FEEP and REAP

The Farm Energy Efficiency Project (FEEP) is a program initiated by North Carolina Farm Bureau. The primary goal is to provide low-cost energy audits for farmers. These audits will highlight energy saving alternatives. The energy audits performed can be used to leverage United States Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Section 9007 grant. FEEP will provide 200 on-farm energy audits across NC.

To apply for FEEP, an Interest Form needs to be completed by March 31st. The Interest Form is a simple 1-page front and back form. The sooner you can get these forms in the better. March 31st is the absolute latest to get these forms in. To find out more about FEEP, you may contact Scott Welborn (scott.welborn@ncfb.org) 919-782-1705 x8209, NC Farm Energy

Again, with the energy audit, you can apply for a USDA-REAP grant. REAP is a program to assist farmers and rural small businesses with energy projects. This program provides grants and guaranteed loans for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects. Typically, projects must show a 20% savings in energy audit to score well enough to receive funding.

REAP projects

• must be located in a rural area.
• must be for a pre-commercial or commercially available and replicable technology.
• must be technically feasible.
• must have sufficient revenue to provide for operation and maintenance.
• the applicant must be the owner of the project and control the operation and maintenance of the proposed project.
  

The find out more about REAP, David Thigpen (david.thigpen@nc.usda.gov) 919-873-2065.

Agricultural Water Use Survey by NCDA

North Carolina farmers have the opportunity to document agricultural water use. Based on recent legislation passed in response to the ongoing drought, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agricultural Statistics Division, will be surveying farms in early 2009 to do just that.

The survey is important because basic water use information for agriculture is limited in most areas.

While public perception has been that agriculture water use is excessive, other regional have provided facts that show agriculture water use is relatively small in comparison with industrial and non-agricultural water uses.

This survey will provide comprehensive, state-wide facts about agricultural water use so that informed policy decision can be made.

Individual farm data collected will be held strictly confidential by law.

Farms that participate will also be documenting their own agricultural water use needs which is important for ensuring future access.

Your cooperation on this survey is critical to provide accurate facts about agricultural water use.

Look for your survey from in January 2009. The results will be made available no later than July 1, 2009 and will document agricultural water use during 2008.

Every North Carolina agricultural organization supports the 2008 Agricultural Water Use Survey.

For more information about the 2008 Agricultural Water Use Survey, contact
Herb Vanderberry, Director, Agricultural Statistics Division
1-800-437-8451

Value-Added Producer Grant Workshops

Three workshops will be held across North Carolina to help producers understand how to apply for the USDA-Rural Development's Value-Added Producer Grants. This grant is targeted to producers planning to add a value-added enterprise to their farm. The grant Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2009 cycle is expected to be announced by USDA in early 2009. More information can be found at www.ncvalueadded.org and at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm.

The workshop date and times are:

Monday, Dec 8, 1-5 pm, Burke County Extension Center, 130 Ammons Drive, Suite 2, Morganton

Wednesday, Dec 10, 1-5 pm, Lee County Extension Center, 2420 Tramway Road, Sanford

Thursday, Dec 11, 9 am -12 pm, Craven County Extension Center, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern

The workshops are free and registration is not required. The workshops will provide valuable information to aid the application process. Attendance is not required to apply for a grant.

If you have questions, email Bruce Pleasant, USDA-Rural Development, Bruce.Pleasant@nc.usda.gov or Blake Brown, Blake_Brown@ncsu.edu

Western North Carolina Farmers Eligible for Funds

Awards totaling $675,000 over a 3-year period will be granted to western North Carolina farmers. Farmers who are interested contact your local extension agent by December 1 to discuss and research their project. Applications must be postmarked by January 23. Award recipients will be announced in February.

The grant will be provided by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, which will partner with Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) and the WNC AgOptions program to accept applications and monitor the recipients' projects. Through this partnership, WNC AgOptions, a program established in 2004 and managed by NC Cooperative Extension Centers in the West District, will continue assisting mountain farmers transitioning from tobacco and other crops through 2011.

This grant was put in place to lessen the economic distress caused by soaring input and energy costs and the lingering effects of the state's drought conditions. Current and former tobacco growers are the primary audience for the program; however, any farmers living in tobacco dependent communities are eligible.

