West Nile Virus Vaccinations  & The Organic Farm Sector

West Nile Virus Vaccinations & The Organic Farm Sector

West Nile Virus Vaccinations & The Organic Farm Sector

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Because of this year's mild winter and early spring Washington horse owners are being advised by the WSDA to schedule a visit with their veterinarian to ensure that their horses' vaccinations for West Nile virus are current. West Nile is potentially fatal to horses and is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. There were at least five equine cases in the state last year. State veterinarian Dr. Joe Baker advises horse owners to "do it before mosquitoes are active, since it takes time for the vaccine to provide maximum protection for your horse." For more information on the disease visit WSDA's West Nile virus webpage or the state Department of Health website.

On Wednesday USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack was a keynote speaker at the Organic Trade Association Policy conference where he announced new records in America's organic farm sector. Vilsack pointed out that consumers across the country are increasingly looking for organic options when visiting their local market. Michele Catalano with Tilth Producers of Washington agrees, saying that people are really catching on when it comes to organic products.

CATALANO: The organic label has really become much more standard on the food scene - that USDA label that signifies certified organic by the National Organic Program. There's more and more retailers that are specializing in or carrying organic products, there's more companies that want to get into the organic world by adding organic product lines. We're also seeing just more acreage being turned over to organics and we're seeing that locally as well.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray with the Ag Information Network of the West.

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