Joel Harris

The new USDA FSIS Notice 50-24 introduces expanded testing protocols for ready-to-eat (RTE) products, and environmental testing now including non-Listeria monocytogenes (non-Lm) Listeria species. This move aligns with current industry practices for environmental testing and offers a valuable opportunity to enhance sanitation programs and ensure the highest standards of food safety. Learn more about these important updates and how they can impact your operations in my latest blog post. https://lnkd.in/gr9977Vp

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Sugarcane is quickly becoming one of my favorite potential biofactories for molecular farming. 🧬🔬🌿 Sugarcane is incredibly high yielding and is ranked by the USDA as the least inexpensive crop to produce on a biomass basis (4 cents per kg!). I expect maybe only forestry crops can beat this. Sugarcane is a robust, tropical, perennial crop, which provides opportunities for enhanced sustainability and climate resilience. As a C4 plant, it is naturally efficient in its consumption of nitrogen, water and sunlight. It also freely hybridizes with numerous other grass species, providing access to extensive genetic diversity and novel traits such as cold tolerance. It’s an ideal co-product crop! Sugarcane is already grown for a molecule (sucrose) and processed in facilities that typically use the leftover canes (bagasse) to generate their own electricity. Separating and purifying additional high-value molecules within this existing workflow would be relatively straightforward. Its genome is… a bit complex. But significant progress is being made characterizing it and developing associated synthetic biology tools. Recent publications (links in comments) have demonstrated both a chromosome-scale genome assembly as well as gene editing of a classic high yield trait (increasing leaf uprightness to allow higher planting densities). Finally, as a vegetatively propagated crop, fertility could be removed as needed to maintain containment of any potentially weedy bioengineered traits. It could be our most scalable molecular farming biofactory - that is until we’re able to molecularly farm forests… 🌲🌲🌲 #molecularfarming #bioengineered #syntheticbiology #future #foodtech #ingredients

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A case report of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Michigan dairy herd sheds more light on the pathogenesis of the disease and its toll on commercial farmers. Over 15 days, the outbreak affected 40% of the 500 lactating cows, significantly decreasing milk production. Average cow production on the farm ranged from 95 to 100 lbs per day before the outbreak, to 5 lbs during the first 5 days of the outbreak. Symptoms of the disease included elevated temperatures (increases of 4 to 5 Fahrenheit degrees), decreased rumination, and severe dehydration. Supportive therapies were administered to the animals. The farm faced substantial economic impacts with costs estimated at $30,000-$40,000 for the entire herd. The longer-term cost of the outbreak have not yet been estimated. The report in this farm highlights the challenges and efforts required to manage HPAI in dairy herds. #influenza #cows #dairy #HPAI #avianinfluenza #birdflu #evolution #H5N1 #health #globalhealth #publichealth #medicine #CDC #WHO #APHIS #USDA

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Abstract: Pearl millet grain could be considered as an alternative feed ingredient for poultry. In a 12 wks experiment, the performance of laying hens fed diets containing pearl millet were compared with those fed diets containing corn. Maize grain was replaced by pearl millet on an equal-weight at either 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Results showed that use of 25, 50 and 75% of pearl millet in place of maize in the diet resulted in similar (P > 0.05) hen-day egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio to those of control group. Totally replacement of maize grain with pearl millet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced all production parameters. Egg quality parameters did not affect by using pearl millet in the diet. These results showed that maize grain can be replaced by pearl millet up to 75% in the diets of laying hens without any adverse effect on hen performance or egg quality. Read full article on https://lnkd.in/dM4nuDux

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2025 - in with the new and out with the old. The #CBD industry has had a rough go the past several years. This has made it extremely difficult for seed producers, farmers, and extractors to remain profitable, let alone afloat throughout the storm. Those with lean business models, inputs, and a passionate team have made it possible to survive. We have liquidated most of the old seed stock stemming from seed production circa 2018-2020. It took 4-6 years to sell even though it retained solid germination, feminization, and potency numbers throughout this period. The negatives about these seed lots are phenotypic variation from a segregated seed progeny population. Here’s some of our amigos in #Ecuador cultivating our variety #Superwoman for a biomass crop. This is a low input cost grow that is part of Trilogene Seeds buyback program to GUARANTEE the sale of your hemp biomass. Our commitment to stand behind our product and support our farming customers by selling the crop to our network of US extractors. For Spring 2025, we will have fresh batches of #UltraPink #Triploids and our newest hybrid “Ultra Haze”. These lines push the boundaries of how much CBD can be maximized compliantly for a CBD biomass crop while remaining compliant. Farmers who have dialed their post harvest processing have pulled biomass as high as 16%!! When the market is at $0.20-$0.25 per CBD % per pound, every point matters! Are you interested in growing CBD biomass at scale this year with a guaranteed offtake agreement to sell it? Let’s have a conversation and see if we can support each other with good, old fashioned, sustainable business. Trilogene Seeds [email protected] 630-605-1707 #WinWinOnly #ItAllStartsFromSeed

