United Parcel Service is known for delivering a myriad of packages, but one Wisconsin driver made a special delivery earlier this month: a Holstein calf. 

Cue all the “special delivery” jokes now.

Jon Strnad was driving up a hill in the town of Seymour when he saw a cow in labor in the pasture of KJ Farms, a small dairy operation. With a farming background, Strnad recognized that the heifer was struggling. 

“The calf was halfway out, still had the sack over its face. It reminded me of growing up on the farm,” Strnad told reporters with WFRV. “Looked like she needed some help, and I couldn’t drive by without helping.”

The UPS driver jumped the fence in full uniform, running to assist the cow. 

“Gently, I grabbed her front legs and took a little pull, and she came. And I tried to break her fall,” he said of the calf. “She’s laying there, and she wasn’t moving. So I went inside of her mouth, tried to get that slimy stuff out. And then I’m rubbing her head, and then all of a sudden she came alive.”

The farmer’s wife, Tracy Gagnow, opened her door to a bloody-handed Strnad, who shared the details of assisting the dairy cow. 

When Gagnow called her husband, Kurt, she told them that the UPS man had just delivered a calf. 

“He did! What color box was it in?” Kurt had jokingly responded back.

“You always hope for the best, but you always have in the back of your mind, ‘We might lose this one,’” Strnad said. “I’ve seen that scenario play out too many times where it doesn’t end well for the calf.”

According to multiple news sources, the calf was born two weeks early. However, the calf has been dubbed “Joni” after her rescuer, Jon. 

The Gagnows will take Joni to the Outagamie County Fair in June, where the calf’s story will continue. 

Today, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service unveiled a Federal Order introducing measures to protect the livestock industry against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. 

The Federal Order may be viewed here and is effective on Monday, April 29, 2024. Its highlights include:

Mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle

• Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory
• Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing
• Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS
• As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile

Mandatory Reporting

• Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS
• Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS

The USDA has identified spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between dairies associated with cattle movements, and cows without clinical signs that have tested positive.

On April 16, APHIS microbiologists identified a shift in an H5N1 sample from a cow in Kansas that could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted further analysis of the specimen sequence, which did not change their overall risk assessment for the general public because the substitution has been seen previously in other mammalian infections and does not impact viral transmission. Additionally, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy cow that originated from an affected herd and did not enter the food supply. 

The novel movement of H5N1 between wild birds and dairy cows requires further testing and time to develop a critical understanding to support any future courses of action. 

“While we are taking this action today, it is important to remember that thus far, we have not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people,” writes the USDA. “While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, our partners at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe that the current risk to the public remains low.”

To maximize understanding and research on H5N1 in dairy cattle, on April 21, APHIS made publicly available 239 genetic sequences from the U.S. H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza virus recently found in samples associated with the ongoing HPAI outbreak in poultry and wild birds, and the recent H5N1 event in dairy cattle.

APHIS has also offered virus samples to interested researchers to facilitate epidemiological study.

“Increasing our understanding of this disease and how it spreads is critical to stopping it,” writes the USDA. “This is why APHIS is urging dairy cattle producers and those who work in or with the industry to share epidemiological information from affected farms, even if they are not planning to move cattle interstate.”

APHIS further urges producer participation in public health assessments to continue to confirm worker safety and monitor for any potential changes in the virus that could impact transmissibility.   

Milk safety recommendations include pasteurization 

In addition, partners in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an update on the ongoing work to ensure the continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. It is important to emphasize that, based on the information and research available to us at this time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and USDA believe that the commercial milk supply is safe because of both the pasteurization process and the required diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows.

Pasteurization has continuously been proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses in milk. The FDA and USDA continue to work closely to collect and evaluate additional data and information specific to avian influenza in dairy cattle and to support state counterparts as this emerging disease in dairy cattle is managed.  

As USDA continues to take steps to protect the health of livestock, the Department continues to work closely with federal partners at the CDC on protecting the health of people and the FDA on protecting the safety of the food supply. The U.S. government is committed to addressing this situation with urgency.  

Anyone applying agricultural pesticides (certified applicator or not) needs to be aware of changes coming to pesticide labels across the United States.

In an effort to address concerns related to the impact of pesticides on threatened or endangered species and in response to ongoing litigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed an online system called Bulletins Live! Two that determines if additional pesticide use limitations are needed to protect listed species or habitat based on the site location, pesticide product and application month.

The system is intended to avoid blanket use restrictions and instead limit restrictions to geographic and time-specific use patterns that should be avoided to protect endangered species and their habitat.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a framework to conserve and protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats domestically and abroad. An endangered species is an organism threatened by extinction. Threatened species are likely to become endangered soon. Together, threatened and endangered species are commonly referred to as listed species. The ESA requires listing determinations to consider only scientific and commercial information; economic factors are not allowed to be regarded as part of the listing process. Species may also be removed from the list if they no longer need protection or have a change in status. Michigan currently has 26 known endangered or threatened species.

The EPA ensures that the use of pesticides does not jeopardize listed species or adversely impact their designated critical habitat. If the EPA determines that use of a pesticide may impact listed species, it initiates consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service to identify potential negative impacts. The agencies also develop and propose measures to mitigate these negative impacts. Based on the outcomes of this process, the EPA may require additional pesticide use limitations. These limitations are often included in the environmental hazards section of the pesticide label.

