FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 26, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky now requires stallions from Wisconsin to test negative for contagious equine metritis (CEM) before they can enter the state for breeding purposes under an order issued today by State Veterinarian Dr. Robert C. Stout.
The order stems from Kentucky’s investigation of the CEM outbreak that was discovered in December. The state’s investigation found that a paint horse that moved from Wisconsin to Kentucky for the 2008 breeding season was infected with the organism that causes CEM in mares.
Under the order, swabs taken from a Wisconsin horse must be tested by culture in an approved CEM laboratory and reported negative for the organism during the 28 days preceding entry into Kentucky. A certification statement must be made by the attending veterinarian that the stallion was not bred, nor was semen collected from the stallion, after the samples were collected.
A quarter horse stallion tested positive for CEM during routine testing for export of semen. The state veterinarian’s office, the University of Kentucky’s Livestock Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Kentucky office have quarantined infected and exposed horses and placed them on a strict testing and treatment protocol. A total of four infected stallions have been found in Kentucky. Nationwide, three mares and 11 stallions have tested positive for CEM.
The state veterinarian’s office expects Kentucky again to be free of CEM in the coming weeks. The order was issued to minimize the opportunity for the organism to be reintroduced into Kentucky while the Wisconsin investigation continues.
Contagious equine metritis is a transmissible, exotic venereal disease in horses. It usually results in infertility in mares and, on rare occasions, can cause mares to spontaneously abort. Infected stallions exhibit no clinical signs but can carry the CEM bacteria for years. CEM is commonly transmitted during sexual intercourse but also may be transmitted indirectly through artificial insemination or contact with contaminated hands or objects.
There is no evidence that CEM affects people. The outbreak did not enter Kentucky’s thoroughbred population.
—30—
To find out more about the CEM investigation and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's equine program, click here.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Budget cuts threaten state vet's ability to protect state's livestock industry.
by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie FarmerKentucky is home to 1.17 million head of beef cows, the most of any state east of the Mississippi River.
To help the Commonwealth maintain its lofty status, State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout and his staff in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) are on the job conducting surveillance, controlling and eradicating infectious and communicable diseases for animals in Kentucky and those entering from other states. But budget cuts in recent years have made it more difficult for the State Veterinarian’s office to do its job.
The office enforces state regulations to protect the health and well-being of the state’s vibrant cattle industry. The regulations establish health requirements for entry, movement, sale and exhibition of livestock in Kentucky.
The Department’s voluntary bovine programs help keep Kentucky cattle as disease free as possible.
The Johne's Program is for producers who wish to control and eliminate Johne's (pronounced "yo-knees") disease from their herds. The disease is a contagious, chronic, debilitating and often fatal infection that affects ruminants, especially cattle.
Many beef and dairy producers have participated in a voluntary Johne’s management program supported by KDA and USDA.
Unfortunately, funding for this program has decreased significantly, resulting in less participation and lost momentum. Kentucky has had as many as 115 dairy herds and 50 beef herds enrolled in the program.
The program has helped reduce the numbers of cattle infected with Johne’s disease. For example, of the 14,000 animals tested annually in Kentucky, the infection rate recently dropped from 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent in one year.
The Registered Brand Program enables producers to register livestock brands, which would identify the source of animals in the event of a disease outbreak. Registered brands are regarded as evidence of ownership and will take precedence over brands that are not registered with the state.
Accreditation and certification programs have helped keep Kentucky free of tuberculosis since 1987 and brucellosis since 1997. The Tuberculosis Accreditation and Brucellosis Certification programs provide cattle, bison or cervid owners with “tuberculosis accredited herd status” or a “brucellosis certified-free herd” status, which will help them sell their animals.
Controlling and eradicating disease in animals is among the many ways the Kentucky Department of Agriculture affects the lives of all Kentuckians every day. These programs are vital to Kentucky’s agricultural economy and to public health.
