The popular Garden Tour returns for 2024 starting on Friday, May 31st with an inviting array of thoughtfully designed flowerbeds, shady woodland backyard retreats, and calming water features. Sponsored by the Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardeners, this year’s tour includes five distinctive private gardens as well as one newly established community garden, all providing inspiration and information for creating your own gardening dreams. Each garden will be open for your touring enjoyment for three days only: Friday and Saturday (May 31st and June 1st) from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday, June 2nd, from noon to 4:00pm. Tickets are $10 per person, and children 12 and under are admitted free with adult. Learn more about each garden, and purchase your tickets online.
Federal order requires testing for, reporting of HPAI in livestock
On April 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a federal order to help prevent spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. It takes effect April 29 and requires mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle.
The order, issued in accordance with the regulatory authority provided by the Animal Health Protection Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. § 8301 et seq. Section 8305, authorizes the secretary of agriculture to prohibit or restrict the movement in interstate commerce of any animal, article or means of conveyance if the secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction of any pest or disease of livestock into the United States or the dissemination of any pest or disease of livestock within the U.S.
According to the release, Section 8308 authorizes the secretary of agriculture to carry out operations and measures to detect, control or eradicate any pest or disease of livestock. Section 8315 authorizes the secretary of agriculture to issue orders as he determines necessary to carry out the Animal Health Protection Act. Should this order be deemed a substantive rule, APHIS has determined that good cause exists to impose these requirements without notice and comment, as further delay would threaten to hasten the spread of the disease, multiplying the potential harm to livestock, poultry, the dairy industry and, potentially, human health.
The order requires the following measures, effective April 29, to monitor and understand the virus’ extent and reduce the risk to poultry and other livestock.
Mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle:
—Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory.
—Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
—Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.
—As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.
Mandatory reporting:
—Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS.
—Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.
About HPAI
HPAI is most often found in domestic poultry and wild birds, and the contagious viral disease is deadly to those segments and can wipe out entire flocks quickly. APHIS said HPAI is a threat to the poultry industry, animal health, human health, trade and the economy worldwide. In the United States, HPAI has now been detected in dairy cattle.
On Feb. 8, 2022, the USDA confirmed HPAI H5N1virus in a commercial poultry flock in the United States. Since February 2022, agencies have responded to more than 1,100 HPAI detections on poultry farms to mitigate the virus’ impact on U.S. poultry production and trade.
Since late March 2024, the USDA, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state veterinary and public health officials and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratories have been investigating the emergence of the HPAI, H5N1 virus in dairy cows.
As of April 24, confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b have been found in 8 states on 33 dairy cattle premises. Those states include Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas. USDA has also confirmed—based on specific phylogenetic evidence and epidemiological information—that eight poultry premises in five states (Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Texas) have also been infected with the same HPAI H5N1virus genotype detected in dairy cattle. Additionally, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories found HPAI in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy cow that originated from an affected herd and which did not enter the food supply.
HPAI has already been recognized as a threat by USDA, and the interstate movement of animals infected with HPAI is already prohibited. See 9 C.F.R. 71.3(b). However, the detection of this new distinct HPAI H5N1 virus genotype in dairy cattle poses a new animal disease risk for dairy cattle—as well as an additional disease risk to domestic poultry farms—since this genotype can infect both cattle and poultry.
For more information regarding this federal order, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock.
As reported in the High Plains Journal
Herding Cats (Best Of)
The United Kingdom of Great Britain has been responsible for exporting many significant ideas and objects around the world during their long and colorful past. Many of our important breeds of cattle and sheep originated there as did tabloid and smutty journalism you find on the shelves in our supermarkets. Immigrants from Great Britain settled the new world and many of us could trace our heritage to the land across the Big Pond. I, for instance, had a great grandfather who was half Scotch, at certain times of the day that is. Yet it seems incongruous to me that peaceful Great Britain gave the world the violence of boxing and rock music but also the innocence and gullibility of animal rights.
The United Kingdom has shared its colorful language with the world and today English is spoken virtually everywhere, except most metropolitan American cities. And from the language of Shakespeare and Benny Hill sprang some of the world’s great literature… of which I recently discovered an example.
Lords and ladies, I assure the following story is true, occurring in the year 1978. That was the year, you may or may not recall (probably not), of the fireman’s strike in Great Britain. A labor strike, I am told, is not an uncommon occurrence in merry Old England.
So when Muffy’s cat got caught in the neighbor’s tree and she rang on the telly to the fire department for them to come and get the cat down, the British Army responded to the call instead. Valiantly the British Army had taken over the emergency fire fighting duties and other responsibilities of the striking fire fighters. So when the Army was called to the elderly lady’s home in the South of London to retrieve her tabby, they did it with typical British military flair and efficiency.
