April 22, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 20

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Agriculture Wednes: , April 22, 2020 (a The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Spring breeding seasons need to stay on time By Glenn Selk, Oklahoma Ranking of factors af- ble natural conditions in the at OSU illustrated the pos- 103.6 pregnancy. None of them State University emeritus fecting conception: uterine subtropics. They found the sible impact of heat stress Pregnancy % seemed to cause complete extension animal scientist temperature day of insemi- high temperatures resulted during the second week af- infertility. However, com- Spring breeding seasons nation, uterine temperature in major detrimental effects ter breeding of beef cows on bined, these effects of ele- need to stay on time. the day after insemination, on initial sperm motility, their reproductive capabil- vated body temperatures can Traditionally spring breed- mean daily temperature the sperm concentration, and ity. In this experiment, the Conceptus Weight (g) result in very disappointing ing seasons in the Southern day after insemination and total numbers of sperm per cows were bred naturally 0.158 breeding percentages. High Plains begin about the first mean daily temperature the ejaculate. (after synchronization), then 0.111 pressure heat domes often of May. ManyAG ranches day of insemination. An in- Fifteen years later (Meyer- exposed to mild or severe 0.073 occur in mid to late sum- breed the yearling replace- crease of 0.9 degrees F. in hoeffer, et al 1978), Oklaho- heat stress. The cows were All of the cows were mer and cause triple-digit ment heifers starting in uterine temperature the day ma scientists placed bulls in stressed on days 8 through slaughtered on day 17 and heat for several days in a mid-April, allowing the first of insemination and the day controlled environments of day 16 after breeding. See the uterine contents were row. The most severe heat calf heifers to have an extra after insemination resulted 95°F for eight hours and 87° the table below. studied for the presence of stress occurs during the high two weeks to return to heat in decreases in conception for the remaining 16 hours, Table 1. Effects of Im- an embryo. Note that only pressure heat domes in July, cycles along with the mature rates of 12.8 percent and 6.9 while similar bulls were posed Heat Stress on Repro- half of the cows undergo- August, and early Septem- cows the following year. percent, respectively. placed in environments of a duction in Beef Cows ing severe heat stress had ber, when daytime high tem- Realizing that this timing Not all of the decrease in consistent 73°F. These treat- (Biggers, 1986; OSU) an embryo present, and the peratures are at or above 100 of the breeding seasons will reproductive performance ments were applied to the Treatment group conceptus (embryo + fluids force a few calves to arrive due to heat stress can be bulls for eight weeks, and Control and membranes) weighed degrees and nighttime lows are near 80 degrees. At this in late January and many blamed on the female. Sev- then all bulls were exposed Moderate Stress half as much as did those calves in February, it is nec- eral research trials have been to the 73° environment for Severe Stress from control cows. One can- time, cattle spend very few essary that the breeding sea- conducted throughout the another eight weeks. Dur- Daytime temp (F) not help but speculate that hours in the thermal neu- son is completed before ex- years looking at the effect ing the treatment, the heat some of the underdeveloped tral environment that allows treme summer heat arrives. of high temperatures on bull stressed bulls had rectal embryos that were present in them to dissipate accumulat- Breeding seasons occur- fertility. As far back as 1963, temperatures 0.9°F higher the stressed cows may not ed body heat and core body ring during extremely hot researchers exposed bulls to than non-stressed bulls. The succeed in surviving until temperatures continue to be weather can impact preg- temperatures of 104°F and percentage of motile sperm the conclusion of gestation. elevated. nancy rates in several ways. 54 percent humidity for an cells decreased significantly This severe heat stress short- In this region of the coun- Heat stress can have an eight-hour period and then in the stressed bulls by two ly after breeding certainly try, spring breeding seasons impact by lowering the con- allowed the temperature to weeks of heat stress. had an adverse effect on em- should be completed by the ception rate at the time of drop to 82°F with 72 percent Hot weather and elevated bryo survivability and there- end of June if possible. breeding. Florida research- humidity for the remainder body temperatures can have fore pregnancy rates. For more information, ers (Gwasdaukas, et al. of the 24 hour period. This an impact on embryo sur- In each of these scenarios, contact Greg Hartman 1973) determined rectal and temperature