Origin of lethal tick infection a mystery

A POTENTIALLY lethal tick infection newly identified in Australia has mysteriously emerged on the NSW south coast.

Doctors have revealed the first reported Australian case of human babesiosis, a tick-borne infection that carries a 5 to 10 per cent fatality rate, higher than the death rate from the most common tick bite infections.

The victim was a 56-year-old man from the south coast who died, it is thought, partly as a result of babesiosis.
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His infection was discovered only by chance, when his blood samples were re-checked four months after he had been admitted to Canberra Hospital with serious injuries after a car crash in November 2010.

In a report published today in the Medical Journal of Australia , doctors say the infection probably contributed to his death from multi-organ failure last April.

The report of the first babesiosis case in Australia thought to have been locally acquired had raised ”intriguing questions” about how the infection is spread in Australia, the lead author of the report, Sanjaya Senanayake, of the Australian National University, said.

The likely host or carrier would be a rodent. In the US, where babesiosis has been a not uncommon problem in recent years, the infection tick is carried by the white-footed mouse.

Hawaii’s ag work force drops slightly – Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

Hawaii’s agricultural work force totaled 6,100 in July, according to a new report.

The work force reported for the week of July 12-18 was unchanged compared with the survey week in April, but down 2 percent from last July, the National Agricultural Statistics Service Hawaii Field Office said Monday.

Pineapple and sugar cane workers totaled 900, down 22 percent from the same period a year ago, the result of layoffs at Maui Land & Pineapple and Gay & Robinson on Kauai.

Maui Land & Pineapple laid off 204 workers in July 2008, and Gay & Robinson ended its sugar cane operations in September 2008.

Hawaii’s total farm work force — which includes self-employed farm operators and unpaid workers such as family members and others working 15 hours or more per week — totaled 10,400 workers for the survey week, down 1 percent from a year ago.

The average wage paid to all hired workers during the survey week was estimated at $13.97 per hour, 5 percent higher than a year ago.

Hawaii farms employing one to nine workers paid an average of $12.50 per hour. The combined average wage for field and livestock workers was $11.40 an hour.

Hawaii’s ag work force drops slightly – Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

Sugar cane harvest expected to decline – Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor’s Information – The Maui News

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Harvesting going well on Maui
Harvesting going well on Maui
Click for Larger Image
HONOLULU – The National Agricultural Statistics Service is forecasting that sugar cane production in Hawaii will slip slightly this year.

It expects the state to produce 1.46 million tons of sugar cane in 2009. That would be a 2 percent decline from the 1.49 million tons produced last year.

The service says Hawaii is expected to harvest 21,700 acres of sugar cane this year. That would be down from 22,800 acres harvested in 2008.

However, yield is forecast to reach 67.2 tons per acre, up 2.6 percent from 65.5 tons per acre last year.

Sugar cane harvest expected to decline – Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor’s Information – The Maui News

Hawaii Macadamia Nuts

Here is the PDF file for the Hawaii Macadamia Nuts (Final Season Estimates) Report.

Wailuku Macadamia Nut field after switch from Sugar May 1979-Click for larger image
Wailuku Maui Macadamia Nut field after switch from Sugar Cane May 1979-Click for larger image
Hawaii Macadamia Nut Report

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
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“HAWAII MACADAMIA NUTS” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED twice a year. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $2 per year to all others.

Utilized production from Hawaii’s 2008-09 macadamia nut harvest is estimated at 50.0 million pounds (net, wet-in-shell basis) according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Hawaii Field Office. The estimate for 2008-09 represents a 9.0 million pound or 22 percent increase from last season.

Season Overview
Timely showers and an increased demand for inshell nuts contributed to this season’s higher output. Processors noted some improvement in the quality of nuts delivered this season. On the other hand, growers did report the prolonged dry conditions, pests, pigs, and volcanic haze adversely affected orchards and harvesting. Others mentioned it was economically unfeasible to pick their crop and may switch to other commodities or temporarily stop farming.

