A walk on the wild side becomes more than just exercise Studies suggest human wilderness connection has psychological roots, could reduce disease risk PUBLISHED ON November 9, 2020

 Things we've known in Agriculture are now confirmed by science.

 Spending time in natural areas can provide positive mental and physical health outcomes and improve healing. (Courtesy Photo)

 

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The emotional connection or calming feeling that accompanies a walk in a park or forest is the result of psychological needs being met, according to a recent study from researchers at Texas A&M University, the University of Georgia and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The study found that people’s attachment to the wilderness can be explained by their basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence. Additional research links place attachment, specifically to areas where trees are plentiful, to feelings of well-being, suggesting that spending time in natural areas can provide positive mental and physical health outcomes and improve healing.

With increased stress and isolation due to COVID-19, natural areas and the psychological benefits they provide are needed now more than ever, researchers say.

“In the context of COVID-19, the benefits for human physical and mental health have become increasingly important with increases in visitation to protected areas and participation in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and fishing,” said study collaborator Gerard Kyle, Ph.D., professor and associate department head for academic programs in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management.

Spending time in wilderness to fulfill basic psychological needs

Kyle conducted a cross-sectional study along with a select group of his former coworkers and students, surveying 795 Americans to assess their attachment to a wilderness area that is special to them. The study, Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Attachment to Natural Landscapes, was recently published in Environment and Behavior.

Respondents were asked to evaluate their attachment based on place identity, emotional attachment and dependence and also on how well it met their needs for autonomy and emotional connection.

Results from the study showed that the wilderness area’s ability to fulfill basic psychological needs predicted the level of attachment one felt to the area.

The researchers found strong relationships between respondents’ emotional attachment and the autonomy they felt the setting provided them. Their data suggests that place identity is strongly tied to an individual’s psychological need for relatedness or emotional connection.

“Humans’ need for nature varies considerably for a variety of reasons but has also been linked to evolution. For some, the need, or trait, is strong,” Kyle said. “For many, the settings are also linked to an array of memories of past experiences with significant others. These memories can extend back to early childhood and can be deeply emotional.”

Given that individuals often partake in outdoor recreational activities with friends or significant others, the researchers were unsurprised by this finding—which also promotes further investigating the outcome of place attachment on well-being and the social benefits of wilderness areas in communities.

Creating and protecting natural spaces that promote health and well-being

Building off of the research of Kyle and associates, and others that suggest wilderness and treescapes promote physical, psychological and social health, the Texas A&M Forest Service introduced an initiative they call “Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives” in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. The agency is now furthering that initiative with Texas A&M AgriLife and the Texas A&M School of Public Health.

“We’re very excited about this collaboration, not only to bring more trees into the urban environment, but also to do the research that shows what a benefit they have both to human physical health and human mental health,” said Patrick Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor for Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Gretchen Riley, the Texas A&M Forest Service project lead for Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives, said literature shows treescapes impact human health in three main areas—obesity, chronic disease and mental health.

As shown in Kyle’s research, being in wilderness areas can influence behaviors and contribute to psychological well-being, and supporting research shows various benefits to heart and lung health, skin care and cognitive functioning, among others, from exposure to trees.

“We know trees play an important role in human health and promote wellness,” Stover said. “We know that they attract people to the outdoors so they can exercise more, which reduces risk of chronic disease.”

Stover said research partners at Texas A&M are not only looking to encourage time spent in the wilderness and among treescapes but hope to increase the accessibility of these spaces for those who may not otherwise have regular access to greenspaces.

“It is equally as important to bring those forests into the urban centers so people can have this exposure to them right at their back yards to promote exercise and the feeling of wellness that one gets when in the presence of trees,” Stover said in a keynote address he recently delivered at an EarthX conference.

Documenting the value of green space

Kyle said when brought into cities and urban areas, natural spaces have the potential to improve well-being, beyond just physical health.

