’ve got a lot of Jersey genetics in our cattle which means that just about every calf born has some horns. We like to dehorn the calves because they grow up with horns on the cows; that’s just not safe around us and the other cattle. In the past we’ve always used an electric dehorner as it seems to be the most humane method. It’s also nice because there is no blood. The time of year we needed to dehorn our calves was getting into fly season and so the dehorner was a pretty clean method.

Harriet Behar: Now these calves were dehorned a week ago?

Kevin Jahnke: About two weeks ago we dehorned them with the electric dehorner. The difference this year is that we used lidocaine as a nerve block. We gave them a shot of lidocaine (5 cc on each side), waited about five to ten minutes and dehorned the calves. It was amazing that most of the calves when going through the dehorning process were not tensed up at all. We’ve got a little cattle chute that we use for calves; they weren’t pulled back in the chute. I was telling Dr. Guy that when we dehorned the calves, there were actually a couple of calves that, while I was dehorning them, they were licking my leg and looking around like nothing was going on. It is definitely a humane way to go; I would recommend it.

Guy Jodarski: They are developing a herd social structure, all being together like this. They are used to being together and are very calm. They are very easy to approach because they are used to people coming to feed them and also moving them between the paddocks. I'd really like to point out these fences with the tape. They've got different paddocks here. There haven't been calves on this ground for a while; this is fresh ground. This is a concept that people need to keep in mind with calves -- get them on fresh ground and then keep them moving around. And offer them some good feed. You can see there is some very good quality grass here and they are going to eat and make good use of it. That will make the weaning of these calves so much easier; if they are going to get that rumen function going and are able to digest good quality grass, then weaning is not going to be such a problem.

The Mob Feeder

Kevin Jahnke: This is the barrel we are using this year to feed our calves. It would be described as a mob feeder, gravity-type system where the milk is above the nipples. There are other systems where the milk is drawn up a hose from the bottom of the barrel. I’ve tried both systems and both seem to work equally well. We just had trouble this year--when the calves are on the system with the hoses, they have to keep continuously sucking to keep that milk coming up the hose and if they stop, the milk falls down and they have to start over, it just seemed that some of the calves weren’t doing very well on that system and were getting frustrated and it ended up being like a ring-around-the-rosy type of deal around the feeder.

This is gravity-type system. The nipples are Milk Bar^TM brand nipples. The nipple is very important to feeding a calf especially in a system where you are putting a gallon of milk into that calf per feeding. A lot of farmers always believed that putting too much milk into a calf would make a calf sick but my experience of 20 years with beef cows and calves is you could see a beef cow with way more milk that what her calf was going to drink and the beef calves never ever get sick. The reason is that when the calf is drinking from a cow they are always getting the right ratio of saliva. What these nipples do is make that calf work for the milk. The milk doesn’t come out very easy and they’ve got to suck pretty hard. It takes them about ten minutes to drink, so during that time, they are creating a lot of saliva with that sucking action. That saliva actually begins the digestion process as the milk is hitting the stomach. The saliva is very, very important to a good, healthy calf. There are components in the saliva that actually pre-start the digestion process to make the milk clot up so that the calf and the abomasum can digest the milk without getting sick.

Harriet: What’s the bell about?

Kevin Jahnke: I attached a dinner bell on this. I’ve got a pump in the utility room that I pour the milk into. There’s a milk line that pumps the milk over here so I don’t have to carry it. Trying to carry 5 gallon buckets of milk in a group pen with 15 to 20 hungry calves doesn’t work very well. You get trampled. So the milk is pumped into this pipe here, hits the fly wheel and makes the bell ring. I did that because with the grazing system we have for the calves, there are times that they are 300 to 400 yards away from the building and when I start pumping the milk, they don’t know it. So I rigged up a bell system so that when the milk comes in, it rings the bell and it is the dinner bell. So the calves hear the bell and come running.

My wife and kids probably like our system of mob feeding over the nurse cows for the reason that everybody becomes a pet. That’s a nice way to be on a farm to have your cows come up to you and want to be around you.

eOrganic 7876

Video: Innovations on an Organic Dairy -- California Mastitis Test

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:58 GMT

eOrganic authors:

Kevin Jahnke, Jahnke Family Farm

Harriet Behar, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)

Amanda Gervais, University of Vermont Extension

Introduction

Mastitis, the medical term for inflammation of the udder, is the number one disease problem in dairy farming throughout the world. Typically, mastitis is classified into two major groups: a) environmental mastitis (caused when cows come into contact with a contaminated environment) and b) contagious mastitis (caused by bacteria on the teat and/or inside the udder). Contagious mastitits is often further divided into three groups: 1) clinical, 2) sub-clinical, and 3) chronic mastitis.

