text:
Kalebich CC and Cardoso FC*
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
Received date: October 10, 2016; Accepted date: May 10, 2017; Published date: May 15, 2017
Citation: Cardoso FC (2017) Effects of Foliar Fungicide Application on Corn Plants on the Composition of Corn Silage for Ruminant Diets. J Anim Res Nutr 2017, 2:5. doi: 10.21767/2572-5459.100025
Copyright: © 2017 Cardoso FC. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
An increasing global population, decreasing amount of arable land available for crop production in the United States, and an increased global demand for protein in the human diet encourage crop and livestock producers to seek solutions to improve the efficiency of producing large crop yields. Corn silage is one of the most commonly used forages included in dairy diets in the United States. For producers, feed costs are often the most expensive part of the operating budget. Corn yield losses may increase the cost of feed and limit herd size. The complex interaction of fungi and corn plants in the field threaten yields, decreasing the efficiency of food production and, also, the nutritive quality and value of feedstuffs for ruminants. By metabolizing sugar compounds within the plant cell, fungal infections on corn plants reduce the nutritional contents available for ruminant diets. Applications of fungicides can aid in protecting corn plants from fungal infection, therefore, limiting yield losses and increasing the nutritive quality of the plant material. The field of knowledge of feeding ruminants corn silage from corn treated with foliar fungicide is still narrow, but findings from previous research highlight the negatives of making and feeding silage from diseased corn plants. This review will summarize the knowledge available on fungi and plant relationship, limiting plant infection by applying fungicide, and how corn silage from corn with fungicide application affects dairy cow performance. It is concluded fungicide application on corn used to make corn silage for dairy cows may improve the nutritional composition of the feedstuff, as defined by increases in milk components and feed conversion, reductions in fiber concentrations, and improvements in ruminal digestibility.
Corn; Fungicide; Corn silage; Fungus
Increases in the global efficiency of converting cropland to livestock products (milk, meat, and eggs) could help lessen the caloric dependency on cereal grain, which is required to nourish the world's growing population [1]. On a DM basis, whole plant corn silage composition is about 57% corn ears, 13% corn leaves, and 31% corn stalks [2]. For dairy cow diets, corn silage represents 40–60% of the total mix ration in lactating diets [3]. But, fungi can also have a parasitic relationship with corn plants. Under certain weather conditions, fungal pathogens on the growing plant complete the last side of the disease triangle between host, pathogen, and environment. Both physical barriers such as cell walls, and chemical releases such as secondary metabolites aid plants in protecting from pathogens [4]. If fungi remain undetected on the plant surface, enzymes degrade cell walls and once inside produce toxins killing the plant tissue, thus providing nutrients for fungal growth [5]. Plants have adapted by increasing the lignin concentration in the secondary cell wall, thus creating a tougher barrier for digesting when wounded or infected with a fungal pathogen or insect [6]. However, once inside the cell and growth has ceased, fungal pathogens release secondary metabolites, which in some species are toxic. It is generally hypothesized during the colonization and sporulation phase of a fungus within a plant; mycotoxins are secreted by growing colonies [7]. Few studies have been conducted on how foliar fungicide applications on diseased corn affect the nutritive quality of various parts of the plant.
Yield losses due to fungal infections
In 2013, 7.5% of the total estimated corn harvested from 21 corn producing states was lost to disease; meaning nearly 27 million metric tons of corn was lost because of seedling blights and foliar diseases [3]. Under ideal weather conditions for pathogenesis, a 1% increase in foliar disease severity of Gray leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercospora zeaemaydis, reduced corn yields by 47.6 kg/ha when compared with a tolerant hybrid [8,9]. Furthermore, in a meta-analysis of 20 studies, every 10% increase in rust severity on sweet corn, caused by the fungus Puccinia sorghi, reduced corn yields 2.4 to 7.0% [10]. Mycotoxins, a secondary metabolite of fungi, contaminated 12.5% of the total harvested grain in the United States in 2013; mostly because of the disease Aspergillus ear rot caused by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus [11]. Evidence shows fungal infection and disease on plants can cause devastating losses in corn yield [3].
Fungal relationship with plants
All fungal-plant relationships are not parasitic. Most fungi associated with plants are saprotrophs, responsible for decomposing organic matter as their food source [12]. Other fungi, about 160 known species, reside on the roots of growing plants in a mutualistic relationship. Carbohydrates produced by the plant feed the fungus, and the fungus transports nitrogen, phosphorous, and other minerals to the plant [12]. A very small amount of fungi are disease causing, totaling less than 10% of about 100,000 known species, that colonize plants [13]. For instance, Meng et al. has reported that inoculating with both Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium in the soybean/ maize intercropping system improved the N fixation efficiency of soybean and promoted N transfer from soybean to maize, resulting in the improvement of yield advantages of legume/ non-legume intercropping [14].
Disease triangle
Plant pathologists use the disease triangle for assistance when evaluating the likelihood of a disease outbreak. A susceptible host (plant), a pathogen, and a favorable environment are all necessary for development of plant infection, presence of just two is unlikely to result in disease. The relationship between fungi and plants is sometimes referred to as an "arm's race" [4].
By definition, pathogens cause disease and need to complete their life cycle within the host [5]. Historically, fungi can be divided into two main groups, both of which originate in the field. Field fungi produce toxins in the plant before harvest and are governed by a plant-fungus interaction. Fungus can be a problem postharvest, and a function of crop nutrients, physical, and biotic factors [11].
Once in the cell, the fungal pathogen either adapt to the host's physiology or modify the environment for nutrient uptake to allow for colonization within the host [13,5]. Once fungal pathogens invade, plant cell oxidative bursts signal other metabolic pathways of an invasion but in doing so locally kill plant tissue providing immediate nutrients to the fungus [4,5]. For more long-term nutrition, a haustoria, a specialized fungal structure, can be inserted into the plant cell for water and nutrient uptake, especially hexose carbohydrates including sucrose, glucose and fructose [15]. The diversion of plant nutrients can be used for fungal growth and development.
Once inside the cell and growth has ceased, fungal pathogens release secondary metabolites, which in some species are toxic. It is generally hypothesized during the colonization and sporulation phase of a fungus within a plant, mycotoxins are secreted by growing colonies [7]. The exact function of fungal toxins in the plant is unclear. Fungal phytotoxins can cause direct plant cell death by over activation of the plant plasma membrane enzyme, H+ATPase, which disrupts energy transfer during the light reactions in the chloroplasts the closing or opening of the stomata, and the redirection of ion channels [5,13,16]. But agriculturally, mycotoxins threaten food safety and security.
Five agriculturally important mycotoxins resulting from corn ear rot include: deoxynivalenol, from the fungus Fusarium graminearum; zeralenone from the fungus F. graminearum; ochratoxin A from the fungi Piper verrucosum and A. ochraceus; fumonisin from the fungus F. moniliforme; and aflatoxin from the fungi A. flavus and A. parasiticus [11]. Development of mycotoxins within the plant occurs later in the growth and development of the corn plant. One study showed fumonisin concentration within corn kernels increased greatly as the corn plant became more mature, with only 33% of corn kernels infected at the fourth reproductive stage, but 62.5% of corn kernels infected at harvest [17]. Furthermore, while it is generally thought tilling fields may reduce fungi colonization it may not be the case as Ariño et al. showed no difference in fumonisin concentrations in varying degrees of tilled fields [17].
The cell wall is the next physical barrier to fungal invasion. The plant cell wall is composed of a primary cell wall, providing structural support for the plant, and a secondary cell wall, developing inside the primary cell wall only after the plant cells stop growing [18]. The primary wall of plant cells is composed of cellulose, cross-linking glycans, also known as hemicellulose, and pectins. Cellulose is a polysaccharide, comprised of β (1,4)- glyosidic bonds between glucose molecules and very resistant to degradation by hydrolysis. Hemicellulose is also a polysaccharide, where a pentose is bonded with a hexose, e.g. arabinoxylans, xyloglucans, mixed linked beta glucans, and galactomannans. The cross-linking of hemicellulose aids in the fortification of cellulose for both structural support and prevention of microbial invasion. Enzymes such as xylanase, produced by some fungi, weaken the cell wall and allow fungal entry into the plant cell. Lignin, a phenolic polymer, is deposited during the last stages of secondary cell wall formation. Lignin reinforces plant cells and allows transport of water under negative cellular pressure [4]. When cell walls become lignified, it becomes highly impermeable to pathogens and hard for insects to digest, limiting access to cell wall sugars [4,18].
Plants have a recognition system controlled by resistance genes within the plant cell known as plant triggered immunity (PTI) [5]. 'Pathogen associated molecular patterns', also known as PAMPs which may include fungal chitin or bacteria flagellin, can trigger a PTI response within the plant cell to prevent microbial colonization [4]. Also, 'damage associated molecular patterns' known as DAMPs, which may include parts of the plant cell wall released possibly due to fungal enzymes, trigger an immune reaction [4]. An activated PTI in a plant cell may cause localized death, an oxidative burst of reactive oxygen species to signal neighboring cells of invasion a rapid fluctuation in the calcium gradient to signal that a pathogen has been detected release of pathogenesis related enzymes including chitinase, to degrade fungal chitin, activation of enzymes to strength the cell wall, activation of defense genes, and induction of phytoalexins, which are antimicrobial substance synthesized de novo [4,5,18,13].
A favorable environment is needed for the development of plant disease, completing the final side of the disease triangle. The favorable environment for one species of fungi may be different for another species of fungi. For example, when growing conditions for corn include a warm ambient temperature and drought conditions, corn is more susceptible to the fungus A. flavus and A. parasiticus, which produce alflatoxin as a secondary metabolite [19]. Yet, the foliar fungus Exserohilum turcicum, causing Northern Leaf Blight in corn, favors cool and humid conditions for colonization of foliage [20]. Understanding the role the complex relationship between plant cells, fungi, and the environment is crucial for the future production of corn and those whom consume it. Figure 1 summarizes the aforementioned interactions.
Figure 1: Fungal pathogenesis of the leaf (A) Germinate on leaf - Spores must first be transported to the leaf, which can occur by the wind, water droplets, insects, or leftover crop residues from the previous harvest. Once one the leaf, the spores begin to grow and develop until a greater source of nutrition is needed. (B) Penetrate Host – Fungi penetrate the plant tissue in either 1 of 2 ways (forced or natural entry), depending on the species. In a forced entry, fungi use enzymes including: pectinases, cellulases, or cutinases to degrade the plant surface or fungi insert a hyphal organ known as appresoria into the host, causing high turgor pressure. In a natural entry, fungi enter the plant cell either through the stomata or through holes that have been created due to hail, insect or bird damage. (C) Nutrient Uptake and Growth – Once inside the plant tissue, fungi can either adapt to the host's physiology or modify the environment for nutrient uptake to help facilitate further growth. When the fungi adapt the plant's physiology, fungi consume dead plant tissue as a result of stressed induced oxidative bursts. When the fungi modify the environment, fungi insert a slender portion of the hyphae into the cell to consumed hexoses, more specifically, glucose. (D) Colonization and Sporulation – After the fungus has matured, the final stage is to reproduce and colonize the tissue. One example of the toxins released by some species is mycotoxins. It is hypothesized one of the targets of fungal toxins is the plant enzyme H +ATPase. In the plant, this enzyme is necessary for ion and metabolite transport.
Countries around the world seek to control fungal pathogens through various methods, including fungicide application on plants, in hopes that chemical application will alleviate their impact on corn. In keeping with the disease triangle, fungicide's aid in the plants defense from fungal invasion. The Food and Agricultural Organization estimated in 2013 that Brazil applied the most fungicide on crops, using 40 thousand tons of active ingredients, followed by Mexico and then Spain, using 38 thousand and 29 thousand tons of active ingredients, respectively. In 2007, producers in the United States applied 20 thousand tons of active ingredients on crops [21].
Classes of fungicides and mode of action
Strobilurins fungicides, also known as QoI fungicides, are natural chemical structures isolated from the genera Strobilurus, in wood-rotting mushrooms. Since natural strobilurins break down quickly in UV light, synthetic analogs were developed for disease control [22]. Strobilurin fungicides are broad-spectrum fungicides, meaning the fungicide controls a wide array of fungal diseases in a variety of crops including cereals, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, turf grasses, and ornamentals. Strobilurins bind to the quinol oxidation (Qo) site of cytochrome b. This binding stops the electron transport between cytochrome b and cytochrome c, stopping the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Once on the waxy leaf surface, strobilurins move throughout the plant either translaminarly and/or systemically [23].
A second group of fungicide commonly used today is carboxamide fungicides, also referred to as succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI). Within the SDHI class of fungicides is the active ingredient fluxapyroxad. Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors are broad-spectrum fungicides and can have translaminar or systemic activity within the host, depending on the pathogen and host [24].
A third group of fungicide is known as the demethylation inhibitors (DMIh) or sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBIs), which contain the triazole fungicides. Within the triazole class, is the active ingredient metconazole. Demethylation inhibitor fungicides are systemic and single-site specific inhibitors commonly used on cereal grain [25,26].
Benefits of fungicide application
In recent years, some researchers and chemical companies have concluded foliar fungicide application on corn may increase yields even in the absence of disease [27]. In the U.S. Corn Belt, several foliar diseases are of concern, depending on the production region, but gray leaf spot (GLS), caused by Cercospora zeaemaydis, have been the disease of greatest concern since first becoming a problem in the 1980s and 1990s. The elevation of GLS from a disease of secondary importance to a major problem throughout the eastern United States and the Midwest paralleled the adoption of reduced tillage [28].
In a meta-analysis on yield response and pyraclostrobin fungicide treatment, the mean difference in yield for plots treated with foliar fungicide increased 255.91 kg/ha compared with untreated plots [29].
Yet, even so some researchers are not entirely convinced applications increase yields the same in every field. Paul et al. concluded that when disease (e.g.; GLS) in the field is <5% the likelihood of an advantageous yield bump and beneficial physiological response enough to cover the cost of applying the fungicide is not as likely. But when disease in the field is >5%, fungicide application is more helpful by limiting yield losses due to fungal infection. Furthermore, in a consecutive two-year study Bradley and Ames did not see an increase in yield in 2008, under low disease severity environments, but in 2007 did see a yield increase when under higher disease severity. Routine scouting for disease in the cornfield is crucial for determining when fungicide application will be most profitable [30].
When a producer's field is diseased, proper timing of fungicide application on the plant may also provide beneficial results. Under pressure from fungal disease, application of pyraclostrobin (Headline, BASF Corp.) on corn at VT (vegetative stage tassel) increased yield by 550 kg/ha compared to untreated fields of corn [31]. But others (Mueller and Pope; Wright et al., have shown earlier applications to be beneficial as well. In a year with high incidence of common rust, foliar fungicide applied as a preventative at vegetative stage six (V6), when six leaf collars are visible on the growing plant (Mueller and Pope, 2009), increased corn grain yield by 362.9 kg/ha compared to application at pre-tassel, when 6% of the total leaf area was diseased [32,33]. Yet, in a different year of the same study, when disease incidence was low, foliar fungicide applied as a preventative at V6 did not increase corn grain yield when compared to application at tassel (Wright et al.) [33].
Lastly, fungicide applications on corn may increase the concentration of nutrients within the plant material. In 2007, the University of Wisconsin reported a possible trend (0.20>P>0.10) for 1 percentage unit decrease (40.6 vs. 39.6%) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration when comparing corn silage from corn treated with foliar fungicide application, compared to untreated corn [34]. Yates et al. proposed that when a corn plant had a fungal infestation of the root, the structural components and rigidity increased, which the authors attributed to the plant attempting to decrease further infestation into the upper portion of the plant by increasing the structurally rigid components of the plant such as lignin [35].
Furthermore, a study at the University of Illinois evaluated the effects of fungicide application on the physical and nutritional content of corn plant leaves, ears, stalks, and flag leaves [36]. Fungicide applications on corn during the summer of 2015 were as follows: control (CON), corn receiving no foliar fungicide application; treatment 1 (V5), where corn received a mixture of pyraclotrobin and fluxapyroxad (PYR+FLUX) foliar fungicide at V5; treatment 2 (V5+R1), where corn received two applications of foliar fungicide, a mixture of PYR+FLUX at V5 and a mixture of pyraclostrobin+metconazole (PYR+MET) foliar fungicide at corn reproductive stage 1 (R1); treatment 3 (R1), in which corn received one application of PYR+MET foliar fungicide at R1. Corn plants with fungicide treatment were taller compared with untreated (2.7, 2.9, 3.0, and 2.9 m for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1). Corn leaves in V5+R1 and in R1 had less yellow lower leaves than in CON and V5 (0.85, 0.77, 0.42, and 0.44 leaves for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively). Corn stalks in V5+R1 had greater lignin concentration compared with CON and R1 (46, 56, 64, and 50 g/kg DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1). Corn leaves in V5+R1 had lower acid detergent fiber (ADF) and NDF concentrations (283 and 524 g/kg for ADF and NDF, respectively) compared with leaves in CON 333 and 569 g/kg for ADF and NDF, respectively [36].
Mycotoxin and fungicide
Fungicides have been tested for preventing fungal colonization and mycotoxin contamination in cereal grains. Results of studies have been conflicting in their ability to control mycotoxin concentration within crops. Authors reported mycotoxin presence in corn silage samples without visual observation of fungus noted in the corn in the field [37]. Interestingly, a study done by Eckard et al. concluded that when corn was diagnosed visually only 1 to 3% of corn showed signs of infection on the surface; however, when the corn particles were plated it was found that the average Fusarium incidence was 46%. Corn harvested for our study could have been infected, even though visual symptoms were not present. Applications of metconazole and tebuconazole, another active ingredient of fungicide, reduced concentrations of Deoxynivalenol (DON; a Fusarium mycotoxin) and head blight in winter wheat more than applications of azoxystrobin, another active ingredient [38]. But some researchers hypothesize fungicides act as an additional stress factor for the fungus and stimulate mycotoxins as a defense mechanism [39].