“Protected areas situated in and around cities – often referred to as green infrastructure – are important for the array of ecosystem services they afford,” he said. “We document their contribution to human wellbeing; but they have so many other benefits that will contribute to our cities’ adaptive capacity and resilience.”

Kyle said these natural areas are known to ameliorate threats of flooding, urban heat, water quality and air pollution—improving overall quality of life.

Ensuring access to natural areas has become increasingly important in the wake of COVID-19, he said, as health guidelines have restricted social interaction and time spent outside the home.

“Green spaces, particularly those close to home, provide opportunities to escape isolation in safe and healthy ways,” Kyle said.

Study collaborators included Kyle Woosnam, Ph.D., former Texas A&M Department of Recreational Parks and Tourism, RPTS, faculty member, and Samuel Keith, a 2014 RPTS graduate and current doctoral student—both in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. The study’s lead author, Adam Landon, Ph.D., was a former RPTS student and in the Applied Biodiversity Science Program. He currently is a scientist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Minnesota.

In addition to ensuring that more greenspaces become available, the research team contends their research cements the necessity for adequate management and protection of natural and wilderness spaces that currently exist.

“Wilderness landscapes afford a unique opportunity for self-regulated behaviors and accordingly, warrant special consideration as places of value and protection,” their Environment and Behavior article states.

–Carrie Baker
Texas A&M AgriLife Extention

TAHC Rules and Resources for Harvesting Exotic CWD Susceptible Species this 2020-21 Hunting Season

 

 

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reminds Texas landowners of statewide exotic chronic wasting disease (CWD) susceptible species requirements for the 2020-21 hunting season.  Exotic susceptible species include North American elk or wapiti, black tailed deer, red deer, reindeer, sika deer, moose and/or any associated subspecies and hybrids. Axis deer are not classified as a susceptible species.   “When CWD was first discovered in far West Texas in 2012, the TAHC and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) took important steps toward preventing the spread of the chronic disease by establishing CWD zones in areas with confirmed cases,” said Dr. Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director. “In 2017, TAHC enhanced the surveillance and movement requirements for all exotic susceptible species located within CWD zones and throughout the state.“  Requirements for Exotic CWD susceptible species: Properties where Exotic CWD Susceptible Species are Hunter Harvested ·     Owners of high, low, or no fenced properties where exotic CWD susceptible species at least 16 months of age are harvested must submit a mortality record to the TAHC. Mortality record forms are due to the TAHC on or before April 1 of each year.  ·     Every calendar year, landowners must have eligible mortalities CWD tested until such time that three animals are tested. An eligible mortality is a death from any cause of an exotic CWD susceptible species that is 16 months of age or older. This includes hunter harvested mortalities or herd culling, natural mortalities, or animals moved directly to slaughter. Once valid CWD test results are obtained, they are to be submitted to the TAHC and accompanied by a test submission form.   Owners Moving or Transporting Live Exotic CWD Susceptible Species ·     Any person engaged in the business of buying or selling exotic CWD susceptible species in commerce must maintain records for all exotics transported within the state or where there is a transfer of ownership. The TAHC movement record form can be utilized for data. ·     All live exotic CWD susceptible species moved or transported within the state must have official identification (ID). Contact the TAHC Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) department at 512-719-0733 for more information on official ID. ·     An owner of a property where exotic CWD susceptible species are located within a high fence must keep an estimated annual inventory for all exotic CWD susceptible species. Annual inventories are due to TAHC on or before April 1 of each year.  In addition to the agency’s statewide movement and surveillance requirements for exotic susceptible species, hunters should be aware of the CWD zones in Texas. Hunters harvesting mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, red deer, or exotic CWD susceptible species within the zones are REQUIRED to bring their animals to a TPWD check station within 48 hours of harvest. The CWD Containment and Surveillance Zones include the Kimble County zone, Trans-Pecos zone, South-Central zone, Panhandle zone and Val Verde County zone.  For more information on CWD, CWD zones, and requirements: ·     CWD Zones: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/cwd/cwd-zones ·     TAHC Exotic CWD Susceptible Species Page: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/animal_health/elk-deer/#cwdexotic ·     TPWD CWD Page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/#navTop

