shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com March 18, 2014 • Page 17 Clean produce properly to avoid contaminants ? FAIR From Page 16 South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Scottish cattle draw interest along Highway 34 FEDORA, S.D. (AP) — If you've ever slowed down to look at those unique cattle along state Highway 34 between Fedora and Howard, you're not the first. In fact, Gary Moschell says they've got to be the most photographed cattle in the state. "People love to stop and check them out," he said. "They've got so much more personality than your typical angus." That's because Moschell Farms has Scottish Highland cattle, which carry a long, shaggy coat during the winter months to keep them warm and often have long locks of hair above their noses. Moschell said Scottish Highlands usually handle the cold weather better than the herd of bison that are also on his land in western Miner County. "They're out there in 20below weather and they're grazing. I'm freaking out," said Lynette Forth, who lives with Moschell. "I worry about them nonstop, but we really don't have too much for winter problems." They vary in colors from red to white, silver to black and brown, and sometimes a yellowish color. "They've been known to change colors three times in their lifetimes. It's pretty neat," Forth said. "They are just so fun." Forth said the cattle are like people, in that they're calm and crazy at different times. Moschell told the story of being picked up by a cow from behind and both Moschell and the cow being a little surprised. "She had her forehead right in my butt and her nose right between my legs and I had a handlebar on each side," Moschell recalled. "So she gave me a ride for about 10 feet and the she was like 'Oh.' She put me right down and almost apologized." "They don't really poke us with the horns," Moschell added. "They'll swat us first. Or they'll do what we call the hamburger dance and they'll shake their head at you." Forth, who has been with Moschell since 2000, said the cattle story started in 2007 when they traveled to the western part of the state to buy a calf. "I really like cows, and I kept teasing Gary that I wanted a little white baby," Forth said. "We went out there and I thought we would go out there and pick out a calf and have it as a pet, and we came back with a herd. That's kind of how it started." As Moschell describes it, he's just the farmhand and Lynette runs the operation. "Do you think she loves them?" he asked teasingly, as she dug out photos and referred to each of their cattle by name. Forth has found a way to personalize each of her cattle in the pasture. She refers to each of them by name, as opposed to the typical standard numbering of the ear tags on a cow. The names, which she had to get permission from the state veterinarian to use, have taken on a life of their own. One of them is named Patsy Cline, because as Forth said, she's "Crazy." Other names include "Merigold," ''Angel" (and her calf known as "Angel Baby"), "Calendar Girl," ''Effie" and "Brown Cow." "There's Iffy," Forth said about one who was named The demand for fresh produce has increased in recent years as more people are turning to fresh fruits and vegetables for their nutritional value. That increase in demand has forced many suppliers to import more produce from other countries, which could be putting consumers' health at risk. Although the United States and Canada may have stringent standards for produce, many other countries do not. Less stringent regulations overseas can result in irrigation water carrying sewage, pollutants and parasites to crops, and herbicides and pesticides may be used in abundance in foreign countries where such usage is subject to little, if any, oversight. Fewer regulations means some farms pay more attention to profit than to the purity and safety of crops. The Pure Food Growers of America states that the average American consumes more than 10 pounds of insecticides and herbicides every year from produce. Many of these substances are proven carcinogens. Thoroughly washing and soaking fresh produce is the key to removing potential hazards from foods. Organic fruits and vegetables may be less risky, but even organic foods are susceptible to contamination because of potentially unsafe handling practices. All produce should be washed before eaten. Before cleaning produce, stock up on a few supplies. You will need a large plastic bowl, some apple cider vinegar or baking soda and a produce brush. Add enough cool water to cover the produce you will be washing. Add either three tablespoons per gallon of water of the vinegar to the bowl or sprinkle about three tablespoons of the baking soda into the water. It's best not to mix both the vinegar and the baking soda, or you may end up with a foaming, overflowing concoction thanks to the chemical reaction that occurs when vinegar mixes with baking soda. Add the vegetables or fruit to the treated water and allow it to soak for around 10 minutes. Use a vegetable brush to thoroughly scrub the produce. Some foods, like celery and lettuce, have dirt or bugs trapped in their ribs and folds. Soaking and scrubbing can dislodge any bugs. Instead of washing the entire head at once, wash lettuce leaves as they are used to retain the vitamins and minerals. After rinsing the produce, allow to dry before eating. A salad spinner can help dry lettuce and cabbage leaves so they are not soggy. It is best to wash produce right before using it rather than washing it in advance. Moisture encourages bacterial growth and hasten spoiling. Even foods that have a rind, such as melons, should be washed prior to eating to avoid contamination from the rind to the flesh inside. The Dirty Dozen Certain foods are dirtier than others in terms of the pesticides they contain. However, foods that were grown without pesticides may still be contaminated by animal feces and bacteria from the soil and irrigation. That being said, here are the 12 foods that are most likely to contain the highest amounts of pesticide residue, according to The Environmental Working Group. 1. Apples 2. Celery 3. Cherry tomatoes 4. Cucumbers 5. Grapes 6. Hot peppers 7. Nectarines 8. Peaches 9. Potatoes 10. Spinach 11. Strawberries 12. Sweet bell peppers Dakota seeds program expanding, committing $200,000 per year PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he plans to commit up to $200,000 per year in Future Funds to continue and further broaden the Dakota Seeds program. This expansion will include support for high school, technical school and college or university internships in certain high-need industry sectors. “We are preparing our youth for the future by cultivating our students’ academic experience through internship programs like Dakota Seeds,” said Gov. Daugaard. “The new expansion will provide more internships in science, engineering, information technology(IT), accounting and manufacturing. The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation identified these industry sectors as high-need, and now, more than ever, the demand is high for a qualified, highly-trained workforce.” Dakota Seeds is a popular program among South Dakota businesses. From 2008 to 2013, more than 190 South Dakota companies have used the program to provide 463 internship experiences. The interns gained valuable work experience and earned more than $3.5 million dollars combined. Additionally, more than one-third of the interns went on to take full-time employment with the company at which they interned. While the program only requires a one-to-one match, in reality, for every dollar the Dakota Seeds program has contributed, companies have matched it with more than $2. Johnson Electric, LLP ? CATTLE, Page 18 GUBBELS SALVAGE Wanted: • Old Cars • RV Motorhomes • Farm Machinery • Irrigation Systems • Any Type of Scrap Iron • Grain Bin Removal Paying Top Dollar Will Pick Up Towing Service & Skid Loader Work. 1-402-640-6335 Coleridge, NE FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE, TRUCK AND TRACTOR PARTS COME TO: Year In and Year Out One of Lindsay’s Top Dealers “Get the good stuff!” Bearings – Batteries – Filters Automotive • Truck • Agricultural • Marine Too many mouths to feed? Place an ad in the Missouri Valley Shopper today! COX AUTO SUPPLY 1007 Broadway • Yankton, SD • 605-665-4494 M.T. & R.C. SMITH INSURANCE We are a full service dealer with extensive parts supply, and we service all electric brands. Serving the Yankton Area Since 1949 209 W. 4th St. • Downtown Yankton, SD 605-665-3611 smithins@iw.net 301 W South St. Hartington, NE 402•254•9557 “Only the Best in Quality”