February 26, 2020 Issue, Page 3 of 9

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Agriculture (i ‘Wednesday, February 26, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Rare breed specialty shows promote rabbit conservation blancdehototdoeSPitts- organization for rare and and companionship aspects breeds appeal to particular as cattle and sheep, the two be closely monitored in this boro, NC, USA — The Live- endangered livestock and of rabbit ownership.” demographics, rare breeds non-profit organizations de- category. stock Conservancy proudly poultry in the United States. Beginning in 2020, ARBA also appeal to a specific pop- veloped new parameters to Thanks to dedicated heri- counts rabbits as one ofthe 11 ARBA has been dedicated to will sanction Rare Breed ulation who are seeking the evaluate America’s rare rab- tage breeders, three rab- livestock species we serve, the promotion, development, Specialty shows for the first chance to be a part of breed bit breeds more accurately bit breeds have made great and is excited to announce and improvement of domes- time in the organization’s 99 conservation.” -- a critically important step progress to avoid extinction a growing partnership with tic rabbits since 1921, with year history. Unlike other livestock for conservation. and will be recognized in the the American Rabbit Breed- membership totaling more “Rare Breed Specialty species, rabbits are not reg- “Our new formula incor- Recovering Category. Bel- ers Association (ARBA) that than 20,000. shows will be a wonderful istered by litter or parent- porates rabbit show numbers gian Hare, Beveren, and Sil- from the ARBA National ver Fox rabbits were once far will help conserve 16 rare “ARBA may be among the opportunity for our mem- age. Instead, rabbits must Convention and the National more threatened. Now, their breeds of rabbits. Rabbit most diverse registries that bers to showcase their rare be inspected individually to ownership continues to grow support the endangered farm breeds and market these ani- ensure each animal meets or Breed Clubs,” explains Mar- populations have outgrown tin. “Combined with regis- the Watch category param- in popularity and they are an animals we work with,” says mals to individuals sharing exceeds the breed standard tration data, the results are eters; the Conservancy will important presence on many Alison Martin, Ph.D., Exec- a similar passion for breed prior to registration. There- more representative of the monitor their numbers with small farms and homesteads utive Director of the Conser- conservation,” shared Eric fore, although annual regis- breed populations nation- hopes of graduating them off throughout America today. vancy. “In addition to meat Stewart, Executive Director trations are an accurate as- wide.” the CPL in the future. The Livestock Conservan- of ARBA. “Just as popu- sessment of population size and pelt production, rabbit Based on these new pa- For additional informa- cy is the leading umbrella breeders also enjoy sporting lar meat, fur, fiber, or fancy for endangered species such rameters, the following tion about participating in breeds will appear on the ARBA’s Rare Breeds Spe- China coronavirus outbreak Conservancy's 2020 Conser- cialty shows, please visit vation Priority List (CPL), and thereby will be sanc- https://arba.net/arba-show- central/. If you would like to heightens trade concerns tioned for the new ARBA learn more about The Live- Rare Breed Specialty shows: stock Conservancy or the Critically Endangered Conservation Priority List, Breeds include Blanc de Ho- visit www.LivestockConser- By Brian Brus USS. agriculture. We finally vention. In the meantime, all categories: the decline in tot, Silver Marten, and Silver vancy.org. STILLWATER, Oklahoma felt the trade deal that had university-sponsored travel trade deals across the border rabbits. These breeds have “Breed and bloodline con- — As agricultural markets just been worked out would plans to China have been and the slowdown of pro- fewer than 50 annual regis- servation is important to respond anxiously to Chi- leave us in a good position suspended and future trips ductivity within the border trations in the United States both ARBA and the Conser- na’s attempts to control its forat least a couple ofyears,” are pending direction from coronavirus outbreak with he said. “Now, though, Chi- state and federal agencies. as consumers and workers each year, Fewer than 150 vancy. This partnership sup- are stuck at home. animals have been shown ports our mutually beneficial a countrywide quarantine, na’s circumstances have OSU agricultural market- economists are urging pa- changed and we don’t know ing professor Kim Ander- “We're