The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, May 20th shows a little progress with severe drought at less than 2% and we are up to 19% totally out of dry conditions (mostly Southeast Kansas into the Northeast). Our entire area is still in moderate drought. This doesn’t include any precipitation after Monday. The six-to ten-day outlook (May 27 to 31) indicates a 40 to 60% chance of below normal temperatures and near normal for precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (May 29 to June 4) indicates normal to a 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and normal for precipitation. The temperatures are beneficial for the maturing wheat crop. However, we need rain as the recent precipitation was spotty. We need rain for our summer row crops and pasture/forages.
It makes news when there is a foodborne illness outbreak or an exotic disease/pest is a threat to our food supply/environment. It’s news because over decades through the FDA, USDA, and other federal agencies, we have developed and put in place methods to ensure as safe a food supply as possible, and keep out possible problems in not only agriculture but also the environment or contain/eliminate them if they happen. As the Congress and White House debate efficiencies and cuts, the public needs to understand these agencies and what they do. Last week we discussed the NRCS. This week, what the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) does and why it matters.
APHIS was established in 1972 during the Nixon Administration. Its origins date back to 1854 with the establishment of an entomology office and over the next century it evolved and added new responsibilities. Its mission is to “protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources.” One of its main missions is to protect agriculture from invasive pests and diseases so it is to closely monitor anything coming across our borders, especially foodstuffs. It houses the Chief Veterinary Officer of the U.S. APHIS serves as the point in addressing plant and animal pest/disease emergencies.
Some of the programs involve keeping out invasive species; addressing animal welfare; working on diseases that can jump from animals to humans (see the avian flu); monitoring noncompliant biotechnology; addressing animal and plant health threats within our borders; and potential agricultural bioterrorism; and more. Now for a few examples:
• Honeybee loss is a critical threat to much plant base agriculture. APHIS is involved.
• Quarantining animals to stop diseases with the screwworm problem with Mexican screwworm as a recent case. Or working to contain the spread of avian flu.
• APHIS regulates biotechnology to ensure the safety of GMOs and that they don’t negatively affect the environment.
• APHIS plays a major role in inspecting products coming into the country. We live in an international economy with items entering the country from all over the world. This raises the possibility of exotic pests/diseases entering the country, and not just on our imported foodstuffs. These are a particular problem as they often lack natural controls and native plants and animals often lacking resistance or tolerance.
Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.