In 2009, WNC AgOptions will award demonstration contracts valued at $3,000, $6,000, or $9,000 through competitive application and review process. Awards will total $225,000 each year within 17 western North Carolina counties and the Cherokee Reservation.

The ultimate impact is preservation of the family farm. Award recipients are encouraged to explore crop diversification, ways to replace lost tobacco income, and marketing and production techniques that demonstrate economic sustainability.

Examples of past WNC AgOptions projects include:

• transition from tobacco production to ornamentals, berries, trout farms, or agritourism;
• improvements of existing operations, including horse boarding, mum production, and choose-and-cut Christmas trees;
• creative markets for livestock, including goats for invasive plants removal, grass-finished beef and naturally grown pork;
• beekeeping, including integrated pest management and queen-rearing;
• native plants nursery start-ups; and
  
• seasonal extension for vegetables.

WNC AgOptions

Farm to Fork: Regional Food Systems

Building a Sustainable Local Food Economy in North Carolina: From Farm-to-Fork

We are pleased to announce that over the next year, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has been funded to reach out across the state and together with our partners ask: What will it take to build a sustainable local food economy in North Carolina?

From the mountains to the coast, various organizations are promoting and implementing exciting initiatives to support our state and communities through sustainable local agriculture. Examples include new farmer's markets, local food policy councils, comprehensive county- or region-based food initiatives, farm incubator programs, farm and/or garden youth educational programs, health and nutrition projects focused on local sustainable foods, procurement initiatives by large retail and institutional buyers and schools, and much more.

If each North Carolinian spent $0.25/day on local food (just 2.5% of the $3,600 that we spend on average on food consumption per year), it would mean $792 million for the state's economy. That money circulates here in the state so has a multiplier effect, rather than going to a corporate headquarters in another state.

Other benefits of a sustainable local food economy in NC include economic development, job creation within farming and food sectors, preservation of open space, decreased use of fossil fuel and associated carbon emissions, preservation and protection of the natural environment, increased consumer access to fresh and nutritious foods, and greater food security for all North Carolinians.

Over the next year, CEFS and its partners will be gathering information from across food system sectors: conducting regional meetings, targeted issues discussions, interviews, and hosting a statewide summit on March 2 and 3, 2009. Our desired result is a Statewide Action Plan for Building the Local Food Economy with specific steps (short- and long-term) that policy makers, Universities, government agencies, environmental organizations, businesses, funding agencies, social activists, NGO s and citizens can take to make this happen.

A regional meeting is to be held in:
Asheville, NC: November 12, 1:30-4:30 pm at the NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way.

The purpose of the regional meetings is to bring together those engaged in all aspects of the food system, to collect information and ideas that will the building blocks of discussion at the summitt and eventually the core components of the State Action Plan. We want to identify specific regional and local sustainable food systems model that are working and also regional challenges that can be addressed through policies, programs, and funding. These regional meetings will be facilitated listening sessions and provide important input into this process, so broad participation is encouraged.

The State Action Plan will:

1. describe key elements of our current food system and define key terms
2. identify the diversity of people, businesses, and organizations involved in and impacted by NC's food system;
3. highlight specific efforts and partnerships underway across our state and within different sectors of the food system to achieve greater "localness" in our food system; and
4. identify opportunities for action, and propose priorities, both in the short- and long-term, that will enable us to make progress toward a shared goal.

Please share this information with others who may be interested in Farm to Fork.

CEFS website

NC Farm Energy Efficiency Project

North Carolina Farm Bureau will host a series of meetings to discuss a new program to make your farm more energy efficient. Presentations will highlight the program and elaborate on how North Carolina Farm Bureau can provide extremely low cost farm energy assessments. Representatives from United States Department of Agriculture will be on hand to discuss how this program leads into their 9007 (REAP) program which provides grants and loan guarantees for energy improvements.

There will be six meetings across North Carolina to learn more about the Farm Energy Efficiency Project. You must RSVP at least 3 days in advance for meal planning. A dinner will be served.

