A2O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 4, 2003 Doubling Wildrye’s Chromosomes Brightens Pasture Grass Future WASHINGTON, D.C. It’s amazing what 14 more chromo somes can do for Russian wild rye, a pasture grass introduced to the U.S. Northern Plains area from Siberia in 1927. John Berdahl, a plant geneti cist with the Agricultural Re search Service, has created Rus sian wildrye plants that are called tetraploids because they have double the usual 14 chromo somes. The extra chromosomes result in a plant that produces larger seeds and much more ro AgrAbility To Exhibit At Farm Expos STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) AgrAbiiity for Pennsylva nians, the USDA-funded project that provides assistance to farm ers and farm family members who are coping with a disability or long-term illness, will be host ing an exhibit at upcoming state agricultural expositions. Jan. 7-9, producers may find AgrAbiiity at the Keystone Farm Show in York. At the Keystone, AgrAbiiity will be sharing space with Penn State Cooperative Ex tension at booth 219 and 220. Jan. 11-18, AgrAbiiity staff may be found at the Pennsylva nia Farm Show, Harrisburg, where they will be located with the Penn State Cooperative Ex tension Ag Safety and Health ex hibit. AgrAbiiity for Pennsylvania THE GRAIN OF OUR ECONOMY■ E'" kZ. C bust seedlings, solving the biggest barrier to wider use of the grass. Russian wildrye helps keep cattle well fed by providing for age with higher digestibility and protein, especially in late summer and fall when other grasses, such as crested wheatgrass, tend to be come less nutritious. But farmers and ranchers still often choose those other grasses because they’re easier to grow. Berdahl, plant physiologist A 1 Frank and colleagues at the ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan, N.D., supports Pennsylvania farmers and their families through the combined resources of Penn State Cooperative Extension and Eas ter Seals Central Pennsylvania. The project can assist those who are struggling with arthritis, back injury, amputation, chronic pain, head injuries, hearing im pairment, heart conditions, stroke, respiratory diseases, visu al impairment and many other health conditions. Project staff helps by providing on-site assessments of farm oper ations and the identifying the limitations of the prospective cli ent. Staff then recommends farm equipment adaptations, home modifications, and adaptive equipment. riculti / : MG €m hope to change that by using tet raploids to breed new Russian wildrye varieties. They expect to one day see them planted exten sively on marginal land in the Northern Plains and Intermoun tain Region. Berdahl and colleagues created the new plants without any gene transfer or sophisticated biotech nology. Instead, they induced chromosome doubling by pres surizing flower-bearing stalks in canisters fdled with nitrous oxide gas. Nitrous oxide is commonly known as “laughing gas.” The ni- The project refers families to local service providers and fund ing sources; and can also provide peer and caregiver support from other farm family members with disabilities. AgrAbUity for Penn sylvanians also offers education and training through in-service sessions and public awareness ac tivities at state and county levels. Those interested in learning more about the AgrAbUity pro gram are invited to visit the dis play at either exhibition. To con tact AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians, call toll-free within Pennsylvania to (866) 238-4434 or (814) 863-7490. The AgrAbility Website may be found at: http://AgExtEd.cas. psu.edu/agrab/. trous oxide technique enables production of numerous tet raploid seeds and development of genetically diverse populations from which to select superior plants. It will take about five years to November Red Meat Production 2 Percent Lower Than Year Ago WASHINGTON, D.C. Commercial red meat production for the U.S. totaled 3.91 billion pounds in November, down 2 percent from the 3.97 billion pounds produced in November 2001, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). November 2001 contained 22 weekdays (including two holi days) and four Saturdays. No vember 2002 contained 21 week days (including two holidays) and five Saturdays. Beef production, at 2.16 bUlion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.86 mUlion head, down 1 percent from November 2001. The average live weight was 1,260 pounds, up 5 pounds from November a year ago. Veal production totaled 16.9 mUlion pounds, 4 percent above November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 91,100 head, up 4 percent from November 2001. The average live weight was 308 pounds, unchanged from Novem ber a year ago. MRI - At Afforda Most Insurances Accepted • New state-of-the-art Open MRI • Most experienced Radiologists in the area • Friendly prefer • Reports to your • We accept $475 for a normal si It's Worm Over 85 years cumulative agriculture experience serving the northeastern states CONSIDERING EXPANDING YOUR FARM OPERATION? TeamAg will answer your questions regarding Nutrient Management, CAFO, and local permits for your farm operation, when we survey your expansion site. Call us today for an estimate. TeamAg, Inc. 901 Dawn Avenue Ephrata, PA 17522 717-721-6795 • Site Engineering and Manure Systems Design • Nutrient Management Planning • Precision Agriculture • CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) Permits • Natural Resources Management • Crop Management/Scouting/Soil Testing * * ( I t * « t t | 1 M ~, , 4 dlx . i y*yji j .y-.tjtu l zh.' L /S i vWPPMnfftt iVf M release the first tetraploid Rus sian wildrye variety to seed grow ers. Then it will take a few more years for seed growers to produce enough pedigreed seed for sale to farmers, bringing the new variety to market around 2010. Pork production totaled 1.71 billion pounds, down 1 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.66 million head, 1 per cent below November 2001. The average live weight was 268 pounds, down 1 pound from No vember a year ago. Lamb and mutton production, at 17.8 million pounds, was down 9 percent from November 2001 and 6 percent below the previous record low set in 1998. Sheep slaughter totaled 271,300 head, 5 percent below last year. The aver age live weight was 132 pounds, down 6 pounds from November a year ago. January-November red meat production was 43.3 billion pounds, 3 percent above the pre vious year. Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent form last year, veal was down 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent, and lamb and mutton production was down 3 percent. sAamAg Incorporated Call TeamAg for Free Permit Consultation Call 8 AM *■ 5 PM M-P
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