08/15/06 Corn Production & Avian Influenza

USDA`s National Ag Statistics Service issued the August Crop Production report Friday. USDA is expecting an 11-billion bushel corn crop - which is a slight decline from last year`s crop - and just seven-percent below 2004`s record crop. But the forecast is also slightly higher than pre-report estimates. USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins says that certainly was the case for corn and cotton. He says the low trade estimates were a result of adverse weather conditions COLLINS: Many analysts prior to the report were expecting that the drought particularly in the western plains states might show up in lower national numbers. Collins says increased production in certain areas of the country is actually making up for production losses in drought-stricken states COLLINS: Parts of the country where weather has been very good are seeing bug increases in yields over last year. Corn in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio are as an example. Whereas in the western corn belt states, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota were seeing drops year over year. The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior today announced that routine surveillance has indicated the presence of H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from two wild mute swans in Michigan, but testing has ruled out the possibility of this being the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa. Test results thus far indicate this is low pathogenicity avian influenza, which poses no threat to human health. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. I have always marveled at the massive St. Bernards at the ski resorts. As I rubbed their velvety ears I was reminded that they were bred for a purpose with a history of snow rescues. The chasing antics of my son's border collie pup comes from generations of working ranch dogs. In the past Golden retrievers were hunting dogs, today they are predominately guide dogs, family pets, and& vineyard dogs. Yes, the jolly Golden you encounter touring wineries might be more than just a friendly greeter, you could be in the presence of a rare mealy-bug sniffer. In the Napa Valley Goldens are a valuable resource in fighting mealybug infestations. Being a typical golden they don't point the bug, or bark loudly at it , rather they sit patiently by the infected vine until they receive their reward; a kind word or doggie treat for a good bug hunt. Where there is a hunt there is competition, We have sheep and field trials, it's not a stretch to think that in the near future we could be sipping our wine and cheering on our favorite golden retriever at the mealybug dog trials. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.