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Success in the dynamic world of winegrape farming requires consistency and fair representation. The grower-owned cooperative Allied Grape Growers (AGG) is now an essential component of the California wine business. Assuring members' voices are heard and providing a reliable forum for grape marketing, AGG is crucial to the sector's stability. As a cooperative, AGG gives top priority to its members' interests in every transaction and directly shares earnings with them. By cutting down unnecessary expenses, this strategy benefits individual producers and enhances the industry's overall sustainability. In an exclusive interview with the International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show, Jeff Bitter, President of AGG, delves into the advantages of this cooperative model. He discusses how it promotes growers' well-being, guarantees equitable representation, and supports the wine industry's long-term stability. Jeff also talks about the advancements and challenges shaping the future of winegrape cultivation. By emphasizing sustainability and group success, AGG is paving the way for a more secure and prosperous wine industry. To Know More, Check Out The Full Interview Here 👉 : https://lnkd.in/gC3fzFXP #wineindustry #californiawine #grapegrowers #sustainablefarming #agricultureinnovation Kyle Collins Karl Lehman Kevin Rogers Tim Mendonca Diane Short Chad Clark M. Wesley Brady Jeff Bitter Malvika Patel Sid Patel Ankita O.

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Headlines: Slow testing could undermine our bird flu response – the time for serious preparedness is now Story by Ayoade Alakija  • 1d https://lnkd.in/gGRpGxiE Second human case of bird flu linked to dairy cows found in Michigan Story by Erika Edwards and Sara G. Miller  • 16h •  https://lnkd.in/ggRGzPci. Analogy? Testing is a good start, Prevention is better! My check engine light came on the other day, and it caught me off guard. After taking a breath, I checked the owner’s manual for probable causes and directions. Once assured of the next steps to take, I felt good about what my plan of action would be. Needless to say, that light has been on for over a year now. I know, I know, you are probably scratching your head in wonderment as to why I hadn’t gotten the issue resolved. I’m with you, but since the light isn’t blinking and the car SEEMS fine, why worry about it, right? Besides, I had it tested to see what the issue could be and felt comfortable with what I was told. Now that I know it isn’t a major pressing concern, I can keep the money it would take to make the repair in my pocket and just wait until it becomes a major problem, then I’m all in, smart move on my part, wouldn’t you agree? So, if these headlines grab your attention, and the video being displayed gives you an indication of OUR plan of preparedness, just remember my story and say to yourself, testing is a good start, but PREVENTION is always better.   #222nm #h5n1 #pasteurized #h1n1 #virologist #epidemiologist

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Gene-edited Tomato Exhibits Improved Drought Resistance and Fruit Yield https://lnkd.in/eQ5wT-Di

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Discover the Health Benefits of USDA Organic Certified Anthocyanins 🌿 Anthocyanins are a group of water-soluble pigments found in plants that give fruits and vegetables their red, blue, and purple colors. In addition to adding gorgeous natural colors to foods, these powerful compounds offer a range of health benefits that can elevate your products and improve your customers' well-being. Key Health Benefits of Anthocyanins: Antioxidant Powerhouse: Protects against oxidative stress and cellular damage. Heart Health Booster: Lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cognitive Enhancer: Improves cognitive function and memory. Diabetes Management: Helps control blood sugar levels. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Supports joint health and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. At ILB, we're proud to be a leading bulk distributor of various USDA Organic Certified anthocyanins. Whether you're in the nutraceutical, health food manufacturing, or supplement supply industry, our high-quality anthocyanins can give your products a competitive edge. 📞 Ready to elevate your product line? Contact us today to place an order and harness the incredible benefits of anthocyanins! #HealthBenefits #Antioxidants #HeartHealth #CognitiveFunction #DiabetesManagement #AntiInflammatory #Nutraceuticals #HealthFood #Supplements #ILB

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https://lnkd.in/gMvaEKHM Very little data in this report, certainly there has to be much more data collected by this time. In terms of “lessons learned” in Biosurveillance in the last couple of decades, here are my two takeaways* 1. We essentially don’t learn lessons, even the hard ones. 2. Government communications to the general public need to be well understood, timely, factual, and complete. It is flabbergasting that after all we went through with COVID-19, we still struggle with the basics. #1 is still true, #2 is so lacking in pertinent facts that it is embarrassing. ——————————————————————- * “Never get into a land war in Asia” narrowly missed the list #TPB

