New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin
Vol. 87 No. 48, Page 1, Jan 28, 2009
Article by NH Fish & Game

Good Samaritans who think they’re helping deer by putting out feed in the winter may actually be endangering the health of the herd, says New Hampshire Fish and Game Department wildlife biologist Kent Gustafson.

“People mean well, but don’t realize the damage they’re doing. Feeding wild white-tailed deer may actually reduce the animals’ ability to survive a New England winter, making them more vulnerable to starvation, predation, disease and vehicle collisions,” says Gustafson, who is the Deer Project Leader for Fish and Game. “Despite people’s good intentions, supplemental feeding creates an artificial situation in which the deer, the habitat and the public may suffer.”

The Fish and Game Department urges landowners to NOT provide supplemental feed to deer, because the practice actually can cause far more harm than good.

“Many people think of feeding deer like feeding the birds,” remarks Gustafson, “But there are some critical differences that make feeding deer unhealthy for the deer population, for plants near the feed site and for passing motorists.”

Problems start because feed sites congregate deer into unnaturally high densities. These high deer densities can spread diseases among deer and attract predators, increasing the risk of death by coyotes or domestic dogs. It can cause aggression in the herd, wasting deer’s vital energy reserves and leading to injury or death; as well as using up critical fat reserves as deer expend energy traveling to and from the feed site. Feeding can deny access to food for subordinate deer and fawns, and can encourage over-browsing of local vegetation and ornamental plants.

One of the most serious drawbacks to feeding deer is that feed sites lure them away from their natural wintering areas. This attraction can trap deer in inferior winter habitat and increase the chance of malnutrition and predation. If deer continually go to feed sites instead of natural deer wintering areas, then young deer may never learn to find their traditional winter habitat. Also, landowners may not see the value of managing for dense softwood cover, typical natural winter habitat for deer.

Habitat is critical, because in winter conditions, deer conserve their energy, getting as much as 40 percent of their daily energy during winter from their fat tissue. That’s why in winter, COVER--not food--is the key to deer survival. Deer retreat to softwood cover, or “deer yards,” to avoid deep snow, high winds and extreme cold. In these areas, deer move around very little, using a network of trails that disperses them and reduces competition for natural food.

“Quality natural habitat provides the best insurance for deer survival in winter,” says Gustafson. “If you care about deer, leave them alone--let them be wild, and find natural foods and appropriate winter shelter on their own. The bottom line is, please don’t feed the deer, and please discourage your neighbors, friends and relatives from engaging in this harmful activity.”

To obtain a copy of “More Harm than Good”, a brochure explaining the negative impact of feeding deer, call 1-800-444-8978.

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New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin
Vol. 87 No. 48, Page 4, Jan 28, 2009
Article by Tufts Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary medicine makes a significant contribution to the New England economy, according to a recent study by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute that was commissioned by the Cummings School. At the same time, the report forecasts a shortage of veterinarians in the region in the coming years. Among the findings from “Veterinary Medicine in New England: State-by-State Industry Characteristics and Economic Impacts”:

• 658: Number of job openings for veterinarians that may be vacant by 2014 in New England.
• 4,000: Projected shortfall of veterinarians nationally by 2014.
• 25: Percent of the region’s specialized food animal veterinarians who will reach retirement age by 2014.
• $3.3 billion: Amount that veterinary medicine contributes annually to the economies of New England.
• $1.72 billion: Value of direct veterinary expenditures in New England; 23% of that is spending related to scientific research and development.
• $1.1 billion: Amount that New Englanders spend each year for clinical veterinary services.
• $78,180: Median wage of veterinarians in New Hampshire, the second highest in the region, after Connecticut, at $93,730.
• 74.5: Percent of Vermont residents who own pets, the highest in the region.
• 20,000: Number of jobs directly related to veterinary medicine in New England.
• 6,058: Number of employees in clinical veterinary practice in Massachusetts in 2006.

To read the full report, go to: www.tufts.edu/vet/about/economic_impact_08.pdf

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New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin
Vol. 87 No. 48, Page 4, Jan 28, 2009

Q: Can I grow herbs indoors this time of year?

A: While many of us have begun dreaming of spring gardens, it’s too early to start tomatoes. But one thing we can do is grow fresh herbs on a sunny windowsill or under a fluorescent light.

Select a south-facing window that isn’t drafty or set up a fluorescent fixture you can position a foot or two above your plants. Use containers 6 to 12 inches deep. You can plant several different herbs in one large container or have individual containers. Use sterilized potting mix to avoid soil-borne diseases. Sow seed directly, or purchase small plants from a local garden center or supermarket (check out the indoor-plant section) and transplant them into your containers.

