Northwest Arkansas small ruminant field day Nov. 15

 

By John Lovett

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

Fast facts

• Small Ruminant Field Day offers tips on raising sheep and goats
• Nutrition, parasite management and breeding focus of event
• University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture experts offer advice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tips on breeding, nutrition and health care for goats and sheep are the focus of the next Northwest Arkansas Small Ruminant Field Day.

The workshop, which offers educational sessions from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will be 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Hanna Family Ranch, 8583 Reuben Road, in Bentonville.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/12XhcmwDgR.

What’s the registration deadline?

Program

8:30 a.m. Welcome, with light breakfast, featuring:

• Johnny Gunsaulis, Benton County extension staff chair.
• Michael Looper, head of the animal science department, for the Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
• Dilynn Dodd, vice president and loan officer for commercial lending at Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.
• Kristen Michaels, research conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• Will and Waltina Hanna of the Hanna Family Ranch.

9-10:20 a.m. Technical demonstrations

• Station 1 — Nutrition, with Dan Quadros, assistant professor and small ruminant extension specialist with the Division of Agriculture.
• Station 2 — Parasite management, with parasitologist Eva Wray, research associate for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture. 

10:20-10:40 a.m. Break

10:40 a.m.-12 p.m. Technical demonstrations

• Station 3 — Breeding season: “Start strong, finish strong,” with Wyatt Catron of Catron Veterinary Services.
• Station 4 — Health Care, with Marion Harris of Countryview Animal Care Center; and
  Hoof care with Tara Hicks of Rock’N Heart Hoof Care.

12 p.m. Adjourn

The sponsor of this year’s NWA Small Ruminant Field Day is Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, with additional support from the Hanna Family Ranch, Catron Veterinary Services, Countryview Animal Care Center and Rock’N Heart Hoof Care.

Free Tax Education Webinars

 

There is no good time to experience a disaster, but it is especially difficult to navigate recovery this close to tax season.  Register for two free webinars for information on how to navigate the tax implications of hurricane damage and tips on how to work with a tax professional.   

Event - Hurricane and Disaster Tax Issues for Farmers and Ranchers
Date – November 20, 2024
Time - 2:30 – 4:30pm Eastern
Presenter – JC Hobbs, Oklahoma State University

Register here

Event - Working with a Tax Professional
Date – November 22, 2024
Time – 1:00 – 2:30pm Eastern
Presenter – Kevin Burkett, Clemson University
Register Here Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com)

Register Here

USDA to Issue More than $235 Million to Farmers Hit by Natural Disasters, Including Hurricane Milton

 

Assistance includes $143 million for crop and forestry losses due to Hurricane Milton, $92 million to offset grazing losses due to drought and wildfire in 2022

