2018 SPECIALTY CROP GRANT APPLICATION NOW OPEN

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today that applications for the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program are now open. The ISDA anticipates receiving $1.6 million to $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for awards to qualified projects that improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Idaho.

The deadline for submitting all necessary materials is April 13, 2018.

Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts and dried fruits, as well as horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. Eligible projects must benefit more than one organization and must be solely aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Funding under the grant has been awarded to a wide range of Idaho’s specialty crops including potatoes, wine/table grapes, beans, apples, onions, peaches, cherries and nursery crops. The ISDA has awarded more than $9 million in grant funds since 2009. Projects have provided significant opportunities for Idaho specialty crops by increasing sales, product knowledge or awareness, and sustainability, and improving disease control and quality assurance.

All application materials may be found at https://agri.idaho.gov/main/marketing/.

Questions about the grant may be directed to Laura Johnson at (208) 332-8533 or laura.johnson@isda.idaho.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2018

Contact: Laura Johnson

Office: (208) 332-8533

laura.johnson@isda.idaho.gov

Cull Onion Disposal Deadline Approaching

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) issued a reminder today that Idaho’s cull onion disposal deadline is March 15.

The deadline is set in Idaho rule and applies to Ada, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Owyhee and Washington counties. Culls are onions deemed to be waste or to be unsuitable for human consumption. No culls may be on hand at any packing sheds, in fields or at animal feed facilities on the morning of March 15.

Onions sorted after the cull deadline must be properly disposed of within one week. Trucks transporting onions should be covered to prevent spills along roadsides. A civil penalty of up to $10,000 may be enforced for each violation.

Options for proper disposal under the rule include pit burial, feeding and composting.

“The deadline is aimed at reducing the potential for damage to Idaho’s onion crop because onion maggot, a destructive pest, is frequently found in cull onion piles,” said Jared Stuart, Agricultural Section Manager for the ISDA’s Division of Plant Industries. “The larval stage of the onion maggot attacks and destroys portions of the onion bulb, providing an avenue for fungi and bacteria to cause bulbs to rot during storage. With the right conditions, the insect can potentially destroy 80 percent to 90 percent of the crop.”

Adult onion maggot flies emerge in April and May and are attracted to the distinctive odors given off by sprouting onions and new seedlings. Each onion maggot can destroy up to two dozen seedlings during its two-week lifespan, so crop damage can be substantial. If not properly disposed of, culls serve as breeding and egg-laying sites for the adult flies.

Several resources are available for more information on the deadline and appropriate disposal methods:

ISDA’s website, www.agri.idaho.gov,
The University of Idaho’s “Best Management Practices for Pit Disposal of Cull Onions” (publication CIS 1064), and
The ISDA publication, “Cull Onion Disposal in Idaho.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 12, 2018

Contact: Jared Stuart

Office: (208) 332-8620

ISDA Main: (208) 332-8500

Idaho Recognizes Weights & Measures Week

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) kicked off today Weights and Measures week in Idaho as proclaimed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter.

Weights and Measures Week is intended to recognize the efforts of dedicated professionals who ensure that all weights and measures meet national standards. Fair inspections help ensure equity in the marketplace and are a vital part of building consumer confidence.

Weights and measures activities have a significant economic impact, reaching into the billions of dollars annually. These efforts range from inspection of all commercial gas pumps in the state to all commercial scales in grocery stores. Each year the ISDA Bureau of Weights and Measures inspects approximately 27,000 devices.

The ISDA Bureau of Weights and Measures makes accuracy determinations for mass, length and volume measurements. The Bureau also investigates consumer complaints about such concerns as fuel octane or the measurement of wood sold by the cord. Consumers or businesses with complaints are encouraged to contact the ISDA at (208) 332-8690 or info@isda.idaho.gov.

Weights and Measures Week is nationally recognized every year to commemorate President John Adams’ signing of the first U.S. weights and measures law in 1799.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chanel Tewalt

March 1, 2018

(208) 332-8500

info@isda.idaho.gov

Neuropathogenic Equine Herpes Virus Confirmed in Idaho Horses – Updated 2/8/18 a.m.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has received confirmation of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) diagnosed in horses on a premises in Jerome County and a premises in Gooding County. Both premises are privately owned and now are under quarantine.

EHM is caused by a neuropathogenic strain of equine herpes virus (EHV-1) infection and results in neurological symptoms. One additional premises in Gem County also is under quarantine due to a confirmed EHV abortion in a pregnant mare. An epidemiological investigation is under way for the three premises, but no connection between the operations is apparent. The EHV strain affecting the mare in Gem County was a non-neuropathogenic form, which is known to commonly cause respiratory disease as well as abortion in mares.

EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses. The virus poses no health threat to humans. EHV-1 is present in the environment and found in most horse populations around the world. Horses are typically exposed to the virus at a young age with no serious side effects. Research has not yet determined conclusively why horses with EHV-1 can develop the neuropathogenic strain, EHM.

Symptoms frequently associated with EHM infection in horses include a fever greater than 101.5 F, incoordination, hindquarter weakness, lethargy, incontinence and diminished tail tone. The virus is easily spread by airborne transmission, horse-to-horse contact and contact with nasal secretions on tack, feed and other surfaces. People can spread the virus to horses through contaminated hands, clothing, shoes and vehicles. There is no licensed equine vaccine to protect against EHM.

“We encourage owners to contact their veterinarian immediately if they observe any symptoms of illness in their horses,” said Dr. Bill Barton, ISDA State Veterinarian. EHM/EHV is a Notifiable Disease to the State Veterinarian in Idaho. Anyone suspecting or confirming a case of EHM/EHV should call (208) 332-8540 or (208) 332-8570 to report cases.

Horses that may have been exposed to EHV often take several days to demonstrate clinical illness and run the risk of shedding the virus undetected. Exposed horses that travel to shows or exhibitions could expose other horses before disease containment can be implemented.

ISDA urges horse owners to incorporate preventative biosecurity measures while transporting or boarding horses at facilities with regular traffic on and off the grounds and especially where horses are likely to come in contact with new horses such as at a racetrack, rodeo or fairgrounds. Several preventative biosecurity measures are important in minimizing a horse’s risk of contracting the virus:

Disinfect stalls before use,
Never share water or feed buckets and tack or grooming equipment,
Avoid unnecessary contact with other horses.

Additionally, people who work at multiple equine facilities should practice biosecurity measures by washing hands and changing footwear and clothing before entering each facility.

Contacting ISDA

Dr. Bill Barton, Dr. Scott Leibsle or Chanel Tewalt

(208) 332-8540

info@isda.idaho.gov

Resources

https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHV.pdf

https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines/EHM%20-%20EHV-1%20FAQ1.pdf

https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines/BiosecurityGuidelinesFinal1.pdf

FDA Food Safety Tour

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) jointly concluded a regional tour organized for agricultural producers and representatives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).

ISDA and ODA organized the tour to give federal officials opportunities to learn about farming and irrigation practices in Idaho and Oregon and understand potential on-farm impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. The tour also provided opportunities for potentially impacted growers to meet FDA technical and policy experts.

The tour included examination of irrigation practices and water delivery systems; observations of onion harvest, storage and packing practices; and roundtable discussions including industry stakeholders and regulators.

“Idaho and Oregon have been working for years to better understand potential FSMA compliance challenges for operations which may be covered under the Produce Safety Rule. Now we are working hard to provide outreach, education and training opportunities for the produce industry as well as give them opportunities to have their voice heard directly by FDA. That’s the importance of inviting federal officials here; they don’t know our region firsthand or the challenges our producers face,” ISDA Director Celia Gould said.

FSMA became law in 2011. The FDA promulgated seven rules under the act, including the Produce Safety Rule, which outlines requirements for on-farm standards and measures to reduce food safety risks from agriculture products generally consumed raw. Onions and tree fruit farms are examples of important Idaho and Oregon operations which may be subject to the rule, depending on the size of the operation. FSMA has been called the biggest change to U.S. food regulation since the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in the 1930s.

Fouled Watercraft Interception

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s (ISDA) Invasive Species Program announced the interception and impoundment on Monday of a mussel-fouled watercraft at the U.S. Highway 93 inspection station.

The intercepted watercraft was put under an ISDA hold order and is under quarantine at the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office. Decontamination under the ISDA hold order will include a high-pressure, high-temperature wash of the exterior and trailer and a hot-water wash and flush of plumbing, bilge, and live wells. The vessel will be held for up to 30 days while it is decontaminated.

For more than three months, the fouled watercraft had been in Lake Havasu – a known quagga mussel and zebra mussel-infested waterbody – and was destined for Alberta, Canada. The boat was not inspected or decontaminated when it left Lake Havasu.

This is the third fouled vessel identified by ISDA’s Invasive Species Program this year, including two others carrying dead mussels.

Many ISDA boat inspection stations have already opened for the season: U.S. Highway 93, Cotterell, Malad, Cedars (Interstate 90, westbound) and Rose Lake (State Highway 3, southbound). The Bruneau and Marsing stations will open this Friday, March 24. A total of 19 stations will be open for the 2017 season. Additionally, ISDA will be operating roving stations at locations around the state.