regimen was vival for at least two weeks heat stress, causing elevated Beckham/Washita County uterine temperatures of dairy continued for seven days after conception. Research body temperatures resulted Extension at 580-928-2139 cows at insemination. and was designed to resem- conducted several years ago in losses in percentage of or 580-832-3356. USDA announces coronavirus assistance program Washington, D.C. - U.S. it remains safe, secure, and tional adjustment and mar- of these targeted programs USDA has taken action to current SNAP participants Secretary of Agriculture strong, and we all know that keting costs resulting from USDA will utilize other during the COVID-19 na- and as a new EBT benefit to Sonny Perdue on Friday an- starts with America’s farm- Jost demand and short-term available funding sources to tional emergency to make other eligible households to nounced the Coronavirus ers and ranchers. This pro- oversupply for the 2020 purchase and distribute food sure children and fami- offset the cost of meals that Food Assistance Program gram will not only provide marketing year caused by to those in need. lies are fed during a time would have otherwise been (CFAP), a new U.S. Depart- immediate relief for our COVID-19. USDA has up to an addi- of school closures and job consumed at school. ment of Agriculture program farmers and ranchers, but it 2. USDA Purchase and tional $873.3 million avail- losses, as well as increase USDA expanded an in- will take several actions will also allow for the pur- Distribution: USDA will able in Section 32 funding flexibilities and extensions novative SNAP online gro- to assist farmers, ranchers, chase and distribution of our partner with regional and lo- to purchase a variety of ag- in USDA’s farm programs cery purchase pilot program and consumers in response agricultural abundance to cal distributors, whose work- ricultural products for dis- to ensure the U.S. food sup- in Arizona and California, to the COVID-19 national help our fellow Americans force has been significantly tribution to food banks. The ply chain remains safe and Florida and Idaho, and DC emergency, USDA stated in in need.” impacted by the closure of use of these funds will be secure. and North Carolina, in addi- a release. President Donald CFAP will use the funding many restaurants, hotels, determined by industry re- Feeding Kids and Families tion to Alabama, Iowa, Ne- Trump directed USDA to and authorities provided in and other food service quests, USDA agricultural USDA expanded _flex- braska, New York, Oregon craft this $19 billion immedi- the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, ties, to purchase $3 billion market analysis, and food ibilities and waivers in all 50 and Washington. ate relief program to provide and Economic Security Act in fresh produce, dairy, and bank needs. states and territories to en- Actions to Ensure a Strong critical support to American (CARES), the Families First The FFCRA and CARES sure kids and families who meat. We will begin with the Food Supply Chain farmers and ranchers, main- Coronavirus Response Act procurement of an estimated Act provided an at least need food can get it during USDA is working to en- tain the integrity of the food (FFCRA) and other USDA $100 million per month in $850 million for food bank this national emergency. sure the food supply remains supply chain and ensure ev- existing authorities. The fresh fruits and vegetables, administrative costs and USDA is partnering with safe and secure. USDA an- ery American continues to program includes two major $100 million per month in USDA food purchases, of the Baylor Collaborative nounced flexibilities to en- receive and have access to elements to achieve these a variety of dairy products, which a minimum of $600 on Hunger and Poverty, sure food distribution for the food they need. goals. and $100 million per month million will be designated McLane Global, PepsiCo, certain food products like “During this time of na- 1. Direct Support to Farm- in meat products. The dis- for food purchases. The use and others to deliver more dairy and eggs reach retail tional crisis, President ers and Ranchers: The pro- tributors and wholesalers of these funds will be deter- than 1,000,000 meals a week settings. USDA announced farm loan flexibilities, de- Trump and USDA are stand- gram will provide $16 bil- will then provide a pre-ap- mined by food bank need to students in a limited num- ing with our farmers, ranch- lion in direct support based proved box of fresh produce, and product availability. ber of rural schools closed ferrals, and maturity exten- sions. Whole of Government ers and all citizens to make on actual losses for agricul- dairy, and meat products to Further details regarding due to COVID-19. sure they are taken care of,” tural producers where prices food banks, community and eligibility, rates, and other USDA authorized Pan- Response in Rural America USDA released The CO- Perdue said in the release. and market supply chains faith