4 things to keep an eye on when purchasing seed for fall planting Ordering seed as soon as possible and ensuring quality is essential ahead of fall planting PUBLISHED ON September 3, 2020

 While it is essential to get your seed ordered as soon as possible for fall planting, ensuring the quality is also paramount. Purity, germination, suitability for the local environment and genetics are important considerations when purchasing cover crop seed. (Courtesy Photo)

 

WASHINGTON — As we approach the fall cover crop planting season, the industry is starting to see shortages of a few different crops like radishes, hairy vetch and annual clovers due to the record amount of acreage that was planted last year as part of USDA’s prevent plant programme.

What we typically see in shortage situations is that seed will still be available to producers – however, it may be bottom of the bin in terms of quality and can carry a lot of risks.

While it is essential to get your seed ordered as soon as possible for fall planting, ensuring the quality is also paramount. Here are four things to keep an eye on when ordering seed:

 

 

1. What is the purity?

By law, seed being sold for planting must have a purity test to identify weed content percentages. However, this is not the case if seed is marked to be fed as livestock feed so clarity between both the seller and buyer needs to be established for what the intended purpose of the seed is.

When evaluating purity tests, there is no take it or leave it benchmark for contamination percentages. Instead, weigh up the risks against what you are trying to achieve and if the weed is going to be controllable or not.

Lastly, make sure the purity test matches the lot number stencilled on the seed bag and look at the contents before you dump it in the drill. Mistakes can happen and carry a heavy consequence of weed issues for years to come.

2. Has it been tested for germination?

Again, federal law dictates that seed being sold for planting must have a germination test, typically within a nine-month window ahead of selling. Because certain seeds are very fragile and can have significant reductions in germination due to mishandling, an on-farm germination test is a good backup. This can easily be done by counting out 20 seeds, dropping them on a paper towel, wet it, roll it up and throw it in a Ziplock bag. Most seed will germinate in seven to 10 days.

3. Will it work in your local environment?

While certain cover crops come into fashion and gain attention from the success seen by different producers, they need to be evaluated on how they will perform on a farm or ranch’s unique environment – just because it worked for someone 1,000 miles away, doesn’t mean it is going to work for you.

A great way to learn about what does and doesn’t work in your local area is to start speaking to your neighbors. It is important to understand what they are trying to achieve and the practices they are implementing. Another way to get an idea of what works in your area for specific goals is to analyze raw data from research trials. A platform like the Cover Crop Information Map, centralizes farm trial and industry research data into one location, allowing users to hone in on 26 different topics in their local area. Combining this data with neighbor feedback will give you a good starting point to start your own farm trials before implementing something new broadscale.

4. Does it have the genetics to perform?

While it may come with a cheaper price tag and be readily available, it is best to avoid the use of variety not stated seed (VNS) as it is essentially a crapshoot when it comes to consistency of performance. To ensure good performance and to have reliable data that will allow you to make strategic management decisions, cover crop seed should be selected for variety traits.

For example, knowing things like heading dates will allow you to achieve maximum growth while being able to terminate the crop before it becomes a weed. Or, if you’re wanting to reduce bought-in feed costs, variety data will allow you to select a crop that you can count on to produce a high amount of biomass.

If you haven’t done so already, get your seed orders into your merchants as soon as possible and keep these four pieces of advice at the forefront of your purchase decision process. Not only will these considerations minimize risk and help maximize cover crop investment, but they will also ensure the purchase of quality seed of varieties that are proven to perform.