Some toxigenic fungal species which may affect plants before and after harvest are P. nordicum and P. verrucosum [40]. These Penicillia are able to produce the mycotoxins ochratoxin and citrinin [40]. Both toxins have polyketide backbones and are structurally highly related. Ochratoxin A as well as citrinin are mainly nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic and may act synergistically [41]. For ochratoxin A, which is rated as a class B carcinogen, regulatory limits have been set in several countries. The level of citrinin is not currently regulated. P. verrucosum adapts its secondary metabolite profile depending on the environmental conditions [42]. For example oxidative stress usually induces defensive reactions such as radical scavenging mechanisms for reactive oxygen species (ROS). Schmidt-Heydt et al. reported that the biosynthesis of the mycotoxins, ochratoxin A/B and citrinin were strongly induced when grown on malt extract glucose agar medium supplemented with the fungicide Rovral (Bayer Crop Science, Germany) [40].
Fungal contamination of corn silage can lead to DM loss, nutrient loss, and reduced palatability [43]. Foliar pathogens decrease the area of photosynthetic tissue, which reduces the transfer of assimilates to grain production by diverting assimilates to fungal growth, defense systems, and increased respiration [44]. Whitlock et al. reported that feeding spoiled corn silage from the surface of a bunker silo depressed nutrient digestibility and DM intake of steers [45]. Gerlach et al. fed spoiling silage to goats and reported negative correlations between ethyl-lactate and ethanol with dry matter intake but the strongest negative relationship with intake was from silage temperature [46]. A variety of mycotoxins produced from fungi can be found in silages that are fed to dairy cattle [47]. Their presence is undesirable because they have the potential to induce negative effects on the health of animals [48]. Mycotoxins can accumulate on the plant in the field before harvest (Doerr) during storage, or during processing or feeding [49,50]. Korosteleva et al. reported that Fusarium mycotoxins decreased some cellular aspects of immune function in dairy cattle, while stimulating primary humoral response to specific antigens. The authors concluded that feeding of contaminated materials to dairy cows should be minimized [51]. Nonetheless, Charmley et al. reported that the inclusion of the mycotoxin DON in the diet of primiparous dairy cows yielding 20 to 25 kg/d milk, at up to 6 mg/kg total diet DM over a 10-week period, had no effect on volume of milk produced [52].
Cost-benefit relationships
Application of fungicide to assist in fungal control on corn costs producers money. Paul et al. calculated a 10-year average corn grain price of $0.12/kg ($2.97/bushel) and application costs of $40 to 95/ha, and showed that the probability of failing to recover the fungicide application cost (Ploss) for disease severity <5% was 0.55 to 0.98 for pyraclostrobin. However, when disease severity was >5%, the corresponding probability was 0.36 to 95. They concluded that the high Ploss values found in most scenarios suggest that the use of these foliar fungicides is unlikely to be profitable when foliar disease severity is low and yield expectation is high [29].
However, some of value may be returned to producers by increasing the efficiency of converting feed to milk when feeding feedstuffs with fungicide application in the field to dairy. During the 2014 growing season, corn was sprayed with foliar fungicide either once, twice, three times or not at all and ensiled as corn silage. Then during the summer months of 2015, dairy cattle were fed corn silage from corn treated with foliar fungicide to evaluate the effects on milk production and efficiency [37]. The section below will discuss more about the dairy cow and digestive system, but in an economic analysis the total income from milk yield over feed costs in 2015 was $7.35, $7.54, $8.31, and $7.83 for no fungicide application, one application, two applications, or three applications of fungicide, respectively [37]. Therefore, it seems cows fed corn silage from corn with fungicide treatment are more profitable than cows fed corn silage with no treatment.
In 2010, 43% of U.S. corn was used for livestock and poultry diets, 42% was used for ethanol production, and 11% used for food [53]. Deoxynivalenol can cause acute toxicosis in swine, manifested through intestinal disorders and vomiting [11]. Furthermore, aflatoxin, from the fungus A. flavus and parasiticus, consumed by cattle resulted in weight loss and decreased milk production [54].
Some studies have reported no changes in dry matter intake (DMI) or milk yield when cows were challenged with aflatoxin [55-58]. However, Sulzberger et al. fed 3 different concentrations of a clay product (EcoMix, Ukraine) during an aflatoxin challenge, reported a quadratic treatment effect for DMI and a negative linear treatment effect for milk yield [59]. Kubena et al. reported a reduction in feed consumption that adversely affected feed conversion by broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin [60]. Additionally, threatening human food security, aflatoxin can be found in the milk of dairy cattle as M1 (Richard) [19] and is toxic to humans. In recent years, crop scientists, microbiologists, and animal nutritionists have sought to develop solutions to reduce the impact of fungi on feed for animals and limit the concentration of toxins in products for human consumption.
Dairy cattle and corn silage
In 2013, India, Brazil, and the former Sudan had the largest population of dairy cattle with 45 million, 23 million, and 15 million, respectively [61]. The United States ranked 8th in population with an estimated 9 million dairy cattle. However, total milk yield was greatest for the United States (81 million tons), followed by India (55 million tons), and China (33 million tons) (FAO, 2015) [61]. Improvements in how dairy cattle are fed may help explain why the United States produced milk more efficiently compared to others.
In the United States, corn silage is one of the most popular forages fed to ruminants. The USDA reported 14% of all corn harvested in 2014 was for corn silage production and 89.4% of dairy operations in the United States included corn silage in the lactating diet [62]. It is important to remember that corn silage is heterogeneous combination of fiber and starch from various parts of the corn plant: including stalks, leaves, cob and kernels. On a dry matter basis, whole plant corn silage is composed of about 57% corn ears, 13% corn leaves, and 31% corn stems [2].
Ensiling corn as corn silage
At time of harvest, dairy producers store and preserve corn material as silage, which can be fed all year. The process of ensiling corn is broken down into four phases with varying lengths of time. The first phase, the aerobic period, is characterized by the reduction of atmospheric O2 within a couple hours postharvest, meanwhile active proteases decompose proteins and carbohydrates to amino acids and soluble carbohydrates. The second phase, the fermentation phase, anaerobic microorganisms compete with one another for nutrients, and in well fermented silages, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) eventually dominate lowering the pH [63]. The third phase, the stable phase, continues with the slow hydrolysis of structural and storage carbohydrates, and if air is properly excluded can last any length of time. The fourth phase, the feed out phase, is where plant material is exposed to O2 causing aerobic organisms to develop [63].
Fungi can also attack the plant material in storage. To limit the growth and colonization, generally, it is recommended to store corn material in dry conditions and as mature crops [19]. The occurrence of fungi in silages usually is the result of poor sealing and poor compaction causing aerobic conditions in the silo, not only causing losses of feed, but also reductions in palatability [63]. Furthermore, visibly molded areas of silages underestimate the amount of fungi within the silage content, as well as the high probability of mycotoxins [63]. More exists than visible by the human eye.
The length of ensiling has been shown to have significant effects on the nutritional content of the feedstuff including: dry matter (Der Bedrosian et al.; Weinberg and Chen),lactic acid concentration (Ferraretto) acetic acid concentration (Der Bedrosian et al.,; Weinberg and Chen; Ferraretto et al.), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (Der Bedrosian et al.; Weinberg and Chen), and concentration of crude protein (Der Bedrosian et al.). One study reported a decrease in digestibility within the first 45 d, but then no difference in digestibility from 45 to 365 days.
Another study reported a continued decrease in NDF digestibility 30-h ensiled for up to 6 mo (Weinberg and Chen). Variability could be due to differences in techniques used, but also differences in sample sizes, as decreasing the sample size increased the digestibility of NDF [64-68].
Dairy diet and intake limitations
Corn silage represents about 40 to 60% of the total mixed ration in the lactating diet. Dry matter intake and energy concentration of corn silage determine the energy intake, and therefore, the cow's performance [69]. Ruminant forage diets are limited by the amount of fiber within the plant material [70]. Van Soest (1965) reported that NDF is highly correlated with dry matter intake; the higher the concentration of NDF within the diet, the lower the DMI, partially as a result of rumen fill and digestibility [71].
Greater lignification of plant cell walls may increase bulk density of the feedstuff or require greater energy concentration of the diet to meet the nutritional needs [69]. Increased lignin concentration within the plant cell has been thought to be the primary limitation to cell wall digestibility. Intense lignification creates an absolute barrier for rumen bacteria when digesting one plant cell wall and moving to the next cell [72]. Mechanical chopping of plant material and cow chewing assist in creating small tears in the silage allowing rumen microbes and enzymes access to degrade the feedstuff, but even under these conditions, the concentration of lignin within the plant material does not change.
Therefore, techniques to alter the fiber content within the silage may create a more digestible feedstuff for dairy cows and impact milk production. An analysis of 20 experiments reported increasing NDF content (Mean: 36.87 ± 5.81% of DM; Min: 22.30% of DM; Max: 51.60% of DM) of corn silage fed to dairy cattle was negatively associated with lower milk yield (R2=92.1), and lower FCM (R2=88.0) [73]. Furthermore, dry matter intake and milk yield decreased for cows fed diets containing increased concentrations of NDF, ADF, and lignin and decreased fiber digestibility [74]. In an analysis of 162 treatments, DMI and milk yield were 0.7 kg/d and 1.0 kg/d greater, respectively, for cows fed corn silage with high in-vitro digestibility compared to a conventional corn silage [75,76]. Furthermore, in a metaanalysis, 1 percentage unit increase in NDF digestibility, measure in vitro or in situ, resulted in 0.25-kg increase in fat corrected milk [74]. Reducing the amount of fiber present in the cell wall can have positive benefits in terms of production for dairy producers.
Corn silage quality
Nutritionists, producers and veterinarians evaluate corn silage quality when feeding to dairy cattle, as it directly relates to energy intake and milk production. Laboratory procedures and on farm tests allow producers to evaluate the diet quickly and make the necessary updates to the diet. Haerr et al. reported that the soluble fraction of NDF and ADF linearly decreased with fungicide applications (same treatments as in Haerr et al.) [75].
Diseased corn silage
From the previous discussion, it is no surprise fungal disease on corn, ensiled as corn silage can impact the nutritional content within the plant material. Inoculation of Northern Leaf Blight, caused by the fungus Exserohilum turcicum, on corn increased the NDF and ADF concentration 52.6 g/kg of DM and 41.2 g/kg of DM, respectively, compared to non-diseased corn [76]. Fungal colonization on the corn plant causes a competition between the plant and the fungus for nutrients. The plant has many mechanisms (e.g., lignification and leaf shedding) to attempt to hinder the growth of the fungal infestation. These mechanisms may potentially decrease the digestibility of the plant. The fungal infestation itself may also change the chemical composition of the plant in the process of competing for nutrients [77].
The corn was then ensiled as corn silage and fed to sheep. Corn silage from diseased corn resulted in a greater concentration of NDF (499.9 ± 40.1 g/kg of DM) and ADF (263.0 ± 32.5 g/kg of DM) when compared to corn silage from nondiseased corn (392.1 ± 32.1 g/kg of DM and 217.0 ± 30.3 g/kg DM for NDF and ADF, respectively). Dry matter digestibility was less for sheep consuming corn silage from diseased corn (0.665 ± 0.029) compared to control (0.725 ± 0.012), measured using metabolic crates. Yet, dry matter intake was not different for sheep consuming corn silage from diseased corn (34.6 ± 4.1 g/kg of BW0.75 /d) compared to control (40.9 ± 4.1 g/kg of BW0.75 /d) [76].
In another study, corn was ensiled with either no fungi (no rust), a medium concentration (all leaves on the lower half of the plant affected), or a high concentration (all leaves affected) of Southern Rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora, and then, ensiled as corn silage. Increasing the rust infestation from no rust to medium rust to high rust concentration on corn ensiled as corn silage increased the DM concentration, the concentration of NDF (no rust: 44.1% of DM, medium rust: 47.7% of DM, and high rust: 48.5% of DM) and ADF (no rust: 23.1% of DM, medium rust: 25.1% of DM, and high rust: 25.3% of DM), and decreased the in vitro DM true digestibility (no rust: 66.9%, medium rust: 63.2%, and high rust: 60.1%) and in vitro NDF digestibility (no rust: 38.1%, medium rust: 39.8%, and high rust: 36.2%) Additionally, increased rust infestation on corn silage resulted in worse fermentation conditions exhibited by: increased pH (no rust: 3.65, medium rust: 3.71, and high rust: 3.97) and decreased lactate (no rust: 4.99, medium rust: 4.02, and high rust: 2.28%). Aflatoxin was detected in corn silage from corn with a high concentration of Southern Rust at a concentration of 5.20 mg/kg of DM Zearalenone was detected only in corn silage with no concentration of Southern Rust at a concentration of 0.64 mg/kg of DM [78].
Another set of researchers evaluated physically damaging the ears of corn in the field prior to harvest on the production of mycotoxins and fermentation when ensiled as corn silage, to represent insect or hail damage on corn. In the first experiment, physical damage to corn kernels occurred at the milk stage of corn development (R3) slashing a knife through the kernels. Corn from experiment one was ensiled as corn silage for 126 d. Physical damage to the corn ear resulted in an increased concentration of fumonisin B1 (8.50 mg/kg for damaged and 4.00 mg/kg for undamaged DON (3.12 mg/kg for damaged and 0.92 mg/kg for undamaged) but decreased the concentration of zearalenone (1.03 mg/kg for damaged and 0.46 mg/kg for undamaged) in corn silage. Neutral detergent fiber and ADF was not different for corn silage physically damaged (45.0 and 26.8% of DM for NDF and ADF, respectively) compared with undamaged (45.2 and 27.3% of DM for NDF and ADF, respectively). In experiment two, physical damage to the corn kernels occurred either 27 d or 9 d prior to harvest, and was ensiled for 95 d. Damage to corn kernels 27 d prior (29.5% of DM) to harvest resulted in an increased ADF content in corn silage compared to 9 d prior (25.2% of DM) or no damage (25.7% of DM). Corn silage damaged 27 d prior to harvest resulted in an increased concentration of ADF (31.9% of DM) and NDF (48% of DM) when compared to corn silage from nondamaged ears (22.3 and 36.3% of DM for ADF and NDF, respectively) (Teller et al.). Furthermore, corn silage from corn damaged 27 d prior to harvest resulted in an increased concentration of DON (14.77 mg/kg), fumonisin B1 (7.63 mg/ kg), and zearalenone (3.66 mg/kg) when compared with corn silage from undamaged corn kernels (0.18, 1.03, and 0.99 mg/kg for DON, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone, respectively) [79].
Fungicide on corn ensiled as corn silage
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin applied pyraclostrobin on corn and ensiled it as corn silage. Using the MILK 2006 model that predicts the amount of milk to be produced if the corn silage was to be fed to cows, pyraclostrobin application on corn numerically increased projected milk production by 75 lbs milk/ton DM (37 kg milk/ metric ton DM) when compared with control [34].
As previously mentioned, Haerr et al. fed cows corn silage from corn with either one application of foliar fungicide, two applications of foliar fungicide, three applications of foliar fungicide, or no application of foliar fungicide [80]. A decreasing linear relationship was reported for the number of fungicide applications and DMI (23.8, 23.0, 19.5, and 21.3 kg for CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X, respectively) but constant milk production among treatments (34.5, 34.5, 34.2, and 34.3 kg/d, for CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X, respectively) (Haerr et al.) [83]. Therefore, cows fed corn silage from corn treated with foliar fungicide tended to have better-feed conversion milk yield/DMI values (1.46, 1.47, 1.70, and 1.70 kg/kg, for CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X, respectively), 3.5% FCM values (1.47, 1.51, 1.71, and 1.73, for CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X, respectively) and ECM valued (1.43, 1.46, 1.66, and 1.69 for CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X, respectively) [79]. The authors hypothesized that improved feed efficiency occurred because corn silage from corn treated with foliar fungicide application may have had an increased nutritive quality compared to untreated corn silage. Haerr et al. reported that application of fungicide to corn and then ensiled as corn silage (same treatments as in Haerr et al) resulted in higher DM degradable fraction which increased with the number of fungicide applications. It tended to linearly decrease DM solubility. The authors reported that the soluble fraction of NDF and ADF linearly decreased with fungicide applications [75].
Most recently, Kalebich fed cows corn silage from corn with either no, one, two, or three applications of fungicide. Treatments were as follows: control (CON), corn silage with no application of foliar fungicide; treatment 1 (V5), corn silage received one application of pyraclostrobin and fluxapyroxad (PYR+FLUX) foliar fungicide at corn vegetative stage 5 (V5; when the emergence of the fifth leaf is visible); treatment 2 (V5/V8), corn silage received one application of PYR+FLUX at corn stage V5 plus another application of PYR+FLUX at corn stage vegetative stage 8 (V8; when the emergence of the eighth leaf is visible); and treatment 3 (V5/V8/R1), corn silage received one application of PYR+FLUX at corn stage V5, one application of PYR +FLUX at corn stage V8, plus a third application of pyraclostrobin and metconazole (PYR+MET) foliar fungicide at corn stage reproductive stage 1 (R1; when the silks are fully extended). No differences in DMI, milk yield, or feed conversion were reported among treatments. However, cows in V5 compared with cows in V5/V8 tended to produce more 3.5% FCM (32.42 and 28.58 kg/d, respectively), and ECM (31.35 and 27.76 kg/d, respectively). Furthermore, concentration of milk lactose tended to be greater for cows fed corn silage treated with foliar fungicide when compared with CON (4.63, 4.77, 4.76, and 4.72% for CON, V5, V5/V8, and V5/V8/R1, respectively). The authors hypothesized corn silage from corn with fungicide applications may improve the digestibility compared with untreated corn silage [81].
As a follow up study to evaluate the effects of fungicide on fermentation and composition of corn silage, Kalebich et al. prepared 0.9-kg laboratory silos of treatment chopped corn material [82]. Fungicide applications on corn during the summer of 2015 were as follows: control (CON), corn receiving no foliar fungicide application; treatment 1 (V5), where corn received a mixture of pyraclotrobin and fluxapyroxad (PYR+FLUX) foliar fungicide at V5; treatment 2 (V5+R1), where corn received two applications of foliar fungicide, a mixture of PYR+FLUX at V5 and a mixture of pyraclostrobin+metconazole (PYR+MET) foliar fungicide at corn reproductive stage 1 (R1); treatment 3 (R1), in which corn received one application of PYR+MET foliar fungicide at R1. Fungicide treated corn silage had decreased dry matter (335, 319, 315, and 317 g/kg DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively; P=0.0005), but increased crude protein (81, 85, 82, and 87 g/kg DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively), water soluble carbohydrates (38, 40, 46, and 52 g/kg DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively), and lactic acid concentration (46.5, 50.1, 50.9, and 55.0 g/kg DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively). Corn silage in R1 had a lower lignin concentration (24, 24, 26, and 20 g/kg DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively), and corn silage in V5 had greater milk kg/MT DM (1511, 1631 1585, and 1576 kg/MT DM for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively). Corn silage from corn with fungicide application may enhance the nutritive and fermentative profile for ruminants (Kalebich et al.) [83].
Fungal infections on corn threaten food security by limiting total yield and nutritional quality of crop, ultimately reducing the efficiency of crop production. It is well known that applications of foliar fungicide on corn assist in limiting devastating losses in yield. Less is known about the negatives of making and feeding silage from diseased corn plants. Cows fed corn silage from corn with fungicide treatment improved feed conversion and were more profitable than cows fed corn silage with no fungicide treatment. Corn silage from corn with fungicide application reduced the fiber concentration and improved the nutritive value. Additionally, corn treated with fungicide had improved fermentation process during ensiling due to higher concentrations of lactic acid and sugar when compared with untreated corn. In conclusion, fungicide application seems to be maximized when converted into feed (e.g.; corn silage) and fed to ruminants.