The recent outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM) in quarter horses was discovered on a routine test for exportation of semen. If the CEM infection had gone undetected, it could have spread to many stallions nationwide, resulting in increased restrictions on interstate travel and international movement of horses and semen. Hundreds of family quarter horse operations would have lost millions of dollars in the height of the breeding season.
That didn’t happen because we at KDA and the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture had the experience, expertise and procedures in place to prevent it. They are every livestock producer’s insurance policy against diseases that could threaten your business.
If you agree with me that all the things the Kentucky Department of Agriculture does for the citizens of Kentucky are important, then let your state legislators know. Go to http://www.lrc.ky.gov/ and find their e-mail addresses or leave them a message toll free at 1-800-372-7181. Please ask them to fully fund the KDA’s budget and keep 50 percent of Kentucky’s share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement devoted to agriculture.
To help the Commonwealth maintain its lofty status, State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout and his staff in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) are on the job conducting surveillance, controlling and eradicating infectious and communicable diseases for animals in Kentucky and those entering from other states. But budget cuts in recent years have made it more difficult for the State Veterinarian’s office to do its job.
The office enforces state regulations to protect the health and well-being of the state’s vibrant cattle industry. The regulations establish health requirements for entry, movement, sale and exhibition of livestock in Kentucky.
The Department’s voluntary bovine programs help keep Kentucky cattle as disease free as possible.
The Johne's Program is for producers who wish to control and eliminate Johne's (pronounced "yo-knees") disease from their herds. The disease is a contagious, chronic, debilitating and often fatal infection that affects ruminants, especially cattle.
Many beef and dairy producers have participated in a voluntary Johne’s management program supported by KDA and USDA.
Unfortunately, funding for this program has decreased significantly, resulting in less participation and lost momentum. Kentucky has had as many as 115 dairy herds and 50 beef herds enrolled in the program.
The program has helped reduce the numbers of cattle infected with Johne’s disease. For example, of the 14,000 animals tested annually in Kentucky, the infection rate recently dropped from 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent in one year.
The Registered Brand Program enables producers to register livestock brands, which would identify the source of animals in the event of a disease outbreak. Registered brands are regarded as evidence of ownership and will take precedence over brands that are not registered with the state.
Accreditation and certification programs have helped keep Kentucky free of tuberculosis since 1987 and brucellosis since 1997. The Tuberculosis Accreditation and Brucellosis Certification programs provide cattle, bison or cervid owners with “tuberculosis accredited herd status” or a “brucellosis certified-free herd” status, which will help them sell their animals.
Controlling and eradicating disease in animals is among the many ways the Kentucky Department of Agriculture affects the lives of all Kentuckians every day. These programs are vital to Kentucky’s agricultural economy and to public health.
The recent outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM) in quarter horses was discovered on a routine test for exportation of semen. If the CEM infection had gone undetected, it could have spread to many stallions nationwide, resulting in increased restrictions on interstate travel and international movement of horses and semen. Hundreds of family quarter horse operations would have lost millions of dollars in the height of the breeding season.
That didn’t happen because we at KDA and the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture had the experience, expertise and procedures in place to prevent it. They are every livestock producer’s insurance policy against diseases that could threaten your business.
If you agree with me that all the things the Kentucky Department of Agriculture does for the citizens of Kentucky are important, then let your state legislators know. Go to http://www.lrc.ky.gov/ and find their e-mail addresses or leave them a message toll free at 1-800-372-7181. Please ask them to fully fund the KDA’s budget and keep 50 percent of Kentucky’s share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement devoted to agriculture.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Kentucky Department of Agriculture fuel lab aces first test.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, February 17, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s new motor fuel testing laboratory performed on a par with some of the best labs in the United States in a round-robin exercise earlier this month.
The fuel lab, located in Frankfort, is operated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
“I congratulate the fuel lab staff on their excellent work,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “These results prove our commitment to quality and accuracy as we strive to protect Kentucky consumers. We will get even better as we gain experience.”