Meeting Dates & Location

• Wednesday, Oct 29, 7:00 pm, Duplin County Agricultural Center, Kenansville
• Thursday, Oct 30, 7:00 pm, Martin County Farmers Market, Williamston
• Wednesday, Nov 5, 7:00 pm, Iredell County Agricultural Center, Statesville
• Thursday, Nov 6, 7:00 pm, Alamance County Agricultural Center, Burlington
• Monday, Nov 10, 7:00 pm, Robeson County Farm Bureau, Lumberton
• Tuesday, Nov 11, 7:00 pm, Mountain Research & Extension Center, Mills River

RSVP to Scott Welborn, 919-782-1705 x. 8209, scott.welborn@NCFB.org

www.ncfarmenergy.org

How Much Should I Treat?

How much should I treat with? That is often the first question one asks when a treatment is necessary. Fish diseases require different treatments at different rates. Identifying the fish disease is the first step. There are several North Carolina Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories across the state to help in identifying the disease problem.

Once the disease is identified, a treatment can be recommended. Applying the correct treatment at the required rate is necessary to remedy the fish disease. But the question still remains...how much should I treat with? This is because most pond owners do not know the size or the average depth of their pond.

Do you know the size of your pond? What is the average depth? There are methods to help to determine the surface acreage of your pond and the average depth.

Rectangular or square ponds can be measured by pacing or a tape measure. The length and width of the pond needs to be measured.

Surface area = length (feet) x width (feet) = area ft²
Area = ft²/43,560 ft² = surface acres

If the pond is circular, the circumference needs to be measured. The circumference is the distance around the shoreline.

Surface area = circumference (feet) x circumference (feet) = area ft²
Area ft²/547,390 = surface acres

Many ponds are irregularly-shaped. Approximate the pond shape as either square, rectangle, or circle by measuring the boundary lines that most nearly represent the actual shoreline. This pond shape can be approximated as a rectangle.



Surface area = length (feet) x width (feet) = area ft²
Area ft²/43,560 ft² = surface acres

If the pond is triangular, the base and the height should be measured. Multiply those two numbers, take half of the resulting amount, and divide by 43,560.

Surface area = width (feet) x height (feet)/2 = area ft²
Area ft²/43,560 ft² = surface acres

Average Depth Calculation

Average depth can be determined by taking uniformly-spaced soundings over the entire pond surface. This can be done from a boat. The measurements can be taken with a long pole, chain, or weighted rope marked off in feet. At least 15 measurements should be taken. Add the measurements and divide the number of measurements taken.

Frequency of Measurements

Pond measurements should be re-taken whenever there is an appreciable change in either surface area or average depth. Significant changes in surface area occur when existing ponds are enlarged. However, average depth changes very gradually over a period of years as a result of natural processes. Sediment inflow and the accumulation of decomposing vegetation will cause a pond to gradually become shallower. A pond that may have been 15 feet deep when it was constructed may only be 10 feet deep after several years. Average depth should be re-calculated every five years to account for gradual filling in of the pond. Soil disturbances in the watershed or excessive accumulation of decomposing vegetation in the pond will require more frequent measurement of the water depth.

Let's Make Some Pond Measurements

I would like to offer my assistance in making your pond measurements. We can have on record how big your pond is. When making treatments, you can start with a better estimate of how much to treat. All you need is a boat or canoe to take us over the pond surface. Please contact me to schedule an appointment.

Farm-raised Fish Included in New Supplemental Ag Disaster Assistance Program

On June 18, 2008, the 2008 Farm Bill was enacted into Public Law 110-246. In the process, five new disaster programs were developed, referred to as Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs. These are: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP), Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), Livestock Indemnity Program* (LIP), Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program, and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). The US Department of Agriculture has produced a Fact Sheet, which states:

“To be eligible for these programs, producers must purchase at least catastrophic risk protection (CAT) level of crop insurance for all insurable crops and/or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for non-insurable crops. Therefore, for the 2008 crop year only, producers who were eligible to obtain at least CAT level crop insurance or NAP, but did not, can “buy-in” to be eligible to participate in the applicable Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs by paying the administrative fee that would have been applicable if the producer had timely applied for CAT or NAP.”

Those that wish to be eligible for these programs in 2008 must meet the buy-in deadline of September 16, 2008.