Monday’s interception is an example of the importance of the partnerships for ISDA’s Invasive Species Program. The ISDA has entered into agreements with the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s office, as well as other law enforcement entities, to provide enhanced services and enforcement at invasive species check stations. The program also benefits from the cooperation of counties, conservation districts and other entities.

ISDA has conducted Invasive Species Program watercraft inspections since 2009. Program decisions and strategies are driven by data to best leverage funding with known priorities and risks. To date, over 450,000 watercraft inspections have been performed, including nearly 90,000 in 2016. Those inspections have identified nearly 165 fouled watercraft carrying zebra or quagga mussels, including 19 watercraft in 2016. ISDA’s boat inspection stations serve an important role in preventing the introduction or movement of invasive species and noxious weeds, which could be devastating to the health of Idaho’s waterbodies and the state’s economy.

The public is encouraged to visit https://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations for regular updates and to learn more about the program. And as always, remember to clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment.

ISDA Hosts Seminar to Provide Outlook on Idaho Food and Agriculture Exports

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture will be hosting a seminar on the global outlook for Idaho food and agriculture exports this Wednesday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Grove Hotel in Boise.

The keynote speaker will be trade expert Joe Glauber, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining IFPRI, Glauber spent over 30 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including as Chief Economist from 2008 to 2014. Glauber was the Special Doha Agricultural Envoy for the U.S. Trade Representative Office, where he served as chief agricultural negotiator in the Doha talks. Glauber also served as an economic adviser at the Blair House agreements and as an economist for agriculture on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers.

The keynote presentation will be followed by a panel featuring Idaho’s international trade office managers from Taiwan, China and Mexico. The panelists will address export opportunities and strategies in their respective markets and regions.

Food and agriculture exports are critical to Idaho’s economy, reaching nearly $2.0 billion annually. One in six rows of Idaho potatoes is exported, and one in three acres of U.S. farmland is planted for export. With a global middle class population expected to top 2.7 billion by 2030, and a mature domestic food market in the U.S., exports will be increasingly important for generating business growth in agriculture.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Glauber in Idaho with our trade office managers to talk about the global outlook for Idaho agriculture,” said ISDA Director Celia Gould. “There are tremendous opportunities for our producers, and this seminar will help them navigate some of the challenges in order to be successful in today’s global market.”

2017 Specialty Crop Grant

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today that applications for the 2017 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program are now open. The ISDA anticipates receiving $1.6 – $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for awards to qualified projects that improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Idaho.

The deadline for submitting all necessary materials is April 14, 2017.

“Each year ISDA is impressed with the quality of projects submitted, especially those projects that expand markets and advance the technology surrounding Idaho’s specialty crops,” ISDA Director Celia Gould said. “We are excited about seeing what new marketing and research projects Idaho’s specialty crop industry has to offer this year.”

Projects have been awarded to a wide range of Idaho’s specialty crops including potatoes, wine/table grapes, beans, apples, onions, peaches, cherries and nursery crops. The ISDA has awarded more than $9 million in grant funds since 2009. Projects have provided significant opportunities for Idaho specialty crops by increasing sales, product knowledge or awareness, and sustainability, and improving disease control and quality assurance.

There will be two pre-application webinars to assist applicants with the new materials. The webinars are scheduled for March 9 at 11 a.m. MST and March 14 at 1 p.m. MDT.

Cull Onion Disposal Deadline

Severe winter weather prompted the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to issue a temporary rule suspending the statewide March 15th deadline for cull onion disposal.

Under the temporary rule – which goes into effect immediately – onions must be disposed of through an approved method as soon as reasonably possible. The temporary rule only changes the disposition deadline. All other portions of the rule, including approved methods for disposal, remain in effect.

The temporary rule was issued in light of heavy snowfall in southwestern Idaho, resulting in widespread destruction of onion storage sheds and processing facilities. Disposal of facility debris and large quantities of onions will be a significant challenge for operators.

“Agricultural operators across the state have been hit particularly hard by this winter’s devastating storms,” ISDA Director Celia Gould said. “This temporary rule is meant to give the onion community some flexibility in the timing of the massive disposal they will have to undertake this year. Many facilities are reporting total losses.”

The ISDA will rescind the temporary rule on April 15, 2017. All cull onions will need to be disposed of by that date. Agricultural operators with questions about proper disposal may contact the ISDA office directly at (208) 332-8620 or info@isda.idaho.gov.

Background on ISDA’s Cull Onion Rule

The ISDA Cull Onion Rule was first promulgated to prevent the spread of plant pests, like the onion maggot, which may propagate when onions are amassed without cover and in warmer temperatures. Plants pests can cause significant crop damage, so pest control measures embodied in the rule are important mitigation strategies.