The discovery has the potential to reduce reliance on antibiotics and ultimately help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals, said Adrian Barragan, associate research professor and extension veterinarian at Penn State and co-lead author on the paper.

The findings are particularly significant for the organic dairy industry where antibiotic use is restricted, he added, and may also pave the way for future studies in humans on the use of sugar-based formulations for uterine infections such as endometritis.

“The disease is an infection of the uterus that occurs after calving and it’s one of the top diseases that affect dairy cattle in the United States,” said Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes at Penn State and co-lead author on the study. “We treat cows with antibiotics only when necessary to ensure their welfare, following strict withdrawal periods to prevent residues in milk. Minimizing antibiotic use helps reduce the risk of resistant bacteria that can impact farm workers, families and communities. Antimicrobial resistance in human and veterinary medicine is a growing public health concern, so the main goal of this research was to test an antibiotic-free alternative option against the current gold standard for treating this prevalent disease.”

The study compared two treatments for a common uterine infection, called clinical metritis, that can lead to serious health problems for dairy cows. The condition is typically treated using systemic antibiotics, like ceftiofur, which are effective in treating the condition, but may contribute to the growing antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals.

“We have been searching for alternative therapies that can effectively treat metritis without relying on antibiotics,” Barragan said. “We asked two main questions when studying an alternative: Do the animals get cured with this treatment? And do treated animals have similar performance? Although the alternative treatment had the same clinical cure rate as the antibiotics, the answer wasn’t as clear cut as expected since performance between treatment groups differed based on disease severity.”

The study focused on using intrauterine dextrose, a sugar solution, as a possible alternative treatment. Dextrose has been extensively studied in animal and human clinical research for its ability to plasmolyze harmful bacteria, essentially the strong sugar solution pulls water out of the bacteria, causing them to dry out and die, Barragan explained. The approach had shown some promise in human wound healing, but previous studies in cattle yielded mixed results.

“We were hopeful that we would find positive results, but we were definitely not expecting to find that both treatments worked similarly for mild cases of metritis,” Barragan said. “That was a very exciting discovery.”

To investigate the effectiveness of dextrose, the researchers conducted a study on a dairy farm in central Pennsylvania. They enrolled 77 cows diagnosed with clinical metritis and randomly assigned them to one of two treatment groups: intrauterine dextrose or systemic ceftiofur. The researchers then monitored the cows’ recovery and analyzed their uterine microbial communities using advanced DNA sequencing to better understand the overall health of their microbiomes.

Although the sample size was not ideal for assessing clinical cure rate, Barragan said, the results suggested that both treatments had similar clinical cure rates, meaning dextrose could be just as effective as antibiotics in treating mild metritis cases.

Additionally, the analysis of the cows’ microbiomes revealed that dextrose does not significantly disrupt the bacterial balance of bacteria in the reproductive tract, unlike antibiotics, which can alter microbial communities and potentially impact the long-term health of the cow, Ganda explained.

Further research is needed to understand the full potential of dextrose as an alternative to antibiotic treatment, Barragan said, but one day that potential could even extend to treating humans.

“Our findings may be applicable for reproductive disease in human medicine,” he said. “In fact, we were inspired by medical literature and sugar-based wound treatments for people.”

The other Penn State authors on the paper are Jennine Lection, who earned a doctoral degree from Penn State and is currently an assistant professor at North Carolina State University; Emily Van Syoc, postdoctoral scholar; Asha Miles, former postdoctoral research associate who is currently a research geneticist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Julia Hamilton, undergraduate student; Marcela Martinez, research technologist; and Justin Silverman, assistant professor of statistics and of medicine and faculty fellow of the Institute for Computational and Data Science. Santiago Bas of the Germany-based feed company Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH also contributed to the paper.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hatch Appropriations, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the National Institutes of Health funded this research.

–Adrienne Berard
Penn State

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I hope all of you will be able to look back on the year’s greatness. Put your pencil to paper as you consider all you learned from 2024; some very important lessons were sprinkled in there.

To give time for reflection and enjoyment this holiday season, we will not be sending out our daily emails the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The Morning Ag Clips’ daily email will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

There will still be news articles published on our site, so make sure to stay up-to-date by going to morningagclips.com. Every day there will be something new, and there will be an editor watching for breaking ag news every day. But like you, we all need a break, and the only way to get it is to be extremely intentional about it, so we are!

