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 guidance for local producers, focusing on sustainable practices in swine, poultry, and land management using sheep and goats while honoring Hawaiian cultural values. As Hawaii imports most of its food, she sees livestock production as key to food security.

Currently connecting with industry groups, Bustamante is planning educational initiatives to help build a more sustainable, self-sufficient Hawaii. Follow her work @LivestockExtensionOahu on Instagram.

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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 "Returning to the Farm" workshop, designed to help families develop estate plans and management transitions. With expert guidance from attorneys and industry specialists, participants will engage in meaningful discussions aimed at confronting the challenges of inheritance and management.

We will also introduce our new livestock extension agent, Yunuen Bustamante, who is set to enrich the extension programming on Oahu. Her initiatives promise to bring fresh perspectives and energy to the community, focusing on the specific needs of livestock producers in the region.

Whether you're a seasoned livestock producer or just starting, there's something valuable in our conversation for everyone. We invite you to stay engaged and informed by following us on our social media platforms, where you can connect with the broader livestock community and contribute to ongoing discussions. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes, filled with insights, tips, and resources for success in agriculture. Join us and take part in this exciting journey of livestock management!

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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 tailored to the ever-changing landscape of agricultural operations.

Discover the invaluable lessons Dr. Herman learned from her experience managing foot and mouth disease in Uganda, which highlight the power of straightforward yet effective biosecurity measures. We explore how continuous evaluation of biosecurity plans—accounting for factors like animal movement, visitor tracking, and environmental changes—can make a significant difference in preventing disease outbreaks. The critical role of biosecurity managers is underscored, along with the importance of leveraging external resources such as veterinarians and extension specialists for a comprehensive approach to disease prevention.

Tune in to learn practical strategies for livestock producers, from cleaning and disinfecting equipment to protective gear usage and understanding the risks of common diseases like salmonella and E. coli. Dr. Herman emphasizes the necessity of controlling interactions between wild and domestic animals to mitigate disease spread, especially in the face of challenges like avian influenza. By focusing on proactive biosecurity measures, you can ensure the health of your herds and the safety of our food supply, one step at a time.

Resources Mentioned:

• https://www.bqa.org/resources/biosecurity-resources
• https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-health/avian-influenza-basics-noncommercial-poultry-flock-owners
• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/fs-manage-wildlife-prevent-ai.508.pdf
• https://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-certification
• https://nationaldairyfarm.com/dairy-farm-standards/farm-biosecurity/

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