Three trucks arrived overflowing with soldiers in full military regalia and a crowd gathered to watch the maneuvers. “Thank ‘evins, you’ve come,” cried Muffy. Her own feeble attempts to herd the cat from the tree had failed miserably. Evidently it never dawned on her that if the cat got up the tree by itself it could also get down of its own accord.
But with impressive haste the soldiers hoisted the ladder and in a matter of moments they discharged their duty making possible one of the great animal rescues of all time.
The rescue was so successful, and the elderly owner of the cat was so pleased with the results, that she invited the cat’s rescuers in for tea and biscuits. It seems that Muffy was a member of London’s Dumb Friends League, which is similar to our Humane Society. So naturally, Muffy invited her fellow club members over to the house to share in the cat’s salvation. The members of the Dumb Friends League no doubt cared dearly for all animals and their gratitude to the soldiers seemed genuine enough.
After the mirth and merriment of the moment had subsided the soldiers bid adieu to the elderly lady and the adoring crowd. Backing out the driveway they proceeded to run over the cat and kill it.
Lettuce Eat Local: Just Putting On The Grits
I know that if you’re a liar, liar, you get your pants on fire…but what does it make you when you get your oven on fire?
I typed that, and then I realized the answer is, clearly, a bad baker.
Fortunately, I didn’t actually start a fire in my oven; I just had a mishap that sure made it smell like I did. I mentioned the lemon streusel coffeecake in passing last week, but I didn’t mention the part where I fumbled when pulling the pan out of the oven, spilling some of the almonds and brown sugar bits. I turned the oven off immediately and everything was fine, although some of the streusel melted and hardened into blackened rubble.
Not a big deal — this is not my first rodeo. As I set the wet rag over the spill to soak, I reminded myself not to forget it.
You can probably guess where this is going.
The next evening as I preheated the oven quite hot for the supper I had prepped and ready to go in, I noticed the black smoke billowing out of the vent. I smelled that telltale acrid burn, and immediately remembered what I had forgotten. I’m afraid I bumbled frantically around the kitchen a bit, exclaiming to Benson that “We need Brian! We need Brian!” — although at least I thought to turn the oven off first thing. I grabbed a tongs and tried to pull the cloth off the bottom, but all that came up was a smoldering lump of instantly-hardened fabric lava.
I’m not sure what that rag used to be made out of, but now it was made out of pure ruin. Needless to say, the oven was out of commission that night…and for several days afterwards, as I tried various methods of disaster relief. (None overly effective, although fortunately the trauma has been assuaged enough to render the oven usable again.)
I definitely don’t use the oven every day, but of course once the option was removed, I felt like I needed it. Especially that night for the supper that was all just about to get popped in to cook so easily. We found our workarounds, however, and didn’t even begin to go hungry: Brian was able to throw the lamb ribs on the grill (our first time cooking that cut of meat; Benson said he preferred to call it “dead goat”); the sweet potatoes went in the microwave; the asparagus got thrown into a cast iron skillet. We even got bonus grilled zucchini because the grill was on so why not?
The one thing that I hadn’t intended to roast was a pot of cauliflower cheese grits, so that could actually go as planned. What the plan was, I didn’t know until I was into it…I had been looking at some cajun and creole recipes, the cheesy grits variations kept catching my eye, and I had a cauliflower head in the fridge waiting to be cooked, so my course of action seemed very logical. I’m so glad it could be cooked on the stovetop, because while the rest of supper was nice, that pot of creamy cheesy goodness is what I kept coming back to.
The best part being, there was nothing stuck or burnt onto the pot and no need of overnight soaking, just a quick scrub. Phew.
Cheesy Cauliflowerits
Before you get in a tizzy because these are not actually grits, thereby lacking the subtly sweet flavor or tender chew of cornmeal, give this dish a try. The cauliflower cooks up rich and soft but not mushy, and provides the perfect canvas for the creamy and sharp aspects of the cheese to shine. Amounts are even less precise than my usual in this technique/idea-driven recipe, so just remember that it isn’t finicky and is all to taste. Also I’m sure if you wanted to finish it by topping with some extra cheese and broiling for a few minutes, that would be lovely…assuming your oven is safer than mine was at the tim.
Prep tips: I used sharp white cheddar and fontina, but essentially any white cheese will do the trick; I just like the funkiness of aged. To stretch you even more, I offer the fact that leftovers are amazing cold drizzled with hot honey.
a head of cauliflower, pulsed or chopped into rice-sized or smaller bits
a couple cups of milk
salt and cracked black pepper
a couple tablespoons of cream cheese
a dash of dry mustard powder
a couple ounces of sharp cheese, shredded
Transfer cauliflower to a medium saucepan, and pour in enough milk just to cover. Bring to a simmer, add some salt and pepper, cover, and cook just until cauliflower is tender. Stir in cream cheese, dry mustard, and shredded cheese; let simmer, uncovered, if still soupy, but it will soak up some of the milk as it sits. Season to taste and serve.