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VMLY&R London confirms Iris' Sophie Lewis as Chief Strategy Officer
Lewis will lead strategy for the newly created agency and work with clients to leverage VMLY&R's unique integrated offering
VMLY&R London has hired Sophie Lewis as Chief Strategy Officer to help drive the success of the agency's unique integrated offering. Lewis starts immediately and will report to Jon Sharpe, CEO Europe VMLY&R.
Lewis was previously Head of Planning at Iris and one of the 2014 winners of the IPA's Women of Tomorrow competition. As VMLY&R's CSO, she will work across the full portfolio of Client Partners to leverage the agency's unique brand advertising and brand experience expertise.
Lewis will work closely with Andy Ortner, Head of Integrated Strategy, who joined VML after a decade at Deloitte and Accenture. Ortner will continue to manage the Strategy Department reporting to Lewis. The former CSO of Y&R London, Emily James will continue to work with VMLY&R as a Strategy Consultant.
With a career spanning more than 20 years in the industry, Lewis' experience ranges from large global networks to independent creative agencies. She started at BBH in Account Management before taking on planning roles at Mother, JWT, AMV BBDO and Iris. She has worked across a number of the industry's most high-profile campaigns including Boot's 'Here come the Girls', Sainsbury's 'Christmas in a Day' and Libresse's 'No Blood'.
VMLY&R has also bolstered its Strategy Department with the hire of three new Strategy Directors: Mike Redfern, joining from Publicis Australia where he held the same role, Jennifer Cownie, joining from TMW, and Nicky Buss, from Saatchi & Saatchi.
Jon Sharpe, CEO Europe, VMLY&R, said: "We want to hire brilliant people – and Sophie's brilliant. Her track record of big brand-building ideas coupled with her understanding of the connected consumer experience are a perfect match for VMLY&R. She also happens to be a genuinely nice person. I'm delighted Sophie is joining our brilliant team in London and helping us to take the exciting VMLY&R proposition to market."
Sophie Lewis added: "The unification of VMLY&R is really exciting. We are now a truly integrated offering which means we can focus on delivering transformational ideas, wherever they need to live, for our clients. I can't wait to get stuck in as part of the amazing team Jon has assembled."
Lewis joins the VMLY&R London Management Team comprised of Managing Director Amanda Farmer, Executive Creative Director Harsh Kapadia, Head of Integrated Strategy Andy Ortner, Co-Heads of Client Engagement Marcus Keith and Daniel Lipman, Head of Marketing and New Business, Lucy Taylor, and Chairman Mark Roalfe.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Skyliners returned Sunday from the 2019 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Plymouth, Michigan with THREE NATIONAL TITLES — GOLD in Junior, Novice and Juvenile — plus SILVER in Senior and BRONZE in Intermediate. The Gotham City Synchro Masters team placed ninth. We are so proud of every SCNY team and skater!
Skyliners Senior and the Haydenettes head to Helsinki, Finland April 12-14 as TEAM USA 2 and 1 for the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. Skyliners Junior and the Starlights head to Neuchatel, Switzerland March 14-16 as TEAM USA 1 and 2 for the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. Good luck, US Synchronized Skating World Team!
|U.S. Synchronized Skating National Champions
The Skating Club of New York's mission is to provide programs to encourage participation and achievement in the sport of figure skating, to conduct figure skating tests as prescribed by US Figure Skating and to organize and sponsor competitions, exhibitions and clinics. The Skating Club of New York is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit amateur athletic organization and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
USFS Safe Sport Program
Synchro News
94th Annual Middle Atlantic Championships
September 5-8, 2019
SCNY Synchro
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
New York Showcase
February 16, 2019
Wollman Open
Sunday, March 3, 2019
in Central Park
The Long Island Championships
Sunday, April 28, 2019
The Rinx
The Rinx Summer Open
July 12-14, 2019
The Rinx
General Test Application
Sky Rink Test Application
Instructions: IJS Protocol for Test Credit