For more information about these programs and a more complete explanation of buy-in fees, see the Fact Sheet.

Please contact your local Farm Service Agency office about this program. You may be eligible for drought assistance.

Stocking Hybrid Sunfish

In the fall of the year, many people decide to stock ponds. There are different options when stocking fish. You can find out what North Carolina recommends by looking at the NC State University Fisheries and Pond Management Extension website.

One of the options involves stocking hybrid sunfish. Stocking hybrids seems to be a popular option. But it is important to learn more about hybrids before making this choice. I have found a great resource from Mississippi State University that discusses Managing Hybrid Sunfish.

First, a hybrid sunfish can be a cross from several sunfish (bluegill, redear, green, warmouth) species. The most common hybrid in the Southeast is the male bluegill with the female green sunfish.

Some important things to consider when stocking hybrids:

• Hybrids do have a trait called hybrid vigor. This can be seen in rapid and superior growth. Weights exceeding 2-lbs are common. And some may actually get to 3-lbs are greater, but this is not common.
• Hybrids are not sterile. They general produce more males than females limiting the reproduction.
• To see the full potential of the hybrid, it is necessary to stock them in a new pond or a completely renovated pond with no other bream species present.
• Hybrids must be stocked with a predator like largemouth bass or catfish.
• Security from poachers is a must. Hybrids are aggressive and highly catchable.
  

Luke Rides in July...

There are a group of boys that ride their bikes all over the France countryside in July. There is one boy that rides his bike on Lakeside Drive. This July was extra special for me. My son Luke learned to ride his bike without training wheels. It was a grand occasion. I was so proud! I hope he learns to love the bike like I do. I would love to have a little riding partner! Look at that race face!

Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)

United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) administers the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The NAP is a program that provides some insurance to producers of non-insurable crops like fish when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented plantings due to natural disasters.

Some eligible crops include:

• crops grown for food

• crops planted and grown for livestock consumption, including, but not limited to, grain and forage crops, including native forage;

• crops grown for fiber, such as cotton and flax (except for trees);

• crops grown under a controlled environment, such as mushrooms and floriculture;

• specialty crops, such as honey and maple sap;

• value loss crops, such as aquaculture, Christmas trees, ginseng, ornamental nursery and turfgrass sod;

• sea oats and sea grass; and

• seed crops where the propagation stock is produced for sale as seed stock for other eligible NAP crop production

The fee for the program is $100. The coverage runs from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. The deadline to file for the program is September 1, 2008. Contact your local FSA office to find out more about the program. You can also learn more about the program from the FSA website.
FSA NAP Factsheet

Meeting to Discuss Grant Possibility ($$$) for Farmers

A meeting will be held on August 12 to discuss the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI) Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund. RAFI will make cost-share demonstration grants to farmers, farm organizations, and community groups. The grant is available to farmers in Alexander, Beaufort, Burke, Caldwell, Caswell, Craven, Cumberland, Davidson, Forsyth, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, McDowell, Nash, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Wayne, Wilkes, and Wilson counties.

The meeting will be at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-McDowell County Center in the Extension Conference Room at 6:30 pm. Jason Roehrig from RAFI will be the speaker. The McDowell County Center is located in the County Administration Building on the 2nd floor at 60 East Court Street, Marion. For directions to the McDowell County Center, please call 828-652-7874 or 828-652-8104.

Cost-share support of up to $10,000 will be awarded to individual producers and support of up to $20,000 will be awarded to collaborative farmer efforts. Demonstration grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process. Grants will be awarded to innovative projects which show farmers a new direction or opportunity.

Priority will be given to projects that benefit farmers under 40 years of age with at least three years of farming experience and to farmers who had income from tobacco.

Deadline for the grant application is October 1, 2008. Funds will be available to farmers in December 2008.

For complete eligibility requirements and guidelines, visit RAFI-USA’s website at: http://www.rafiusa.org/programs/tobacco/2008cfp.pdf.

Jason Roehrig
919-621-0534
jason@rafiusa.org

RAFI-USA is a private, non-profit organization based in Pittsboro, North Carolina. RAFI cultivates markets, policies and communities that support thriving, socially just and environmentally sound family farms.

