From the
tractor
Steve Troxler
Commissioner
Every so often I like to
use this column to high¬
light the work of divisions
of the N.C. Department of
Agriculture and Consumer
Services. With the recent
recall of fish from Viet¬
nam, I thought it would be
a good time to talk about
food safety and the role the
department plays in check¬
ing our food products.
Food safety is a top pri¬
ority of the department and
one that I see becoming a
bigger issue for consumers.
Unfortunately, it is some¬
thing we sometimes tend to
take for granted until a large
recall makes the news.
We are fortunate to have
one of the safest food sup¬
plies in the world, but no
one will tell you any sys¬
tem is perfect. There are
lots of opportunities in the
food chain for food to come
in contact with potentially
sickening bacteria - includ¬
ing our own kitchens.
Many countries have dif¬
ferent rules involving food
production, and it is safe to
say the United States’ rules
are among the most strin¬
gent. In the case of the fish,
they were recalled after the
our department discovered
residue from an antibiotic
not approved for use in
farm-raised fish.
In mid-August, we will
be hosting representatives
from our congressional
delegation for an annual
AgFirst conference. Dur¬
ing this meeting we will
discuss a variety of agricul¬
tural issues of concern to
our state. Food safety will
be one of the issues we will
be talking about because it
is also an issue of national
importance.
Our Food and Drug Pro-
(See Food safety, page 2)
NCDA&CS protecting
rare plants with dye
marking program
The spring-green and red¬
dish Venus flytrap plant, which
eats small insects and
endlessly fascinates
many school kids and
adults, is getting a help¬
ing hand from scientists
interested in protect¬
ing the plants for future
generations to enjoy.
The Venus flytrap,
with its claw-like car- |
nivorous appendages,
grows naturally in the
world only in North
Carolina and parts of
South Carolina. The
area is essentially
within about a 90-mile radius of
Wilmington.
While the plant has yet to be
placed on the list for endangered
or threatened species, it is noted
A volunteer shows a young plant that had been
uprooted by recent poachers. This Venus flytrap
was replanted.
as a plant of “special concern,”
said Laura Gadd, a botanist for
the N.C. Department of Agri-
(See Venus, pg. 3)
Farmers urged to test all
forage; abnormally high
nitrate levels found
Exceptionally high levels of
nitrates in various types of for¬
ages are being found in sam¬
ples submitted to the state food
and drug laboratory, meaning
that farmers and other live¬
stock producers should have
forage crops tested to keep
their livestock safe, said Ag¬
riculture Commissioner Steve
Troxler.
The lab has come across
abnormally high results in
more than a sixth of submitted
samples, with results being up
to four times higher than what
is normally considered danger¬
ous. These levels can make the
feed fatal for farm animals.
“Farmers have a lot in¬
vested in their livestock and it
is critical they test these types
of feed to protect their invest¬
ment,” Troxler said. “In 2002,
the year of the last severe
drought in the state, we saw
a spike in animal deaths from
high nitrate levels in feeds. We
don’t want a repeat of that.”
Many baled and fresh-cut
forage crops such as corn,
grain, grasses and sorghum
harvested during last sum¬
mer’s drought have high ni¬
trate levels, which poses the
greatest risk for ruminants
such as cows, sheep and goats.
Although not as sensitive,
horses can also be affected.
The issue is becoming more
critical as drought conditions
(See High nitrates, pg. 12)
N.C. ranks ninth in agricultural exports
| State breaks into
top 10 for first time
North Carolina is now the
ninth-largest state in terms of
agricultural export value, ac¬
cording to a recent report by
the U.S. Department of Agri¬
culture. North Carolina previ¬
ously ranked 12U| on the list.
North Dakota was bumped
out of the top 10.
USDA estimates the value
of North Carolina’s exports
at more than $2 billion. Over¬
all, U.S. agricultural exports
reached a record $68.7 billion
in fiscal 2006. up $6.2 billion
from the previous record in
2005.
“I am proud that we have had
success in our global market¬
ing strategy,” said Agriculture
Commissioner Stever Troxler.
“Our international marketing
specialists have been working
hard to find new markets for
our farmers, and their efforts
are paying off.”
North Carolina is the lead¬
ing tobacco-exporting state,
accounting for 38 percent of
U.S. exports, and ranks third in
poultry exports, behind Arkan¬
sas and Georgia. The Tar Heel
state is also the fifth-largest
exporter of peanuts, sixth-larg-
est exporter of live animals and
meat products and the seventh-
largest exporter of cottonseed
(See Exports, pg. 12)
Horse Events
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, Slate Fairgrounds. Raleieh. (919) 733-4845.
Aug. 1 1 & 12 . Appaloosa Show. Contact Mike Hanville, (336) 921-2123.
Aug. 24-26 . Central Piedmont All Arabian. Contact Dan Regan, (704) 362-0185.
Aug. 24-26 . NCHJA “C” Indoors. Contact Becca Mispel, (919) 556-7321.
Sept. 1 & 2 . NCDCTA Dressage Show. Contact Roy Whitlock, (910) 638-8467.
Sept. 3 . Dressage Breed Show. Contact Janine Malone, (919) 269-7307.
Sept. 8 & 9 . NCAHA Summer Extravaganza. Contact Rory Meacham, (919) 544-2817.
Sept. 8 & 9 . Carolina Fall Driving Show. Contact Dede Bushneck, (919) 815-4723.
Sept. 15 & 16 . Appaloosa Show. Contact Mitch Petway, (919) 467-3377.
Western N.C. Agricultural Center. Fletcher. IS2S) 6 87-1414.
Aug. 4 & 5 . Dressage in the Blue Ridge. Contact Kay Whitlock, (910) 692-8467.
Aug. 9 . Arden Horse Auction. Contact Gayna Woody, (828) 775-9708.
Aug. 15-18 . Mountain Classic — Hunter/Jumper. Contact Jenifer Kolarik, (828) 230-7033.
Aug. 18 . WNC Open Horse Show Circuit. Contact Doyle Enloe, (828) 697-8785.
Aug. 23 . Arden Horse Show-'. Contact Gayna Woody, (828) 775-9708.
Sept. 7-16 . N.C. Mountain State Fair. Contact Matt Buchanan, (828) 687-1414.
Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center. Williamston. (252) 792-5111.
Aug. 3-5 . WC Miniature Horse World Championship. Contact Rose, (540) 890-0856.
Aug. 10-12 . VA Reining Horse Summer Slide. Contact Glen Askins, (804) 829-2420.
Aug. 17-19 . NE Dist. 4-H Horsemanship School & Show. Contact Vanessa Spiron, (252) 902-1712.
Aug. 25 & 26 . Made in the Shade Dressage Horse Show. Contact Sue Smithson, (910) 693-1769.
Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 Fall Barrel Blast. Contact Walter Tharrington, (252) 977-6217.
Sept. 14-16 . Team Josey Barrel Racing & Horsemanship Clinic. Contact Josey Ranch, (903) 935-5358.
Sept. 15 . Eastern N.C. Saddle Club Horse Show. Contact Jamie Beacham, (252)459-8177.
*Shows subject to change. Call before attending. More horse events listed in Bucolic Briefs.