Harvested Acreage Unchanged, Yields Up
For the 2008-09 season, growers harvested an estimated 15,000 acres and remained unchanged for the past three seasons. Statewide, there were 17,000 acres in crop and an estimated 1.2 million macadamia nut trees.

Yields averaged 3,330 pounds per acre (net, wet-inshell basis) for the 2008-09 season, or 600 pounds more per acre than the previous season. Average moisture content for this season’s entire crop was 20.5 percent compared with 21.3 percent for the 2007-08 crop.

Farm Value Increases
The farm price for macadamia nuts averaged 67.0 cents per pound (net, wet-in-shell basis) for 2008-09 season, up 7.0 cents from the 2007-08 average. Farm value is estimated at $33.5 million (net, wet-in-shell basis) for this crop season, a 36 percent increase from last season due to a larger harvest and higher farm price.

Hawaii Seed Crops

Here is the PDF file for the Hawaii Seed Crops report.

seed.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

The Hawaii Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates the value of Hawaii=s seed industry at a record high $97.6 million for the 2006/07 season. This preliminary estimate represents a 26-percent increase from 2005/06?s revised estimate of $77.3 million. Seed corn is expected to account for $94.0 million, or 96 percent, of the total value in 2006/07. A variety of other seed crops will account for the remaining 4 percent. Outshipments of seed are anticipated to total a record high 9.0 million pounds during the 2006/07 season, up 19 percent from the 7.6 million pounds shipped during the 2005/06 season. Acreage harvested for all seed crops is expected to total a record high 4,820 acres during the 2006/07 season, up 16 percent from the 2005/06 season.

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW

Here is the PDF file for the Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review Report.

lvstk091307.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

National Agricultural Statistics Service

September 13, 2007

In Cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Hawaii Field Office ? 1428 South King Street ? Honolulu, HI 96814-2512 ? 1-(800)-804-9514 ? www.nass.usda.gov

July Egg Production Down 19 Percent From A Year Ago
Hawaii egg production totaled 7.0 million (19,444 cases) in July 2007, down 19 percent from July 2006. The average number of layers on hand during July 2007 was estimated at 369,000, up fractionally from June 2007 and down 16 percent from July 2006. The average rate of lay during July 2007 was 1,897 per 100 layers (61.2 percent rate of lay), down 3 percent from July 2006.

Total Cattle Marketings and Exports

Cattle Marketings Up 31 Percent From 2006
Total cattle marketings for July 2007 is estimated at 3,800 head, up 31 percent from July 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 31,700 head, down 3 percent from the same period a year ago.

Exports up 40 percent in July compared to year ago
Exports of steers and heifers totaled 2,800 head in July 2007, up 40 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,400 head during July 2007, up 17 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers also increased in July 2007 compared to a year ago at 1,400 head, a 75 percent increase. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through July 2007 totaled 25,300 head, down 5 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 14,700 head, down 5 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers were also down 5 percent for the first seven months of 2007 at 10,600 head. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight up 2 percent
The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in July 2007 was 428 pounds, up 2 percent from July 2006?s average live weight of 420 pounds.

Cattle and Hogs Commercial Slaughter

Commercial Beef Production Down 4 Percent
Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during July 2007 totaled 516,000 pounds, down 4 percent from July 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) through July 2007 totaled 3.7 million pounds, up 5 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 900 head in July, unchanged from July 2006. Average live weight per head was 1,023 pounds in July 2007, down 4 percent from the average live weight per head in July 2006. Commercial Pork Production Down 10 Percent
Hawaii commercial pork production during July 2007 totaled 291,000 pounds, down 10 percent from July 2006. Cumulative pork production for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 2.0 million pounds, down 10 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,800 head in July 2007, down 5 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 211 pounds in July 2007, down 9 percent from the 232-pound average a year ago.

Milk Cows and Milk Production

July Milk Production Down 48 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 2.6 million pounds of milk in July 2007, down 48 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 24.3 million pounds, down 31 percent from the same period in 2006.

July?s Cow Herd Down 37 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 2,700 head in July 2007, unchanged from June 2007 and down 37 percent from July 2006.

