Red Meat Market Research

http://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/Marketing/RedMeatMarketResearch.pdf


Submitted by: State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Agriculture
[Exploring Viable Markets for Remote Alaska Producers’
Value-added, Shelfstable, Red Meat Products – Phase I]
2008 Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program Final Report 



Project Contact………………………………………………………………………………3
Background………………………………………………………………………………….3
Cooperators and Beneficiaries………………………………………………………………4
Approach…………………………………………………………………………………….5
Results…………………………………………………………………………………….5-8
Project Benefits……………………………………………………………………………...8
Project Status and Recommendations……………………………………………………….9
Additional Information……………………………………………………………………9-61




'via Blog this'

HB 191 to Reinstate a Department of Agriculture

Below you will find a letter from Alaska Farm Bureau State President Bryce Wrigley.  He is requesting a statement, comments, or even a one line comment in support of the passage of HB 191 which will reinstate a Department of Agriculture.  Please send them to the Alaska Farm Bureau Office at PO Box 760 Delta Junction, AK 99737 or to me janehamilton99737@yahoo.com.
We encourage you to forward this to others who may not be Farm Bureau members.
Please send your comments or statements as soon as possible.  Thanks.


Hello Farm Bureau Members-


It has long been the priority of the Alaska Farm Bureau to promote and develop a dynamic agriculture industry in Alaska.  HB 191, the bill to reinstate a Department of Agriculture, is the vehicle we are supporting to accomplish this because it will elevate agriculture to a higher level within government and allow for better coordination and development of our food production.


As you may know, Alaska had a Department of Agriculture when it was a Territory.  While that fact, in and of itself, is not a reason to reinstate a Department, it nevertheless provides important historical reference.  A later legislative audit suggested that the time could come that the Department of Agriculture would need to be restructured as a department to meet the needs of Alaskans.  We think that time has come.  We continue to see little progress because  DNR is preoccupied with oil and gas.  Meanwhile, our food production capability languishes for lack of support.  It takes time to develop a local food system to support our state - time that is surely and steadily slipping away. Not only are we in danger of losing our agriculture, we are about to lose the farming resources needed by the next generation of farmers.


The House Resource Committee has agreed to schedule a hearing on HB 191, although we don't have a date yet.  We have asked members to be prepared to testify in favor of the bill.  There may not be much time to respond once that date is set, so we would like to be prepared in advance for this hearing.


We invite you to provide us with any statement or comments in support of passage and we will see that they are submitted timely.  In the event of short notice, having these comments prior to the hearing will ensure that your statements are part of the record.  If you don't have much time to do this, please send a short one line statement stating why you feel agriculture is important.  Consider the impact of a hundred one liners supporting agriculture!


While the bill is supported by the vast majority of Farm Bureau members attending the annual meeting for each of the last two years, there are a very few members who are not in favor of the bill.  If you feel you cannot specifically support HB 191, we still invite you to offer comments regarding the importance of developing Alaskan agriculture.  Because this effort represents the official policy of the Alaska Farm Bureau, we will not submit comments contrary to the official position.


Thanks,


Bryce Wrigley
Alaska Farm Bureau

Public Workshop fo­­­r Proposed Animal Care Standards
Livestock Workshop Agenda
February 27, 2012, 3:30 – 5 PM
Scope of Workshop:
The purpose of the workshop is to discuss specific animal care standards for all livestock, including cattle, swine, small ruminants, elk, reindeer, llamas, zoo animals, etc.   Poultry are not included in this meeting.
Agenda (allotted times are approximate):
1.      Introductions, ground rules, and scope of workshop. (5 min)
2.      Open Items from previous meetings:
A.      In Alaska statute 11.61.140 (Cruelty to animals.  A person commits cruelty to animals if the person 1) knowingly inflicts severe and prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal; ….), is the word “person” an individual or can it be an entity?

