Karnal bunt headlines TGFA conference

By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition

George Nash of the USDA discusses karnal bunt policy for regulated counties in TX at the TGFA conference. -Staff photo by Briskin

April 18, 2002 -- The Fort Worth Convention Center was the site of the 2002, Texas Grain and Feed Association's Southwest Conference and Exposition. One of the highlights of the three-day event was a panel discussion updating participants on current issues including the Farm Bill and Karnal Bunt.

Steve Kopperund former vice-president of the American Feed Industry Association served as moderator and updated the crowd on the farm bill. "We have been going through the accelerated farm bill for the past 18 months," said Kopperund. "We are no closer to the farm bill than we were two weeks ago. It was supposed to be done by May 1, it was supposed to be done by April 16, and it was supposed to be done in November of last year. It has to be done by September 30 of this year and my guess is we will see a bill sometime in June or July."

Dr. Jim Butler with the USDA and owner operator of a cattle company in Bryan updated the crowd about karnal bunt. Butler stated that his department's job is to promote and protect agriculture. "We have a major responsibility in the inspection and regulation aspect of agriculture and karnal bunt is one of those regulated pests that the USDA is trying to work with," he said. "There is not going to be a quick fix to karnal bunt. I wish I could flip a switch and say it is deregulated and we have done away with zero tolerance that we have in the U.S."

According to Butler, that would make those in Texas happy but farmers in Kansas and Oklahoma would not be thrilled with such a move. "We would be increasing their risk of spreading karnal bunt," he said. "One of the major things I have learned about KB is that we want to put a noose around it and not allow it to move."

Butler stated that the livestock and cattle issue surrounding karnal bunt is on everyone's mind. "From April 15 to July 15 you will need a permit to graze on wheat pasture beyond the soft dough stage," he said. "Those animals must also be cleaned out for five days if there is the possibility of that wheat moving within the animal to another area."

Dr. Jim Butler of the USDA addresses the current climate in Washington regarding karnal bunt policy. -Staff photo by Briskin

He also informed the group that the USDA is working hard to shorten the turnaround time on test results. "I hope to get you your results much quicker than we have in the past," he said. "The key thing that I want to be sure we are doing is communicating. The last thing I want to hear at the end of this year's harvest is 'I didn't know about this regulation or this information.' I want to be sure we are over-communicating."

George Nash, USDA domestic and emergency coordinator for Texas, continued the discussion on karnal bunt. "The bottom line is that any field that goes to harvest in a regulated area is sampled at the time of harvest," he said. "One four-pound sample is taken regardless of field size."

According to Nash a four-pound sample out of a 150-acre field represents 0.001 percent of the wheat in that field. "We need to step back and look logically when talking about zero tolerance. If we can find one bunted kernel in one one-thousandths of one percent of the wheat produced in a field, how many more would you find if you looked at 40 pounds or 400 pounds?" he said. "So I would caution those of you that are looking for tolerance that you adjust your samples accordingly."

Nash also stated that seed harvested in regulated areas can only be planted in the regulated area.

Michael Bryant a grain elevator owner in Graham addressed the karnal bunt issue from his perspective. Last May at the beginning of harvest, he and his partner discovered karnal bunt at their elevator. "Our hearts sunk when we discovered that there was a zero tolerance policy on karnal bunt," he said. "I cannot describe to you what went through our minds. My entire livelihood flashed before my eyes."