November 17, 2021 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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News/Agriculture November 17, 2021 Ticks and fleas are a year-round problem for pets By Trisha Gedon education for the university's of hard ticks in Oklahoma are ma’s biggest health issues are College of Veterinary Medi- known vectors of human dis- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fe- STILLWATER, - Pet owners cine. “Pet owners should con- ease, including the American ver and ehrlichiosis, illnesses may think fleas and ticks are sult with their veterinarian dog tick, which carries Rocky that develop in both animals a seasonal issue, but experts about what type of preventa- Mountain spotted fever; the and humans.” with Oklahoma State Univer- tive measures are appropriate lone star tick that carries eh- Although Lyme disease is sity Extension say these pests for their pet, but in general, all rlichiosis; and the black-legged often seen in the news, Biggs can be a year-round problem. cats and dogs should receive tick (often called the deer tick), said Oklahoma typically has “Ticks and fleas are an issue flea and tick prevention all which carries Lyme disease. few reported cases of Lyme for all animals, but pets in par- year.” ile small, these pests disease. ticular,” said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, Ticks are responsible for can cause significant health Adult black-legged ticks be- OSU Extension _veterinar- most vector-borne diseases in roblems in both animals and come active early in the fall and ian and director of continuing the United States. Three types umans,” Biggs said. “Oklaho- remain so until March or April. Oklahoma child, adult care institutions announce participation in federally funded feeding program OKLAHOMA CITY - Child lion breakfasts, 8.2 million age, or reprisal or retaliation To file a program com- SS and adult care institutions lunches, 11.8 million snacks, for prior civil rights activity in plaint of discrimination, ‘The Lone Star tick is found you haven't done so already, across the state are announcing and 6.5 million suppers were any program or activity con- complete the USDA Program from early spring through late give the lawn one last mow- their participation in the Child served through this program, ducted or funded by USDA. Discrimination Complaint fall, and spring to early sum- ing. In addition, keeping other and Adult Care Food Program which is funded by the U.S. Persons with disabilities Form (AD-3027) found on- mer is the timeframe for the vegetation trimmed will help American dog tick. (CACEP), which provides meals Department of Agriculture who require alternative means line at: How to File a Com- Some symptoms a pet ma) cut down on pest populations. to hundreds of thousands of (USDA) and coordinated in of communication for program plaint, and at any USDA display if infected include fe- Fleas and ticks don’t like full Oklahomans each year. To see Oklahoma by the Oklahoma information (e.g. Braille, large office, or write a letter ad- ver, loss of appetite, lethargy, sun and mowed areas.” the list of providers follow this State Department of Educa- print, audiotape, American dressed to USDA and pro- neurological signs, weight loss He also suggested remov- link https://sde.ok.gov/sites/ tion (OSDE). Sign Language, etc.), should vide in the letter all of the and vomiting. ing dead wood, brush piles and ok.gov.sde/files/documents/ In accordance with federal contact the Agency (State or lo- information requested in “If pet owners see any of other debris from around the these signs of illness in their home to take away pest habi- files/List%200f%20providers. civil rights law and USDA civil cal) where they applied for ben- the form. To request a copy pets, call your veterinarian pdf rights regulations and poli- efits. Individuals who are deaf, of the complaint form, call right away,” Biggs said. tat. In addition, pay particular During the last program cies, the USDA, its agencies, hard of hearing or have speech (866) 632-9992. Submit your Treatment options in most attention to areas where pets year — October 1, 2020 to offices, and employees, and disabilities may contact USDA completed form or letter to cases require veterinary direc- spend time outdoors, espe- September 30, 2021 - over institutions participating in or through the Federal Relay Ser- USDA by: tion and prescriptions. She cially if near wooded areas. 