Herbs don’t like wet feet, so water sparingly. Use a fertilizer labeled for edibles once a month. Herbs that don’t grow too wide or tall include basil, chives, cilantro, mint, parsley, oregano, marjoram, and thyme. If you don’t have a suitable windowsill, set the plants 18 inches under a fluorescent light fixture that’s left on at least 10 hours a day.

P.S. You can grow “microgreens” or “cut-and-come-again” mesclun salad greens using the same technique.

UNH Cooperative Extension’s Info Line offers practical help finding answers for your lawn and garden questions. Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, M-F, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., or e-mail us at fhgc@ceunh.unh.edu.

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New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin
Vol. 87 No. 49, Page 4, Feb 4, 2009

Q: Help! Bedbugs have invaded our home. Can you give me advice about what to do?

A: Bedbugs are on the rise. Entomologists and pest control professionals are reporting a dramatic increase in infestations throughout the nation. Recent research indicates that bedbugs in some areas have developed resistance to the insecticides typically used to control them.

Bedbugs, Cimex lectularis, are flat, brown insects about 1/4-inch long, about the size of a small ladybug. Using piercing mouth parts, they bite at night, feeding on the blood of their hosts. After a blood meal, they become dark red, rounded and about 3/8-inch long. The first bites don’t itch. After repeated bites, human antibodies cause itching and may produce a rash.

These insects often invade as stowaways in luggage or clothing from hotels; the bugs may also be carried into homes on used furniture, especially mattresses.

Bedbugs are hard to kill. They hide out in bedding, mattresses, and any crevice in the room. To get rid of bedbugs, you’ll need to hire a state-licensed exterminator. Sprays available to consumers may give limited control, but bedbugs will continue breeding and you may have a much bigger problem within weeks. Eradicating these insects usually requires two or more visits from a professional, as the even the stronger sprays available to licensed pesticide applicators don’t kill the eggs, which take up to two weeks to hatch. Follow all the exterminator’s instructions exactly.

Got questions? UNH Cooperative Extension’s Family, Home & Garden Education Center Info Line offers practical help finding answers for your lawn and garden questions. Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, M-F, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., or e-mail us at fhgc@ceunh.unh.edu.

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New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin
Vol. 87 No. 50, Page 3, Feb 11, 2009

Q: I love gooseberries, but I’ve heard it’s illegal to grow gooseberries and currants in New Hampshire.

A: New Hampshire prohibits growing most varieties of gooseberries and currants, because they serve as alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. However, a few varieties of gooseberries and currants are resistant to the disease, and home gardeners can grow them with permission from the state Division of Forests and Lands. To apply for a “Ribes Permit,” contact the Division at www.nhdfl.org/permits-and-applications/ or call Kyle Lombard at 464-3016.

If properly cared for, gooseberries and currants do well in New Hampshire’s short growing season and relatively mild climate. They benefit from rich loam soils and pH of about 6.5. Some varieties require cross-pollination. UNH Cooperative Extension offers an information sheet, “Growing Currants and Gooseberries,” at: extension.unh.edu/resources/files/ Resource000575_Rep597.pdf

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New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin
Vol. 87 No. 50, Page 3, Feb 11, 2009
Article by Dr. Leonard Perry

Starting leeks from seeds, properly keeping snow off shrubs, and giving cut flowers the right care are some of the gardening tips for this month.

Long-season alliums, such as leeks and onions, should be started from seed now. They need 10 to 12 weeks of growth indoors before they go in the garden. Sprinkle the seed on top of seed-starting mix, keep it moist, and as soon as the seedlings emerge, place the flats under grow lights so they grow strong. Begonias and pansies are couple of flowers you might start now too.

Although a sunny windowsill is an ideal spot for sun-loving houseplants, be sure the plants aren’t too close to the glass or they could be damaged by the cold. Also, since heating vents are often located underneath windows, plants are prone to drying out quickly. You may want to move plants to a different location until the weather moderates.

When tree and shrub branches bend under the weight of a new snowfall, use a broom to gently brush off the snow. Don’t try to remove ice or you might break the branch. It’s possible to save a large branch that partially splits from the main trunk if you tie it in place and use long screws (coming from each direction, if necessary) to secure it. If done right away, the tree may callous over the wound and heal itself.

For seeds that need warmth to germinate, a heat mat underneath the flat can make a big difference. Once the seedlings are up, move them off the mat and grow them on at a cooler temperature to encourage strong, stocky growth. You can find inexpensive mats at some garden stores and online seed firms. Try putting a piece of reflective foil insulation underneath the mat to direct the heat up towards the flat.