How do the statutes apply to wildlife, what excludes wildlife? Informational (5 min):  State Attorney General informal opinion is below:

In short, “person” means a natural person and, when appropriate, an organization, government, or governmental instrumentality.[1]  An “organization is defined as a legal entity, including a corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, joint stock company, foundation, institution, government, society, union, club, church, or any other group of persons organized for any purpose.[2]

DEC Comment: The proposed regulations are not intended to apply to free ranging wildlife, only domestic animals and captive wildlife.  We will ensure that their application is clear under statute.  (OPEN)

B.      What constitutes “reasonable medical care” (as required by statute)?  State Attorney General informal opinion is below:

There is no statutory or regulatory definition relating to animals in Alaska.  Again it is suggested that checking other state provisions or model statutes and regulations would help define this.  This is a judgment call.  What would a reasonable person be expected to do to keep the animal healthy?

For informational purposes, reasonable care as a test of liability for negligence is the degree of care that a prudent and competent person engaged in the same line of business or endeavor would exercise under similar conditions.  In these circumstances, a “reasonableness” standard could be defined as using the degree of care, skill, and diligence which is used by ordinarily careful animal caretakers in the same or similar circumstances in his or similar community. Or more simply stated a “standard of conduct that a reasonable person would follow in the same situation.”

DEC Comment: The first draft of the regulations makes no attempt to further define “reasonable medical care”.  “Reasonable medical care” is written in statute.  We do have the authority to further define the term in regulation; however, in review of other states’ regulations we have not seen more specific language that we feel might be useful.  Examples of other states’ rules include:
   I.            “cannot fail to provide licensed veterinary or other appropriate medical care in cases of obvious, serious illness or injury.”
  II.            “cannot fail to provide necessary medical attention and theanimal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result.”
   III.            “Must ensure that necessary and standard veterinary care is provided in a timely matter.”
            Questions/Comments (10 Min)

C.      Some animals may not be in top condition all year.  For instance, a breeding bull (especially notable in bison, elk and reindeer) may lose a significant amount of weight during fall breeding season, and then afterward it stays thin during the winter.  This is physiologically normal for him and may not be something within the control of the producer.

DEC Comment: The draft already has language to allow for such situations in the generalstandards.  It would seem awkward and potentially too restrictive to get very specific for any particular species of diversified livestock, due to individual animal and environmental variations; however, specific suggestions for improvement of the language will be considered.   Comments (5 min)

D.     Skip a Day Feeding of Pigs:  The first draft requires daily feeding.  One producer pointed out that some people practice skip day feeding of mature pigs as a weight management tool.  

The Clemson University Extension Service guidance for swine feeding states:
·         Limit Feeding Gilts and Sows - Limit feeding to 4 to 6 pounds per day in the breeding herd is a MUST for maximum reproductive efficiency. Start replacement gilts on a limited feeding program at 180 to 200 pounds. Gestation rations normally work well for this purpose.
·         Feeding Bulky or Fibrous Feeds - A form of limit feeding may be used to lower the energy content of the ration. Bulky rations will usually not reduce the feed cost and, in many cases, they will cost more since the cost per pound is about the same and the sow will eat more of the bulky ration. Overfeeding as well as underfeeding the brood sow will reduce litter size, reduce sow performance, and decrease profits.
·         Skip-Day or Interval Feeding - Skip-day or interval feeding of brood sows and gilts is another method of limit feeding. The breeding herd is allowed access to self-feeders for 2 to 12 hours every second or third day. Under a third day feeding system, the gilts will eat approximately 12 pounds of feed, or 4 pounds for each day, and the sows around 15 pounds, or 5 pounds for each day. The amount of feed can be controlled by the length of time the gilts or sows are left on the self-feeders. Research shows that reproductive performance is essentially the same with either skip-day feeding or daily feeding a limited amount by hand. However, there is greater stress on fences and equipment with the skip-day method.

The recommended code of practice for pigs by the Canadian Food and Agriculture committee states that skip a day feeding of grains should be supplemented by roughage on alternate days.