Clinical mastitis are those infections that are typically accompanied by the classic signs of inflammation including redness, swelling, pain, and abnormal milk. Subclinical and chronic mastitis, however, are infections where there are high somatic cell counts but the udder and milk may appear normal. In these cases, mastitis can only be detected with methods that measure the number of somatic cells in milk. One low-cost, easy way to detect subclinical or chronic masitits is the California Mastitis Test (CMT). The CMT is a screening test that indicates when the somatic cell count (SCC) is higher than 300,000.

In this video, filmed by Harriet Behar of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Wisconsin organic dairy farmer Kevin Jahnke describes how he uses the California Masistitis Test (CMT) and other strategies to maintain high quality milk.

Audio Text

Hi, my name is Kevin Jahnke. I farm with my wife, Mary, and my three boys on Jahnke Family Farm. I’m the fourth generation farmer on our farm. It’s a seasonal, grass-based dairy. We milk 50 cows. We’ve been milking here for about eight years. We started on an Organic Valley truck right away, and we’ve focused mainly on a grass-based system and producing high quality milk.

We use a CMT paddle to monitor the cows and hold out the high milk, and consistently produce high quality milk. I’m going to show you the CMT paddles that we use. The CMT paddle stands for California Mastitis Test. It consists of a simple paddle that you squirt milk from each quarter into, and then there’s a solution that you add to the milk in equal parts, a one-to-one ratio. The solution from the CMT reacts with the white blood cells in the milk, so when there’s a high somatic cell count in the milk, it will react and the milk will gel up. What you look for, in a good, clean cow, the viscosity is going to stay the same as the milk. The thicker it gets, the higher the cell count is going to be.

So what we do is, we screen every cow that comes fresh. We screen her, look for anybody with a high quarter and we hold that quarter out. And that milk goes to the calves. We use a quarter milker to isolate that milk. We also have a second pipeline installed in our barn for a cow that is high in more than one quarter, so we isolate all of that milk to go to the calves as well.

This is a quarter milker. This is what you can use to isolate the high quarter from an identified cow. So what the quarter milker does is normally you have a milking claw where the milk goes in the four quarters. With the quarter milker, you can actually take the milk from your high quarter, separate it from the other three quarters, and capture it in this bucket. It uses the same vacuum as the claw vacuum. It’s pretty handy to use, and for the price that you invest in the quarter milker, it more than pays for itself in the high milk you take out of the tank in milk premiums, so it’s win-win situation for everybody. It’s a really good tool to lower your bulk tank score to hold that high milk out.

On our farm, I’ve installed a second pipeline to isolate my high somatic cell milk. I’ve come up with a device to utilize that second pipeline. A simple thing here has become a quarter milker. I can hook this up to the second pipeline, take my milker unit, and hook the inflation up to the second hose. Right now, when I hook this up to the cow, the milk from this quarter is going up this hose into my second pipeline into the milk that I’ve isolated for calf milk.

What we’re going to do is prep these cows and I’ll do a CMT on them. A CMT paddle, in my opinion, is the absolutely best management tool that a farmer can have. You’ll get the milk to the outside ring and add equal amounts of the solution, and then you just swirl it around and look for the one that gels up. This one is obviously gelled up.

A high cell count milk can be used to feed the calves. With the second pipeline, it goes into the other room. I’ve got a plate cooler that I use as a pasteurizer or to warm up the milk. The milk falls into the barrel and I heat it up; I’ve got a water line from here to the calf building that pumps it over there. I can feed all of my calves with this system that I’ve got set up, I never even physically handle the milk—it’s pumped from here over there, it gets warmed up and it is fed to the calves and I never touch it. As far as a good labor-based system, you can’t beat it.

Healthy cows don’t fluctuate much in cell counts. When cows are under stress, when their nutrition changes dramatically, when their environment changes, that’s when the cell count really fluctuates. But if you can focus on feeding the cows right, keeping them stress-free, clean, and good udder prep with good practices, your cell counts generally are going to stay really consistent.

[Harriet Behar, MOSES: What do you average?]

Last year, we averaged about 60,000 for the year. Probably this year we might be able to be a little bit lower because we sold off a lot of our nurse cows last year so now we’re holding out some cows; some of these cows’ milk I’m feeding to the calves only have a cell count of 2 or 300,000 but they’re the highest ones I’ve got so that whose feeding the calves.

A lot of people ask me what’s the secret to having a low cell count and I don’t think there is one thing. We all are good farmers or we wouldn’t be here but there are just a lot of little things that I’ve been fortunate to be on enough farms to pick up all the good things that everybody does and be able to use them for my advantage.