–By Jerry Hall, Director of Research for GO SEED

 

Largest hemp fiber processing center in the U.S. announced Panda Biotech selects Wichita Falls, Texas, as site of new hemp fiber processing center PUBLISHED ON September 1, 2020

 

 The world-class facility will position Texas — and the United States — as a globally recognized leader in the processing of sustainable hemp fiber and hurd for industrial applications. (Maja Dumat, Flickr/Creative Commons)

 

DALLAS & WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Dallas-based Panda Biotech has selected Wichita Falls, Texas, to be the home of the largest and most state-of-the-art industrial hemp processing center in the United States. The Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin^TM will also be the first facility in the nation to cottonize hemp fiber on a commercial scale for the American textile industry and export customers. In addition, Panda Biotech’s Hemp Gin^TM is likely the only facility in the world dedicated to both the processing and cottonization of hemp fiber in industrial quantities outside of the People’s Republic of China.

The world-class facility will position Texas — and the United States — as a globally recognized leader in the processing of sustainable hemp fiber and hurd for industrial applications.

The largest industrial hemp fiber decortication facility in the United States

Panda Biotech has contracted for a 500,000 square foot facility and surrounding 97-acre campus that was formerly the home of General Motors’ Delphi assembly plant.

The company plans on installing the largest industrial hemp decorticating, or processing, equipment ever used to separate the outer bast fiber from the inner woody core, or hurd. Panda Biotech’s top mechanical engineers worked with a leading international equipment manufacturer to “super-size” their existing line of decorticators. At full production, the two 10-ton/hour decorticators are expected to process close to 300 million pounds of Texas-grown industrial hemp per year. The fiber will be refined for textile applications, and the hurd will be processed for a variety of industrial purposes. Panda estimates the two decortication lines will generate approximately $30,000,000 per year for Texas farmers.

The first processing line is currently being manufactured and is on schedule for delivery in Dec. of 2020. Panda Biotech expects its Wichita Falls facility to commence partial operations in 1Q2021 and both lines to be fully operational by 1Q2022. Panda will fill contracts with Texas agricultural producers in the region for the 2021 growing season.

The only U.S. facility dedicated to commercial hemp cottonization

The Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin^TM represents a significant advancement in the domestic supply chain for textile-grade hemp fiber as it is the first and only facility in the United States dedicated to both the decortication and degumming, or cottonization, of hemp fiber on a commercial scale. The “cottonization” process removes the lignin that binds hemp fibers together in bundles and “opens” them for further refinement. Once “cottonized,” the hemp fiber is ready to be seamlessly blended with other natural or man-made fibers — such as cotton, silk, wool and polyester — and spun into yarns that will be knit or woven into fabric.

Panda Biotech has successfully cottonized hemp fiber decorticated on smaller versions of the equipment to be installed later this year on its Wichita Falls campus. The fiber was subsequently spun into yarn, knit into fabric, printed, and cut and sewn into fully finished, high-end apparel.

The company is working with a number of well-known brands to develop yarn blends in multiple counts, from 8s — 40s, for sustainable and innovative textiles that will use Panda Biotech’s proprietary cottonization process. Panda is also in discussions with industry leaders in the construction and composite sectors for the purchase of hurd.

At full production, Panda Biotech expects its Wichita Falls facility to annually produce more than 35 million pounds of apparel-grade, cottonized hemp fiber suitable for use in a variety of yarns for knit and woven textiles.

Wichita Falls Selection

Several unnamed cities vied for the opportunity to be the home of the Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin^TM facility. Panda Biotech made the award to Wichita Falls based on an available outstanding facility, the city’s geographical location, access to highly experienced Texas producers, an excellent workforce, a low cost of living and pro-business community. On July 7, the Wichita Falls City Council unanimously approved an incentive package to attract Panda Biotech to the city.

“After conducting a state-wide search of potential buildings, in addition to meeting with officials in various cities, we selected Wichita Falls as the perfect location for Panda Biotech’s flagship hemp processing center, said Scott Evans, executive vice president of Panda Biotech. “The facility we’re moving into boasts 11 acres under roof and enough land to allow for expansion into strategic, new business endeavors that Panda is planning.