Very little information is available on “skip a day” feeding.  It may be that the practice is decreasing.  The American Veterinary Medical Association has no policy statement or information on it.  Some animal welfare organizations have statements against the practice.  Some market organizations do not allow it.  They do not say why they oppose it.  Presumably, opposition to the practice must be based on people feeling that the pigs should not feel whatever level of hunger they may feel during that off day without food.  This seems to be a minor issue because no other state rules have been found that expressly forbid the practice.  Some producers in Alaska may be using this management practice.
      Comments (5 Min)

E.      Rest stops while in transit:  The draft has a requirement of 28 consecutive hours for feeding/watering/offloading of cattle.  Participants pointed out that it can be difficult to find a spot to stop and offload in Canada; therefore, this time frame should be lengthened.

DEC Comment:  The 28 hour rule is consistent with U.S. Federal standards and other states.  This issue has been raised in other workshops also.  Of course it would be difficult to even drive for 28 hours straight in Alaska.  We will research how such a rule would need to be viewed by the legal system, and whether the clock would start ticking when a person crossed the border into Alaska or might include time spent on Canadian roadways.  Canada has its own rules for transportation and does have designated rest stops for livestock haulers.  Alaska does not, and although it could be easy enough to pull off a road and let a horse out to move around, the same cannot be said for swine or cattle.
Awaiting opinion from State Attorney General Office.

F.       Allowance for snow as animal’s water intake. Informational (10 min)

Previous discussions centered on the fact that water availability can vary and that many animals (particularly open range livestock) can do fine with only access to snow.  The topic was also explored in the horse meeting.  As drafted, the regulation says:
·         “all animals must have daily access to water in sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy the animal’s physiologic needs as evidenced by the animal’s hydration status”
This verbiage does not disallow use of snow.  No other states’ rules specifically address this issue.  All just use the term “water”.  Of course, snow becomes water once it gets ingested.

The Department of Law (DOL) does not feel that it is necessary to further define water in the actual body of the regulation.  The DEC can provide an explanation of the intent in our formal response to public comment when the regulations are adopted.  This would serve as a further interpretation that the court system would look to on the issue.   (OPEN)
Comments/Questions (5 min)

3.      Open Forum (30 minutes)

4.      Closing questions and remarks by DEC. (15 min)

Ground Rules:

·         Stay on topic.
·         The moderator will select participants to have the floor to speak.  Please do not interrupt a person speaking.
·         State your comments as concisely as possible. There is a time limit of 3 minutes per speaker, although the moderator may allow longer comments when deemed necessary.  After you have spoken, DEC representatives may ask questions that can be answered immediately or may request further information be sent to them later.
·         Be respectful of other participants’ opinions.  It is permissible to voice support for something that another speaker has said; however, in general, the moderator will ask that people giving public comment try not to repeat what may have already been stated by other participants, particularly when stating reasoning behind a position on an issue.
·         Silence cell phones. Take all phone conversations outside.
Workshop Location/Call Information:
All interested Alaska residents are invited to attend workshops by telephone at
1-800-315-6338 (use pass code 8213 when prompted) or in person at the State Environmental Health Laboratory at 5251 Dr. MLK, Jr. Ave, Anchorage, AK, 99507.  If you are unable to attend meetings, feel free to submit your comments to us in writing via mail or email jay.fuller@alaska.gov.

ALASKA DIVERSIFIED LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION

November 22, 2011 Teleconference Minutes

PRESENT

Ruby Hollembaek, President

Delbert Simineo, Vice President

Kathy Burton, Treasurer

Bill Burton

Milan Shipka

Scott Hollembaek

Janelle Curtis

Mike Miller

Jane Hamilton, Secretary

CALL TO ORDER

President Ruby Hollembaek called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

A quorum was established.

CORPORATION

Ruby reported that the ADLA Corporation had been involuntarily dissolved by the State of Alaska on July 21, 2011 due to the failure to file the Bi-annual Report.  The State had been sending notices to Delbert’s prior address, so we were not timely notified they were due.  Kathy reported that she had submitted payment and a Bi-Annual report on November 8, 2011.  Although she has not received notification that the Corporation has been reinstated, all agreed that we are in good standing and that we would proceed with tonight’s meeting.

AGENDA

Bill moved to approve the agenda.  Delbert seconded.  Motion carried.

