NC Asst. Commissioner Sandy Stewart: Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center Already Being Put to the Test

The official opening of the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center in Raleigh happened in late March, but there has been no shortage of work for the newly opened lab center. If you pay attention to local news stories, you may have even heard about investigations and tests that the lab has been involved in. Assistant Commissioner Sandy Stewart provides an update on some of the work going on at the ASC.  

• If you pay attention to local news, you may have seen or heard about stories that staff and labs at the Ag Sciences Center has been involved with.

• Your listeners may recall the Outer Banks colt that died back in April under unusual circumstances.

• The three-week-old colt named Charlie was with his parents when he laid down near them and passed away. He showed no signs of illness, struggle or distress.

• Because it was sudden and unexpected, his remains were sent to our Veterinary lab where a necropsy was conducted to determine a cause of death.  

• The necropsy revealed he died from bacterial septicemia – a condition where bacteria enters the body through the umbilicus or navel.
  
• It was a sad case but knowing a cause of death in this situation provided a measure of relief and assurance that something contagious was NOT potentially circulating in the herd.

• With over 60 percent of the state’s farm income coming from livestock production, it is a busy division and lab.

• Your listeners may also remember the high pathogenic avian influenza that was found in our state in a commercial flock of turkeys in late March. This prompted increased testing of poultry operations within a 6.2 radius around the initial site.

• This is a highly contagious virus that spreads quickly in poultry and turkey operations, so finding an outbreak and reacting to it quickly is the best measure of defense against it continuing to spread.

• The veterinary lab was a critical element in the state’s quick response.  

• We have talked about the vet lab and animal health, but consumer protection is also a primary focus as well.
  
• Just last week, a Goldsboro company issued a recall of some of its dog treats after our tests revealed the presence of salmonella.

• This was an interesting case, because in this situation, the concern in finding salmonella was for both the pets and the owners, who could become sick from salmonella.

• The pets from ingesting it, and for the owners if they did not wash their hands thoroughly after having contact with the treats or surfaces that the treats touched.

• On a daily basis, the Food and Drug Protection Division labs are routinely testing food products for a variety of pathogens that can cause food-borne illnesses.

• As a father of three children, I’m glad to know we are checking food products for safety.

• Another part of the Ag Science Center that’s stayed busy is our training rooms.

• When this building was designed, we also wanted to have classroom space to be able to host pesticide technician training classes, which staff with our Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division teach.

• Since January we have held 10 Structural Pest Control exams and 14 Pesticides exams, 7 registered technician schools, a field team training and about a dozen exam reviews. Previously, these exams had to be held at other places in the area, like the fairgrounds.

• This training should help ensure structural pest control operators and pesticide technicians provide the proper treatment when they come to your homes or offices.

• I’d just like to say that the work we have talked about today really emphasizes the point that the services and programs of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services touch your life every day.