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing payments this week to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and more than $92 million for livestock producers, nationwide, who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to 2022 qualifying drought and wildfire. The payments for Milton-impacted Florida producers are for those who have Federal crop insurance coverage through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement and the Tropical Storm (TS) option. These crop insurance payments are part of USDA’s broader support to help producers after Hurricane Milton. The payments for livestock producers are through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2022, and are a second round of payments to producers using remaining funds in the program. “Florida farmers, livestock producers and forest landowners have been hit hard by hurricanes this year, and we’re continuing our efforts to help producers recover following hurricanes like Milton,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We’ve used a number of flexibilities following hurricanes Debby and Helene, and we’re extending those to producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and future named storms. Additionally, today’s payments for America’s livestock producers serve as another example of how we’re leveraging every available resource to help as many people as possible on the road to recovery.” Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index Producers with Federal crop insurance coverage through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement and the Tropical Storm (TS) option will see payments from their Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) in the next 30 days. Under this insurance option, producers will receive over $143 million in indemnities for hurricane-related losses from Hurricane Milton. These payments will directly help farmers and rural communities recover. In total, over $776 million in payments have been issued under HIP-WI in 2024. With the payments from Milton, Florida producers will have received about $340 million since HIP-WI became available in 2020. Producers do not need to file a claim to receive an indemnity payment under HIP-WI. If a county is triggered, the AIP will issue an indemnity payment in the coming weeks. Triggered counties were identified by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) in Product Management Bulletin 24-069 and will also be available in the county’s actuarial documents. Eligible producers will receive a HIP-WI indemnity payment in addition to any applicable indemnity payments due to them through their underlying crop insurance policy. Additional Crop Insurance Support Producers with crop insurance coverage beyond HIP-WI will see indemnity payments in the coming weeks. If you have Federal crop insurance, contact your crop insurance agent as soon as crop or livestock losses are apparent. Due to the catastrophic damage that Hurricane Milton caused as well as the continuing impacts in the southeast from hurricanes Debby and Helene, RMA authorized emergency procedures to help producers with hurricane-related losses. RMA is working with crop insurance companies to streamline and accelerate the adjustment of losses and issuance of indemnity payments to crop insurance policyholders in impacted areas. RMA’s emergency procedure flexibilities apply to all counties in Florida. Disaster Assistance and Flexibilities In addition to crop insurance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offer a wide array of disaster assistance, farm loan and conservation programs. These programs can help producers recover in a number of ways, including land and private forest rehabilitation, fence loss, debris removal, animal mortality disposal and other challenges. As previously announced following Hurricane Helene, USDA has added flexibilities to a number of disaster assistance programs to help streamline and expedite the recovery process for producers impacted by recent hurricanes. FSA is providing flexibilities for its programs, including extended signup opportunities and use of waivers and emergency procedures to expedite program delivery. The flexibilities include an extended signup period for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), which is now open and runs through June 1, 2025. FSA offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing. Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Loans can help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs, livestock, equipment, feed and seed, cover family living expenses or refinance farm-related debts and other farm needs. FSA also offers several loan servicing options, including the Disaster Set-Aside Program, for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons beyond their control. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to producers through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. The program can assist with restoring livestock infrastructure, emergency animal mortality disposal, and immediate soil erosion protection. Because of the need to dispose of poultry and livestock quickly, NRCS is offering an early-start waiver to producers once they file an initial application. Additionally, NRCS offers help to communities through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program that provides assistance to landowners and project sponsors following a natural disaster. Contact your local FSA county office or your crop insurance agent to report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses. Producers can also contact the FSA call center at 877-508-8364. Visit farmers.gov/hurricane for a full list of available flexibilities, frequently asked questions, webinars and other resources. Additional USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and Natural Disasters and Crop Insurance fact sheet. Additionally, FarmRaise offers an FSA educational hub with Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) decision tools as well as farm loan resource videos.

USDA Offers Resources, Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs

Washington, DC 20250 
FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2024 – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated communities, homes, farms and businesses across parts of the Southeast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has deployed staff to assist with response and recovery efforts. USDA is also putting in place contingency plans and program flexibilities to ensure farmers, and foresters and communities are able to get the support they need. USDA is sharing information today to help impacted people learn about resources that may be available to them.

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux traveled to Florida and Georgia with President Biden to assess damage and meet with farmers and residents in the wake of the storm. In remarks, Secretary Vilsack highlighted that USDA is taking measures like extending program signup opportunities and using waivers and emergency procedures to expedite recovery efforts on America’s working lands. The department has also deployed 190 staff, including many from the U.S. Forest Service, to assist with response efforts, including removal of debris from roads.

“At USDA, our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and farmers who have been impacted by this storm,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Our job is to try to keep farms viable and operational, to help rural communities remain resilient, and at the end of the day to get as much help as quickly as possible to as many people as possible.”

Here are steps USDA wants farmers to know about to ensure they can access the tools and resources that USDA offers:

How to Contact USDA

USDA has offices in virtually every county. However, some remain obstructed or without power due to the storm. Other USDA offices in affected states are stepping up to help triage and take producers’ calls. The Farm Service Agency Call Center, available at 877-508-8364, can help direct producers to available staff. More program information is also farmers.gov. 

Leaders with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA) will hold a virtual briefing on Monday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. EDT for agricultural producers and stakeholders to share information on disaster assistance programs for agricultural operations. Visit farmers.gov/hurricane for details on how to join.

Through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, USDA also partners with several organizations to offer mental health resources. Anyone in need of extra support in light of stressful circumstances is encouraged to contact the Southern Ag Exchange Network Farmer Support Hotline at 888-381-7243, which is available 24/7.

Expediting Crop Insurance Payments 

USDA estimates there are more than 38,000 crop insurance policies, covering more than 4.8 million acres, in place in the affected areas. USDA has instructed crop insurance companies to expedite loss adjustments that are necessary to make payments, and we expect payments to be made within 30 days.  If you have Federal crop insurance, contact your crop insurance agent as soon as crop or livestock losses are apparent.