seeing a lot of im- in the past five years in the goals,” concludes Stewart. tience. exactly what to expect.” son said the situation carries pact now in the meat indus- USS., and the estimated glob- “Working together, The The disruptions could turn At the beginning of Feb- emotional undertones for lo- tries, probably more so than al population is below 500. Livestock Conservancy is on the crop side of agricul- Threatened Breeds are the better able to monitor rabbit out to be no worse than the ruary while speaking at a cal producers as well as eco- Checkered Giant, Argente breed numbers for accurate economic equivalent of a cattle convention, U.S. De- nomic weight — uncertainty tural trade because meat is Brun, Standard Chinchilla, statistics and Rare Breed few sniffles to international partment of Agriculture Sec- heightens anxiety. He cited a a more perishable product,” and Créme d’Argente. With Specialty shows promote the trade, Oklahoma State Uni- retary Sonny Perdue verbal- recent report from Allendale OSU Extension livestock versity experts said, Only ized that uncertainty when Inc. that suggested possible fewer than 100 annual reg- conservation of endangered marketing specialist Der- istrations and 300 animals breeds to avoid extinction.” two months since corona- he said the deadly infection adjustments in international rell Peel said. “It certainly shown in the U.S. annually, Why are domestic breeds virus 2019-nCoV, or COV- might well draw down de- trade lines. has had a negative impact these breeds are at risk to be- of livestock and poultry in ID-19, was first identified in veloping trade deals with “Grain markets remain China. Beijing agreed to buy unsettled by new cases of come critically endangered. danger of extinction? in the futures markets for Wuhan, China, it is still too cattle and hogs. Those mar- No more than 1,000 ani- Modern agriculture and early for projections. an additional $12.5 billion in the coronavirus amid warn- kets seem to have stabilized mals are believed to be alive food production favors the “We are in uncharted ter- U.S. farm products this year, ings by world health lead- throughout the world. use of a few highly special- ritory,” said Larry Sanders, but the healthcare disaster ers that that the virus is still at a lower level, but we're not going to see a quick re- The Watch Category in- ized breeds selected for max- OSU Extension agricultural could not have been predict- susceptible to spread out- cludes rabbit breeds with imum output in intensively economist. “It’s been said ed, Perdue said. He coun- side of China,” Allendale’s covery until we have a better researchers said. “Strategie sense of the situation. fewer than 200 annual reg- controlled environments. that when the United States seled the need to be “under- istrations and 500 animals Many traditional breeds do has an economic downturn, standing” without providing Grains estimates that the EU “Is the coronavirus going shown in the U.S. each year, not excel under these condi- other countries catch a cold, specific details. soft wheat harvest will fall to turn into a major world- and a global population tions, causing their popular- and vice versa. Now, our Many U.S. businesses, or- from 139.8 million tonnes to wide event? It’s just too ear- that doesn’t exceed 2,000. ity to decrease and leaving biggest trading partner has ganizations and schools have 138.6 million; they note that a real virus and the rest of cancelled travel to China, the reduction will be more ly to tell,” Peel said. Breeds that present genetic them faced with extinction. More than 70,000 people or numerical concerns or Although these breeds do the world is dealing with theincluding OSU. In a recent than offset by a bumper crop have been infected in China have a limited geographic not fit today's mainstream symptoms. prepared statement, OSU in Russia barring a weather and the number of result- distribution are also includ- model of agriculture, they “We were just getting back University Health Services event.” on our feet from the way the said school officials con- Sanders, ing deaths was just short of ed in this category. In 2020, are exquisitely suited for Anderson and current administration has tinue to monitor information other OSU agricultural ex- 1,800 on Monday, accord- the American rabbit, Ameri- backyards and small to me- ing to information released can Chinchilla, Giant Chin- dium-sized farms, and their dealt with trade difficulties from the state Department perts said the effects of Chi- chilla, Lilac, Rhinelander, genetics are valuable to all in China — primarily the tar- of Health and the Centers na’s self-imposed quarantine by China’s National Health and Palomino breeds