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Ohh… Ayox is just dreamy! He's one of our (many) favourites from the Canggu surf scene and who wouldn't love him after seeing what he can do with his longboard?
He comes from a surfing family, with his little brother being the boardrider for Deus and his dad a surf instructor along with his uncle and several of his cousins. In fact, it's all one big happy family out there in the waves, which is exactly why you should surf with Ayox! Years of experience on the Canggu surf breaks have given this young babe the expertise needed to set others on the path to the good old #surflife. His gentle and patient nature will get you up on your board in no time, but be warned: he has a cheeky side which will keep you entertained as you wait for the sets to roll in!
GU TIP: if you're a longboarder, make sure you see Ayox ride! Book him for a session to get some extra help achieving your hang ten in style!


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Happy Friday Park Friends! Hope you've been out enjoying this beautiful weather! It looks like it's supposed to stay nice and summery all weekend long. And that is great news because we have another fun filled few days ahead!
Saturday Night Concert
For this week's concert event Cooper Schlegel and friends will be kicking the night off followed by our headlining guests The Susan Tuzzolino Quartet featuring Steve Luceno, Lorree Gardener, and Tommy Russell. The show starts at 7pm!
Sunday Work Party
We'll be having our regularly scheduled morning work party to get things cleaned up from the concert and keep the park looking lovely! Grab your gloves and come garden with us from 10am to 2pm!
Monday Movie Madness
This week's movie is titled Waking Life. It's a 2001 American adult animated docufiction film, directed by Richard Linklater. The film explores a wide range of philosophical issues including the nature of reality, dreams, consciousness, the meaning of life, free will, and existentialism. Waking Life is centered on a young man who wanders through a succession of dream-like realities wherein he encounters a series of individuals who engage in insightful philosophical discussions. The movie starts at 9:30pm, but we would suggest getting there early to get your seat. And there will be goodies to munch, including WCP dollar popcorn! For more information about this event, please see our Facebook event page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/279829372563702
West Central Park Accessible Community Garden Update
We're looking for a few volunteers to help out at the South Sound Senior Services Community Garden we have located at the park. The beds have been planted for about three weeks now, and stuff is growing fast. We could still use some help with weeding/watering and would love for you to meet up with us! The team is out every Thursday morning from 9-11am, so if you would like to join in, stop on by, or call Chris or Cathy, (360) 586-6181, ext. 114 or 112, respectively, for more information. If Thursdays don't work for you, you're also welcome to help out with bed tending during the Sunday morning work parties from 10am to 2pm!
For more information about these and other events at the West Central Park, please contact us at email@example.com or visit our events calendar at: aparkforus.org/event-calendar


