Grain inspections on the mighty Columbia

Chris McGann

Communications

Measuring out wheat for
inspection.

WSDA staffer Benjamin Baxter,
 parses out a sample of wheat. 

A few cups of wheat randomly spill into an orange plastic contractor’s bucket under one of four dusty pipes extending down from the ceiling at WSDA’s Longview office.

This small sample weighs just a few pounds, but it wields tremendous power.

It could validate a multi-million dollar contract. Or it could bring a 124-million pound shipment to a standstill.

Even more than that, the inspections conducted every day by the 75 commodity inspectors and technicians at the four Washington loading docks along the Columbia River carry the responsibility of protecting a large slice of the U.S. agriculture export economy.

Grain Inspection Supervisor Colleen Butcher explains WSDA
commodity operations. In the background are hundreds of
 samples saved as a record

Grain Inspection Supervisor, Colleen Butcher, oversees operations at the Columbia River field offices.

She’s there to make sure the quality of the grain going onto the ship matches the specifications listed on each load order.

Her teams inspect the grain for impurities, moisture content, and overall quality or grade, comparing those findings with the specifications on the load order. They also inspect the facilities for sanitation and proper handling.

It’s all about quality control and consumer confidence, she says.

“There have been issues in the past of selling product and what they are receiving on the other end is not what they thought they were going to be getting,” Butcher said. “This is the United States’ way of guaranteeing that the grain that is being requested is the grain that they will receive.”

A Panamax vessel bound for Asia is loaded at a Longview,
Washington grain elevator. 

Washington is one of only a few states delegated to conduct export grain inspections by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA).

WSDA staff inspects, logs and sets aside portions of the samples in case of a future dispute at the same time the trainload of grain floats down sealed, air-cushioned conveyor belts onto a giant Panamax freighter at the dock.

"This whole operation is functioning on receiving that grain, that way they can export it," Butcher said.

Mountains of wheat from Eastern Washington arrive by river barge and train each year, but the grain, mainly wheat, corn, soybeans and sorghum, comes from all over the West including Idaho, Oregon,  the Dakotas, Montana, Colorado and beyond.

For Midwest grain, Longview and the other grain facilities along the lower Columbia River are the gateway to Asia.

WSDA Grain Inspector Laura Gould monitors the pathways
of grain as it is unloaded and transferred to the ship. 

The Columbia River has multiple elevators and loading operations.

"We receive grain twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, all year long," Butcher said. "In most cases, the grain’s final destination will determine which part of the United States it’s exported from.”

A different kind of continental divide

Flowing much like water on divergent paths from the Continental Divide, grain heads in one of two directions from western grain country.

In most cases the grain goes east to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, bound for Europe and Africa, or West to the Columbia and the Pacific Ocean, with Asia and the Middle East as its likely destination.

For grain headed for Asia, “It will come through the Columbia River," Butcher said.

Linchpin for the industry

Benjamin Baxter, separates
 a wheat sample.

“We are quality assurance. We are making sure that the grain that is being loaded onto that export vessel is meeting contract specifications,” Butcher said.

A series of vibrating trays separate
wheat from other seeds, stems and
other impurities. 

Butcher says the inspections protect the buyers, but also, perhaps even more so, they protect the producers.

If a producer can’t assure the buyer that what they send is actually going to be up to the specification that the buyer wants and has agreed to, the whole market could be damaged, Butcher said.

More information about WSDA commodity inspections is available on our website.

Cross-training to stamp out a creeping menace

Karla Salp
Communications

Hurricanes. Wildfires. Floods. When these types of natural disasters occur, the entire community – often the entire nation and sometimes the world – knows that it happened.

But not all natural disasters command such attention, at least not at first. Sometimes the devastation is more insidious, like the quiet, unassuming introduction of invasive species.

There are many examples, some right here in Washington.

Take for instance Capitol Lake in Olympia. This iconic landmark used to be enjoyed by the community for a variety of activities. But an infestation of New Zealand mud snails, invasive pests the size of a grain of rice that were discovered in the lake in 2009, has rendered the water off-limits to the public.

The colorful spotted lantern fly nymph.
 (Photo credit, Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture) 

And on the Eastern seaboard, there's kudzu. This prolific vine is swallowing up many areas of the South, not only choking out plants and trees and reducing habitat, but even ruining soil and air quality.