Five Things You Don't Know About Me!

Well so it goes...I was tagged in the blogosphere by John Dorner, NC Cooperative Extension-IT Trainer! Since I am "it", I am supposed to tell 5 little know facts about myself, then tag 5 other bloggers that I wish to know better.

1. I was a chemist before I became fish-momma. Yes, I wore safety glasses and a lab coat.
   
2. I only started fishing as an adult.
3. Cats are my favorite pet. They are just so independent.
4. Stocking groceries at Winn-Dixie has been my favorite job so far. I did it while I was in graduate school. No offense current employer.
   
5. I love to play the ponies. Bred in Kentucky. Trained at Keeneland.
6. Bonus--Don't like cartoons.

You have been tagged. And now you are IT...Personally, I would rather play Kick-the-Can, but I was a good sport! Now it's your turn.

1. Cliff Ruth
   
2. Douglas Clement
3. Callie Birdsell
4. SandiBird
5. Daniel Cleary
   

Bacterial Coldwater Disease

Skip Thompson wrote about Bacterial Coldwater Disease in his last version of Trout Aquaculture Newsletter volume 19 number 1. Here is what he has to say about it...

Bacterial Coldwater Disease (BCWD) is usually seen when water temperature is between 60-70 ^oF. One sign of the disease is the erosion of the tail (caudal) fin. Another sign is a discolored area above and slightly in front of the anal fin that becomes an ulcerated lesion that looks like a 'scooped-out' area.

BCWD usually affects trout less than 6" in size but chronic mortality can be seen in fish larger than 6". As the disease progresses, trout can be seen with the entire caudal fin missing with erosion of the peduncle or fleshy part just in front of the fin. Another name for the disease is peduncle disease.

Prevention & Control

BCWD can apparently enter trout eggs and is not sensitive to a standard treatment of 100 ppm iodophor (Wescodyne, Argentyne, etc). Instead eggs should be disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide at 100 ppm (4.1 mL/gal of water at 35% active ingredient) (28.7 mL/gal of water at 5% active ingredient).

Routine flow-through treatments at 1.0-1.5 ppm Hyamine^® or other quaternary ammonium compounds reportedly are effective in prevention and in the early stages of infection. However, this approach is not effective once the disease has progressed to erosion of the peduncle and caudal fin.

Stress associated with rearing density contributes to higher level of mortality. In fact, the level of mortality usually will decrease if the trout are simply split into two or more raceways, lowering the density. Mortalities and trout showing the symptoms should be removed quickly since dead trout shed almost 70 times more bacterial than live trout.

If you choose to use an antibiotic, Terramycin^® (oxytetracycline) is not effective when used at the approved rate of 2.5-3.75 g/100 lbs of fish for 10 days. However, Terramycin^® is reportedly effective when used at 16.5 g/100 lbs of trout for 10 days.

Aquaflor^® was approved for use in March 2007 against BCWD at 0.454 g/ 100 lbs of trout for 10 days, and the withdraw period is 15 days. It is worked well in North Carolina. In most instances with BCWD, it is best to first reduce the fish density and then use the antibiotic.

New Bike--WooHoo!!!

Every once in awhile, we must treat ourselves. The big treat for me was a 2008 Trek Madone 5.5. It was hard handing over that credit card but again we must treat ourselves. And doesn't all this riding save me from doctors' bills. I got the bike last year around my birthday. I have been riding it ever since. Like all new bikes I have had to make a few adjustments, but lately it has been riding really well. As I say in my profile, I am a serious recreational road cyclist. But that doesn't mean I'm good. So I am learning to ride it as well.

Disease Spotlight: Ich

It is getting close to that time of year when disease problems are more prevalent! Last year for the first time I identified Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) in a carp pond. Ich has also been referred to as White Spot. Ich is highly contagious and can spread quickly.

White spots on the skin or gills of the fish is a classic sign of Ich. The white spots are like small grains of salt that have been sprinkled over the skin of the fish. Fish may also appear to be irritated and have decreased activity--don't bite.

Ich goes through a life cycle. The breeding stage is when the parasite gets on the host skin. When this stage matures it leaves the fish and produces many, many young. These young must find a fish host in order to survive. This is the free-swimming stage of Ich.