Kentucky was tested for octane testing, distillation testing and relative vapor pressure testing. The Great Lakes Region Sample Exchange Group exercise included 28 labs from the eastern half of the country. Other participating labs were with major refineries such as BP, Citgo, Marathon, Mobil and Murphy Oil USA; top commercial laboratories such as Intertek-Caleb Brett, Southwest Research, and Waukesha, and government labs in Michigan and Missouri.
KDA technicians are continuing to install fuel testing equipment. The lab is testing fuel in response to consumer complaints, and the Department plans for the lab to begin testing random samples and seek contracts to test for outside agencies later this year.
The $1.65 million lab opened in 2008. When fully operational, the lab will have the capacity to test more than 20,000 samples per year –enough to more than adequately sample motor fuels in Kentucky and offer contract services to other agencies and other states.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is responsible for testing motor fuel to make sure it is at the correct octane level and is free of irregularities and banned substances such as MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether). The KDA also tests motor fuel pumps for accuracy.
KDA changes fees associated with CEM importation program.
In December, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture presented proposed regulatory changes to the Kentucky General Assembly. These changes require a Fee Structure to be utilized in the CEM Importation Program. Kentucky’s Legislative Body approved the proposed changes and overtime rates...more.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kentucky farmers rack up $4.82 billion from sales of farm products in 2007.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky farmers took in $4.82 billion from the sale of farm products in 2007, according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture. That’s an average of $56,586 per farm and a 57 percent increase over the last census in 2002.
“Kentucky farmers really outdid themselves in 2007,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “They achieved $4.82 billion in sales while tobacco income was 22 percent lower than in the previous census. That shows Kentucky’s investments in agricultural diversification are working.”
Leland Brown, director of the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, pointed out that the sales number includes multiple sales of livestock, such as sales of cattle between farmers and then from the farmer to the stockyard.
The number of tobacco farms in Kentucky declined 72 percent since 2002 to 8,113, according to the census. Tobacco acres harvested fell 21 percent from 2002. The federal tobacco quota and price support system was eliminated after the 2004 growing season.
The census showed that slightly fewer people farmed slightly more acres in Kentucky in 2007 than in 2002. Eighty-nine percent of Kentucky’s 85,260 agricultural operations are still run by individuals or families, and most are still small farms. The number of farms declined 1 percent from 2002, but the size of farms increased 1 percent from an average of 160 to 164 acres.
The number of full-time farmers in Kentucky dropped from 54 percent in 2002 to 40 percent in 2007. The average age of farm operators was 56.5 years old, up from 55.2 in 2002.
Twenty-seven percent of agricultural producers were women in 2007, and the number of women who were principal operators increased 10 percent from 2002. African American principal operators dropped from 687 to 505 in the five years after 2002.
Fayette County led the state in equine sales at nearly $410 million and led every U.S. state in that category.
Kentucky continues to have the largest beef cow inventory east of the Mississippi River, numbering 1.17 million head. Total cattle inventory was reported at 2.4 million head, same as 2002.
For more information, visit the Web site for the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Kentucky office, www.nass.usda.gov/ky, and click on “Census of Agriculture for Kentucky.”
“Kentucky farmers really outdid themselves in 2007,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “They achieved $4.82 billion in sales while tobacco income was 22 percent lower than in the previous census. That shows Kentucky’s investments in agricultural diversification are working.”
Leland Brown, director of the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, pointed out that the sales number includes multiple sales of livestock, such as sales of cattle between farmers and then from the farmer to the stockyard.
The number of tobacco farms in Kentucky declined 72 percent since 2002 to 8,113, according to the census. Tobacco acres harvested fell 21 percent from 2002. The federal tobacco quota and price support system was eliminated after the 2004 growing season.
The census showed that slightly fewer people farmed slightly more acres in Kentucky in 2007 than in 2002. Eighty-nine percent of Kentucky’s 85,260 agricultural operations are still run by individuals or families, and most are still small farms. The number of farms declined 1 percent from 2002, but the size of farms increased 1 percent from an average of 160 to 164 acres.
The number of full-time farmers in Kentucky dropped from 54 percent in 2002 to 40 percent in 2007. The average age of farm operators was 56.5 years old, up from 55.2 in 2002.