Then there is the gypsy moth, which was first introduced in the 1800’s in Massachusetts. Today it is permanently established in over 20 Eastern and Midwestern states. In 2016, gypsy moth damage in New England was so bad, in fact, that it could be seen from space. The news is full of stories of dead trees – including nearly three out of every four oak trees and more than a quarter of all hardwoods dying in Rhode Island.

The ecological and economic impacts will likely be felt for decades.

Cross-training for pest detection

Exotic Pest Workshop in Bellingham, Wa.

Several WSDA staff recently joined about one hundred natural resource managers from Canada, Washington, and other US states for the Exotic Pest Workshop in Bellingham in an effort to try to avoid this kind of natural disaster. The purpose: to cross-train one another on invasive species currently present or likely to be introduced into the area in the near future.

Recognizing that invasive species have no respect for county, state, or international borders, the goal is to have more professionals in the field trained to recognize a wide range of invasive species – including animals, plants, and diseases – even though it may not directly involve the work they are doing.

For example, an aquatic weed management program may notice invasive muscles. Properly trained professionals can identify and report these pests and potentially stop or mitigate an ecological disaster.

Topics of discussion included information about how invasive species get to the area, public outreach, decontamination, and effective eradication programs. Presenters covered a wide variety of pests, including:

European green crab
 (Photo credit: Alison Fox, University of Florida)

• Spotted lanternfly
• Japanese beetle
• Invasive mussels
• Knotweed
• European green crab
• Sudden oak death
• White nose syndrome
• Feral swine

Deploying technology

While cross-training professionals in the field is a great step in the right direction, it only provides a limited number of eyes in the field. As with any natural disaster, a whole-community approach is critical to the successful response and recovery from invasive species introductions.

People enjoying parks, gardeners, hikers, hunters and fishers, campers – anyone enjoying nature – can educate themselves about invasive species and report anything that looks suspicious. For more information about invasive species, visit the Washington Invasive Species Council.

Reporting possible invasive species is as easy as snapping a picture with your phone and uploading it either to the council’s website or using the Washington Invasives app.

Keeping African Swine Fever out of the United States

Chris McGann
Communications

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took to the internet with a nationwide call to arms against a looming threat to the U.S. pork industry: African Swine Fever (ASF).

There is no cure for African Swine Fever, preventing it from infecting pigs in
the United States requires vigilance and strong biosecurity measures. 

“African Swine Fever has never been detected in the United States. However it is a very real threat,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in a video message. He said the disease is "spreading around the world right now and affects both domestic and feral pigs.”

ASF is a devastating, deadly disease that would have a significant impact on U.S. livestock producers, their communities and the economy if it were found here. There is no treatment or vaccine available for this disease. The only way to stop this disease is to depopulate all affected or exposed swine herds.

Not a health threat to humans

Along with the strong warning, Perdue emphasized that humans are not affected by ASF and it is not a threat to our food supply.

“Within the U.S. we are working with many partners including states, veterinarians, and industry organizations to raise awareness of this deadly disease and how it spreads,” Perdue said.

WSDA’s role

WSDA is joining the effort to raise awareness.

Even though our state is not thought of as a big pork producer, Washington is the home of 3,000 breeding sows on approximately 376 farms, according to NASS.

Interim Washington State Veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle said ASF is highly contagious and it’s incumbent on us to be on the lookout for it, practice effective biosecurity measures, and help prevent the disease from infecting  both commercial and feral swine populations.

“ASF is only a plane ride away,” Itle said. “We are asking for everyone’s help in preventing it from getting here to begin with.”

A global threat

The disease has been a persistent and costly problem for pork producers in other countries. Since 2007, active ASF outbreaks have been reported in multiple countries across Africa, Asia and Europe, in both domestic and wild pigs.

The ease and speed of international travel combined with the potential for this disease to cause animal suffering, economic losses, and food supply interruptions makes ASF a serious concern for both farmers and consumers.

In the video released with the announcement, Secretary Perdue said a U.S. outbreak of ASF could cripple the pork industry.

“We want everyone who comes in contact with pigs, from the large farm owners to the owners of a single teacup pig and even international travelers and petting zoo visitors, to understand how easily this disease can spread and the importance of keeping our U.S. pigs free of this disease," Perdue said.
“The U.S. pork industry supports more than half a million jobs, the majority of those in rural areas,” he said. “We know what’s at stake and we are determined to keep African Swine Fever out of the United States.”