Documenting and Reporting Losses 

USDA reminds producers to document damages and losses, including gathering farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses. USDA advises livestock producers to document livestock numbers by taking time and date-stamped video or pictures of injury or loss, to the extent possible. USDA asks producers to report crop, livestock and farm infrastructure losses to FSA at your local USDA Service Center. Producers can call the FSA Hotline for assistance if their local Service Center is currently closed.

Flexibilities for Disaster Assistance Programs

In addition to RMA’s Federal crop insurance flexibilities, FSA has added flexibilities to several programs. A full list of FSA disaster assistance programs is available on the Hurricane webpage on farmers.gov.

To help expedite assistance through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), FSA has taken the following measures:

• Extended ECP and EFRP signup that begins Oct. 15, 2024, and runs through June 1, 2025, in states affected by Hurricane Helene.
• Executed Emergency Response (ER-850) authorization of emergency National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) circumstances to expedite FSA approval of practices involving surface debris removal, fence restoration and non-ground disturbing activities.
• Waiver of onsite inspection requirement for non-engineering practices for ECP and EFRP.
• Waiver of requirement for producers to obtain prior approval to conduct surface debris removal, fence repair and hazard tree removal to support critical disaster recovery efforts.  Producers should contact FSA for any questions on allowable activities.

Additionally, the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides benefits to livestock owners and contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by eligible loss conditions including eligible adverse weather. FSA has issued guidance to FSA County Committees and local staff to exercise maximum flexibility in determining acceptable loss documentation and to ensure LIP applications are acted on timely.

Through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), FSA provides assistance to owners of livestock, and producers of honeybees and farm-raised fish for feed and death losses due to an eligible natural disaster event. FSA is providing assistance to help cover above normal costs to transport livestock to feed and/or transport feed/forage to livestock in hurricane-impacted states, and assistance to help cover above normal costs to haul water to livestock in hurricane-impacted states.

The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial cost-share assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or, where applicable, rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines lost by natural disasters. FSA has extended assistance to trees, bushes and vines that have not died but are no longer capable of production (not economically viable). This assistance program complements the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) or federal crop insurance coverage, which covers the crop but not the plants or trees in all cases.

Under NAP, FSA has waived the 72-hour notification requirement on hand harvested crops, extended deadline to file a Notice of Loss, and provided flexibility for FSA staff to perform loss adjustment activities and/or waive field inspections in cases where the cause of loss can be verified through other means.

For producers with Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL), FSA is providing additional time for producers to deliver commodities to a buyer to repay MALs with sale proceeds and postponing MAL foreclosure letters applicable to losses or damages due to hurricanes for up to 90 calendar days.

A full list of FSA disaster assistance programs is available on the Hurricane webpage on farmers.gov.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also offers recovery options for producers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and for communities through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP). Learn more on the NRCS Disaster Recovery webpage.

Nutrition Assistance 

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, at states’ request, has already issued flexibilities and waivers at the for its many nutrition programs in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, in order to help emergency meal providers reach more people quickly. USDA is ready to issue additional flexibilities upon request. More information on those recovery and assistance efforts can be found on the FNS Disaster Assistance webpage.

More Information

Additional USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and Natural Disasters and Crop Insurance fact sheet. Additionally, FarmRaise offers an FSA educational hub with LIP and ELAP decision tools as well as farm loan resource videos.

USDA Rural Development is already communicating with local governments about how their resources can help assist with the long-term recovery of impacted rural communities. Additionally, Rural Development is looking at flexibilities within existing programs for communities impacted to address housing assistance for tenants and homeowners, water infrastructure needs, support to rural businesses, and existing participants of our Electric and Community Facilities programs.  Additional information for impacted rural communities and current Rural Development customers can be found on the Rural Development Disaster Assistance site.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov. 

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers and Communities Affected by Hurricane Debby

 