MINUTES

Milan moved to approve the November 10, 2010 minutes.  Delbert seconded, motion carried.

ELECTIONS

Bill moved to nominate Ruby for President.  Delbert seconded.  Motion carried and Ruby was elected President for the 2012 year.  Delbert moved that the Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer remain the same as they currently are.  Bill seconded.  Motion carried.

Delbert moved that Mike Miller be elected Member-At-Large.  Bill seconded, motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Conferences and Teleconferences:  Ruby reported that they are posted on the website.  Reports of those attended by Ruby and Delbert will be made soon.

Legislative Issues:  Department of Ag:  There are 150 signatures obtained to support the Department of Agriculture and they will be sent to the legislators. 

Animal Care Standards:  The working draft has been publicized.  The first teleconference was mostly about dogs, in particular, sled dogs.  The next one will be on December 1^st and will be about exotic species and the December 13^th will be about livestock in general.  Milan encourages members to listen in to both teleconferences.  Call 1-800-315-6338.  The pass code is 8213.

By-Laws:  Ruby will obtain a copy of the latest By-Laws, which have changes to reflect that general members are those that are raising or plan to raise animals.  She is inviting all livestock growers to join ADLA.   She has sent out 50 invitations to join via e-mail and following up with hard copies.

Meeting frequency:  It was suggested that the officer meet quarterly via teleconference to keep in touch and up-to-date on what is happening.  Milan will be wiling to provide the teleconference service from his budget.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The account balance is currently $1,299.50.

It was agreed that we do have to file a 1099 Income Tax Report.

Member’s Roster:

            Steve Gallagher

            Delbert Simineo

            Pam Rule

            Scott Miller

            Bill and Kathy Burton

            Scott, Russell and Ruby Hollembaek (need to enroll Buckley for 2012)

            Milan Shipka-Associate member

            Jane Hamilton-Associate member

            Mike Miller (needs to join for 2012)

            Musk Ox Farm (Janelle Curtis for 2012)

Dr. Bob Gerlach is interested in joining.  There is some concern about whether this will present a conflict of interest or whether members would feel free to discuss issues such as the new Animal Care Standards.  The National Bison Association has never had a Federal or State Vet as a member.  It was agreed that we should not exclude anyone from joining or attending our meetings.  We can ask anyone to excuse themselves if there is a conflict between their job and the organization.

The Biennial Report is due next July.

NEW BUSINESS

2012 Meeting:  It was agreed to meet following the February Delta Farm Forum.  The meeting will be held at the Trophy Lodge at 5:00 P.M. for dinner with the meeting following.

The Sustainable Ag Conference will be held on March 13^th.  Livestock growers should be invited to attend.

Reports from Members:

            Scott Hollembaek:  It was a poor weather year with a decent calf crop. 

There is enough hay for the winter.  A mile and half of game fence was installed.

Bill Burton:  It was a good calf crop and they got up a lot of hay.  It was a wet summer.  They are having a real problem with the buffalo roaming.  Charlie Dorman’s hunters are getting them.  They now have a bear in the yard that has killed a beef cow.

Delbert Simineo:  He didn’t AI the Elk this year.  The first year he did 15 with 5 calves and the 2^nd year he did 16 with 8 calves.  He is working on building the herd and trying to diversify. 

Both Ruby and Delbert had some French exchange students working this summer that were a tremendous help.

Mike Miller:  He has one Roosevelt bull if anyone wants him.  He gave all the female reindeer to Tom Williams in exchange for bulls.  They are fencing 150 acres for wood bison.

There was a brief discussion regarding the question “what constitutes livestock”, specifically, are rabbits or chickens livestock?  It was agreed to use $1,000 value/year as a rule of thumb.

It was agreed to hold an ADLA meeting during the Alaska Farm Bureau November events each year.