based organizations, implementation will be re- demic EBT in Michigan and VID-19 Federal Rural Re- “The American food sup- have been impacted and will and other non-profits serving leased at a later date. Rhode Island, a supplemen- source Guide, a first-of- ply chain had to adapt, and assist producers with addi- Americans in need. On top Additional Background: tal food purchasing benefit its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal DHS, USDA move to protect American farmers, funding and partnership op- portunities to help address this pandemic. ensure continued flow of America’s food supply USDA opened a second application window (April Washington, D.C. - employing certain foreign employment of foreign tem- the release. is approved, the H-2A work- 14, 2020 to July 13, 2020) The Department of Home- workers who are currently porary and seasonal agri- “USDA welcomes these er will be able to stay in the for $72 million of funding land Security, with the sup- in H-2A status in the Unit- cultural workers during the additional flexibilities pro- United States for a period of under the Distance Learn- port of the U.S. Department ed States immediately after COVID-19 national emer- vided by the Department of time not to exceed the valid- ing and Telemedicine (DLT) of Agriculture (USDA), has United States Citizenship gency. Agricultural em- Homeland Security today,” ity period of the Temporary grant program. USDA Rural announced a temporary fi- and Immigration Services ployers should utilize this said Secretary of Agricul- Labor Certification. Development lenders may nal rule to change certain (USCIS) receives the H-2A streamlined process if they ture Sonny Perdue. “Pro- DHS will issue a new offer 180-day loan payment H-2A requirements to help petition, but no earlier than are concerned with their viding flexibility for H-2A temporary final rule in the deferrals without prior agen- employers to utilize H-2A U.S. agricultural employers the start date of employment ability to bring in the tempo- Federal Register to amend listed on the petition. To rary workers who were pre- workers that are currently in cy approval for Business and avoid disruptions in lawful the United States is critically the termination date of these Industry Loan Guarantees, take advantage of this time- viously authorized to work agricultural-related employ- new procedures in the event Rural Energy for America ment, protect the nation’s limited change in regula- for the employer in H-2A important as we continue to see travel and border re- DHS determines that cir- classification. At no point is Program Loan Guarantees, food supply chain, and less- tory requirements, the H-2A it acceptable for employers strictions as a result of CO- cumstances demonstrate a Community Facilities Loan worker seeking to change en impacts from the coro- VID-19. USDA continues to continued need for the tem- Guarantees, and Water and employers must already be to hire illegal aliens. navirus (COVID-19) public in the United States and in “This Administration has work with the Department of porary changes to the H-2A Waste Disposal Loan Guar- health emergency. These valid H-2A status. determined that continued Homeland Security, the De- regulations. antees. USDA will use the temporary flexibilities will agricultural employment, partment of Labor and the The H-2A nonimmigrant $100 million provided for Additionally, USCIS is currently threatened by the Department of State to mini- not weaken or eliminate pro- temporarily amending its classification applies to alien the ReConnect Program in tections for U.S. workers, regulations to protect the COVID-19 mize disruption and make workers seeking to perform pandemic, is the CARES Act to invest in USDA stated in a release. vital to maintaining and se- sure farmers have access to agricultural labor or services qualified 100 percent grant country’s food supply chain Under this temporary final by allowing H-2A workers curing the country’s critical these critical workers neces- of a temporary or seasonal food supply chain. The tem- projects. tule, an H-2A petitioner with to stay beyond the three-year sary to maintain the integrity nature in the United States, porary changes announced For all the information a valid temporary labor cer- maximum allowable period by USCIS provide the need- in our food supply.” usually lasting no longer on USDA's work during the tification who is concerned ed stability during this un- of stay in the United States. The temporary final rule is than one year, for which COVID-19 pandemic and that workers will be unable These temporary changes precedented crisis,” Acting effective immediately upon able, willing and qualified resources available, please to enter the country due to will encourage and facili- Secretary of Homeland Se- publication in the Federal U.S. workers are not avail- visit https://www.usda.gov/ travel restrictions can start tate the continued lawful curitv Chad F. Wolf said in Register. If the new petition able. coronavirus.