Winter Wheat Warning & Easter Caution

With Easter coming up this weekend...yes, that's correct...it's tempting to give baby chicks as presents but there are health concerns including possible salmonella contamination according to Oregon State Veterinarian Dr. Brad LeaMaster.

LEAMASTER:  You know, there's nothing cuter than a baby chick or a baby duckling. Young children like to hold them and cuddle them and put them close to their face. That's a no-no.

A stuffed toy is a much better choice.

A University of Idaho plant disease specialistis warning farmers that winter wheat and barley crops across southern Idaho are showing a disturbing echo of last summer's abnormal wet spell. Juliet Marshall, a UI Extension cereal pathologist says the Barley yellow dwarf virus which is a major disease threat to wheat and barley, is rampant in southern Idaho. In most areas, 85 to 95 percent of winter wheat fields are showing nearly total viral infection. Lab tests confirmed the virus in samples from throughout the southern portion of the state., Marshall said that some growers are killing infected fields, plowing and reseeding with spring grains or dry beans. The virus can greatly reduce yields, test weight and plumps. As a result, infected winter wheat may be suitable only for use as livestock grains after harvest. Infected winter barley probably will not be high enough quality for use in malting.

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.