Iowa secretary of ag lobbies for more support in event of disease outbreaks

Nov 28, 2017

U.S.D.A nominee in pursuit of $150,000 in his home state

Staff Reporter

Farms.com

Bill Northey, Iowa secretary of agriculture, is seeking an additional $150,000 to develop a statewide response framework in the event of an animal disease outbreak.

The state governor and legislators allocated $100,000 earlier this year for the response plan but Northey suggests more should be set aside, according to yesterday’s RadioIowa article.

The extra funds will be used “for foreign animal disease preparation,” Northey said to RadioIowa.

“So, this is some staffing that helps us work with the farm organizations that are working with their producers on biosecurity.”

A bird flu outbreak impacted Iowa’s poultry industry in 2015. The outbreak resulted in a loss of $1.2 billion, as well as the death of over 30 million hens and 1.5 million turkeys, according to a report from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

“The one we all worry about it foot-and-mouth disease,” Northey said in the article.

Animals that have divided or “cloven” hooves, such as cattle and swine, are most susceptible to this disease. However, the United States has kept the disease at bay since 1929, according to the article.

Yesterday, Northey spoke in the governor’s office to present his budget plan for the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/7024074719

Video: Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

After weeks of rain delays and frustration, we finally have a reason to smile — it’s hay time again at Ewetopia Farms! In today’s episode, we head out to the fields where Arnie is baling hay, and I attempt my second drone flight to capture it all from the air. The drone still had some hiccups, but I managed to get some aerial footage of the baling process.

Back at the farm, the work doesn’t stop. Arnie brings the bales home, and the next critical step begins — wrapping and stacking the bales to make haylage. This process is essential for preserving feed for our sheep and ensures they have nutritious forage in the months ahead.

It’s a good day on the farm — the sun is out, the drone is flying (sort of!), and we’re making progress. Join us for a satisfying and productive day that brings a long-awaited sigh of relief to this year’s challenging hay season.

?? Let us know in the comments: Have you had to deal with weather delays this season?

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