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2024 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and communities in need.   Risk management and disaster assistance for agricultural operations:   USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after disasters.   Even before disasters strike, USDA provides tools for producers to manage their risk through the Federal Crop Insurance Program, a public-private partnership between USDA’s Risk Management Agency and private companies and agents. For crops that do not have crop insurance available, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) is available through the local Farm Service Agency. This risk protection includes crop production loss and tree loss for certain crop insurance products. Producers should reach out to their crop insurance agent or local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for more information.   Producers who suffer losses and are signed up for Federal Crop Insurance or NAP are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of discovering damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.   Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them. Key programs offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency include:   ·       The Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that were killed or severely injured by a natural disaster or loss of feed and grazing acres. ·       The Tree Assistance Program provides cost share assistance to rehabilitate or replant orchards and vineyards when storms kill or damage the trees, vines or bushes. NAP or Federal Crop Insurance often only covers the crop and not the plant. ·       The Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore damaged farmland or forests.   It is also critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and to report losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible.   Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. USDA can also assist local government sponsors with the cost of recovery efforts like debris removal and streambank stabilization to address natural resource concerns and hazards through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.   On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet(PDF, 4.6 MB) and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.   USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is also ready to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and standing by for requests for assistance from states and local authorities, to provide emergency nutrition assistance to people in need.   USDA Rural Development (RD) also stands ready to help people in rural communities who have been impacted by natural disasters. RD offers programs and services to help people repair and rebuild their homes, businesses, infrastructure and more. A resource guideoutlines assistance that can help rural residents, businesses and communities in their long-term recovery and planning efforts. Learn more about how RD can support your recovery needs at Rural Development Disaster Assistance | Rural Development (usda.gov).   USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

 

Ultrasound Operators Jailed, Accused of Unlicensed Vet Practice

From left, Ben Masemore, Ethan Wentworth and Rusty Herr.

Wentworth and Herr are currently in jail afterfacing accusations

of practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

(Photo provided by Ben Masemore)

(Editor's Note: This action taken by Pennsylvania prosecutors should concern goat producers who routinely use ultrasound to determine pregnancy. They can potentially be charged with illegally practicing veterinary medicine. This article is reprinted from the April 20 e-edition of Lancaster Farming (lancasterfarming.com)

By Tom Venesky

tvenesky@lancasterfarming.com

Two Pennsylvania men operating a dairy reproduction service are in prison following a complaint of practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Rusty Herr, 43, was booked at the Lancaster County Prison on April 11, while Ethan Wentworth, 33, was sent to the York

County Prison on April 10. Herr and Wentworth are listed as operating partners of Airville-based NoBull Solutions LLC. 

Veterinarians have made multiple complaints about “the illegal practice of veterinary medicine by unlicensed individuals employed by NoBull Solutions,” according to a complaint filed with the Department of State in 2020 by thePennsylvania Veterinary Medicine Association.

The complaint alleges that people employed by NoBull were doing ultrasounds and making diagnoses. The document cites reports from veterinary association members and posts on Facebook.

In 2010, Herr was ordered to pay a $3,500 fine and to cease and desist from the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine. Wentworth got a cease-and-desist order in 2018 along with a $3,000 civil penalty. The 2020 complaint alleges that Herr and Wentworth continued to practice veterinary medicine without a license and hired others to do the same. According to dairy farmer Ben Masemore, who is acting as a spokesman for Herr and Wentworth, both men were advised by their former attorneys not to pay the fines or appear in court because they don’t see an issue with using ultrasound for reproductive services such as pregnancy checks. He said they are both serving 30-day sentences without bail.

Masemore, who is involved with Herr and Wentworth in an unrelated business, said the law governing veterinary practice is vague and doesn’t cover ultrasounding, which is a common practice on dairy farms today.

“I know of up to 20 individuals in the state using ultrasound for reproduction. Anyone can purchase one, as they are readily available today,” he said. Numerous dairy farmers in Lancaster, Lebanon, York and surrounding counties depended on the services offered by NoBull, and the operators’ detention has caused problems for those farms, Masemore said.

The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine Association deferred comment to the Department of State, which said it couldn’t confirm or deny an investigation due to confidentiality statutes. A search of Pennsylvania Licensing System Verification didn’t turn up any veterinary license records for Herr and Wentworth.

“The department reviews every potential practice act violation of which it becomes aware, whether that is through a complaint filed directly to the department, a notification from local law enforcement, or through media reports,” State Department spokeswoman Amy Gulli said in an email.

If the State Board of Veterinary Medicine is going to interpret ultrasounding as practicing medicine, the law needs to be changed, Masemore said.

“This really affects every single one of us (dairy farmers). With the economic situation of Pennsylvania dairy, we need all the help we can get,” Masemore said. “It’s not easy out there, and people need to change the way that dairy in Pennsylvania is being treated. We’re being tarred and feathered economically,and the burden keeps getting worse.” A recording on the phone line listed for NoBull Solutions said that due to the legal situation and staff shortages, the business is not scheduling herd checks or horse services before May 20.

The message urges callers to contact the state veterinary board and local lawmakers to express their concerns about the situation. A “NoBull Solutions LLC Defense Fund” has been set up for the men on GiveSendGo and at local banks. For more information, call 717-887-6465.