Milk Per Cow Decreases
Average milk per cow is estimated at 1,000 pounds for July 2007, down 14 percent from last July?s average of 1,165 pounds per cow.

Average Farm Prices

Most July Livestock Prices Above Year-ago Averages

Steers and heifers
The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at 99.5 cents per pound for July 2007, up half-a-cent from June and 1.5 cents per pound higher than a year ago.

Cows
The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 55.0 cents per pound in July 2007, unchanged from June. Compared to a year ago, the average dress weight farm price for cows was 3.0 cents per pound higher in July 2007.

Market hogs
The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.25 per pound for July 2007, 8 cents per pound higher than June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was down 5.0 cents per pound this July.

Milk
The average farm price for milk was $29.90 per hundredweight during July 2007, up $2.20 from June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the July 2007 average farm price for milk was $5.00 per hundredweight higher.

Eggs
The average farm price for a dozen eggs was $1.05 in July 2007, up 1 percent from June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the average farm price for a dozen eggs was up 8 percent in July.

U.S. Livestock Roundup

NASS

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.94 billion pounds in July, up 4 percent from the 3.79 billion pounds produced in July 2006.

Beef production, at 2.26 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.90 million head, up 2 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was down 4 pounds from the previous year, at 1,269 pounds.

Veal production totaled 10.7 million pounds, 5 percent below July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 62,600 head, up 8 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was down 36 pounds from last year, at 289 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.66 billion pounds, up 7 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.40 million head, up 7 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 264 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.5 million pounds, was up 2 percent from July 2006. Sheep slaughter totaled 204,700 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, up 1 pound from July a year ago.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.57 billion during July 2007, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.44 billion table eggs, and 1.14 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 66 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during July 2007 averaged 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. July egg production per 100 layers was 2,234 eggs, down slightly from July 2006.

All layers in the U.S. on August 1, 2007 totaled 340 million, down slightly from last year. The 340 million layers consisted of 281 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.2 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 2.72 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on August 1, 2007, averaged 72.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from August 1, 2006.

Excerpts from Livestock Slaughter (August 24, 2007) and Chickens and Eggs (August 21, 2007) releases.

ERS – ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE

Cattle/Beef: NASS? Cattle report showed virtually all July 1, 2007 inventories down from July 1, 2006. The report indicates that cattle inventory growth has stalled, at best, or peaked, at worst, for the cattle cycle that first expanded in 2005, up from a cyclical low cattle and calf inventory of 103.6 million head on July 1, 2004 (including a low total cow inventory of 42.4 million head). The last cycle with a short expansion phase occurred during the cycle that began from a low point on January 1, 1979, peaked in 1982 after only 3 years of cattle inventory expansion, and ended at a low point in 1990 after 8 years of liquidation. As a result, beef production could be below 26 billion pounds for 2008 and 2009, which would be slightly below 2007 production, and will depend on average dressed weights and breeding heifer retention.

Hogs and Pork: Third-quarter commercial pork production is expected to be almost 5.3 billion pounds, about 3.2 percent above third quarter last year. Thirdquarter prices of live equivalent 51-52 percent lean hogs are forecast to range between $50 and $52 per hundredweight (cwt). Pork exports in the first half of 2007 were 4 percent lower than a year ago.

Dairy: Global demand for dairy products, especially nonfat dry milk, butter, and whey, will likely keep prices high this year and next despite increased domestic production in 2008.

Poultry: After falling in the first and second quarters, broiler meat production is expected to increase on a year-over-year basis in the second half of 2007. Prices for broiler products are expected to moderate as production increases. Turkey meat production continues to grow, but strong domestic demand and exports have kept stocks low and prices above those of the previous year.

Sheep and Lamb: The USDA Sheep and Goats report released on July 20, 2007 indicated a decline in inventories. On July 1, 2007, the U.S. sheep and lamb inventory totaled 7.73 million head, down slightly from 2006, but still about 1 percent above the July 1, 2004 bottom. Slight inventory reductions were seen in all of the major categories: breeding sheep, market sheep, and replacement lambs. Heavier-than-normal liquidation continues to take place in Texas and New Mexico, the region hit by severe drought in 2006. Despite these declines, the 2007 lamb crop showed year-over-year increases.