“In addition to the local agricultural community, city and county officials have been outstanding to work with and supportive of what they expect to be a global calling card for Wichita Falls as the hub of the next multi-billion-dollar industry,” added Evans. “We’re very excited that this facility will not only help to supply a growing worldwide demand for industrial hemp fiber, but also help to create a new, sustainable industry.”

“Panda Biotech’s vision for the industrial hemp industry is unparalleled, and we’re ready to partner with them to build something extraordinary,” said Henry Florsheim, president and CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. “This project will have a tremendous impact on our agricultural community and our manufacturing sector at a time when many communities are struggling with economic development. With Panda’s efforts and our support, Wichita Falls will become the worldwide epicenter of industrial hemp research, processing and product development.”

Panda Biotech Seeds Texas’ Hemp Industry

In the lead up to today’s announcement, Panda Biotech helped to jumpstart the Texas hemp industry by donating 60 tons of free hemp fiber seed to Texas agricultural producers in May of this year. Producers subsequently planted hemp fiber fields in every agricultural region across Texas. Panda donated the seed to help farmers gain valuable experience from their first trial crop of industrial hemp including an understanding of how the hemp seed responded to their local soil and climate conditions.

Panda Biotech created their seed donation program in close collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Producers who voluntarily provide data on their planting and harvest will receive Panda Biotech’s Research Summary Report that will be prepared by Texas A&M AgriLife to help ensure the 2021 Texas industrial hemp harvest reaches its full potential.

The earth’s most sustainable crop

Hemp is widely regarded as the most green and sustainable crop on the planet. Hemp requires 70% less water than most major crops used in the manufacture of textiles. In addition, hemp requires very little herbicides, fungicides or pesticides, and has significant soil remediation qualities. Industrial hemp agriculture has been scientifically proven to minimize carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, absorbing more CO2 per acre than any forest or commercial crop.

Benefits of industrial hemp fiber and hurd

Industrial hemp used for manufacturing applications is highly valued for its natural durability and environmental sustainability. The processed fiber, hurd and cellulose from industrial hemp can be used in the production of a multitude of products including textiles, a wide array of building materials, paper products, automotive components, nanomaterials, composites and bioplastics. In addition, research indicates that hemp-based supercapacitors offer a less expensive alternative to materials currently used in rechargeable batteries for applications such as smartphones and electric cars. As a result, industrial hemp is poised to transform numerous multi-billion-dollar industries.

Formation and growth of the industrial hemp industry

The U.S. hemp industry was made possible due to the passage of the federal Hemp Farming Act of 2018. Panda Biotech was subsequently formed after the provisions of the Act were incorporated in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill that was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 20, 2018. Both chambers of the Texas state legislature unanimously passed House Bill 1325, that was signed into law on June 10, 2019, by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. On January 27, 2020, the USDA approved Texas’ hemp regulations. The Texas Department of Agriculture began issuing licenses for the growing, handling and processing of hemp on March 16, 2020. The law ensures Texas farmers are able to participate in a rapidly growing industry with a new viable crop option that should be a boon to rural economies.

The global industrial hemp market has been projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2019 to $26.6 billion by 2025 driven largely by eco-conscious consumers who increasingly require environmentally friendly products and services.

---

About Panda Biotech

Based in Dallas, Texas, Panda Biotech, LLC is a first mover in the emerging U.S. hemp fiber industry for high-end apparel and hurd for numerous industrial applications. The company is currently developing large-scale, industrial Hemp Gin^TM facilities.

Panda Biotech’s executive leadership has extensive experience developing, financing, constructing and operating large-scale industrial facilities including natural gas, solar, hydroelectric and biomass energy projects. They have developed 22 projects since 1982 representing more than $12 billion in invested capital. Additional information on Panda Biotech can be found at www.pandabiotech.com. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

–Panda Biotech

 

Genetic link between cattle temperament, autism Temperament is an important trait for day-to-day management of cattle PUBLISHED ON August 27, 2020

 

 The cattle industry's standard for measuring temperament is 'flight time' - the speed in which cattle move after release from an enclosure. Cattle that move calmly and slowly from the enclosure, rather than charging out in an aggressive or stressed state are preferred. (Courtesy of University of Queensland)

 

AUSTRALIA — A strong association between the genes influencing cattle temperament and autism in humans has been discovered by University of Queensland researchers.

