Ag News Roundup

In today’s Ag News Roundup, a second calf is killed by the Sherman wolf pack, a new noxious weed found in Oregon’s Morrow County, Spokane’s public market reopens, researchers find that bullfrogs start learning early, and a new way of detecting crown gall disease in minutes is developed.

Second Calf Killed by Washington Wolf Pack

A second calf has been killed by the Sherman wolf pack on federal grazing land in Washington’s Ferry County. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering thinning the wolf pack if a third attack occurs within 30 days of the prior two attacks. The department can also consider shooting wolfs if there are four attacks within a single year.

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Plumeless Thistle Found in Marrow County

The noxious weed has been spotted growing in Oregon’s southern Morrow County by a landowner. The weed can grow more than four feet tall and produce nearly 1,000 seeds between May and July. The thistle is known to harm pasture land and crowd out necessary plants needed for grazing. Morrow County is asking landowners to call 541-989-9500 if they see the weed on their property.

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Fresh Produce Brought to New Spokane Public Market

From the Washington State Farm Bureau, the Spokane Public Market has reopened. The public market currently features 10 vendors selling locally farmed vegetables, fruits, as well as baked goods. The public market reopened as part of a revitalization of the Spokane downtown.

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OSU Finds American Bullfrogs Learn as Embryos

Oregon State University researchers have found evidence that American bullfrogs that are “exposed to potential predators as an embryo” learn how to avoid danger and have a better chance of living to adulthood.

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New Method to Detect Crown Gall Disease Developed

Oregon State University researchers have developed a method of detecting the incurable crown gall disease. The test takes minutes to complete and tells farmers if the pathogen is present in a specific crop. The soil-borne pathogen can affect many types of plants, including those that are economically important. Quick detection and destruction of affected plants could save millions of dollars in lost crops.

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