Here’s to you, your family, and a prosperous and healthy New Year! We will see you in 2025!

With love,
Kate

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These grants are designed to help farm businesses undertake projects that improve on-farm water quality, help farms comply with water quality regulations, and improve overall farm viability. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $50,000, and all awarded funds require a 1-to-1 match.

Program staff will be hosting a virtual information sessions to answer questions on Monday, January 6th at 3:00-4:30pm.

Match can be in the form of farm funds, farm labor, and/or state or federal water quality programs such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (NRCS-EQIP) and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets’ Best Management Practices (BMP) and Capital Equipment Assistance (CEAP) Programs. Grantees will be reimbursed upon completion of the project.

Please direct any questions to Betsy McGavisk at Betsy@vhcb.org or 802-828-5562.

–Farm & Forest Viability Program
Vermont Housing & Conservation Board

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On February 4, Vegetable Day will take place at Jordan Hall, Geneva Experimental Station. This event will feature a diverse program designed to offer insights and education to industry professionals. Attendees will benefit from six engaging presentations, with three speakers scheduled in the morning and three in the afternoon, offering a balanced perspective from farmers and extension experts. Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for pesticide certification will also be available, making this a vital opportunity for professional development.

On February 5, the Becker Forum will take center stage, focusing on key issues and trends shaping the industry’s future. This forum provides a unique platform for thought-provoking discussions and valuable networking opportunities.

More details on presentation topics and speakers will be shared soon. Be sure to save the date and plan to attend! For any questions, please contact nysvegtebalegrowers@gmail.com.

—New York State Vegetable Growers Association

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Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) President and CEO Barbara O’Brien pointed to a collective effort of national and local teams that delivered results this year.

“The checkoff is working, and we have achieved a lot in building the next chapter of our history,” said O’Brien, who outlined “now, next and future” checkoff strategies at this year’s joint annual meeting. “This success was made possible by the dedication and hard work of everyone across the checkoff federation. This was a strong year of results as we continue to work with and through others to catalyze action against our trust- and sales-building priorities.”

Checkoff-led highlights from 2024 include:

Increasing Dairy Access in Schools

A partnership provided hot chocolate milk to students during a pilot with Chartwells K12, which serves more than 2 million meals daily at 700 school districts. National Dairy Council (NDC) and Chartwells launched the Hot Chocolate Milk program in 58 schools, which features hot chocolate milk – with toppings such as cinnamon and peppermint – served during breakfast and lunch.

Another school pilot offered lactose-free chocolate milk and increased consumption and reached students who weren’t drinking milk because of real or perceived lactose intolerance. NDC and American Dairy Association Mideast worked with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) to offer the country’s first single-serve lactose-free chocolate milk program. When compared to the rest of the district, the pilot schools experienced a 16-percent increase in milk consumption. The pilot was so successful that CPS is offering lactose-free chocolate milk in all schools.

Partnerships Growing Sales

The checkoff’s longstanding strategy of working with and through powerful partners continues to deliver results. For example, the checkoff supported Domino’s with its launch of cheese-centric items, including the New York Style Pizza and five-cheese mac and cheese.

This strategy of working with pizza partners also continues to find success internationally, a key tactic to reach the 95% of the world’s population that lives outside of the United States. DMI’s partnership with Pizza Hut Japan led to the chain announcing a permanent 30% increase of cheese use on all pizzas.

Other partnership innovations included working with General Mills to create YoBark, a yogurt-based snack designed to give families a tasty option and expand yogurt’s presence in the snacking category.

Sharing The Science of Dairy

One emerging research area is dairy’s impact on the first 1,000 days of life – encompassing pregnancy through a child’s second birthday. This is a critical period for brain development, which is impacted by nutrition and dairy can significantly support cognitive development, thanks to nutrients including iodine and choline. Checkoff organizations nationally and locally teamed with MilkPEP to elevate awareness and understanding of dairy’s contributions with expecting mothers and parents seeking nutrition guidance.