will of agriculture. iff situation, which harmed for Disease Control and Pre- fall into two broad economic Commission. USDA and EPA announce continued commitment to support rural water systems WASHINGTON, D.C. — to working collaboratively water systems can achieve ority. wastewater services that mendation of the task force Today, the U.S. Department with our federal partners to long-term sustainability. This action supports EPA’s meet federal and state regu- To view the report in its en of Agriculture (USDA) an- help rural systems thrive and This MOA focuses on 50th anniversary celebration lations as well as ensuring tirety, please view the Repor nounced a Memorandum of serve their communities, four key areas. First, EPA and its February theme of that operations are sustain- to the President of the Unitec Agreement (MOA) with the because when rural Amer- and USDA will continue protecting America’s waters able in the future. Strategic US. Environmental Protec- ica thrives, all of America supporting sustainability = including surface water approaches are needed to States from the Task Force tion Agency (EPA) that will thrives.” and resilience by providing protection, safe drinking wa- help rural areas improve the on Agriculture and Rura help rural water systems David Ross, EPA Assis- resources such as training ter and water infrastructure quality of water. Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB) face the challenges of aging tant Administrator for the and education to incorporate investments. In April 2017, President In addition, to view the cat infrastructure, workforce Office of Water, added, “Ru- these strategies into utility To read the MOA (PDF, Donald J. Trump established egories of the recommenda- shortages, increasing costs, ral water systems play a key management. Second, the the Interagency Task Force tions, please view the Rura 524 KB), visit www.rd.usda. limited management capac- role in the lives of all Ameri- agencies will continue to gov/safewater. For more on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF ity and declining rate bases. cans. Investing resources in support water system part- information about USDA Prosperity to identify legis- 190 KB). Through this MOA, USDA rural system infrastructure nerships by educating com- and EPA’s commitment to a lative, regulatory and policy USDA Rural Developmen and EPA will conduct joint and management supports munities and utilities on safe rural water supply, visit changes that could promote activities to help rural water EPA’s goal of ensuring that the array of tools that are www.epa.gov/safewater. agriculture and prosperity in provides loans and grants tc systems continue to provide rural communities have the available to increase sus- Background: rural communities, In Janu- help expand economic op access to safe drinking wa- infrastructure necessary to tainability. Third, the MOA More than 97 percent of ary 2018, Secretary Perdue portunities and create jobs ir ter. become sustainable, protect will also support the water the nation’s 153,000 public presented the Task Force’s tural areas. This assistance “We are pleased to con- public health and support sector workforce, in part drinking water systems serve findings to President Trump. supports infrastructure im- tinue this important work the rural economy.” through promotional initia- fewer than 10,000 people, These findings included 31 provements; business devel. with EPA to support rural To ensure that rural sys- tives to raise awareness of and 78 percent of the 15,000 recommendations to align opment; housing; communi- water and waste infrastruc- tems have a strong founda- rural water sector careers. wastewater treatment plants the federal government with ty facilities such as schools ture,” USDA Rural Utilities tion to address 21st century Finally, EPA and USDA will treat less than one million state, local and tribal gov- public safety and health care Service Administrator Chad challenges, this MOA for- continue supporting com- gallons per day. These small ernments to take advantage Rupe said. “Under the lead- malizes EPA and USDA's pliance with drinking water systems are often in rural of opportunities that exist and high-speed internet ac- ership of President Trump ongoing collaboration to and clean water regulations, settings and face unique in rural America. Increas- cess in rural areas. For more and Agriculture Secretary help implement innovative including by making these challenges in providing af- ing investments in rural in- information, — visit www Perdue. USDA is committed strategies and tools so rural rural systems a funding pri- fordable drinking water and frastructure is a kev recom- rd.usda.goy.