UQ genomic expert Professor Ben Hayes said the research by his interdisciplinary team headed by Dr Roy Costilla could lead to improved animal welfare and meat quality.

“The research doesn’t mean that cattle have autism; rather that cattle share an overlap of genes with humans which are critical in brain function and response to fear stimuli,” Professor Hayes said.

Temperament is an important trait for day-to-day management of cattle.

“We knew that genetic factors were likely influence temperament in cattle and we thought that genes involved in behavioural traits in humans could also influence temperament in cattle.

“We found that genes known to contribute to autism spectrum disorders also influence temperament in cattle.”

Professor Hayes said the results were important as it opened the way for research conducted on behavioural traits in humans to shed further light on temperament in cattle.

“As I’ve found talking to farmers over the years, it can be distressing having an animal that has a poor temperament in the mob, and stirs up all the other cattle putting them into a state of stress.

“If we can identify those animals early, or breed to eliminate them, we can potentially reduce the stress of the whole mob.

“That has great implications for welfare – not only of the cattle but also the people handling the cattle who are less likely to be charged or kicked.”

Professor Hayes said there was an association between a calmer temperament in cattle and better meat quality.

“The cattle industry’s standard for measuring temperament is ‘flight time’ – the speed in which cattle move after release from an enclosure,” Professor Hayes said.

“What a producer wants is cattle that move calmly and slowly from the enclosure, rather than an animal that charges out in an aggressive or stressed state.

“Our study found flight time is about 35 percent heritable, which is very significant.

“It means you can make a lot of progress by breeding for better temperament – it’s about the same as milk production in dairy cattle, and we’ve made big breeding gains there.”

Professor Hayes said the same genes were identified in other genomic research conducted on domestication of foxes.

“The same genes just come up again and again,” he said. “Some DNA variants in those genes are more common in people with autism and, in cattle, some DNA variants in those same genes are found to make the cattle more fearful in new situations and have a reactive temperament.”

It’s the first time whole genome sequencing has been used to analyse temperament in beef cattle. Researchers looked at 28 million data points per animal on the 9,000 cattle with temperament records in the initial study, and then validated the results in over 80,000 cattle from Ireland.

Professor Hayes said his team would incorporate the temperament data into a panel of markers available for producers that would also provide breeding values for fertility.

“It means a producer will be able to use a sample of tail hair which contains DNA to quickly get information on the genetic value of their animals for temperament and fertility. The temperament analysis was conducted primarily in northern cattle Bos indicus breeds and was validated in Bos taurus cattle.

— University of Queensland via EurekAlert!

 

USDA purchases eight million low-frequency RFID ear tags Contracts for the RFID tags were awarded to three American tag companies PUBLISHED ON August 13, 2020

 

 

 USDA believes that RFID devices will provide States and the cattle and bison industries with the best opportunity to rapidly contain the spread of high economic impact diseases. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public Domain)

 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently awarded contracts to purchase up to eight million low-frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags, which will help increase overall animal disease traceability in cattle and bison. The contract allows APHIS to purchase additional tags each year for up to five years.

“USDA continues its commitment to protecting our Nation’s animal agriculture by increasing traceability in the cattle and bison sectors, in this case by providing free RFID tags to interested producers,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach. “This will not only help offset the costs of switching to RFID tags, but also help us more quickly respond to potential disease events.”

USDA believes that RFID devices will provide States and the cattle and bison industries with the best opportunity to rapidly contain the spread of high economic impact diseases. Use of RFID tags better positions the livestock industry, State and Federal veterinarians to accurately and quickly trace animals exposed or infected with potentially devastating diseases before they can do substantial damage to the U.S. livestock industry.