How the virus spreads

• Direct contact with feces, urine, discharges, blood, or tissues from infected pigs
• Carrier swine and their relatives, especially wild boars, warthogs, and feral pigs
• Feeding raw, undercooked or smoked pork products to swine
• Contaminated equipment, footwear, clothing, food, vehicles, and facilities
• Fly, lice, and mosquito bites
• Soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros (a host for the ASF virus)

Signs of ASF

• Sudden death or chronic illness
• Abortion
• High fever
• Weakness
• Depression
• Poor appetite
• Red or blue-tinged skin
• Skin hemorrhages
• Diarrhea or constipation

Treatment and prevention

ASF cannot be treated. Efforts focus on containing the disease to limit the affected outbreak area, euthanizing all pigs on affected farms, and investigating the outbreak to identify the source. Prevention measures include close monitoring of animal health, effective biosecurity measures, animal movement regulation, proper feeding practices, control of wild hogs, and tick-vector control.

If you raise pigs, monitor all animals daily for signs of illness. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see unusual signs of illness such as high fevers, skin discoloration, or sudden death. Report any high mortality or morbidity event to the State Veterinarian’s Office.

Obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement of livestock. Quarantine herd additions for 30 days or keep a closed herd.  If you travel internationally, take extreme biosecurity precautions when you return.

For more information about ASF, visit WSDA’s Animal Services Division web page.

Stepping into the South Korea Market

Chris McGann
Communications

Washington delegation in Seoul: Amy Teo (F.C. Bloxom Co.), Debra French
(Dairy Farmers of WA), Julie Johnson (WSDA), Sean Connell (EDASC),
  Bryan Sakuma (Sakuma Brothers) and James Smith (JBR International)

If you’re a Whatcom County dairy looking for new artisan cheese customers -- or a blueberry producer, beer broker or maybe you specialize in selling hot sauce and pet food -- a huge overseas market such as South Korea could sound intriguing.

But Seoul is a long way from Ferndale.

And for all their opportunity, markets like South Korea are complex. Stepping in can be overwhelming and very intimidating.

Enter Julie Johnson, WSDA’s export development and outreach trade specialist.

Johnson and WSDA’s International Marketing Program is ready to help connect sellers with foreign buyers and help Washington companies navigate everything from busy airports to trade restrictions in some of our largest export countries.

Fried chicken and beer Seoul style. Watch
out, it's got a bite!

She can even help with little things.

What if a buyer in Seoul invites you out for a fried chicken and beer dinner? No problem, it’s a trend right now, Johnson will explain. But be careful.

“It looks like American fried chicken, but they put their own spicy spin on it,” Johnson said. “It’s got a bite!”

Last month, WSDA’s International Marketing Program completed a first-of-its-kind outbound trade mission to South Korea. It was, in a way, a pilot program.

Although WSDA organizes many trade missions, the trip last month was the first to focus on new-to-market and new-to-export companies going to learn about opportunities, import rules, and the consumer preferences of South Korea.

The program wanted to know if companies interested in entering the market would be willing to pay their own way to go on a mission. The resounding answer was, yes.

Johnson quickly identified 17 companies that were interested. Five of them, including the before-mentioned dairy, berry producer and specialty product brokers, participated in the outbound mission organized by WSDA and the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC). Dairy Farmers of Washington, Port of Skagit, and Economic Alliance of Snohomish County also made the trip.

A clear potential

South Korea is the sixth largest U.S. agricultural export market with exports of $6.9 billion in 2017, according the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.

Dragon’s beard candy (Ggul-ta-rea).

“For businesses out there looking for new markets, South Korea is full of opportunities,” Johnson said. “South Korea is open to our products because we have excellent food safety and high quality products. It’s one of Washington's top five export markets.

“There’s a lot of potential there, for sure,” she said.

But to tap into it, businesses must understand the legal requirements and cultural norms to determine if it would be a good fit and build an effective strategy to entering.

“It’s really key to go to those markets so you can learn about the customs and the culture,” she said.

Expert help on the ground

“The great thing about working with WSDA to explore new markets like South Korea is we have someone on the ground ready to help,” she said. “South Korea is a big bustling place. It can be complicated.”

Washington delegation poses in front of the 40th Anniversary Monument
of King Gojong’s Enthronement in Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Based in Seoul, Danny Kim is one of WSDA’s four contracted overseas trade representatives.

“Danny met us at the airport, made sure we got on the right bus and got to the right hotel. It took a lot of the nervousness out. That’s a big help, especially for people who had not traveled internationally,” she said.

“We got really great feedback,” she said.