900,000 children and adults administering USDA programs vice at (800) 877-8339. Addi- said pet owners should follow Insecticide treatment may be Mail: US. Department the recommendations of their were served in Oklahoma are prohibited from discrimi- tionally, program information of Agriculture Office of the veterinarian based on the ani- necessary. through CACEP. In that time- nating based on race, color, may be made available in lan- Assistant Secretary for Civil mal’s clinical signs. “Although the weather frame, approximately 6.8 mil- national origin, sex, disability, guages other than English. Rights 1400 Independence David Hillock, OSU Exten- has cooled down, that doesn’t Avenue, SW Washington, sion consumer horticulturist, mean the ticks and fleas have said there are things home- gone away,” Hillock said. “In D.C. 20250-9410; ‘owners can do in the landscape addition to treating your pet, Fax: (202) 690-7442; or to help minimize tick and flea No surprises with 2021 addressing the environment is Email: program.intake@ problems. a good way to cut down on the usda.gov. “Keeping your yard well maintained is key to keeping tick population.” This institution is an equal opportunity provider. tick and flea populations un- OSU Extension offers addi- Oklahoma cotton harvest der control,” Hillock said. “If tional tick information online. OKLAHOMA UPLAND COTTON ACRES Oklahoma farmers have 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 planted fewer acres of cotton each year since a peak in 2018. / & Bei Ga | acricurture Dota Source: USDA Nationa! Agrcutural Statisis Service Food banks need more than nonperishable, healthy food donations to help their com- munities through the holidays and into 2022. They also need volunteers. By Donald Stotts low its normal level. But then about 90 cents per pound in the skies opened up in July and mid-September. The Oklaho- Fighting food insecurity STILLWATER - Summer- continued to rain off and on in ma 10-year average price is 67 time weather conditions that August, so it worked out well cents per pound. started dry but got a much- enough to produce a decent Cotton is Oklahoma's crop.” fourth-largest export behind during the holidays needed boost from abundant A relatively dry, mild and July rainfall helped southwest- sunny September | following oil, gas and wheat, although ern Oklahoma's cotton crop re- the rainfall allowed the cotton total acres committed to grow- cover nicely in time for harvest to mature, exactly as Okla- ing cotton can vary widely in October and November, pro- homa producers needed. Some from year to year - in 2018, for ducers said. cotton fields began to have example, about 780,000 acres By Brian Brus it's director of marketing and others may not have access Jackson County farmers cracked bulbs by mid-Septem- were reported, compared to communications. Even before to refrigerators or traditional Keeff Felty and Clint Aberna- ber, earlier than most analysts 305,000 acres in 2016. Cotton STILLWATER - Leaning the pandemic, Oklahoma was stoves. thy rated their cotton harvests expected. is planted in May and harvest- away from the Thanksgiving the fifth hungriest state in the Do not assume that all as being about average com- “Analysts and producers ed in October and November. dinner table with a sigh and nation. Nestlen said inroads food bank guests have kitchen pared to production levels in recognized that high yields It is one of the more expensive stuffed tummy is a comfort be- were being made to improve implements such as can open- the past. weren't likely to happen given crops to produce, in part be- “Typically, we worry about weather conditions at the start cause improved disease-resis- yond the reach of many Okla- that status, but COVID-19 ers, tongs and spatulas. Even weather conditions, but this of the growing season,” said tant varieties and equipment homans this year. wiped out all progress. forks, knives and napkins may year has been more about pan- Seth Byrd, OSU Extension cot- needed to care for and harvest 4-Hers across the state are It’s common for 4-H clubs be needed. demic-related supply chain is- ton specialist. “We've seen the the crop can be costly. A new trying to make it a possibility across the state to donate Tf someone is food inse- sues and rising prices of inputs crop fruit higher up on the cotton harvester costs about with food drives for commu- their services to help fight the cure, they also may have prob- such fertilizer, diesel fuel and plant than it normally does. $1 million, as an example. nity food banks and pantries. problem. For example, Fron- Jems getting food home once the like, essentially everything ‘The cotton looks good visually, Mike Schulz, station super- “They understand that tier 4-Hers in Noble County it’s available. Consider donat- but seed,” said Felty, a fourth- but it took longer to fruit and intendent for OSU’s Southwest fighting food insecurity is purchase turkeys for their ing deliveries or rides. generation cotton farmer who that affects yields.” Agronomy Research Station about being part of something local food pantry each year Economic disruptions will earned his bachelor’s and mas- By recenth; rovided in Tipton, recently told Okla- continue into 2022. Make a ter’'s degrees in agricultural addieenal information and homa Educational Television bigger than themselves,” said in addition to holding a com- Karla Knoepfli, Oklahoma New Year's resolution to sup- economics from Oklahoma expert insights about Oklaho- Authority (OETA) news re- petitive food drive, club leader port food services beyond the State University in 1989 and ma’s 2021 cotton crop on the porters that $450 million to State University Extension Barbara Pemberton said. In holidays. 