Onions, Cattle, Trucks, and Party!

It’s a Fact

Washington ranks third in the nation for acreage of storage onions, with 16,000 to 18,000 acres at an annual farm gate value of greater than $60 million. In addition, onion seed crops in the state provide as much as 20 percent of the world’s supply.

On Solid Ground is a weekly, electronic newsletter for the friends and stakeholders of the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), WSU Extension and the WSU Agricultural Research Center.

Stopping the Spread of Mastitis in Cows

WSU researchers Larry Fox, Mary Kate Biddle, Clive Gay and Dot Newkirk have discovered that the simple bacteria that develop into mastitis in dairy cattle colonize in multiple body sites without causing disease. Preliminary findings show that the bacteria mycoplasma spp can be found by non-invasive sampling techniques that will decrease the risk of mastitis and at an earlier stage. Mastitis is an affliction of the udder in cows estimated to be the most costly agricultural disease in dairy cattle in the United States, affecting milk quality and at times posing a food safety concern.

See additional information: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/dairy/shortcourse/readArticle.asp?intArticleID=96&intSCID=11

New Transportation Center: Let’s Keep It Moving

Economists and engineers at WSU, the University of Washington and North Dakota State University are forming a regional freight transportation center to study issues that transcend state borders, thanks to $500,000 from the Federal Highway Administration. “Many of the states do a good job of tracing and evaluating the freight movements within their borders,” said Ken Casavant, transportation economist in the WSU School of Economic Sciences, “but problems do not magically stop at the state line. Capacity problems in North Dakota can affect our movements through the port of Seattle. If we can’t modify the surges that occur in different parts of the supply chain and understand how they affect the overall supply chain, we won’t get the efficient movement that we need to compete in the international market.” The Northern Plains-Pacific Northwest Center for Freight Mobility will focus on improving rail, truck and barge traffic in a region stretching from Chicago to Seattle across the northern tier of western states.

See additional information: http://www.ce.wsu.edu/TRAC/

In the Market For…

On Sept. 14, the science behind foods and other Washington products will be showcased at a public reception at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, sponsored by WSU Extension and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

The festivities run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. The $25 event includes an abundant variety of Washington’s finest farm products, prepared by Seattle chefs, including hearty appetizers with beef, specialty cheeses and fresh vegetables; fine wines, beers and ciders; and desserts featuring Washington berries. WSU faculty and staff whose research and outreach have contributed to the products and the businesses will be on hand to highlight their connections. Some of the producers and WSU scientists also will be available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Market in the organic produce area along Pike Place to talk with the public about the farm/science connection. The events are part of Cougar Week in Seattle that will culminate with the Sept. 16 football game between WSU and Baylor University at Qwest Field. Reservations for the Thursday evening reception can be made by calling 509-335-2243 with credit card information and should be made by Sept. 6.

See additional information: http://www.wsu.edu/seattle/