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Special Gifts
Posted by By Amaasing on 7/20/2016 to Gifts by Occasion
Amaasing Gifts
Gifts can be a symbol of love, friendship, solidarity and many more. On the eve of hindu festivals and birthdays, exchanging gifts are common culture in India and Nepal. Your gifts for someone can be expression of your love or forgiveness or ending eneminess and building new relationship. We have a large collections of gifts such as traditional gifts, birthday and party favors, divine gifts and gifts bags. Make your life a memorable by sending Amaasing gifts from our webshop.


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Search Supreme Court Cases
U.S. Supreme Court
Hammond Packing Co. v. Montana, 233 U.S. 331 (1914)
Hammond Packing Co. v. Montana
No. 278
Submitted March 11, 1914
Decided April 13, 1914
So long as it does not interfere with interstate commerce, a state may restrict the manufacture of oleomargarine in a way that does not hamper that of butter. The classification is reasonable, and does not offend the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Capital City Dairy Co. v. Ohio, 183 U. S. 238.
A state may forbid the manufacture of oleomargarine altogether without violating the due process or equal protection provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment. Powell v. Pennsylvania, 127 U. S. 678.
A state may express and carry out its policy in restricting and forbidding the manufacture of articles either by police or by revenue legislation. Quong Wing v. Kirkendall, 223 U. S. 59.
45 Mon. 343 affirmed.
The facts, which involve the constitutionality under the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of a statute of Montana imposing a license tax on the carrying on of the business of selling oleomargarine, are stated in the opinion.
MR. JUSTICE HOLMES delivered the opinion of the Court.
This is an action to recover a license tax of one cent per pound sold for carrying on the business of selling oleomargarin. The answer, with some allegations not now material, admitted the facts and set up that § 4064 of the Political Code of Montana, as amended, by which the tax was imposed, violates the Fourteenth Amendment. That is the only question raised here, so that other incidental or preliminary matters need not be mentioned. Judgment was entered for the state on the pleadings, and the judgment was affirmed by the supreme court of the state.
The argument for the plaintiff in error is that, the tax being pronounced or assumed by the state courts to be a tax for revenue, it is unjustifiable to put oleomargarin in a class by itself and to discriminate, for instance, between it and butter. But we see no obstacle to doing so in the Constitution of the United States. Apart from interference with commerce among the states, a state may restrict the manufacture of oleomargarin in a way in which it does not hamper that of butter. Capital City Dairy Co. v. Ohio, 183 U. S. 238, 183 U. S. 245-246,. It even may forbid the manufacture altogether. Powell v. Pennsylvania, 127 U. S. 678. It may express and carry out its
policy as well in a revenue as in a police law. Quong Wing v. Kirkendall, 223 U. S. 59, 223 U. S. 62. The case really has been disposed of by previous decisions of this Court. McCray v. United States, 195 U. S. 27, 195 U. S. 62-63.
Judgment affirmed.
Official Supreme Court caselaw is only found in the print version of the United States Reports. Justia caselaw is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect current legal developments, verdicts or settlements. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or information linked to from this site. Please check official sources.