1991, respectively. agricultural television program $500 million worth of cotton specialist in 4-H youth de- Marshall and Johnston coun- “Local food pantries can velopment. “By identifying a Felty and his stepmother SUNUP. is projected to be harvested in community need and answer- ties, club members had already always use volunteers and do- Natalie Wheeler have been “During harvest, weather Oklahoma in 2021. collected 750 nonperishable nations,” Hermann said. “You agribusiness partners for 26 conditions become the prima- ‘Abernathy, who has been ing it, they're learning it’s pos- food items by Halloween, said need to look at all the factors, years. They have been stockpil- ry concern,” he said. “However, a fulltime farmer since gradu- sible to make a difference.” ing equipment parts and other we've had some high-wind and ating from OSU in 1981 with Those efforts are partly Sara Randolph, 4-H educator working together to overcome supplies as they can. They've storm events and Oklahoma a bachelor’s degree in agricul- driven by the COVID-19 pan- for that area. barriers to healthy, nutritious had to look as far away as cotton seems to have come tural economics, said some demic, which has hurt many Knoepfii said such activi- food. It’s complicated, and it Houston for some of them, he through fairly well. It’s evident people with the loss of their ties are spearheaded by the really depends on the commu- Oklahomans don’t realize the said. the crop has been rained on, importance of cotton to the health and income. Resulting youth with support from adult nity.” Abernathy, another fourth- but we haven't seen indica- state, and especially to those food market supply chain dis- volunteers. They set out with To find a food assistance generation cotton producer tions of significant yield loss. counties in which cotton is a ruptions and rising prices are the simple goal of helping oth- service in your area, Rachel who farms with his two sons Harvesting delays have been significant crop. projected well into 2022, said er people and end up learning Morse, OSU Extension men- and son-in-law, said 2021was minimal.” Rodney Holcomb, OSU Ex- about resiliency and develop- tal health educator, suggested a tale of two management op- As of Nov. 8, about 50% of “Between production, the tension specialist in food eco- ing civic engagement and lead- a three-digit phone number: tions for their operation. Oklahoma's cotton crop has ginning process, storage and nomics. He said ripple effects ership skills. 2-1-1. Operated by nonprofit “We grow both dryland and been harvested with nearly transportation, cotton can be amplify existing food insecu- Janice Hermann, OSU Ex- organizations Heartline and irrigated cotton, the latter of 100% of irrigated cotton har- a major employer,” he said. which relies on mostly furrow vested. ‘The ratio is typical for “Thankfully, cotton prices have rity issues. tension nutrition specialist, Tulsa Community Service irrigation, though we've been Oklahoma, according to mar- Since April 2020, the Re- shared some advice for people Council, the 2-1-1 system been good this year.” gional Food Bank of Okla- wanting to follow the 4-Hlead: serves the entire state by link- moving gradually to more drip ket statistics. Dryland cotton Facts sheets detailing irrigation over the years,” he tends to be later-maturing research-based information homa has seen an increase of Before donating, ask about ing people in need with a wide said. “There was a point this plant varieties. Prices for 41- about cotton management and at least 30% in people who the organization's guidelines range of agencies dealing with past summer when we simply 4-34 cotton — desired designa- found themselves food inse- and community profile. Some issues such as suicide p didn’t have enough water to tions for color, leaf grade and related costs are available on- cure for the first time, said food bank and pantry guests tion, homelessness, ui irrigate properly. The lake that staple, respectively - is $1.13 line and through OSU Exten- Cathy Nestlen, the nonprof- have dietary health concerns; payments and food insecurity. is our water source was way be- per pound, an increase from sion county offices.