Disease Treatment

Treatment can be difficult because the breeding stage is protected. The free-swimming stage is susceptible to treatment. Since the life cycle is dependent on water temperature so is the application of treatments. A single treatment will not do the job; multiple treatments are needed. The water temperature determines the timing of the treatments. Warmer temperatures (75-79^oF), treatments are performed every other day. Cooler temperatures (60^oF) require treatments to be performed 4 to 5 days apart.

A common treatment is copper sulfate. Beware, copper sulfate can be toxic to fish at low alkalinities. Alkalinity must be measured before treatment. The concentration of copper sulfate is determined based on alkalinity.

Potassium permanganate is another option for those you can not use copper sulfate.

Remember, treat on sunny days. Many treatments kill the oxygen producing plankton in your pond. Have emergency aeration available. Aerators also help to mix the treatments in the pond.

Before treating, the correct diagnosis is essential. Please consult with your local extension agent about disease identification and treatment.

On a less serious note, in a local retail store in the Health & Beauty section, the aisle is labeled "Ich Relief". I chuckle to myself each time I pass it. (It is meant to be "Itch Relief").

Congratulations Sunburst Trout Company!

Kudos to Sunburst Trout Company for being awarded the Seafood Champion Award at the recent Boston Seafood Show. This is a highly prestigious award given to seafood industry leaders in sustainable, eco-friendly seafood. There were only six from around the world to win the honor. More information can be found at:

Asheville Citizen Times

Sunburst Trout Company

Seafood Champion Awards

Grant ($$$) Possibility for NC Farmers

The Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund will make cost-share demonstration grants to farmers, farm organizations, and community groups in Alexander, Beaufort, Burke, Caldwell, Caswell, Craven, Cumberland, Davidson, Forsyth, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, McDowell, Nash, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Wayne, Wilkes, and Wilson counties.

Cost-share support of up to $10,000 will be awarded to individual producers and support of up to $20,000 will be awarded to collaborative farmer efforts.

Demonstration grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process. Grants will be awarded to innovative projects which show farmers a new direction or opportunity.

Priority will be given to projects that benefit farmers under 40 years of age with at least three years of farming experience and to farmers who had income from tobacco.

Deadline for applications is October 1, 2008. Funds will be available to farmers in December 2008.

For complete eligibility requirements and guidelines, visit RAFI-USA’s website at: http://www.rafiusa.org/programs/tobacco/2008cfp.pdf.

For more information or to discuss potential project ideas contact:

Jason Roehrig
919-621-0534
jason@rafiusa.org

RAFI-USA is a private, non-profit organization based in Pittsboro, North Carolina. RAFI cultivates markets, policies and communities that support thriving, socially just and environmentally sound family farms.

Spread of the Exotic Zebra Mussel

Why is she blogging about zebra mussels? Zebra mussels are an invasive species. They were first detected in the Great Lakes in 1988, in Lake St. Clair, located between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. It is believed they were accidentally introduced into the lakes in the ballast water of ocean-going ships traversing the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Now to the point. Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) was first identified in the Great Lakes. VHS is a virus that has caused significant die-offs of different species of fish. I have heard it said that the spread of VHS might mimic that of the zebra mussel. I found this web site that follows the spread of the zebra mussel through the years. Take a look. Interesting.

United States Geological Survey Florida Integrated Science Center

Genetic Research by USGS on Great Lakes VHS Strain

Winton and co-authors Gael Kurath and William Batts recently authored a new USGS fact sheet that describes important genetic information about isolates of VHSV from Great Lakes region (see http://wfrc.usgs.gov/pubs/factsheetpdf/vhsfs2011108.pdf).Other strains of the VHS virus are found in continental Europe, North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea and North Sea.

"This Great Lakes strain appears to have an exceptionally broad host range," said Winton. "Significant die-offs have occurred in muskellunge, freshwater drum, yellow perch, round goby, emerald shiners and gizzard shad."