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Tag Archives: travelling
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Blarney about Blarney's
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Superficial Reflections in Berlin – Part I
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The University of Findlay men and women's cross country teams completed the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship on Nov. 3 in Canton, Ohio. The women took fifth with 177 points while the men finished sixth with 158 points.
Gabrielle Lawrence paced the women's squad and took ninth with a time of 23:24.1 while Matilda Jeruto was 42nd with a time of 25:24.7.
Madilyn Greiner finished 56th at 26:12.2, Vannessa Goewert was 72nd at 26:59.1, Torrie Purdy took 74th with a time of 27:08.4 and London Moening finished 101st after crossing the finish line in 29:21.9.
Jonathan Allen led the men's team with a ninth place finish after posting a time of 27:10.1 while Michael Taylor finished 30th at 27:54.5.
Austin Guthrie took 38th with a time of 28:14.5, Ty Gleason was 44th at 28:28.5, Jack Adams placed 64th at 29:06.6, Ryan Kohout was 93rd with a time of 30:13.6, Wade Hopkins finished 106th at 30:40.7 and Drew Toon took 119th in 31:38.4.


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What is Ren Xue?
Ren Xue is a holistic system that draws upon ancient wisdom culture, contemporary philosophy and modern science to build the foundation for the first science in history to include all aspects of human life. Ren Xue draws knowledge from Traditional Chinese Wisdom Culture such as Daoism, Confucianism, Qigong, Buddhism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, I-Ching philosophy, Feng Shui, Taiji, Bagua, and Martial Arts along with modern philosophy, medical science, science and technology.
The heart and intention of Yuan Tze Ren Xue is to offer an art and science to improve and elevate life. This inspirational system of teachings and practices provides us with tools that can help us to heal ourselves and our world community on the deepest level, the level of true life cultivation. Ren Xue offers us a path that can improve every aspect of life, including our health, our consciousness and our relationships with each other and with nature.
Why Ren Xue was created
Through decades of practice, research, teaching and healing Yuan Tze, the creator of Ren Xue, became very aware that even Qigong and Qi healing often have only temporary effects. In his endeavour to find effective solutions to human problems, including health problems, he recognized that the lack of understanding of life and nature is at the very root of these problems. This lack of understanding leads to thoughts and actions that disrupt the balance of human life and nature, and results in problems on the individual as well as the collective level. Improving understanding is therefore necessary, and using effective and practical tools based on the authentic understanding of life is essential if our efforts to deal with problems are to be successful.
Motivated by a vision of true change for the individual and for society, Yuan Tze saw the need to create a system for human life, a system that provides information which can help people to gain deep and comprehensive understanding of life and methods that can be used to deal with problems effectively. Yuan Tze's answer was the creation of the system called 'Human Life Science', or Yuan Tze Ren Xue. This system is distilled from the extensive knowledge and wisdom he has gained, the various methods he has practiced since he was very young and his experiences in teaching and healing.
Yuan Tze hopes that Ren Xue can offer a path that provides every person with the potential to change the course of their lives and human society with the potential to develop beyond the current limitations.


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Bringing Custom Branding and Customizations to the most commonly used Cloud Infrastructure Interfaces for Citrix, VMware and Microsoft.
- Stage Full Product Ready
- Industry Internet / Web Services
- Location Wappingers Falls, NY, USA
- Currency USD
- Founded January 2009
- Employees 2
- Website techstur.com
Company Summary
Techstur.com's Interface Customization Services specializes in the niche field of Custom Interfaces. We provide the Branding, Customization and Modification of the interfaces your users, vendors and customers use to interact, connect and access your Cloud Infrastructure via Citrix, VMware and Microsoft Enterprise System products. We take those out of the box Interfaces and turn them into products that fully integrate into your Brand.
Jesse BoehmCEO & Founder
Jesse Boehm has 15 years' experience working with Citrix, Microsoft and VMware Systems. Jesse has spent the last 6 years building Techstur.com as a global leader in Interface Customization Services for the Enterprise, and he is an intricate part of every project from the first email to the final install.
Kevin WrobelAccountantUnconfirmed


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Listen to this article
Blackstone's willingness to take a 4.5 per cent strategic stake in Deutsche Telekom from the German government was on Monday greeted as good news by observers inside and outside Europe's largest telecoms company.
Rather than casting in doubt the strategy of Telekom's executive board, management and investors appeared to believe the move would boost a languishing share price and perhaps also lead to a more up-beat dividend policy.
Karl-Gerhard Eick, Telekom's chief financial officer, said the government's promise not to sell further shares for at least a year addressed the "overhang" of state-held shares which had recently held back the share price.
A previous pledge from the federal government and the KfW development bank it controls ran out a year ago, leading to speculation on the stock exchange that Berlin would float more shares in order to fill depleted coffers.
"That prospect really hurt the development of the share price," said one person who knows the company. "It was the big question [chief executive Kai-Uwe] Ricke and Eick had to deal with when talking to outsiders."
As if to prove the point, investors yesterday piled in to Deutsche Telekom. After heavy trading in Frankfurt, its shares closed 3.7 per cent higher at €14.16 – a level still some way off last summer's level of €16.47.
Analysts found nothing predatory in the deal – a point the government was keen to emphasise given that one of its members last year called some investors "locusts".
"Even with a seat on the supervisory board, holding 4.5 per cent in a company isn't going to give you much say," said Frank Rothauge, telecoms analyst at Sal. Oppenheim, the private bank. "Nothing's going to change at the top."
While stressing Blackstone's record as a reliable long-term investor, Berlin was at pains to note the government and the KfW would for now remain Telekom's leading shareholders. Even after the deal they will still own 32.5 per cent. But Blackstone could leave its mark in other ways, analysts suggested. "Their move is probably highly leveraged, so they'll have to see good dividends," Mr Rothauge said. "I can't imagine they've gone into this without a nod from the executive board."
Telekom raised the dividend for 2005 by €0.10 to €0.72 per share. But it frustrated investors by not declaring this level to be the "floor" for future payouts, as it had done the previous year. It also offered no further guidance for the years ahead.
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I am very inexplicably tired this Tuesday morning. I think it's because we've stayed up till (gasp) 10pm both Sunday and Monday night. I've also got one of those extend-a-headaches that has been making itself known for about 3 days now. Nothing like waking up in the morning to a migraine.
Ok, I'm done being negative.
I found this photo collage of baby animals on Pinterest. Happy Tuesday!


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Detroit's Cobo Arena has been host to many spectacles in its more than 50-year history. It was the home to the Detroit Pistons during the team's early years. It's a historic concert facility that has seen the likes of The Doors, Jimmy Hendrix and Kiss. It's where Tonya Harding's husband notoriously tried to end the career of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.
But this time last year, Cobo Arena was the site of the 2020 World Robot Boxing (WRB) Championship bout pitting Zeus against Atom, mechanical star of DreamWorks Pictures' Real Steel.
During our visit to the set, we were reminded of Cobo's boxing roots as we were led past a statue of heavyweight champion Joe Louis and into the arena proper, where director Shawn Levy was working with star Hugh Jackman, newcomer Dakota Goyo and Atom himself on a pivotal.
Reporters settled into a row of seats in the stands, seats that didn't provide the best angle on the massive WRB ring situated off-center of the arena. Still we could easily see the massive steel cables that provide the ropes for the oversized ring where the robots brawl.
We could also view the small crowd of extras in the stands opposite us, posing as spectators, all in black tie and dresses. This was a WRB title bout, after all, so the city's high rollers were here, parked in front of a green screen so they only had to pack four or five rows at a time, with the remaining seats to be filled digitally.
Of course, we could see Atom, towering over 6-foot-2-inch Jackman. And if our sideline view wasn't good enough, there was also a flat-panel monitor positioned in front of us, so we could see what Levy saw as he directed his players.
While a technician readied Atom's movements for the next shot, Levy noticed us and bounded across the arena and up the stairs to where we sat. He was energetic and clearly excited about what he said is his biggest movie yet. And while the prospect of a live-action Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots may be appealing, Levy insisted he's aiming higher.
Part of that is employing new technology to wow the audience. Levy was particularly excited about the effects work at his disposal to depict the fight scenes like the one we were about to see. While there was a practical version of Atom in the arena that could move and gesture, the fighting was, of course, handled by CGI stunt doubles.
It won't surprise anyone that motion capture is utilized with real trained fighters standing in for the bots. To add an element of realism, Levy employed boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard to work with the fighters in choreographing the battles. And when the bots go at it, it's bigger, more brutal and more spectacular than human fights, which is the appeal of the new sport in the world of Real Steel.
During a video presentation, we watched the real fighters go through the fights, followed by their CG-rendered robot counterparts performing the same moves. We've all seen motion-capture technology before, but what Levy showed us next was something new.
"The way we're approaching the movie technologically has not been done before," Levy explained. "A massive part of our tech team are the team that invented the technology for Avatar. We go to real fight venues [like the one we were in] and re-insert the robot avatars into a live-action environment in real time.
"When Ben [Stiller] and I did Night at the Museum, you're lining up a dinosaur shot with nothing. Same thing, Hugh was saying, on Wolverine. You're constantly acting to nothing," he continued. "Here, when we line up a shot, I see Hugh and I see my robot already, and I'm operating my camera to that. And that's called Simulcam B."
A short time later Levy continued filming and we were able to see Simulcam B in action. To our left was the practical WRB arena, with crowds in the stands and a camera crew on the opposite side. Jackman was in his corner of the ring, as Charlie would be for his boxer Atom. Levy began whipping up the crowd with a ring-announcer description of the robot battle unfolding.
On the monitors we could see CG-rendered robots going at it in the ring with the live-action elements all around them. As the cameras moved, tracked, zoomed and dollied around the arena, Simulcam B adjusted the angles and positions of the robots accordingly. What we were seeing -- what Levy and director of photography Mauro Fiore were seeing – was an accurate representation of what the audience will experience when those shots are edited and the CG rendering is completed.
No tennis balls. No florescent paint on sticks. Robots fighting robots perfectly integrated with their human actors who are in the middle of their performances.
But for Levy, the chance to stretch new technology wasn't the main allure of Real Steel.
"When [Steven] Spielberg called me up and said, 'Would you do this movie?' I said, 'Yes, but I don't just want to do another robot fetish movie,'" Levy explained, adding that it's hard to outdo the work done by Michael Bay, James Cameron or even McG in the Transformers and Terminator movies. "Doing a robot movie in 2011 is never going to be inherently fresh. But what is fresh, I think ... is to do a movie that has robots in it, that is unabashedly humanistic and emotional."
The movie is based on, or at least inspired by, Richard Matheson's short story Steel, which was adapted as a Twilight Zone episode starring Lee Marvin. The story contains strong themes of redemption for its leading human.
Levy told us he looked to Raging Bull, the Rocky movies and The Champ for inspiration. However, he also said he sees kinship between his movie and Spielberg's E.T.
"It's about a boy whose personal life is broken, who makes a connection with another, and it's a redemptive connection," Levy said and. He also looked to 1973's Paper Moon. "That's a father/daughter road movie, frankly, where father and daughter didn't particularly like each other or want to be with each other."
Jackman plays Charlie Kenton, a down-and-out former boxer who has been replaced by machines. Kenton is also a deadbeat dad suddenly forced to care for his young son Max (Goyo). The actor also cited Paper Moon as his reference point, and described Charlie as a huckster, driven by desperation.
"It's a bit like Rocky," Jackman said, emphasizing that same emotional factor that drew him to the project. "It's not wall-to-wall robot boxing. There are a few key fights, but really it's relationships. When I read this script I thought, 'This is like those great Spielberg movies where they really genuinely use complexity of character and magic.' I will be surprised if it doesn't bring a tear to your eye and make you jump out of your seat."
Below Spinoff Online debuts four billboard images for Real Steel, which opens Oct. 7.