Twenty-seven percent of agricultural producers were women in 2007, and the number of women who were principal operators increased 10 percent from 2002. African American principal operators dropped from 687 to 505 in the five years after 2002.
Fayette County led the state in equine sales at nearly $410 million and led every U.S. state in that category.
Kentucky continues to have the largest beef cow inventory east of the Mississippi River, numbering 1.17 million head. Total cattle inventory was reported at 2.4 million head, same as 2002.
For more information, visit the Web site for the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Kentucky office, www.nass.usda.gov/ky, and click on “Census of Agriculture for Kentucky.”
Friday, February 6, 2009
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Awards $10 Million To Home-Delivered Meal Providers
AUSTIN - Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced on Jan. 28 the Texas Department of Agriculture is awarding approximately $10 million to almost 200 agencies that serve meals to homebound elderly and disabled Texans. The grants are provided through TDA's Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program and are funded by the Texas Legislature.
"In these tough economic times, this program makes it possible for home-delivered meal providers to expand their services and feed more hungry Texans," Commissioner Staples said. "Texas ranks third in the nation for food insecurity, meaning one in five adults and one in four children in our state are hungry, and that is simply unacceptable. With an ever-growing number of seniors and a challenging economy, we must take care of those who spent much of their lives taking care of us."
The Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program is a result of House Bill 407, passed during the 80th Session of the Texas Legislature. The bill was created to give extra funding to home-delivered meal providers for 2008 and 2009. The grants, based partly on the number of meals eligible applicants served the year prior to applying, can only be used to supplement and expand existing services related to the delivery of meals.
Meals on Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County is receiving $1.6 million - the largest amount in the state.
"Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County is truly grateful to the Texas Department of Agriculture for administering the Texans Feeding Texans program," Carla Jutson, executive director of Meals on Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County said. "We were able to serve 320,651 additional meals in 2008 utilizing this new source of funding. Many of our clients rely solely on Meals On Wheels for their daily nutrition, and this funding enabled us to provide breakfast meals, in addition to lunch, for these clients who are significantly at risk of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition."
"Texans Feeding Texans is also an investment," Commissioner Staples said. "By providing food to elderly Texans in their own homes, which helps maintain their independence, this grant program saves about $30,000 in tax dollars annually for each senior who depends on state-supported services. I want to thank the legislators who approved this critical funding that enables us to assist Texans who need a helping hand."
Last year, TDA awarded $9.5 million to home-delivered meal providers who served 8.4 million meals statewide, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year. In 2009, TDA will award almost 200 grants, totaling $10 million. For more information on this program or for a complete list of recipients, visit the Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program Web site.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture looks for ways to cope with budget cuts.
by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie FarmerMassive state budget cuts have made it more challenging for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to perform its duties and provide the services that the citizens of the Commonwealth expect and deserve.
In this budgetary environment, the Department is constantly looking for ways to give you more and better service for your tax dollars. Recently the KDA adopted two Internet-based systems that enable us to carry out our pesticide regulation and environmental enforcement duties more efficiently, improving customer service and staff productivity.
Companies that sell pesticide products in Kentucky can now register new pesticide products, renew existing pesticide products and pay fees online through the Pesticide Product Registration System. Also, the Kentucky Compliance Activity Tracking System (KYCATS) enhances the ability of the KDA’s Division of Environmental Services to track its enforcement activities.
Our Environmental Services and Information Technology staffs have worked very hard to make these systems easy to use and able to provide accurate information in a timely manner. They help KDA work more efficiently, which benefits both consumers and pesticide businesses.
The systems eliminate a large amount of paperwork for our staff. The Pesticide Product Registration System also reduces paperwork for pesticide companies, offers additional payment options and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for companies to access at their convenience.
I commend our Environmental Services and Information Technology staffs for their hard work in implementing both of these important innovations. They help the Department provide the taxpayers of Kentucky with more services, productivity and efficiency out of fewer tax dollars.