Genetic research at the WFRC and by colleagues from Canada showed that this strain of the virus was probably introduced into the Great Lakes in the last 5 to 10 years, and that the fish die-offs occurring among different species and in different lakes should be considered as one large ongoing epidemic. The USGS genetic research also indicated that the Great Lakes' strain of the virus was not from Europe, where three other strains of the virus occur, but more likely had its origin among marine or estuarine fish of the Atlantic seaboard of North America. The strain is genetically most like samples of VHSV recovered during 2000-2004 from diseased fish in areas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Great Lakes' strain has now been isolated from more than 25 species of fish in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Saint Lawrence River and from inland lakes in New York, Michigan and Wisconsin. Experts fear the disease could potentially spread from the Great Lakes into new populations of native fish in the 31 states of the Mississippi River basin. Also, if VHS virus is introduced into the aquaculture industry, it could lead to trade restrictions as well as direct losses from the disease.

Tax Tips for Your 2007 Returns

I thought that it would be appropriate that my first blog for 2008 be a topic that we all love….TAXES! Annette Dunlap, MBA, with NC State University provided these tax tips for agricultural producers. Enjoy!

For explanations, or a more comprehensive list, contact your CPA or tax advisor, or check out the Internal Revenue Service’s web site (www.irs.gov), or the NC Department of Revenue web site (www.ncdor.com).

Optional Standard Mileage Rate. The rate is 48.5 cents per mile for 2007, and increases to 50.5 cents per mile in 2008. The rate for medical mileage is 20 cents per mile (up from 18 cents per mile in 2006), and the charitable mileage rate remains at 14 cents per mile, as it was in 2006.

Depreciation Methods. For property placed in service, farmers must use one of the following depreciation methods:

(1) The 150 percent declining balance method over the GDS (General Depreciation System) recovery period, switching to the straight line method when that method yields a greater deduction.

(2) The straight line method over the GDS recovery period.

(3) The 150 percent declining balance method over fixed ADS (Alternative Depreciation System) recovery periods, switching to the straight line method when that method provides a greater deduction.

(4) The straight line method over fixed ADS recovery periods.

Single-Purpose Agricultural Structures. The recovery period for single-purpose agricultural structures is 10 years. Greenhouses that have an area set aside for retail sale are considered multi-purpose agricultural structures.

Deductions for Meals. Beginning in 1998, 100 percent of the cost of business meals for employees is deductible if meals are at and for the convenience of the employer, no
longer limited to 50%.

Business Trip Expenses. Beginning January 1, 1994, business trip expenses for a taxpayers’ spouse, dependents or other individuals cannot be deducted unless those individuals are bona fide employees traveling with the taxpayer for a business purpose.

New Contribution Rules. Beginning in 2007, individuals who give separate cash contributions (gifts) of any amount are required to obtain a receipt from the organization receiving the donation. This documentation must be in writing and must be contained in the taxpayer’s file before the filing of 2007 tax returns.

Estimated Tax Payments. To avoid potential penalties, taxpayers with a 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $150,000 or less should make estimated tax payments of withholdings equal to their 2006 taxes, or make prepayments equal to 90 percent of their 2006 taxes. If taxpayers’ 2007 AGI exceeded $150,000, they must pay a sum equal to 110 percent of their 2006 tax or 90 percent of their current year’s return. Similarly, if 2007 income is 40% higher than 2006, taxpayers must follow these estimated tax guidelines. Payments are due by March 1, 2008 with the tax return if no estimated tax payments were made for 2007.

Self-employed health insurance deduction. The deduction for health insurance expenses of self-employed individuals and their spouses and dependents is 100% in 2007.

Qualified long-term care insurance. (Self-employed) A qualified long-term care insurance contract will generally be treated as an accident and health insurance contract. The deduction for 100 percent of health insurance expenses of self-employed individuals applies to long-term care insurance premiums.

NORTH CAROLINA TAX CREDIT POINTERS

Property Taxes Paid on Farm Machinery. North Carolina allows a credit of up to $1,000 for the amount of property taxes paid on farm machinery by an individual farmer, general partners or an “S” corporation engaged in the business of farming. NOTE: These and other credits can be missed; however, they are now listed specifically in the North Carolina tax instruction booklet. Credits include: Gleaning credit, and a business credit to stimulate economic growth in tiered counties.