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Chief Grady sat in his office with his head in his hands. The thought of cutting either Barker or Kline had made his stomach turn. Unbelievable! These kids come in on their days off and work hours-upon-hours of overtime without complaint, Grady stewed. And what thanks do they get? They get canned. Ah, who am I kidding? It's only a matter of time before we're all handed our walking papers. His brain continued the rant until a knock at the door offered a much needed distraction.
"You okay, Chief?" Barker asked as both he and Kline entered the office. "We were starting to worry."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks," Grady replied, though his tone didn't support the words.
"So, which one of us is getting sacked?" Kline laughed.
"How did you know?" Grady asked
"Are you kidding? You look like someone just ate your last bear claw, Chief. So, who's it gonna be?"
"Not sure. They don't really care which; they just said one of you had to go."
"Rock, Paper, Scissors, for it" Barker and Kline said simultaneously.
Chief Grady had to laugh as he watched his two deputies battling it out. More often than not, the pair ended up throwing out the same object. Each time, they'd laugh even harder until they'd forgotten it was supposed to be a somber moment.
"Ha! Paper covers rock," Kline hooted triumphantly.
"Best out of three," Barker challenged.
"You're on!"
The laughter continued as they proceeded with their game. Grady covertly sent a text to his wife alerting her to the situation, knowing he'd need her to cheer him up when he got home. Sharon did one better and prepared a home-cooked meal, complete with dessert, and brought to the station for lunch. The deputies were still battling it out when she arrived.
"Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot," they called out in unison.
"What's going on?" Sharon asked, pointing at the deputies.
"They're deciding which of them is going to stay and which is headed to the unemployment line." Chief Grady laughingly answered. He shook his head and stepped in between them. "Take a break and let's have some lunch."
Hours later they were still talking, laughing, and eating. The phones remained dead and Chief Grady wondered if somehow they'd messed up the switchboard. For that brief moment, he didn't care. There's virtually no one left in this desolate community anymore, anyway, his inner-voice offered in consolation. Though he tried to make light of it, in truth, it broke his heart.
"Hey! You guys haven't heard anything from Hooper have you? I mean, if they can just figure out what's out there; it could save our town." He exclaimed, reaching for the phone. "I'm calling him right now!"
Hooper had left both his office number and his cell number so Grady dialed both. The cell number went straight to voicemail but the office number was answered by a pleasant-sounding secretary. She was quick to explain that Dr. Hooper, as he had just completed his doctoral thesis, had been awarded a grant and his team was now in the middle of the Indian Ocean on a special study of the Mustelus manglorensis shark.
"Oh," Grady sighed, seeing his hopes crash and burn. "I don't suppose he left any messages for me then, Chief Thomas Grady?"
"Hmm," the cheery voice answered. "Let me see…Grady, Grady? Oh! Here's something… uh-oh. There's a letter here that I was supposed to mail out over a week ago. Oh my, I'm so sorry. I'm new here."
"That's okay," Grady replied, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. "We were all new once, right? Why don't you just go ahead and open it and read it to me. You can mail it afterwards and no one will be the wiser."
"Oh, I don't know…Isn't tampering with the mail a federal offense?"
"It hasn't been sent through the mail, yet so it doesn't really count. I promise, I won't say a word. Now, be a lamb and read that letter for me, please. It might be a matter of life and death. Hooper was working on something for me and it sure would be nice to know what he found. Besides, I'm the Chief of Police. Would I tell you to break the law?"
"Oh, okay."


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Reds' Garcia garners first weekly award
Cincinnati's No. 14 prospect hit .448 with two homers for Dayton
By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com | August 20, 2018 3:40 PM
Jose Garcia entered the 2018 season as the $5 million man. It's taken some time, but he's starting to show why the Reds paid a high price to sign him out of Cuba in June 2017.
Cincinnati's No. 14 prospect has been named Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week after going 13-for-29 (.448) with two homers, a double and two stolen bases over six games for Class A Dayton. This is the first Minor League Player of the Week he's won since making his pro debut with the Dragons back in April.
Garcia ended the week with five straight multi-hit games from Wednesday to Sunday, going 12-for-24 (.500) over that span. His 13 total hits were tied for fourth-most among all Minor Leaguers during the seven-day period from Aug. 13-19 and two more than anyone else at Class A. Only South Atlantic League honoree Casey Golden (22) had more total bases at the level than Garcia's 20.
• View the Pitcher of the Week winners »
The 20-year-old shortstop/second baseman is hitting .307/.350/.547 during 17 games in August with four of his six homers on the season coming in the month alone. That's a far cry from his production over the first half when he hit .202/.248/.274 over his first 60 games before the All-Star break and just .178/.211/.205 over 19 games in April.
But like many international players getting their careers going in full-season ball, it's been a year of adjustments for the 6-foot-2, right-handed slugger, and those changes are starting to turn into real results, according to his manager.
"He's been working a lot in the cage with [hitting coach] Daryle Ward to improve as the season's gone on," said Dayton manager Luis Bolivar. "He used to have a big leg kick, but now, it's not there so much. The leg kick was interfering with his timing. With the kick taking up so much time, he was rushing and getting too long, and that was messing with his ability to make contact. When he shortened his leg kick, he was able to get short to the ball and has been able to drive the ball better from both sides of the plate."
Cincinnati signed the infielder for about $5 million in June 2017 -- just before the close of the 2016-17 international signing window -- after he showed plenty of potential with the Cuban junior national team.
His best tools remain his plus speed and above-average arm, and he's spent most of his time with Dayton at shortstop after primarily playing second base in his native country. But even while Garcia had to adjust to the Midwest League's cold April weather and the rigors of playing every day, Bolivar never saw him lose confidence.
"He's a very smart kid," said the Dragons manager. "He's always handled himself, even when he was cold to begin the season. He knows what he wants to do. He knows there are big expectations for him. He has those big expectations for himself, too. Making the transition, I'm sure he's seen all the differences between what he was used to and what he needs to do to be successful. He's already got a house in Miami, so he'll be there all offseason, taking what he's learned and building on things there for next season."
Garcia's improvements only add to the excitement around the Dayton infield. Reds No. 7 prospect Jeter Downs has enjoyed a solid first full season, mostly playing to Garcia's left at second base, while No. 55 overall prospect/third baseman Jonathan India joined those two on July 30. The trio could move on together to Class A Advanced next season, and the Reds would love to see them develop as a potential infield core with top prospect Nick Senzel also manning the dirt two levels above. How long India, Downs and Garcia can stick together will be determined, but the lowest-ranked prospect of the group -- who enters the final two weeks with a .245/.295/.345 line over 114 games on the season -- has perhaps done the most to improve his standing and make a good final impression before 2018 comes to a close.
"It's gonna make [Garcia] even better next year, I know that," Bolivar said. "From the way he ended to the way he started, it's no doubt going to bring him a boost of confidence. He's going to be in much better position now, knowing that if he keeps working hard, results like this can come. He's going to have a big year, if he keeps this up."
Here is the complete list of Minor League Offensive Players of the Week for Aug. 13-19:
|Kennys Vargas
|.379/.419/.828, 7 G, 11-for-29, 1 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 10 K
|Pacific Coast
|J.D. Davis
|.462/.533/1.192, 7 G, 12-for-26, 1 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 4 K
|Caleb Gindl
|.524/.583/.857, 6 G, 11-for-21, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
|Joe Dunand
|.375/.423/.875, 6 G, 9-for-24, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 0 BB, 2 K
|Anderson Miller
|Northwest Arkansas
|.438/.500/.750, 5 G, 7-for-16, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 SB
|Cristian Santana
|Rancho Cucamonga
|.429/.429/.821, 6 G, 12-for-28, 2 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 5 R, 0 BB, 7 K
|Anderson Tejeda
|Down East
|.375/.444/.708, 6 G, 9-for-24, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 SB
|Florida State
|Stefan Trosclair
|Palm Beach
|.370/.387/.778, 7 G, 10-for-27, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 1 BB, 6 K
|Jose Garcia
|.448/.467/.690, 6 G, 13-for-29, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 2 SB, 1 CS
|South Atlantic
|Casey Golden
|.458/.480/.917, 6 G, 11-for-24, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 SB
|New York-Penn
|Ben Pelletier
|.467/.556/1.000, 4 G, 7-for-15, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K
|Jorge Perez
|.500/.609/.722, 7 G, 9-for-18, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, 4 K, 2 SB, 1 CS
|Jonah Davis
|.375/.464/1.250, 6 G, 9-for-24, 2 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB, 7 K
|James Outman
|.500/.565/.722, 5 G, 9-for-18, 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 K, 4 SB, 1 CS
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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Under blue skies and in front of their closest family and friends, Joanie and John said 'I Do' this past spring and I've been obsessed with their wedding details ever since. This post is long overdue! Before Joanie and John's big day we started planning all the details that would tell their love story and set the tone for their wedding day to their family and friends. Joanie had a clear vision for her wedding details and was the most laid back bride to work with ever.
The customization began with a one-of-a-kind save the date to get guests excited for the April 8th wedding and then began the planning for the invitations. I drew inspiration from the blush pink of the bridesmaid dresses (actually called Blushing Pink by Azazie), the pink roses that would be in Joanie's bouquet and the greenery she had picked for her table arrangements. Complete with an RSVP postcard and hand lettered envelopes, we sent this suite off to J & J's guests and got down to business planning day of details.
Joanie chose to go with gold mirrors as signage for her day, mixing perfectly with her rustic, modern theme. The mirrors were the perfect detail to combine with the white votives, lush greenery, rustic wooden chairs, and the beautiful venue scene of Glen Ellen Farm. The Bible verses and favorite song lyrics on these pieces added special touches throughout the day.
Of course, no wedding is complete without a seating chart and table numbers! Two vintage windows greeted family and friends at the entrance to the reception, asking them to "please find their seat!" These vintage wooden windows were a total score and I'm convinced they will remain in my top 5 favorite wedding signs of all time. Joanie purchased these table number cards from Wedding Paper Divas, each with a chapter and verse number from the bible on the bottom, and I lettered the numbers on each.
What makes these details even more special besides the honor of creating them, is that Joanie is one of my best friends and I was a bridesmaid standing by her side on her wedding day. It truly was a beautiful day for an amazing couple. Joanie and John are two of the sweetest people with the kindest hearts, and I feel blessed that I could be such a big part of their day and help tell their love story for years to come.
Here are a few of my other favorites that I wanted to share so you could experience all the love and joy from their day. All photos by the wonderfully talented Costola Photography.
Is she not the most beautiful bride ever.
Believe me, these two are so fun.
x. Tara
Venue: Glen Ellen Farm
Photography: Costola Photography
Florals: Ellen Murray Millhollon