NDC also showed its ability to convene thought leaders when it hosted more than 100 national and international health and wellness experts for a two-day scientific conference addressing the dairy matrix, the concept of exploring the unique nutrient, non-nutrient and molecular compositions of dairy foods. Among the meeting attendees were representatives and speakers from major health professional organizations leading universities and organizations.

Supporting Dairy’s Sustainability Legacy

 The checkoff is focused on deepening its knowledge and attracting the investment in research on practices and technologies that work from a mitigation standpoint, and tools and resources to support adoption. DMI is tracking more than $29 million in additional investment from partners for pilot projects and research that empower sustainability action. One example is the Greener Cattle Initiative, a collaboration which announced a second round $5 million funding for enteric methane mitigation research.

The checkoff launched the Dairy Conservation Navigator, a resource hub designed to provide farm advisors, stakeholders and conservation professionals with science-based information on sustainable practices and technologies. Checkoff scientists and others developed a list of 80-plus practices that have a positive environmental benefit.

Checkoff Sparking Innovation

 The checkoff showcased dairy innovation and its nutrition package to 70,000 people attending Natural Products Expo West, the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry. DMI unveiled its www.InnovateWithDairy.com tool, which serves as a one-stop shop for anyone seeking information about dairy innovation.

DMI also kept its focus on future innovators with its New Product Competition. A University of Minnesota team took first with a creamy Norwegian-style, whey-based cheese spread.

More checkoff results, including financial reports, can be found at www.dairycheckoff.com.

About Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is funded by America’s more than 26,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

–Dairy Management Inc.

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The cost to attend this event is $60 per person. $10 discount for members of New York State Flower Industries. A discount of 50% will be given to additional attendees from

the same greenhouse/farm after one person has paid the full registration price. Lunch is included.

Pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will NOT be allowed. Please register by January 20^th, 2025 at https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/GreenhouseGrowers25_201.

If you need assistance with registration, please call 518-765-3518 or email cce-caahp@cornell.edu.

For program questions, contact: Jingjing Yin, jy578@cornell.edu or 518-429-8608.

*NYSDEC pesticide application credits will be provided for the following categories: 10, 1a, 3a, 24, 25

**2 NYSDEC pesticide application credits will be provided for category Core; 1 NYSDEC pesticide application credit will be provided for categories 1a, 3a, 24, 25, and 3c.

–CCE Albany County

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“The Organic Grower Summit provides a platform for collaboration and learning, uniting stakeholders who are shaping the future of organic farming,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director. “This year’s enthusiastic participation underscores the growing interest in sustainable and innovative farming practices.”

The event featured a packed schedule of keynote addresses, educational seminars and live ag-tech demonstrations, all receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. With 86% of seminar participants awarding the program five out of five stars, the educational sessions covered critical topics like soil health, ag technology and market resiliency.

A major focus of OGS was the increasing importance of regenerative farming practices. Seminar sessions such as “Regenerating Soil Health with Organic Practices” and “Organic, Regenerative, or Both: What Does the Market Want?” attracted packed rooms and sparked valuable discussions among growers and retailers. Esteemed speakers, including Eric Brennan of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Jennifer Lester Moffitt, USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, emphasized the role of innovation in building a resilient food system.

The summit also celebrated outstanding achievements in organic farming with the prestigious Grower of the Year Award. This year’s honoree, Dick Peixoto of Lakeside Organic Gardens, was selected for his pioneering contributions to the organic farming industry.

On the bustling trade show floor, leading brands and emerging startups showcased innovative solutions to advance sustainability and efficiency in organic agriculture. The expo provided opportunities to explore new products, network with peers and gain insights to enhance growers’ operations.

“It’s inspiring to see the organic community come together to share knowledge and celebrate progress,” said Jungmann. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, partners and exhibitors who made this event a success, and we’re already looking forward to an even bigger event in 2025.”

The 2025 Organic Grower Summit is scheduled to return to Monterey, California, from Dec. 3-4, 2025. For more details and updates, visit www.OrganicGrowerSummit.com.

