Seroprevalence of infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, bovine leukemia virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus in maritime Canada dairy cattle

The purpose of this study was to survey the seroprevalence of infection with the agents of production-limiting diseases in dairy cattle in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. In 30 randomly selected herds per province, 30 cattle per herd were randomly selected and tested for antibodies to bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis), while 5 unvaccinated cattle over 6 months of age were tested for antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). For BLV, 20.8% (15.8% to 27.0%) of cows were positive, and 70.0% (60.3% to 79.7%) of herds had at least one positive cow. In BLV-positive herds, the average BLV prevalence was 30.9% (24.8% to 37.2%). For M. paratuberculosis, 2.6% (1.8% to 3.9%) of cows were positive, and 16.7% (8.8% to 24.5%) of herds had at least 2 M. paratuberculosis-positive cows. In M. paratuberculosis-positive herds, the average M. paratuberculosis prevalence was 8.5% (6.9% to 10.1%). For BVDV, 46.1% (35.5% to 56.7%) of herds had at least 1 BVDV-positive animal with a titer greater than or equal to 1:64.     

Red cloud: A dark red-skinned potato cultivar which holds color in storage

Red Cloud is a midseason potato comparable in maturity to Red LaSoda and later than Red Norland. It is characterized by a thick, dark red skin and white flesh. The red skin coloring holds well in storage, longer than either Red LaSoda or Dark Red Norland. Red Cloud produced above average yields in trials conducted in Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, and in the 14 participating States and Provinces of the North Central Regional Potato (NCR) Trial in 1982. Yields of Red Cloud were higher than Dark Red Norland and lower than Red LaSoda in NE (1989–1991), similar to Red Norland in NE and CO (1977–1982) and to Red LaSoda and Dark Red LaSoda in AZ (1978–1982), and similar to Dark Red Norland and lower than Red LaSoda in TX (1982). Red Cloud tends to have more grade outs due to bulging eyes than the above standards. The specific gravity has been consistently greater than standard and other experimental red cultivars. Red Cloud had fewer tubers with hollow heart or vascular discoloration, and fewer tubers with any internal or external defects than Red Norland and Red Pontiac. It has demonstrated heat tolerance in Arizona. The white flesh has a mealy texture. The primary market for Red Cloud is a fresh table potato for boiling, mashing and baking.