We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread. • Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education • Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle • Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID • Prioritizing threat...
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We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread. • Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education • Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle • Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID • Prioritizing threat...
We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread. • Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education • Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle • Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID • Prioritizing threat...
A quick tour of the month’s livestock calendar spans Hawaii’s backyard poultry workshop, a statewide brand re-registration reminder, and Nebraska’s lineup of ag outlooks, tax updates, land lease sessions, captive insurance training, and ranch succession planning. We point to the tools, dates, and choices that help producers manage risk and prepare for the next year. • Backyard poultry basics workshop in Waimanalo with live demos • Hawaii brand re-registration deadline and five-year cyc...
We lay out a practical, year-round plan to manage internal parasites in sheep and goats using selective treatment, better pasture use, and simple records that prevent resistance. Barber pole worm takes center stage as we share tools that cut losses and keep flocks productive. • why barber pole worm is the primary threat • signs like anemia and bottle jaw to watch • selective treatment using the FAMACHA scoring system • how the five-point check guides quick triage • using fecal egg counts and...
We examine why hiring feels harder across agriculture and share a practical system to recruit, onboard, and retain employees on farms and ranches. We compare labor signals in Hawaii, Nebraska, and the U.S., then turn data into day-one checklists, mentorship, and culture that lasts. • Hawaii, Nebraska, and U.S. labor snapshots and trends • Why applications rise while qualified fits fall • Writing job titles, summaries, and clear duty lists • Separating required vs preferred skills for better ...
We share fast, practical updates producers can use now, from poultry health recordings and a five-part swine biosecurity series to finance tools, risk webinars, and a simple system to organize vital documents. Hawaiʻi and Nebraska resources align to protect herds, tighten budgets, and keep families prepared. • Poultry basics webinar recap with Dr Gregory Archer and YouTube recordings • 5-part webinar series: Safeguarding Hawaii’s Swine: Building Biosecurity and FAD Preparedness - Part 2 Regi...
Mele and Shannon provide an update on essential concerns for producers and upcoming livestock events in Hawaii and Nebraska. • Three-day poultry basics webinar series (September 17-19) covering health, food safety, and environmental management with Dr. Gregory Archer from Texas A&M • Small ruminant health workshop in Hilo (September 20) featuring parasite control, grazing management, and hands-on emergency care training • Safeguarding Hawaii’s Swine: Building Biosecurity and FAD Prepared...
Elizabeth Pickett of Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization shares her 17-year journey from marine conservation to wildfire prevention, explaining how post-fire erosion damages coastal ecosystems and the organization's evolution to address this connection. After decades developing resources with limited public engagement, the devastating 2023 Lahaina fire dramatically increased awareness and demand for HWMO's wildfire prevention and mitigation materials. • HWMO started 25 years ago when ran...
Dr. Lyda Garcia, Associate Professor and Extension Meat Specialist with The Ohio State University, shares her expertise on the science behind meat quality and how proper livestock management impacts the final product consumers enjoy. Quality means different things to different people - from marbling content and color to freshness and safety - but understanding the factors that influence it can help producers deliver better products. • Three types of stress affect meat quality: physiological,...
We share exciting updates from Hawaii and Nebraska in this quick mini-episode covering upcoming workshops, tax information, and educational opportunities for livestock stakeholders. • April 12: Calving Management and Grazing Management Field Workshop at Mealani Research Station in Kamuela, Big Island • All-day hands-on outdoor field workshop with no PowerPoint presentations • Registration required - email for more information or follow on Eventbrite • Preliminary information on the Ag ...
Yunuen Bustamante is Oahu's newest extension agent, bringing a fresh perspective to Hawaii's livestock industry. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, her journey blends traditional wisdom with modern agricultural science. With a bachelor's in agronomy and a master's in agroforestry, in addition to her practical experience working as a veterinary technician and livestock specialist at a local ranch, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our Livestock Extension team. She aims to develop tailored guida...