About Organic Grower Summit
The Organic Grower Summit is a premier event that serves as a hub for organic producers and suppliers to come together and explore the latest trends, techniques and innovations in organic farming, now produced by Farm Progress. Connect with and learn more about Organic Grower Summit online at www.organicgrowersummit.com and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thank you to the 2024 Organic Grower Summit sponsors and partners including Western Growers (presenting sponsor), Fendt (Grower of the Year sponsor) Western Farm Press, Strauss (Ag Tech Opening Reception sponsor), and Organic Grower.

About Farm Progress
As part of Informa Markets, Farm Progress is the largest, most diversified agriculture information business in North America. Through a robust network of live events, digital products, data, marketing services, broadcasting and local and national publications, Farm Progress enables the nation’s most economically significant farmers, growers and ranchers to connect and do business. It serves 80% of the 2 million farms and ranches in the U.S., and an estimated 85% of the nation’s annual agricultural gross domestic product. Visit our website at www.FarmProgress.com.

— Organic Grower Summit

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ACEP helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect farmland and ranchland through conservation easements. ACEP has two components:

• Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and state and local governments to protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches through conservation easements. Ag land easements can protect the long-term viability of Rhode Island’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive farmland to non-agricultural uses. Easements are crucial to protecting farmland from urban encroachment. Easements also can be used to protect floodplains, grasslands, and forests, providing public benefits like carbon sequestration, water quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat, and open space protection.
• Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) help private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands that have been previously degraded by agricultural uses. Wetland easements enhance and protect habitat for wildlife, reduce flooding impacts, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity, and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands by purchasing easements, and eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement.

NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round but sets specific ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding. These dates account for farmer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunity to apply. Applications for ACEP Ag Land Easements or Wetland Reserve Easements that meet eligibility and ranking criteria that are received by Jan. 17, 2025, will be considered for the third round of fiscal year 2025 funding.

Applications received after these ranking dates will be automatically deferred to the next funding period. Call or visit your local NRCS Field Office or Conservation District Office (see listing below) for more information.

–USDA NRCS Rhode Island

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Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals will be held on Wednesdays, January 22, 29 and February 5 from 4 – 5:15 p.m. Participants ages 9-18 will learn the basics of farm animal care, exploring basic animal husbandry, care and nutrition. Registration deadline is January 7, 2025.

Climate Civic Action club will take place on Mondays, January 27, February 3 and 10 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Participants ages 12-18 will learn about climate change from global and local perspectives and explore opportunities for individual action to make a difference. Registration deadline is January 13, 2025.

Participation is free though donations are accepted. Learn more or register by visiting the event webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206; sarah.sparks@maine.edu.

About the University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and help grow the food-based economy. Extension also leads Maine’s 4-H program, the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in the state. 4-H programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing and are developed to fit a variety of backgrounds, interests, budgets and schedules. Participants complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.

–University of Maine Cooperative Extension

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“Voluntary staff contributions, along with a match approved by Farm Credit East’s board of directors, provides staff the opportunity to give to local community initiatives,” said Craig Pollock, Farm Credit East senior vice president and Farm Credit East Cares coordinator.

39 northeast organizations received funds resulting from 2024 employee contributions. Recipients included food banks and hunger relief efforts, youth and agricultural education programs such as 4-H, community and health support organizations, and programs to enrich the agriculture community.

“Farm Credit East Cares continues to make a meaningful impact in our local communities,” continued Pollock. “Initiated by our employees, I’m humbled each year by our team’s generosity to support important causes that make a difference in both rural and urban communities.”

The Farm Credit East Cares Community Fund was established by Farm Credit East employees who raise contributions with a Farm Credit East match. The Fund’s primary intent is to provide support for farm families and organizations impacted by disasters. Earlier this year, Farm Credit East Cares contributed $20,000 to relief organizations providing support to Southeast producers following the aftermath of October’s devastating hurricanes. Since 2011, Farm Credit East Cares has donated more than $1.5 million.

Farm Credit East is a member-owned cooperative serving businesses involved in agriculture, forest products and commercial fishing throughout its eight-state territory of New York, New Jersey and New England. In addition to loans and leases, the organization offers a full range of specialized financial services. Farm Credit East is governed by a 16-person board of directors, comprised of 13 customer-elected, one customer appointed and two outside appointed directors. For more information, visit FarmCreditEast.com.  

–Farm Credit East

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