International Marketing, a good fit 

Johnson is one of four trade specialists in the International Marketing Program, but her role in the program is unique.

While other staff are assigned to specific markets and product sectors, Johnson's position is focused on “export development and outreach,” meaning she primarily works with companies that are at the beginning of their explorations into overseas markets.

Johnson has worn many hats at WSDA. She’s worked here on and off since high school.
But she’s really found her stride in the International Marketing Program.

“It’s great,” she said. “I’ve been allowed to do some international travel so that I can learn about the markets. It’s one thing to talk to somebody about a market, but when you’ve actually been there and experienced it, it’s a lot easier to really tell them what the markets are like.”

Daniel Wavrin (Ferndale Farmstead), Julie Johnson (WSDA),
 and Danny Kim (WSDA contract representative).

Downsides? Johnson is a self-proclaimed picky eater, so sampling the pickled radishes, fermented kimchi and other traditional Korean cuisine is not her favorite aspect of the work.

But that’s just a quibble.

“I love the outreach,” she said. “I love people. I get excited about companies that are interested in exporting. I feel like it’s a really good fit. I work with new-to-export companies, getting them the resources they need to become export-ready.”

For more information check out the International Marketing Program.

Sharing the science of shellfish

Chris McGann
Communications

WSDA Aquaculture Coordinator Laura Butler is working to
support shellfish aquaculture in Washington. 

Aquatic science and problem-solving took center stage at the 26th Conference for Shellfish Growers this week, hosted by Washington Sea Grant.

Scientists, growers, and state and federal agency representatives came together to share research and their experiences surrounding the perplexing lives of shellfish.

Is toxic algae bloom the culprit behind summer shellfish die off?  How can we keep oyster herpes virus out of Northwest waters? Manage ghost shrimp? Cope with ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures?

These were some of the issues panelists explored during the two-day event that took place in the tiny coastal town of Union on lower Hood Canal.

Some answers were clearer than others, and some research findings seemed to raise as many questions as they answered. But for the 167 participants, the event was an opportunity to tap into the expertise of this close-knit, esoteric community to continue seeking solutions.

Where else could you entertain a question like: “Why do some oysters just stop eating?” or “Why do baby geoducks refuse to dig themselves into the sand?”

Biologist Nick Wenzel appreciates the
the opportunity to network with other
aquaculture enthusiasts.

Value of the network

Nick Wenzel is a shellfish biologist with a keen focus on geoducks, a freakishly large clam that boasts a neck more than three feet long and bodies almost double the size of their shells.

Wenzel shared his efforts to try to find out what caused a recent batch of juvenile geoducks to simply refuse to dig in.

He told the audience he wasn’t sure if the problem had to do with something in the water or if it was something more, motivational.

He said the conference and others like it are an important resource, because geoduck farming is such a young industry.

“The best part is the networking,” he said. “The people you meet here have a wealth of information and they are willing to share it.”

WSDA supports aquaculture

In 2018, estimates of Washington state
shellfish exports exceeded $126 million. 

WSDA Aquaculture Coordinator Laura Butler wants to help support that critical network of subject matter experts. She was among the panelists, raising awareness about our agency’s relatively new role in supporting the industry through outreach, marketing and networking.

She said it makes sense for WSDA to play a supporting role as a non-regulatory agency working with this industry.

"There is no doubt that shellfish farmers are farmers," she said. "They are just working in the unique environment of the intertidal zone."

A mystery in a shell

The shellfish industry is important to the economic vitality of many small coastal communities. In 2018, estimates of Washington state shellfish exports exceeded $126 million.

But the industry is built around a highly enigmatic animal.

“Oysters are like an alien life form, they are so different than other animals,” said Washington Sea Grant Aquaculture Specialist Brent Vadopalas. "Genetically they are really bizarre. They are bizarre in almost every way."

For example, Vadopalas explains that the animal kingdom includes species that are male or female and species that are hermaphrodite.

“But the Olympia oyster, our native oyster, it will flip back and forth between male and female within a single season, the same individual,” he said. “Why would it do that? It makes no sense.”

That’s just one of the many mysteries these slippery creatures hold for Vadopalas and other shellfish researchers and growers.

Although there is so much still to learn, we can be certain that as long as clean waters rise and fall over Northwest tidelands, these farmers will be looking for ways to make sure the shellfish harvest continues for generations to come.

For more information about WSDA’s Aquaculture Coordinator activities contact: Laura Butler.