News Update
June 9, 2010

USDA’s FSIS Announces Public Meetings to Gather Input on New Draft Validation Guidance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced it will host a series of public meetings to discuss and receive public input on the Agency’s draft proposed guidance concerning Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Validation. FSIS made a preliminary draft of the validation guidance available in March in order to hear from the public earlier in the guidance development process, as requested by a number of stakeholders. The guidance does not create any new requirements on establishments, but rather clarifies existing requirements and provides direction on how processors, especially small processors, can meet them.

“USDA is deeply committed to enhancing food safety in a way that supports small processors,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “FSIS’ transparent and open process for developing this guidance is designed to ensure that the agency can effectively help establishments of all sizes improve the safety of their products and reduce the incidence of foodborne illness.”

The series will kick off with the first public meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 14, 2010, in the USDA South Building, Jefferson Auditorium, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250.

Comments on the preliminary draft are due June 19th. FSIS will review the public comments on the preliminary guidance, and then announce an updated draft document in the Federal Register in July for a second round of comments. As part of the second comment period, FSIS will hold two additional public meetings. Each meeting will include presentations, a question and answer period, and a public comment period.

“The guidance is being created to help establishments understand existing requirements, and they do not impose new testing or microbiological requirements on establishments,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. “By receiving public input, we can ensure the guidance is helpful to plant owners and operators.”

The preliminary draft guidance and more information on validation are available on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/HACCP_Validation/index.asp. FSIS encourages establishments and the public to submit comments by June 19, 2010 to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5474, Beltsville, MD 20705-5474.

FSIS will issue a press release with the details on the second and third public meetings once they are finalized.

Preregistration for these meetings is encouraged. To preregister, access the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/News/Meetings_&_Events. Please indicate interest in providing public comment on the registration form. For any additional information regarding the registration process, contact Sheila Johnson, Congressional and Public Affairs Office, at 202-690-6498 or by e-mail at Sheila.Johnson@fsis.usda.gov.

— Release by USDA

Multi-species Grazing Has Both Positive and Negative Aspects Says Small Ruminant Educator

It is becoming more common for producers to use multi-species grazing — mixing sheep or goats together with cattle — to improve the use of forages and cut down on the expenses of mowing and spraying weeds in pasture.

In some cases, even goats and horses are included in the mix, according to Jodie Pennington, small ruminant educator with Lincoln University Extension.

“Goats now are often used with multi-species grazing but it is important to remember that even though multi-species grazing can increase the use of the forages by over 20 percent in heavily weeded or browse-covered pasture, not all of the increased use is profitable,” said Pennington.

• Parasite Concerns
  
  Depending on the situation, small ruminants may require a more extensive program to control internal parasites than cattle which can add to labor demands.
  
  However, there are times that parasite-control program may benefit from multi-species grazing.
  
  “Because gastrointestinal parasites from goats or sheep cannot survive in the stomach of cattle and vice versa, multi-species grazing may decrease internal parasite loads. The decreased level of parasites should result in fewer treatments for worms which could slow resistance of parasites to conventional dewormers, an increasing problem with small ruminants,” Pennington said.
  
  In a field infected with a high load of larvae from sheep and goat parasites, cattle should be grazed first to pick up the larvae of parasites, and then goats or sheep could graze with less danger of parasite infestation. In other situations, producers may prefer to have small ruminants graze before cattle as most of the larvae of internal parasites are located on plants within four inches of the ground.
  
  
• Predator Control
  
  Some type of predator control program is essential with sheep and goats since they are more susceptible to feral or local dogs and coyotes than cattle. Cattle may serve as a deterrent to the roaming canines but extra precautions are usually needed, according to Pennington.
  
  “Livestock guardian animals are most commonly used to protect the small ruminants from predators. But, donkeys, mules, mustangs, and llamas are also used,” Pennington said.
  
  If a guardian animal does not protect the herd, it should be replaced.
  
  Additional fencing (to keep goats in and dogs or coyotes out) is usually the most expensive change when grazing small ruminants with cattle. Reinforcing existing fencing with electric fencing is usually the most economical method.
  
  
• Other issues
  
  As with all livestock, there may be personality conflicts with mixed species of animals. If this occurs, Pennington says the least desirable animals involved in the conflict are best culled from the herd.
  
  Another problem with grazing of multiple species is the feeding of minerals.
  
  Usually goats and cattle can tolerate the same mineral unless there appears to be a health concern. However, sheep do not tolerate as high a level of cooper as do goats and cattle if the animals are being commingled.
  
  
• Bottom line
  
  “Producers with cattle can obtain greater pounds of meat per acre and can reduce weeds and brush in a pasture when adding small ruminants for multi-species grazing. These benefits need to be compared to the additional labor and fencing requirements for the small ruminants as well as the costs of predator control for sheep or goats,” Pennington said.

For more information, Pennington can be reached at the Newton County Extension Center in Neosho at 417-455-9500.

— Release by MU Extension.

Weed, Invasive Tree Field Days Scheduled For North Central Kansas

The North Central Prairie Weed Management Area and Solomon Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area will host a weed identification field day tomorrow (June 10, 2010) at the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. Starting at 9 a.m., participants will hear from range specialists on how to identify and control weeds. Speakers also will discuss the purpose of head and rosette thistle weevils.

Landowners are invited to attend and bring plants to be identified. For more information, call 785-425-6647 or click here.

The same organizations will host an invasive tree control field day June 17 at 9:30 a.m. Those in attendance will see mechanical removal of cedar trees and hear a discussion about chemical treatment. The site is west of Covert at W 190 Drive and S 200th Avenue. A free lunch will be served. To reserve space, call Solomon Valley RC&D at 785-425-6647.

For more information visit www.kla.org.

— Release by Kansas Livestock Association.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.