However, if it is determined that pesticide use limitations are only needed in specific geographic areas to protect listed species or critical habitat locations, the EPA implements these changes through Endangered Species Protection Bulletins that define pesticide use limitation areas based on the site location, pesticide product and application month. These bulletins are made available via the Bulletins Live! Two system, which allows applicators to check their planned application parameters to determine if any additional pesticide use limitations are required to protect listed species or their habitat. Applicators are only required to consult the Bulletins Live! Two system if the label that came with the pesticide container in their possession directs them to. Bulletins with PULA directives will typically not disclose the listed species or critical habitat the pesticide use limitations are meant to protect.

Applicators are only required to consult the Bulletins Live! Two system if the label that came with the pesticide container in their possession directs them to. Pesticide manufacturers will be adding the Bulletins Live! Two directive to updated labels as required in the coming years, but it will take time for the newer labels to reach the market and applicators to use up existing stocks. Currently, most of the impacted labels with additional pesticide use limitations are agricultural herbicides and insecticides, but additional products are added regularly with the inclusion of fungicides and other pesticides anticipated in the future.

There are use patterns (products, areas and uses) in Michigan that are currently impacted by these new pesticide use limitations and require applicator compliance. Pesticides that require the Bulletins Live! Two system will indicate so on the label, often under the environmental hazards section. The label will direct applicators to visit the map-based system known as Bulletins Live! Two and view the bulletin for the intended application parameters (site location, pesticide product and application month). If a pesticide label directs you to Bulletins Live! Two, you are required to follow the pesticide use limitations found on both the label and on the bulletin generated by Bulletins Live! Two.

To generate a bulletin, you will need the following information:

1. Location that you can navigate to manually or enter as an address or coordinates
2. Application month and year
3. The product EPA registration number that is found on the pesticide label.

The bulletins themselves are simply a document that describes any additional pesticide use limitations based on the proposed application site. It includes a map of the location, the application timing and product.

It is important to note that there may not be any additional specific use limitations based on the application parameters. This could be because EPA has not yet identified if additional pesticide use limitations are needed or if there are no additional geographically specific use limitations based on the use pattern. Though not required, applicators are encouraged to print or save the bulletin along with their pesticide records, even if no additional pesticide use limitations apply.

Compliance with all label directives including using Bulletins Live! Two is mandatory and the applicator’s responsibility. Applicators can generate bulletins up to six months before an application and should do so as far in advance as possible to check for any additional pesticide use limitations that might impact their ability to utilize the pesticide as intended. Ideally, applicators will carefully check the labels of products they are considering before purchase to fully understand any use limitations on their site. Because Bulletins Live! Two will continue to add new pesticides continuously, applicators need to continue to check all product labels carefully for this new directive.

For more information on navigating Bulletins Live! Two, view the EPA tutorial. For more information on the changes related to the Bulletins Live! Two system, visit the Michigan State University Extension Bulletins Live! Two webpage. For more information on how Michigan State University Extension is supporting efforts to conserve Michigan biodiversity, including listed species and critical habitat, visit the Michigan Natural Feature Inventory website.

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2021-70006-35450] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension.

Firestone Ag has opened entries for its 2024 Rock the Crop Sweepstakes exclusively to chapters of the National FFA Organization in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Firestone Ag partnership with FFA.

In its third year, the Rock the Crop Sweepstakes will bring a private concert with Nashville, Tennessee-based country artist Hailey Whitters to one lucky FFA chapter.  

“Firestone has embraced a longstanding commitment to FFA that began with Harvey Firestone Jr., who spearheaded the Firestone family’s belief in educating and supporting youth interested in agriculture, technology, and leadership,” said Merritt Gilbert, marketing director of integrated agriculture tire business, Firestone Ag. “As we mark this milestone for Firestone Ag and FFA, we’re excited to share this fun and unique entertainment opportunity with young people who are interested and invested in agriculture.”

Chosen through a random drawing, members of the winning chapter will enjoy their own private, on-farm concert with Grammy-nominated and Hailey Whitters. Members of the winning chapter will also hear from Firestone Ag field engineers about tire types, tire construction, choosing the right tire for the job, and proper tractor setup to avoid overloading tires.  

This is the third installment of Firestone Ag’s Rock the Crop Sweepstakes, following a 2022 Sweepstakes featuring country artist Dillon Carmichael. 2024 Rock the Crop entries must be submitted by FFA chapter advisors on behalf of the members between April 24 and June 6, 2024. 

“Throughout 2024, Firestone Ag will also proudly highlight the amazing achievements of FFA members across the country through our social media platforms,” Gilbert added.

#FFAFridays will showcase FFA members’ hard work, learnings, and accomplishments on Firestone Ag’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn platforms.

In addition, Firestone Ag is extending its commitment to future generations of agriculturists by supporting the FFA equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts as well as backing its New Century Farmer Conference to advance members’ leadership and personal and career skills.

“FFA is honored to mark this milestone with Firestone Ag, especially as the brand continues to champion and engage our students in new ways,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “Hailey Whitters’ passion for farming and agriculture combined with her drive and ambition align with our values and make her a fantastic partner for this program.”

The 2024 Rock the Crop Sweepstakes aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which consists of 8 values starting with the letter “E” (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment) that Bridgestone commits to implementing together with employees, society, partners, and customers to create a sustainable society. Rock the Crop aligns with “Emotion: Committed to inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility.”