Excerpt from Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook/LDP-M- 158/August 20, 2007 Economic Research Service, USDA.

Hawaii Agricultural Labor Report

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Agricultural Labor* Report.

aglabor082707.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512
1-800- 804-9514

Hawaii Agricultural Labor

In Cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Number of hired workers down 10 percent

Hawaii?s agricultural hired work force totaled 6,300 during the July 8-14, 2007 survey week, down 10 percent from a year ago. Diversified agricultural workers accounted for 81 percent of all farm labor and at 5,100 workers, it was down 5 percent from July 2006. Pineapple and sugarcane workers were combined to avoid disclosure of individual operations and totaled 1,200 workers (does not include mill or cannery workers) during the July 8-14, 2007 survey week, down 27 percent from July 2006.

Average wage rate up 7 percent

The average wage paid to all hired workers during the July survey period was a record-high $12.87 per hour, 56 cents higher than July 2006. The combined average wage for field and livestock workers also reached a new record high at $10.89 per hour, up 51 cents from July 2006. Hawaii farms employing from 1 to 9 workers paid an average of $10.90 per hour for all hired workers, while the combined average wage for field and livestock workers was $10.28 an hour.

U.S. hired workers up 1 percent from a year ago

There were 1,205,000 hired workers on the Nation?s farms and ranches during the week of July 8-14, 2007, up 1 percent from a year ago. Of these hired workers, 847,000 workers were hired directly by farm operators. Agricultural service employees on farms and ranches made up the remaining 358,000 workers.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $10.04 per hour during the July 2007 reference week, up 32 cents from a year earlier. Field workers received an average of $9.31 per hour, up 38 cents from last July, while livestock workers earned $9.80 per hour compared with $9.49 a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $9.44 per hour, was up 37 cents from last year.

The number of hours worked averaged 41.6 hours for hired workers during the survey week, up 1 percent from a year ago.

Source: Farm Labor, August 17, 2007, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review *Report.

lvstk080907.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/ and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

June Egg Production Down 16 Percent From A Year Ago

Hawaii egg production totaled 6.9 million (19,167 cases) in June 2007, down 16 percent from June 2006. The average number of layers on hand during June 2007 was estimated at 368,000, up fractionally from May 2007 and down 17 percent from June 2006. The average rate of lay during June 2007 was 1,875 per 100 layers (62.5 percent rate of lay), up 2 percent from June 2006.

Total Cattle Marketings and Exports

June Cattle Marketings Down 30 Percent From 2006

Total cattle marketings for June 2007 is estimated at 4,000 head, down 30 percent from June 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first six months of 2007 totaled 27,900 head, down 7 percent from the same period a year ago.

Exports down 38 percent from year ago

Exports of steers and heifers totaled 3,000 head in June 2007, down 38 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,800 head during June 2007, down 33 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers also declined in June 2007 compared to a year ago at 1,200 head, a 43 percent decrease. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through June 2007 totaled 22,500 head, down 9 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 13,300 head, down 7 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers showed a larger decrease through the first six months of 2007 at 9,200 head or down 12 percent from a year ago. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Hawaii Seed Crops

The Hawaii Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates the value of Hawaii=s seed industry at a record high $70.4 million for the 2005/06 season. This preliminary estimate represents a 12-percent increase from 2004/05?s revised estimate of $62.6 million. Seed corn is expected to account for $68.1 million, or 97 percent, of the total value in 2005/06. A variety of other seed crops will account for the remaining 3 percent.

Outshipments of seed are anticipated to total a record high 8 million pounds during the 2005/06 season, up 16 percent from the previous record of 6.9 million pounds shipped during the 2004/05 season.

Acreage harvested for all seed crops is expected to total a record high 4,220 acres during the 2005/06 season, up 15 percent from the 2004/05 season.

http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/speccrop/seed.pdf

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