This is just the latest in a number of actions the Department has taken to stretch our shrinking budget and provide you the services you expect and deserve. In the past year we have left dozens of positions open as a result of retirements. But there is only so much more we can do with less.
Our pesticide regulation program is just one of many ways the Kentucky Department of Agriculture affects the lives of all Kentuckians every day. When you fill your car up with gas, buy clothes at a department store or perform any other transaction in commerce, the Department has been there to make sure you pay the right price.
But continued state budget cuts are making it harder for our dedicated employees to carry out their important duties, like safeguarding Kentucky’s livestock, helping farmers across the Commonwealth market their products, inspecting eggs and performing many other responsibilities that are essential to our way of life. Go to www.kyagr.com and see all the things the KDA does for you.
If you agree with me that all the things the Kentucky Department of Agriculture does for the citizens of Kentucky are important, then let your state legislators know. Go to www.lrc.ky.gov to find out how to contact them, or leave them a message toll free at 1-800-372-7181. Please ask them to fully fund the KDA’s budget and keep 50 percent of Kentucky’s share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement devoted to agriculture.
Thank you in advance for your support of Kentucky agriculture.
Poster and essay contest deadline extended.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has extended the deadline for submitting entries to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s annual Poster and Essay Contest because of severe winter weather that has caused dozens of schools throughout the Commonwealth to close for several days.
Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 20. The Department will notify winners in each grade by Feb. 27.
“Every child who wants to participate in this contest should have the opportunity,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This contest is one of the most important things the Department does because it educates our young people about the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives.”
This year’s contest theme is “I Am Kentucky Proud.” Students are invited to create posters and write essays about the Kentucky Proud movement, how it helps Kentucky farmers stay on the farm, and how it helps consumers find fresh food raised or produced close to home that they can serve to their families with confidence.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade may enter a poster, an essay or both about Kentucky Proud. Statewide winners in each grade will be awarded a $100 savings bond and will be honored at the annual Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 10 in Frankfort.
Poster contest entries must be in color on white paper, must demonstrate the theme and must include the theme in the artwork. Entries should be submitted rolled in a tube or wrapped flat. Essay contest entries must be no more than 150 words for participants in kindergarten through third grade and no more than 250 words for those in fourth through eighth grade.
Entries must be mailed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Poster and Essay Contest, 100 Fair Oaks Lane, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601.
For complete contest rules and an entry form, go to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Web Site, www.kyagr.com, click on Education Resources under the Programs menu, click on Agriculture Education and click on 2009 Poster & Essay Contest Rules and Entry Forms. For more information, contact Elizabeth McNulty at (502) 564-4983 or elizabeth.mcnulty@ky.gov.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has extended the deadline for submitting entries to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s annual Poster and Essay Contest because of severe winter weather that has caused dozens of schools throughout the Commonwealth to close for several days.
Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 20. The Department will notify winners in each grade by Feb. 27.
“Every child who wants to participate in this contest should have the opportunity,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This contest is one of the most important things the Department does because it educates our young people about the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives.”
This year’s contest theme is “I Am Kentucky Proud.” Students are invited to create posters and write essays about the Kentucky Proud movement, how it helps Kentucky farmers stay on the farm, and how it helps consumers find fresh food raised or produced close to home that they can serve to their families with confidence.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade may enter a poster, an essay or both about Kentucky Proud. Statewide winners in each grade will be awarded a $100 savings bond and will be honored at the annual Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 10 in Frankfort.
Poster contest entries must be in color on white paper, must demonstrate the theme and must include the theme in the artwork. Entries should be submitted rolled in a tube or wrapped flat. Essay contest entries must be no more than 150 words for participants in kindergarten through third grade and no more than 250 words for those in fourth through eighth grade.
Entries must be mailed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Poster and Essay Contest, 100 Fair Oaks Lane, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601.
For complete contest rules and an entry form, go to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Web Site, www.kyagr.com, click on Education Resources under the Programs menu, click on Agriculture Education and click on 2009 Poster & Essay Contest Rules and Entry Forms. For more information, contact Elizabeth McNulty at (502) 564-4983 or elizabeth.mcnulty@ky.gov.