Dive into this episode of Livestock Wala'au, where we uncover exciting updates, workshops, and insights to support your livestock management practices. Our hosts, Mele Oshiro and Shannon Sand, will be discussing upcoming workshops focused on beef cattle management, ranging from on-farm food animal processing to grazing management strategies. Shannon shared about exploring the significance of succession planning, an essential element for family-operated farms. We highlight the upcoming ...
Councilmember Heather Kimball details Hawaii County's agricultural tax program changes designed to prevent land speculation while supporting legitimate farmers and ranchers through targeted tax benefits. • New requirements for non-dedicated agricultural land programs include upfront documentation of legitimate farming activities • The current non-dedicated ag program is sunsetting in 2026, with two replacement options: a 10-year program (lowest tax rates) or 3-year program (more flexibility)...
What if there were simple steps you could take to safeguard your herd and secure food supplies from devastating diseases? Join us as Dr. Julia Herman, a respected beef cattle specialist veterinarian from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, shares her wealth of knowledge on livestock biosecurity. Dr. Herman's journey through the world of veterinary outreach and education reveals the importance of effective communication with producers and the creation of dynamic biosecurity plans tailor...
What if a name change could redefine a mission? Join us on this episode of Livestock Walaʻau, where hosts Mele Oshiro and Shannon Sand share the exciting news about the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's fresh new identity. Delve into the latest from Hawaii's livestock community, including details on the Livestock Forage Disaster Program applications for Honolulu and Kauai counties. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or new to agriculture, this episode...
Curious about the hidden dynamics of Hawaii’s grasslands? Join us as we speak with Kevin Basienda, a passionate graduate researcher from the University of Hawaii, who has embarked on a mission to map out the lush yet invasive grass species across the islands. Intrigued by the complexities of these plant invaders, Kevin's journey led him to create the Hawaii Grass Atlas, a treasure trove of information featuring over 280 grass species. Through innovative data collection methods, including road...
What if you could transform your livestock management strategies with the latest updates and resources tailored just for you? Join us as Mele Oshiro and Shannon Sand bring a treasure trove of information for livestock stakeholders in Hawaii and across the Western U.S. Discover the newly accessible small ruminant nutrition and management webinar videos, vital insurance coverage updates for Hawaii’s Big Island pastures. Get ready to mark your calendars for the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Convent...
Ever wondered how integrating trees into pasture systems could revolutionize sustainable agriculture? Join us as we discuss this innovative practice with Travis Idol from the University of Hawaii. Discover how the Lucena tree, a nitrogen-fixing powerhouse with high protein content, is transforming silvopasture systems across tropical and subtropical regions. Our conversation highlights successful implementations in Queensland, Australia, and South America, and explores the potential of this r...
What if you could safeguard your livestock from the unpredictable whims of nature? Join Mele Oshiro and Shannon Sand on the Livestock Wala'au podcast as we unravel vital updates and resources for livestock stakeholders in Hawaii and beyond. We're excited to announce the newly released Small Ruminant Nutrition and Management webinar videos on our Livestock Extension Group YouTube channel. Plus, learn about the USDA Risk Management Agency's expansion of forage insurance in Hawaii County—a game-...
Aloha! Welcome to Livestock Wala'au Season 4 MINI Episode 4. We'll share upcoming webinars, Hawaiʻi program updates, and tools. Stay tuned for our upcoming episode with Dr. Raquel Wong from Hawaii Department of Agriculture. We discuss inter-island transportation of livestock. Links: Small Ruminant Nutrition & Management in Hawaii Webinar Series: Link HereUSDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Pasture, Range, and Forage Insurance Information Session with East Co Group. Free but Registration i...
Aloha! Thank you for tuning in! In this episode, we talk with Jen Livesy from the East Co Group about the Pasture, Range and Forage (PRF) program recently expanded to Hawaii, an effort supported by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). We also will hear from two producers, Marissa Taylor and Brian Sprenger, who have been using PRF in their operations. Listen in to learn more about PRF and how you can apply it to your grazing operations! Resources & Links: USDA’s Risk Manag...
We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread. • Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education • Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle • Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID • Prioritizing threat...
