USDA Releases PEDv Vaccine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced June 16 the issuance of the first conditional license for a vaccine that could aid in the control of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) in swine. Harrisvaccines, Inc., of Ames, Iowa will be authorized to distribute vaccinations for sows with the intent that the animals build antibody to be transmitted to newborn piglets through their milk.

This comes as potential great news to pork producers in Illinois and elsewhere who have reduced their inventories and suffered financial loss due to PEDv, which can infect herds of animals at a time. Many central Illinois farmers have encountered PEDv on their farms, and in Lexington, the Illinois State University Research Farm was closed to the public after swine mortalities from PEDv occurred earlier this year.

As for the new vaccine, “Preliminary studies have been promising, and they’ve shown sufficient data that we think the vaccine will be effective,” APHIS stated in a news release announcing the drug’s issuance.

WRRDA Signed Into Law

BLOOMINGTON – President Barack Obama signed the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) into law June 10, moving forward crucial lock and dam repair legislation but lacking a key funding element supported by agriculture and the barge shipping industry. Many in agriculture were disappointed the final version of WRRDA lacked an essential funding tool in the form of an increase in the barge user fee of anywhere from four to nine percent.

“Farmers and other U.S. industry have the means to increase our exports and build economic activity within the U.S., but we simply cannot export more goods without upgrading our locks and dams. The funding to accomplish these goals will come from a barge user fee that industry supports, but is noticeably absent from this bill,” said Paul Taylor, president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

“The feedback we’re getting from the Illinois Congressional delegation is that there will be appropriations and there will be funding forthcoming,” said Scott Sigman, transportation infrastructure lead for the Illinois Soybean Association. “(WRRDA passage) is a breath of fresh air and we are enthusiastic. But authorizations are one thing; appropriations are another. We will be diligent about keeping that front and center with the Illinois delegation and other elected officials to make sure that what was intended to result from this legislation actually happens.”

“This is going to benefit navigation and flood control for the stakeholders– the farmers and other users of the waterways– here in the Midwest.”

CHINA SPURNS U.S. DDGs IMPORTS

BLOOMINGTON – The Chinese are at it again– questioning the quality and integrity of U.S. agricultural products before banning their import to deflect attention from the true, political basis of their actions. This time it is distillers dried grains (DDGs), and China’s banning of the U.S. co-product of ethanol production has driven its market price down to levels not seen since 2010, Illinois Corn reports.

Since the Illinois ethanol industry exports a large amount of DDGs, the maneuver could really put Illinois ethanol plants in a bind, according to Phil Thornton, Illinois Corn value enhanced project director. “It’s very unfortunate that China is not embracing new technologies. They’ve had ample   time to approve the MIR162 event, but for what we think are political reasons, they’re just not approving it.”

China has reportedly ceased issuing permits to import U.S. DDGs because they could contain traces of a banned GMO corn trait. Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dineen feels that is a dubious claim. “China has been schizophrenic about DDGs. But, unfortunately, this is becoming the new normal,” Dineen said last week. “China needs our product, but, apparently, it doesn’t like that it needs our product.” (Ill. Corn Daily Update)

Precision Aerial Ag Show Coming Soon

DECATUR – Farm Progress Events will host the first Precision Aerial Ag Show July 9 and 10 at Progress City USA in Decatur, exhibiting precision aerial technology expected to become commonplace on farms in coming generations. The show has drawn global interest from exhibitors and attendees, with advance tickets sold to attendees from California to the Carolinas and Texas to the Dakotas, according to Farm Progress.

Educational seminars on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be offered courtesy of ADM Crop Risk Services of Decatur. University researchers, UAV industry representatives and a panel of farmers will be among the presenters scheduled for the show, which is free to the public. The event is geared to farmers and ranchers who want more information to make crop management decisions regarding fertility, moisture, pest control and other aspects of farming with potential UAV applications. For a full schedule of events and more information, visit www.paas2014.com. (Farm Progress/Farm Industry News press release)

Redneck Fishing Tournament Returns

BATH – The Illinois Department of Agriculture is exploring the commercialization of fishing for Asian carp– the flying fish of the Illinois River– in order to sell the harvests to folks in China, where they actually eat them. Betty DeFord of Bath, Illinois, just wants to see the slimy, spindly fish species eradicated.

The feisty grandmother and river dweller was fed up with the fish– which react to the sound of motor boats by vaulting themselves out of the water– pelting her grandchildren. So she organized the Redneck Fishing Tournament nine years ago, offering “anglers” a chance to catch as many fish as possible with nets or their hands. It’s now a huge, river-oriented family event complete with bands, games, raffles, food stands, a beer garden and more. This year’s event is August 1 and 2 on First Street in Bath. Visit www.originalredneckfishin.com for more detailed information.

Illinois Farm Fact:

PEDv only affects pigs and does not pose any risk to people or pets; it is not a food safety concern. (USDA-APHIS)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)