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It has been estimated that 1-2 billion people worldwide are deficient in zinc. However, zinc deficiency (more severe than inadequacy) is not common in developed countries. Most available literature (survey-based) suggests that most Americans meet their dietary zinc needs. It has been suggested that 12% and 40% of American adults and elderly are not getting enough daily zinc, respectively. Severe zinc deficiency is typically caused by genetic factors. Acquired zinc deficiency is primarily caused by diets with low zinc bioavailability due to a combination of high phytate content and low animal product content (e.g., as is the case in some developing countries), and alcoholism. Dietary zinc deficiency has been associated with impaired growth and development in children, pregnancy complications, and immune dysfunction with increased susceptibility to infections. The most well-known side effects of zinc deficiency are stunted growth in children and cognitive dysfunction. Supplementation with doses of zinc over the Upper Limit (40mg/day) can help reduce the duration of the common cold (does not so much affect risk of contracting a cold). Of note: supplementing with zinc in upwards of the Upper Limit for an extended period of time, can result in copper deficiency (due to the two compounds competing for absorption). Zinc bioavailability is high in meat, eggs, and seafood. Zinc is less bioavailable from whole grains and legumes.

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California PCAs and almond growers should check out the latest episode of Almond Matters published by the AgNet West Radio Network. Todd Burkdoll, Valent Field Market Development Specialist, discusses approaches for managing navel orangeworm (NOW) pressure at almond hull split including DiPel® DF Biological Insecticide.   “Putting on [DiPel] prior to hull split is absolutely essential,” Burkdoll explained regarding navel orangeworm management. “Once hull split has taken place, it’s too late. You can put it on at hull split, that’s a good thing. But I recommend putting on [DiPel] treatment before hull split, seven to 10 days, and then at the very onset of hull split.”   https://lnkd.in/gHr7UD9K

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In this video from Ball Tech On Demand, you're challenged to rethink Fall Pansy transplanting in an effort to produce your best crop ever. https://lnkd.in/g-q6DNdy Retired Ball Seed technical manager, Dr. Will Healy covers the stage when you receive plugs and transplant them into finished containers by focusing on greenhouse environment and crop culture. He starts with tips and strategies for receiving plugs in an effort to minimize risk with young plants. Then he moves into the processes to put in place prior to transplant, such as sanitation, temperature and RH management and nutrition. Next, he covers what your team needs to know immediately following transplant by digging deep into irrigation and nutrition. You’ll want to watch all the way to the end of this video and then share it with your production team. Your best bet is to make sure everyone is on the same page immediately before and after transplant. #greenhouse #horticulture #pansy #fallpansy #ballseed #balltechteam #techondemand #greenhousetechteam #transplant #sanitation #temperature #nutrition #irrigation

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Growers, staying ahead of common diseases impacting cannabis plants is crucial. Recognizing symptoms is key. To detect diseases before symptoms surface, consider PathoSEEK® qPCR Plant Pathogen Assays. Identify harmful bacteria, molds, viruses, and viroids early on. #PlantHealth #Agriculture #PathoSEEK #Growers #PlantCare

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Opportunities for Sizable California Almond Crop Positive weather conditions during bloom and sufficient water supplies have helped crop projections improve to 2,170 pounds per acre. With some of the logistical challenges of the previous few years largely remedied, there is more opportunity to expand in international markets. Demand for almonds has been steady and there is significant growth potential in existing and new markets. https://ow.ly/38BV50RT4J6 #Almonds #AlmondGrowers #AlmondMarkets

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The knowledge behind dissolved CO2 (dCO2) and CO2 holdup originated from a simple experimental observation: I could not reconcile the rapid pH decline post-feeding with VFA formation. For instance, ruminal pH dropped by at least one scale point within seconds of direct feed addition to the rumen. VFA formation could not be the cause, as it takes bacteria 15 to 30 minutes to produce enough VFAs to induce such a pH change. To challenge the notion that pH was caused by VFA formation, I first had to prove the existence of ruminal dCO2 and the development of CO2 holdup. The results from this pilot study were compelling: ruminal acidosis might be caused by CO2 poisoning. Furthermore, high dCO2 levels were beneficial in enhancing milk yield and feed efficiency. There is still time for peer review of this document. Please follow this link. https://lnkd.in/g9YgK6_b Remember, the aim was to detect ruminal dCO2 using its specific infrared signal and give evidence of its existance. My discussion is not the focus of the document, but rather the implications of having found vast quantities of dissolved CO2 during clinical SARA.

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