Threat of Invasive Species

Recently talks have taken place about relaxing trade regulations and  increasing relations between Cuba and the United States. Many are excited about the possibilities of new markets, but some are concerned with the potential impact of invasive species both to the United States and Cuba. Linked below is an article that describes the potential threats and concerns of some Florida organizations and farmers. Read the article and then strike up a conversation using the discussion points below as a guide.

Warming Cuba Relations Spurs Invasive Species Debate

Discussion Points

• Many in Florida are concerned with the treat of invasive species from Cuba. Who is concerned and why are they concerned? How do they see these invasive species arriving?
• Invasive species are not just a concern due to trade, but there are other contributing factors. Explain the event that took place in 1988 with dessert locusts and what can be learned from this event.
• Why could this be a possible larger concern for Cuba than the United States?
• Do you feel there is legitimate concern? What should be done to ensure the best outcome for all involved? Support your answers.

Additional Challenge

Take a look at invasive species in your home area. Create a list of these invasive species. How did they get here and where did they come from? What is being done to help with control? Let the conversations continue!

Specialty Coffee Key to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico at one time was a powerhouse in coffee production, but over time has slipped a little. They are growing specialty coffees to get back in the game. Take a look at the linked article discussing what is happening with Puerto Rican coffee production. Below we have provided discussion points and a further research activity.

Link to Article

Discussion Points

• How has Puerto Rican coffee production changed over the years? What trends have we seen?
• What are some important growing conditions for specialty coffee production in Puerto Rico?
• Why is specialty coffee production important to Puerto Rico?
• Explain how coffee quality is determined?

Further Research
GALC challenges you to do the following research and discuss your findings with others:

• Where does your home country receive most of their coffee from?
• What does coffee production look like in your home country?

EU Dairy More Competitive than US Exports

This week we take a look at dairy production in the European Union and how it relates to United States exports. As always we have provided discussion points to guide your conversations.

Linked article from AgWeb

Discussion Points:

• What factors have led to EU dairy products being so competitive compared to U.S. exports?
• Lately what has the trend been in regards to EU milk production? Is this trend projected to continue? Explain your responses.
• What do you believe will happen with dairy production and prices globally? Where will demand come from and who will respond with production?

U.S. Asks Others to Reconsider Poultry Ban

The article U.S. Asks China to Drop Ban takes a look at the bans that are currently in place for United States poultry products in various countries including China and Mexico. The article proposes how U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, would like other countries to handle the ban of poultry. Look over the linked article and use the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

Discussion Points

1. Explain what Secretary Vilsack is asking from other countries regarding their bans on poultry from the U.S.
2. How does China's and Mexico's current bans differ?
3. Do you believe China, South Korea, Mexico and other countries should handle bans as suggested by Secretary Vilsack? If the roles were reversed would the U.S. feel comfortable allowing product from a specific region while not another? Justify your responses.
4. How will all of these events (avian flu, bans, etc.) effect the United States and Global poultry economies? What are the ramifications?

Damaging Agriculture Goods Intercepted

Recently Custom and Border Protection agents intercepted goods in Cincinnati that could be damaging to the United States agriculture sector. Read the article: High-risk Foreign Goods Intercepted to learn more about the goods that were intercepted. Then use the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

Discussion Points

1. What types of goods were sent to the U.S., how were they disguised, and from what countries were they arriving from?
2. If these goods mentioned would have been allowed to enter into the United States agriculture sector what could the effects have been?
3. What do you feel would be the most devastating to United States agriculture if allowed past agents (invasive species, avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, crop diseases, etc.)? Explain your reasoning.

Flying Robot and Sheep

A few weeks back we took a look at the proposed rules being introduced by the FAA regarding UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or drones. UAV's have great potential in the agriculture industry, but most think of crop scouting capabilities as they relate to UAV use. Some farmers in Ireland have found an alternative use involving their sheep herd. Check out the article: Flying Robot and Sheep for details on how they use their UAV and a video that shows their UAV in action.

Use the following discussion points below to guide your conversations!

1. In what different ways did these Irish farmers utilize their UAV?
2. Is this a good use for UAV's? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
3. Brainstorm all the different ways that you could utilize UAV's related to agriculture. We encourage you to think outside of the norm. If you are working within a classroom or group share everyone's thoughts and see who comes up with the most creative use for the agriculture industry.

Realities Facing Us

In past blog posts I have shared a variety of videos and some from Elanco through their Enough Movement. This weeks blog includes another video to get you thinking about the realities and challenges facing us in feeding a growing world. Watch the short video below and use the discussion points to guide conversations in your classrooms and communities.

Discussion Points

1. Why are we seeing such an increase in meat, egg, and milk demand worldwide? What two key contributing factors were mentioned?
2. What will we experience over the next seven years that was mentioned in the video?
3. Share your ideas on how we can feed more people with less. This can be done individually or in groups. (If done in groups have members create posters and share their ideas with the larger group.)