Commissioner Farmer calls for disaster declaration
Kentucky National Guard vehicles from the 201st Engineer Battalion travel the roads of Wolfe county and Breathitt County, Ky. to provide support to local officials in response to the ice storm that hit the state on Jan. 28. (U.S. Army photo by Cdt. Bryson Perry/201st Engineer Battalion) FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer today called on U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to declare an agricultural disaster in Kentucky as a result of a winter storm that disrupted feed and water supplies to livestock and left untold numbers of producers without electricity.
“Our farmers are struggling to keep their animals safe and healthy,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Power is out all over the state, and that makes it tough on livestock producers who need to pump fresh water to their animals or milk their dairy cows. Downed trees and limbs have hit power lines and damaged fences. Kentucky farmers need quick and decisive action from USDA to recover from this storm.”
Washington County Extension agent Rick Greenwell said power lines are lying in pieces in many fields in his county. He said a feed store he visited Thursday couldn’t mix feed because it didn’t have power.
Greenwell said Washington County “is in survival mode” due to power outages. “Through it all, people find time to help each other,” he said. “That’s the thing that’s keeping them going.”
Ray Bowman, executive director of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, said hay supplies are dwindling and many producers are unable to provide fresh water to their animals because of power outages. He said some producers are losing sheep and goats because of stress from the weather.
David Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association-Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, said horse owners are reporting problems with damaged fencing, extensive debris from downed trees and limbs, water line breaks and a few damaged structures. Switzer pointed out that the Thoroughbred foaling season is under way and the breeding season starts in about two weeks.
Barren County Extension agent Gary Tilghman said ice and flooding have damaged many fences in his county. He said today some dairy operations that were unable to operate last week because of power outages are back online. Barren County is Kentucky’s leading milk-producing county.
Department officials were told last week some Kentucky dairies had to dump milk because milk hauling trucks could not get to the dairies.
Some Kentucky poultry operations are being maintained on generators, but in some cases – especially in western Kentucky – fuel for the generators is in short supply, and electricity may not be restored for weeks. The birds require constant temperatures, lighting and feed, and even slight variations can put them in danger.
“Kentucky’s needs are many, and they are urgent,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I urge Secretary Vilsack to act with all deliberate speed to get our farmers the help they need now.”
“Our farmers are struggling to keep their animals safe and healthy,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Power is out all over the state, and that makes it tough on livestock producers who need to pump fresh water to their animals or milk their dairy cows. Downed trees and limbs have hit power lines and damaged fences. Kentucky farmers need quick and decisive action from USDA to recover from this storm.”
Washington County Extension agent Rick Greenwell said power lines are lying in pieces in many fields in his county. He said a feed store he visited Thursday couldn’t mix feed because it didn’t have power.
Greenwell said Washington County “is in survival mode” due to power outages. “Through it all, people find time to help each other,” he said. “That’s the thing that’s keeping them going.”
Ray Bowman, executive director of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, said hay supplies are dwindling and many producers are unable to provide fresh water to their animals because of power outages. He said some producers are losing sheep and goats because of stress from the weather.
David Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association-Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, said horse owners are reporting problems with damaged fencing, extensive debris from downed trees and limbs, water line breaks and a few damaged structures. Switzer pointed out that the Thoroughbred foaling season is under way and the breeding season starts in about two weeks.
Barren County Extension agent Gary Tilghman said ice and flooding have damaged many fences in his county. He said today some dairy operations that were unable to operate last week because of power outages are back online. Barren County is Kentucky’s leading milk-producing county.
Department officials were told last week some Kentucky dairies had to dump milk because milk hauling trucks could not get to the dairies.
Some Kentucky poultry operations are being maintained on generators, but in some cases – especially in western Kentucky – fuel for the generators is in short supply, and electricity may not be restored for weeks. The birds require constant temperatures, lighting and feed, and even slight variations can put them in danger.
“Kentucky’s needs are many, and they are urgent,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I urge Secretary Vilsack to act with all deliberate speed to get our farmers the help they need now.”
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