Additional Resources

Tikofsky, L. 2009. Milk quality on organic dairy farms [Online]. eXtension Foundation, eOrganic Community of Practice. Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/18645/milk-quality-on-organic-dairy-farms (verified 28 Jul 2011).

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Milk Quality on Organic Farms

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:55 GMT

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Organic Dairy Production Systems

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:55 GMT

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program re

Impact of Organic Grain Farming Methods on Climate Change Webinar

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:43 GMT

Resources from the Webinar

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—Chapter 8. Agriculture from 4th Assessment Report Mitigation of Climate Change http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch8.html
U.S. Agriculture and Forestry Greenhouse Gas Inventory: 1990-2005 http://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/gg_inventory.htm
Technical Working Group on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases http://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/ecosystem/t-agg/
Cavigelli, M.A., M. Djurickovic, C. Rasmann, J.T. Spargo, S.B. Mirsky, J.E. Maul. 2009. Global warming potential of organic and conventional grain cropping systems in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. 2009 Farming Systems Design Proceedings, 23-26 August, Monterey, California, p. 51-52.

About the Webinar
Dr. Cavigelli will discuss how agriculture contributes to climate change and how organic farming might be able to help mitigate these effects. He will use data from the Beltsville Farming Systems Project to illustrate these concepts.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

About the Presenter:
Dr. Cavigelli is a soil scientist in the USDA-ARS Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab in Beltsville, Maryland. He has been working in organic and sustainable agriculture since 1985.

Impact of Organic Grain Farming Methods on Climate Change, presented by Michel Cavigelli, USDA ARS Beltsville, MD

About eOrganic

eOrganic 5619

Maximizing Dry Matter Intake on Your Organic Dairy Pastures Webinar by eOrganic

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:31 GMT

The presentation is available as a pdf file at the following link: http://cop.extension.org/mediawiki/files/0/0b/Maximizing_DMI.eOrganic_Webinar.pdf

About the Webinar

On February 12, 2010, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) published a final rule that establishes pasture standards for organic livestock. The Access to Pasture rule specifies that organic milk and meat products come from organically-raised animals that are actively grazing on pasture. The rule requires that these animals' diets consist of at least 30% dry matter intake from pasture grazed during grazing season, and that the grazing season is at least 120 days.

In this webinar, USDA NRCS animal scientist Karen Hoffman will describe how organic dairy farmers can maximize dry matter intake from the pasture. She will describe the connection among milk production, a cow's rumen and pasture quality, including plant density, number of tillers/plant, pasture height, and species composition. She'll take a look at protein and energy relationships in the pasture and ways to balance them to enhance dry matter intake and encourage high animal performance.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

Presenter Karen Hoffman

Karen Hoffman is an animal scientist with USDA-NRCS in New York and is also the NY state coordinator for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Karen received her Bachelor of Science degree from the Animal Science Department at Cornell University and her Master of Science degree from the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at PennState where she studied grain feeding strategies to high producing dairy cows on a rotational grazing system. Karen has worked with dairy and other livestock producers on their grazing systems for more than 15 years including Cornell Cooperative Extension as a dairy management educator and now as animal scientist specializing in grazing nutrition for the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service.

About eOrganic

eOrganic 5412

Setting Up a Grazing System on Your Organic Dairy Farm Webinar

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:29 GMT

The slides from the webinar can be found at the following link as a pdf file:
http://cop.extension.org/mediawiki/files/b/b6/GrazingSystemWebinarSlides.pdf

Resources mentioned in the webinar:

Magazines: Stockman Grass Farmer Magazine 800-748-9808, Graze Magazine 608-455-3311
Books: Greener Pastures on Your Side of the Fence-Bill Murphy 800-639-4178
Websites:

About the Webinar

In this webinar, we will address the basic principles of how to set up a grazing system which will improve pasture quality and animal performance. We’ll include paddock size calculations, recovery periods, maps and record-keeping, and further resources.

Find all eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars »

About Presenters Cindy Daley and Sarah Flack

Cindy Daley is a professor in the College of Agriculture at the California State University, Chico. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in animal science at the University of Illinois and her PhD in animal science--endocrinology at the University of California, Davis. Cindy is the faculty supervisor and manager of the Organic Dairy Teaching and Applied Research Unit at CSU-Chico where, in 2007, she spearheaded the effort to transition the dairy to a certified organic operation. The dairy supports 80 cross-bred milking cows, as a seasonal system; the farm has certified 115 acres as organic to support curricular enhancements, including an integrated organic livestock/cropping system and organic vegetable project with sales to food services on campus. Forty-five acres of certified organic ground is in irrigated pasture, and under intensive grazing management. Forty acres of certified organic crop ground is devoted to winter forage, summer annuals, cover crops and vegetable production. The additional thirty acres is committed to organic alfalfa.