These RFID tags will be provided to animal health officials and will be distributed for use in replacement breeding cattle and bison at no cost to the producer. RFID low frequency official calfhood vaccination (OCV) button tags are available for brucellosis-vaccinated animals, and official “840” white button tags are available for non-vaccinated heifers. Free metal National Uniform Eartagging System tags will remain available as USDA continues to receive comments and evaluate next steps on its proposed RFID transition timeline. The proposal is available for review and public comment through October 5, 2020.

Contracts for the RFID tags were awarded to three American tag companies, all compliant with the Buy American Act– Allflex (Dallas, TX), Datamars (Temple, TX), and Y-Tex (Cody, WY). Contracting with all three manufacturers will allow USDA to procure the number of tags needed to meet an industry volume equivalent to the number of replacement heifers in the United States.

As part of its overall effort to increase traceability in cattle and bison, APHIS distributed more than 1.1 million RFID tags to 38 states between January and July 2020. Each state veterinarian distributes the tags in a way that best serves their industry. For more information on availability and distribution of tags, producers can contact their State Veterinarian’s office. Producers can also purchase RFID tags for their animals by contacting any of the companies approved to manufacture official identification RFID tags.

–USDA APHIS

Glenn Selk: Can We Select Cattle To Reduce Pinkeye Incidence?? Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist June 1, 2020 09:58 AM

 

Cow Calf pair from Flint Hills (FJ)

As a kid growing up on a farm/ranch in central Nebraska, one of my least favorite summertime chores was helping my dad treat cows, calves, or yearlings for eye infections.  We tried the purple aerosol spray and powders squirted in the eye.  We even glued canvas patches on infected eyes to aid in the healing of eye infections.
Nothing seemed to be the silver bullet we were hoping to find.  I often wondered if susceptibility to eye infections was passed from mother to offspring via some genetic component.  Should we automatically cull replacement heifers from cows that had severe eye infections?
Pinkeye has long been a costly nuisance to cattle producers.  Eye infections sometimes lead to partial or complete blindness in one or both eyes.  Reduced beef production in the form of lowered weight gain, milk production, body condition, and eventually even poorer reproduction can result from eye infections and lesions.
One of the culprits that initiates and spreads eye problems between herds and among herdmates is “Pinkeye” or more properly called Infectious Bovine Keratoconjnctivits.  An excellent Oklahoma State University fact sheet about the prevention and treatment of “Pinkeye” is available online at: http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2689/VTMD-9128web.pdf.
Iowa State University animal scientists analyzed field data from ISU herds and cooperator herds in 2003 through 2005.  They sought to estimate the genetic measurements that could aid in the selection of cattle resistant to Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), commonly known as pinkeye.  
They found a decrease in weaning weight of 30 pounds per calf infected with pinkeye.  The analysis of the field data revealed an estimate of 0.11 for heritability of resistance to pinkeye.  This estimate is considered to be of low heritability, which indicates that only slow progress can be made based on selection for IBK resistance.  It does mean that, over time, if we select replacements from cows that are not prone to having eye problems (especially pinkeye) we would be able to very gradually reduce the incidence of pinkeye in our herds. 
Also they studied the immune components involved in eye disease defense mechanisms. Tear samples were collected from the eyes of 90 calves in 2004 in order to quantify immunoglobulins (commonly called antibodies).  The result of this analysis indicated that as the amount of Immunglobulin A in the tears increases, the likelihood of infection and/or the severity of infection decreased.  This information would suggest that properly fed, properly immunized cattle, with a strong immune system will be more resistant to pinkeye.  Source:  Rodriguez and co- workers. Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 2006. 
Most immediate improvement in reducing pinkeye incidence will be made by management procedures that remove eye irritants and disease transmitters as well as sound nutrition and health protocols.  See the previously mentioned OSU Fact Sheet VTMD-9128.