Arrange cut flowers in a vase of warm water, and add commercial floral preservative. Or, you can make your own preservative with one-cup lemon-lime soda (regular, not sugar free), one-cup water, and a half-teaspoon of household bleach. The sugar in the soda provides energy for the flowers, and the bleach controls bacteria. If you need more liquid, just increase the amounts proportionately.

Change the water in the vase every couple of days. In mixed bouquets, some of the flowers may give off sap that is toxic to other varieties in the vase and shortens their vase life. Daffodils are one such flower.

You can reduce this effect by frequently refreshing the water or keeping daffodils in a vase by themselves. When you change the water, recut about a half-inch off the bottom of flower stems. This helps ensure the conducting vessels don’t get plugged.

If you are preparing to start seeds under grow lights or fluorescent shop lights indoors, check the tubes for signs of age. Tubes that have been used for two to three seasons probably have lost much of their intensity even though they look fine. Dark rings on the ends of the tubes signal they need to be replaced. If just setting up such tubes, try the slimmer and more energy efficient ones. Alternate ones giving off warm and cool colors to provide the best light.

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Press Release
Source: NH Dept. of Health and Human Services
Feb 9, 2009

DHHS Announces 12th NH Case of Salmonella Related to Peanut Butter

Communicable Disease Control & Surveillance
Published Date: 02/09/2009
Contact Information: Public Information Office 603-271-4051

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) identified a 12th case of Salmonella in a New Hampshire resident that is linked to the peanut butter recall. The patient became ill approximately January 19th. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 575 cases of salmonella in the U.S. associated with contaminated peanut butter as part of this outbreak, 8 of whom have died. Forty-three states have reported cases.

The Salmonella strain is Typhimurium. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified the source of the outbreak as contaminated peanut products manufactured in a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). The peanut products were distributed to other manufacturers to be used in a wide array of food products. The FDA has created a searchable list of products and brands associated with the expanded PCA recall, which dates back to January 1, 2007. This list is available on the FDA website at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm and will be updated on a regular basis as additional recalls occur and information is received by the FDA. Peanut butter in jars is not a product of PCA and is not considered contaminated at this time.

“Though the outbreak seems to be decreasing,” said DHHS Director of Public Health Dr. José Montero, “we are still closely monitoring this ongoing situation and reduce the spread of illness. The health and safety of the people of New Hampshire is our primary concern.”

In New Hampshire, the Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring potential cases in the State, working with distributors and grocers to see that recalled products are removed from shelves, and testing human and food samples for possible contamination with Salmonella.

“Until this unfortunate situation is over,” said Nicholas Toumpas, Commissioner of DHHS, “we urge residents to avoid eating any products that have been recalled or identified as potentially contaminated. This highlights the importance of good public health surveillance and a strong food protection program in New Hampshire.”

For more information, refer to the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov, the FDA website at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html, or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/. If you do not have internet access, you can call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) to find out what products have been recalled. For questions about peanut butter safety or Salmonella, please call the NH DHHS Communicable Disease Control Section at 1-603-271-4496 or 1-800-852-3345 x4496.

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Press Release
Source: NH Dept. of Health and Human Services
Feb 11, 2009

DHHS Announces 13th New Hampshire Case of Salmonella Related to Peanuts Urges Consumers to Exercise Caution

Division of Public Health
Published Date: 02/13/2009
Contact Information: Public Information Office 603-271-4051

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) identified a 13th case of Salmonella in a New Hampshire resident that is linked to the nationwide peanut products recall. The patient became ill in mid-January. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 636 cases of salmonella in 44 states associated with contaminated peanut products as part of this outbreak.

The Salmonella strain is Typhimurium. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified the source of the outbreak as contaminated peanut products manufactured in a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). The peanut products were distributed to other manufacturers to be used in a wide array of food products. The FDA has created a searchable list of products and brands associated with the expanded PCA recall, which dates back to January 1, 2007. This list is available on the FDA website at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm and will be updated on a regular basis as additional recalls occur and information is received by the FDA. Peanut butter in jars is not a product of PCA and is not considered contaminated at this time.

“We want to urge consumers to be careful about consuming any products with peanuts, peanut paste, or peanut butter in them, except for jars of peanut butter, they have check to see whether they have been recalled,” said DHHS Director of Public Health Dr. José Montero. “This recall goes back two years, the products have been distributed to every state, and the list gets longer every day so people need to take the extra step to be sure about what they are eating.”

For more information, refer to the DHHS website at , the FDA website at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html, or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/. If you do not have internet access, you can also call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) to check to see if a particular product has been recalled. For questions about peanut butter safety or Salmonella, please call the NH DHHS Communicable Disease Control Section at 1-603-271-4496 or 1-800-852-3345 x4496.

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