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In his July 12 editorial, Hank Waters questioned the value of a constituent survey I conducted last month to sample public opinion on the issue of how the city should pay for growth.
I believe elected officials should engage the community in an ongoing, robust policy dialogue.
My survey questions focused specifically on the one-time costs of expanding roads, sewers, electric and other public infrastructure systems to accommodate new development � projects that would not be built if we had a stable population. Because, in fact, we are growing at an annual rate of 2.5 percent, which adds 3,000 new Columbia residents every year, the city has to invest heavily in expanding infrastructure. Understanding how much this costs the taxpayer and asking people to weigh in on how we should pay for these projects is neither pro-growth nor anti-growth. It is an important and responsible role of government.
Of 176 respondents to my survey, three-quarters indicated they believe between 50 percent and 100 percent of these costs should be recovered as impact fees or connection charges levied directly on new development when building permits are issued, and the most popular response was 80 percent to 90 percent.
How does this compare with the real world? According to my historical budget analysis of our five main public infrastructure systems, the city recovered about 16 percent of the $150 million it spent during the past 10 years on these one-time capacity expansion projects. Of the $85 million we spent on new road capacity projects specifically, we recovered about 9 percent. Note this analysis does not include repair and maintenance of these facilities, which always becomes the responsibility of taxpayers and appears as a separate item in the city budget.
The purpose of this survey and others I have conducted is to give voice to my constituents and to keep me informed about public opinion. My monthly email newsletter goes to more than 1,000 constituents, about half of whom live in the Fourth Ward. Everyone with an interest in local government is invited to sign up to receive the newsletter, respond to my ideas and engage me with their own, and participate in the surveys; I also hold Saturday afternoon constituent conversations at Dunn Brothers Coffee. I believe it is the duty of elected representatives to listen to the community and consider public opinion when making public policy.
Of course, I don�t propose to set development fees based exclusively on the results of one nonscientific survey. At the same time, I do not think we should dismiss these opinions out of hand, as Waters seemed to suggest. In the past few months, thousands of citizens have been mobilized to sign petitions expressing opposition to new development projects and a loss of confidence in city government. We need to listen very carefully to their concerns because they hold the power of the ballot box!
The city�s quarter-cent capital improvements sales tax expires next year, and we will need to ask voters to approve an extension. Over the past 10 years, this tax has raised about $50 million, and these funds have paid for much of the 91 percent of new road-capacity costs that were not covered by the development charge. Will the community support extending the tax if it feels we are asking too much of them and too little of the new development that drives the need for these projects?


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Back in July, when I had just finished making this Red Panda, I texted my mom to ask her if she wanted to name him. She texted me right back: "He looks like a Jojo". So that's basically how he got his name. 😋
But what prompted me to amigurumi-fy this "fire fox"? Reason #1: For starters, red pandas are super cute. So how could I not make an amigurumi red panda! 😍
Reason #2: The red panda is a mammal native to the eastern Himalayas. So being in the same geographical region makes you a bit biased towards these little furballs, I guess. Also, since it enjoys eating bamboo shoots and hanging out in the trees all day, I guess that makes it my spirit animal since my idea of an ideal day comprises mostly of eating and sleeping.
Reason #3: This cutie is also the state animal of my home state, Sikkim, where it has an annual winter festival named after it. If you happen to be in the capital town of Gangtok during December-January, there's a good chance you might bump into folks wearing red panda jumpsuits and masks! Sadly, in their own habitat, red panda numbers are dwindling due to deforestation. 😔
If you want to take a walk on the wild side and hang out with a red panda [without disturbing them or their habitat, of course], hook up a little Jojo for yourself. Or you can make one for the wildlife lover in your life. When made with sock weight yarn and a 2.5mm hook, Jojo stands 16cm tall [and 13.5cm when sitting].
You can buy the pattern here.
Before I sign off, here's a candid photo of Jojo reading Animal Farm and looking slightly disturbed by the events unfolding in the book. 😉
Happy hookin'! ❤
P.S. A huge shout out to Mia Svensson, Crystal Thompson, Véronique Flawine, Reina A., Fiona McQueen, Jessica Sherman, and Kate Erbach for being super awesome and helping me test Jojo's pattern.


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Last night, China printed 48.3 on the HSBC Flash PMI, but don't tell U.S. corporations who call China a major market that China is slowing.
Luxury sales are alive and well, auto sales are alive and well...and even Yum (YUM, quote) saw a turn in its volatile China data series. If you ask Jeff Immelt at General Electric (GE, quote), China remains one of his top markets and he has seen zero falloff in the order book, in fact his China order book is growing. In fact, most CEOs shake their hands in disbelief when asked why people think China is a problem for them.
Tonight Apple (AAPL, quote) and tomorrow Amazon (AMZN, quote), Starbucks (SBUX, quote) and General Motors (GM, quote) will give additional insight into China sales which we expect will be solid. GM has already indicated China sales were soaring and now over 40% of sales globally.
So far some earnings season China highlights include:
- Nike (NKE, quote) has seen China revs go from 8.22% of sales in fiscal Q1 '14 to 10% of sales in fiscal Q3 '14.
- McDonalds (MCD, quote) said China sales were +6.6% and a nice offset to slower U.S. growth. They plan to overhaul all of their China stores.
- Yum last night said China sales (53% of sales) recovered to +9% y/y.
- Coca-Cola (KO, quote) , who is under pressure in North America from declining CSD sales, said China sales last quarter were +12% while global sales only 2%.
- Boeing (BA, quote) earnings were out today and China's Shandong Airlines just announced a $4.6Bn order that is indicative of the demand the company is seeing form Chinese customers.
- United Technologies (UTX, quote) is seeing strong demand from Chinese housing and infrastructure segments.
The list goes on and on…
China macro headlines should not be accused with a reversal in the generational transition to a consumption economy. Cyclicality should not be confused with regression for U.S. companies who need Chinese growth at the center of their global growth strategies. These are not strategies that were built overnight nor will they be challenged by the macro headlines that seem to confuse so many investors who have not made the same commitment.
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