ADJOURNMENT

Bill moved to adjourn the meeting.  Scott Miller seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane E. Hamilton,

Secretary

Public Workshop for Proposed Animal Care Standards

Phone # is 1-800-315-6338  PASSCODE 8213

Jay Fuller, DVM  Asst. State Vet 907-375-8213

jay.fuller@alaska.gov

Robert Gerlach, VMD, State Vet 907/375-8214

bob.gerlach@alaska.gov

IN PERSON: 
Workshop at the State  Environmental Health Laboratory at 
5251 Dr. MLK, Jr. Ave. Anchorage, AK 99507

Public Workshop for Proposed Animal Care Standards

Workshop Agenda

December 1, 2011, 3:30 – 5 PM

Scope of Workshop:

The purpose of the workshop is to discuss specific animal care standards for captive exotics, to include elk, reindeer, llamas, zoo animals, etc.

Agenda (allotted times are approximate):

1.      Introductions, ground rules, and scope of workshop. 5 min

2.      Open forum. 70 min
Possible topics:

-          Body condition scoring standards

-          Transportation and handling

-          Husbandry practices

-          Shelter requirements

3.      Closing questions and remarks by DEC. 15 min

Ground Rules:

·         Stay on topic.

·         The moderator will select participants to have the floor to speak.  Please do not interrupt a person speaking.

·         State your comments as concisely as possible. There is a time limit of 3 minutes per speaker, although the moderator may allow longer comments when deemed necessary.  After you have spoken, DEC representatives may ask questions that can be answered immediately or may request further information be sent to them later. 

·         Be respectful of other participants’ opinions.  It is permissible to voice support for something that another speaker has said; however, in general, the moderator will ask that people giving public comment try not to repeat what may have already been stated by other participants, particularly when stating reasoning behind a position on an issue. 

·         Silence cell phones. Take all phone conversations outside.

ADLA, Inc.; 8850 North Simineo Circle Palmer, Alaska 99645
Home to Responsible Game Ranch Producers

Teleconference November 22nd 7 PM

7PM November 22
Teleconference   800.893.8850 and use the pin 5711553


Agenda
I.              Roll Call & Attendance
II.             Agenda Approval
III.            Minutes Approval
IV.            Elections
V.             President's Report
                A.  Conferences & Teleconferences around the state.
                B. Legislative Issues
                C. Animal Care Standards
VI.            Old Business - Bylaws Review with Report to the State of Alaska for changes.
VII.           Treasurer's Report
                                a.  Account Balance and Tax Information
                                b.  Member Roster Update
                                c.  Biennial Report
VIII.          New Business
                                a.  February 2012 Conference Break-out Session at Delta Farm Forum
                                b.  2012 Conferences and Meetings
                                c.  Reports from members regarding:  Livestock, Crop, Fencing, Materials and Buildings,
                                  Equipment, etc.
                                d.  Correspondence
                                e.  Website www.adlainc.blogspot.com
IX.  Other
X. Adjournment




ADLA, Inc.; 8850 North Simineo Circle Palmer, Alaska 99645
Home to Responsible Game Ranch Producers

ADLA, Inc. Annual Meeting Thursday,  November 10, 2011

7 PM Land’s End Resort – Homer, Alaska

Agenda

I.             Roll Call & Attendance

II.            Agenda Approval

III.           Minutes Approval

IV.          Elections

V.            President's Report

                A.  Conferences & Teleconferences around the state.

                B. Legislative Issues

                C. Animal Care Standards

VI.          Old Business - Bylaws Review with Report to the State of Alaska for changes.

VII.         Treasurer's Report

                                a.  Account Balance and Tax Information

                                b.  Member Roster Update

                                c.  Biennial Report

VIII.        New Business

                                a.  February 2012 Conference Break-out Session at Delta Farm Forum

                                b.  2012 Conferences and Meetings

                                c.  Reports from members regarding:  Livestock, Crop, Fencing, Materials and Buildings,

                                  Equipment, etc.

                                d.  Correspondence

                                e.  Website www.adlainc.blogspot.com

IX.  Other

X. Adjournment

photo of bison on the beach in Kodiak, 2011

 *********************************************************************************

ADLA, Inc.; 8850 North Simineo Circle Palmer, Alaska 99645
Home to Responsible Game Ranch Producers