Sarah Flack is a national consultant on grass-based livestock farming and lives in Fairfield, Vermont. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Agriculture and Biology and her Masters of Science degree in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont (UVM). She also has post graduate training in organic certification, business management, Holistic Management, animal welfare, organic production practices and much “on-the-job” farm experience. For the past 14 years, she has worked as an independent organic certification inspector, and has also served on OMRI's Livestock Review Panel for the past 2 years. For 8 years, she worked as an organic livestock technical assistance provider for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) and for 5 years she was the Vermont Pasture Network Facilitator at the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Sarah grew up on a grass-based livestock farm in northern Vermont and farmed with her family for many years where she gained hands-on experience with sheep, dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs, poultry, and goats as well as with vegetables, medicinal herbs, pasture management and forest management.

About eOrganic

The eOrganic eXtension website at http:www.extension.org/organic_production is for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. Our current content is focused on general organic agriculture, dairy production, and vegetable production. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

eOrganic 5413

Access to Pasture Rule

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:05 GMT

eOrganic T1130

AFSIC News

New People’s Garden Marks 150th Anniversary of USDA

Organic Weed Management on Livestock Pastures Webinar by eOrganic

About the Webinar

About the Presenter

About eOrganic

Natural Habitats for Predatory Insects Reduce Farmer Costs, Says Study

Mobile Farmers Market Hits Washington, DC Streets

Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force Seeks Members

Company Establishes Foundation to Support Sustainable and Organic Food Systems

Practical Farmers of Iowa Sets 2012 Field Day Schedule

Weed Scientists Endorse Best Management Practices for Herbicide-resistant Weeds

Researcher Uses Sandblasting for Weed Control

How can I grow apples organically?

Bioenergy Fridays - Thermal Conversion

BioEnergy Webinar Series - 2012

Ag Energy Webcast Series

Joining Live Ag Energy Webinars

Current Ag Energy Series

Ag Energy Webinar Archive

Cellulosic Biofuels Web Seminar Series 2010

State of the Industry: Corn and Cellulosic Ethanol

Economics of Cellulosic Biofuels

Cellulosic Biofuel Logistics

Agronomic Impacts of Cellulosic Material Harvest

Corn Stover Feedstock Logistics

Regional Feedstock Supply Opportunity

Contracts for Cellulosic Biomass

Real Green from Real Green

Biogas and Anaerobic Digester Webinars

Biogas 101: An Introduction to On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion

Examining the Economics of Anaerobic Digester Technology

Wind Energy Web Seminar Series

Common Landowner Questions on Wind Lease Contracts

Basics of Farm/Residential Small Wind Turbines

Wind Energy Development: Key Financial Considerations

Managing Your Expectations – Sizing a Small Wind Turbine to Your Load

Understanding Wind Energy Leases

Public Involvement and Land Issues Relating to Wind Projects

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Teleseminar Series

More Farmers Pursuing Farmers Market Dollars

WaterSMART Grants Awarded for Water Efficiency and Re-use Projects

Biomass Expansion Would Revolutionize World Politics, Economies

National Pollinator Week

eOrganic Updates

May 2012

Chicago Botanic Garden Showcases Sustainable Ag at the Regenstein Fruit

Spotlight on Innovative Research Earns SARE.org Top ACE Award

Farm Energy Efficiency and Conservation Table of Contents

Articles and Fact Sheets

Crop Systems: Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Food System: Energy Efficiency

News

2012 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series

Where is the nearest biodiesel processing plant?

Where can I buy biodiesel?

Can biodiesel or other liquid fuel be made from farm waste products?

Connecting Farmers Markets to a New World of Opportunities

Missouri Workshop Addresses Scaling Up Local Food Systems

Introduction to Biogas and Anaerobic Digestion

What Is a Biogas?

What Is a Digester?

What Does a Digester Look Like?

What Can Go Wrong?

Other Articles About Anaerobic Digestion

Recommended Reading About Anaerobic Digestion

Contributors to This Document

Some Native Bees May Be Valuable for Commercial Pollination Services

Can algae be processed economically on a farm scale system to produce liquid fuels such as biodiesel?

Is biodiesel production economically feasible for small producers?

What do I need to know before I use biodiesel in my engine? Where can I get more information about using biodiesel?

Wisconsin Coalition Provides Organic Food Guide Online

How can I save energy on my farm?

Poultry Processing Regulations and Exemptions

Federal Law and Exemptions

The Law

The Exemptions

Poultry Processing Regulations by State

What's in this Guide (download from link below)

Download the Guide: NMPAN Guide to State Poultry Processing Regulations